“Y-yes, I’ll do that.” She scurried away from him.
A moment later, the fine linen was draped over the wooden frame.
Richard quickly divested himself of his equally sodden clothing, wrapped one blanket around his waist, and waited. Soon the sound of small boots hitting the floor could be heard, and a pair of silk stockings joined the muslin.
His body tightened, and his blasted shaft decided it was being invited to play. He had not been a monk, especially after Pae had married and he’d thought he had lost her forever, but it had been a damn long time, and he wanted her as he had no other woman.
Patience remained behind the screen for several moments gathering her courage. After all, there was no point in staying there all day. She was no innocent miss, and Richard was merely a friend. Not to mention that she must spread her clothing out to dry, and she wished for a cup of tea while it was still warm. Thank the Lord no one had seen them enter the inn or knew they were sharing a chamber.
She made sure the edge of the blanket was tucked in securely before stepping out from behind the screen, and stopped. Richard sat in a chair next to the fire, naked from his waist up. All their garments had been hung over a sofa he had pulled in front of the fireplace.
He turned. His eyes widened slightly as he gazed at her. She pushed a strand of damp hair behind her ear, surprised to find her fingers trembling.
It had been so long since a man had seen her less than fully dressed. “I must look a fright.”
“You look beautiful.” He rose, holding his arm out as he strode to her. “I am reminded of the times we went swimming in the lake.” She closed her eyes as his hand touched her tresses, winding a long curl around his fingers. “Pae.”
His voice was a breath sliding across her cheek.
“Richard, we cannot.” Her tone was so soft she could barely hear the words.
His mouth brushed hers, and her lips burned with the caress.
“No?” His arms wrapped around her, heating her whole body.
“No.” Although right now she could not think of even one reason not to do what they wished.
“Just let me kiss you.” He slanted his head and pressed his lips to hers. She opened her mouth, allowing him in, meeting his warm tongue with hers.
The springy hairs covering his muscular chest called to her. She could have no more resisted touching them than she could have resisted one of Gunter’s ices. Pressing her palms to his chest, she stroked, grazing his nipples with her nails. He felt hard, and warm, and wonderful.
Richard groaned as he pulled her flush against him. The blankets fell, and she slid her hands over his shoulders. His hard member pressed against her belly. His slightly callused hands roamed over her back, down to her derrière, lighting flames wherever they touched. Desire, long dead, rose, causing her to rock against his length.
Oh, God, she wanted him, wanted this.
“Richard.” She panted as he ravaged her mouth.
“Hold on, my love.”
She quickly wrapped her legs around him as he picked her up and opened the door behind them.
“A bedchamber?” Why had she not been paying attention when they’d arrived?
“Fortunate that we got the last one.” He grabbed at the covers, pulling them back, and, somehow, managing to get them both onto the mattress without letting her go. He took her lips again in a ravenous kiss, then began pressing his mouth to her neck. “Tell me if I do anything you do not like.”
She nodded, moaning as he pushed her breasts together, taking one nipple in his hot, wet mouth and sucking. “Good, so good.”
“God, Pae, you taste like honey and lavender.”
Frissons of lust shot from her breasts to her mons. She arched into him. “I want you.”
He settled between her legs, and his shaft nudged against her. Once more she wrapped her legs around him, this time encouraging him to take her. Richard had nearly lost control when Pae emerged from behind the screen. He’d almost spent himself when Pae’s blanket dropped. He had dreamed about making love to her for years, and now her beautiful pink-tipped breasts were his to enjoy, and he couldn’t seem to get enough of them. Then she had spread her legs, allowing his member to feel her hot, wet mons, and his need to possess her, to make her his, surged.
He pressed slowly into her tight sheath, watching as her head dropped back giving him perfect access to her swanlike neck. He dragged his tongue along the soft line of her jaw and brought his mouth down on hers as he buried himself in her.
After almost twenty years, finally, he was home.
Moments later her breathing hitched, and she cried his name, convulsing around him bringing him with her. “Oh, God, Pae.”
