He didn’t mean to say anything further, but the words came pouring out of him regardless.
“I’ve never felt like this about a woman before. Every time I see you, all I want is to be close to you. To touch you. To feelthose lips under mine again. To feel you under me. But you’re untouchable.”
She crossed her arms again. “In what way?”
“You’re perfect. You’re beautiful. You’re intelligent. You’re well-mannered. You’re everything I’m not. I can’t see how I deserve you. When Blackwood is no longer a threat, when you don’t need me anymore, you’re going to want to leave. To return to your own life. I will help you if you want an annulment, as all I want is for you to be happy. But if I let you in too close — if we find our way together — then I don’t know how I will ever be able to part from you. It would kill me all the more when I am no longer able to see you every day, to talk to you, to breathe you in.” He paused. “That sounded rather disturbing. Sorry. But you see my point? I’m falling for you, Minnie, and I don’t know how to be with you without losing myself in you, when one day you’re going to want to be free from me.”
She hadn’t said a word, letting him speak as she stood there, expressionless, blinking. Now, she stepped toward him, her eyes wet as she looked up at him.
“Is that what you truly think?”
Dear God, she was going to run away now.
“Well… yes.”
“Tommy,” she said, reaching up to cup her cool, smooth hands around his rough cheeks, already covered in stubble. “I am not perfect. Far from it, actually. How could you possibly think that you don’t deserve me, that I would so certainly want to leave you?”
“Look around you,” he said. “These rooms could fit into your parents’ drawing room.”
“Do you truly think that’s what matters to me?” she asked, her eyes widening.
“How can it not?” he said. “I have nothing to offer you. In fact, youhave had to work to be with me.”
“I do nothaveto. You made that perfectly clear. I want to. Did you ever stop to think that maybe I like being with you? Spending time with you? Contributing to this life that we are building together? If returning to my parents’ house last night taught me anything, it was that I am happy where I am now. With someone who cares for me. Who looks out for my best interests. Who would go as far as to marry me to make sure I am safe."
“I appreciate that,” he murmured, looking down, knowing that he might not deserve the praise, but accepting it anyway.
“I want to be with you,” she continued. “As your wife. That is, if you will have me.”
“If I will have you?” He stared up at her in shock. “That’s not the question. I would have you now and in every way possible. But once I get a taste of you… I’m not sure if I will ever be able to let you go.”
“Who says I want to go anywhere?”
She might not. Not now, at least. This was all still a novelty to her. One that, eventually, would wear off, he was sure. In the meantime, was there any harm in making memories?
Well, yes. Likely.
But she had worn him down, and he couldn’t help but forget about that for a moment and take a chance in the present.
He leaned down, pressing his lips across her jaw to her cheek, revelling in her skin, softer than he could ever have expected. Finally, he moved to her mouth, connecting them for the first time — and oh, it was worth the wait. He took his time, molding their lips together, but never going any farther than that.
He kept it sweet, exploring the surface of her lips as his hand gently trailed down her ribs, stopping on her hip.
His mouth still on hers, he reached around her, beginning to undo the buttons on the back of her gown, unfastening them before he pushed the sleeves of her dress off her arms and slid the garment over her hips, his fingers fumbling as he sought all the fastenings, ties, and buttons that kept all this blasted fabric attached to her body. He wasn’t making as quick work of it as he would like, but together, they managed to divest her of all her outer clothing and garments and stays until she was standing in only a thin chemise before him.
He backed up a couple of inches, hating the space between them, undressing faster than he ever had before as he explored her with his eyes, taking in every curve, the swell of her breasts and hips, and the tightness of her waist.
Her eyes widened when he shed his drawers, and she took him in. It might not be the first time she had seen him naked, but it was the first time he was naked and ready to make love.
That made quite a difference. One he was happy for her to discover for herself.
He returned his mouth to hers, backing them up until they bumped into the bed, and he slowly lowered her down upon it.
He took the hem of her chemise in one hand and murmured into her lips, “This all right?”
She nodded, her breath coming in short pants, as he slowly inched it up, over her body, before pulling it over her head.
He could only stare.
