“Good. I will make it feel even better.”
He began to move, sliding in and out of her body, slowly at first and then with increasing speed. It felt like everything in her body was rushing to the space where their bodies connected.
As he moved, she touched him. She moved her hips up to meet his. She loved the sounds he made in reaction to her. He practically yipped when she pinched one of his nipples, but didn’t say to stop, so she reasoned he liked it. They kissed, and with every kiss, she felt herself growing closer to him, like they were coming together to create a kind of magic.
As they moved together, she felt something building in her. She wasn’t completely sure what it was, but it was like she was moving inexorably toward some conclusion. She gasped as the pleasure spread through her body.
“Surrender to it,” Hugh whispered. “Let go.”
So she did, and it felt like her body exploded. The tingly sensation between her legs ran through her whole body and shestopped seeing or feeling anything but Hugh for a very long moment.
As her senses returned, she felt him jerk suddenly, and then he slid out of her. She felt something warm on her abdomen and looked to see him spending on her belly. She shivered, excited by the sight of that.
Hugh rolled onto his back, out of breath. But he reached for a handkerchief on the night table and gently cleaned her up.
Adele’s heart still pounded as he settled in bed beside her and pulled her into his arms.
“Did you… that is…” she started to ask.
“It was marvelous,” said Hugh. “You are marvelous.”
“I feel marvelous.”
He chuckled softly. “I hope I have not disappointed you.”
“You have not. I will remember this for a long time. Thank you, Hugh.”
“Thankyou.”
She yawned, feeling sleep pulling at her. “I should return to my room.”
“Please stay a little longer. If you fall asleep, I’ll be sure to wake you before the servants do their rounds.”
She put a hand on his chest, feeling proud and brave for what she’d done. She’d been right; this was something she needed to experience. She often worried life was passing her by and she was missing essential experiences, but now she at least had this. How she would live the rest of her days without experiencing it again, she did not know, but she supposed she’d have to manage.
Now, though, his warmth and his scent and the safety of his arms were lulling her to sleep, so she closed her eyes and succumbed to it.
*
Hugh felt themoment when Adele surrendered to sleep.
He’d felt it when she’d surrendered tohim, too.
Lark had said Hugh hadn’t been eager to marry in his previous life, but perhaps that was because he’d never met anyone he wanted to marry. It was true that he had not known Adele very long, but he could feel that she had depths worth exploring should they spend more time together. And if nights with her were like this… he could still feel her tentative hands exploring his body, could feel the moment when her curiosity got the better of her and she touched him with confidence.
Something in him wanted to hold her, care for her. She’d said she felt safe with him, and pride warmed his chest. He wanted her to feel safe; he wanted to keep her safe.
Perhaps these were the thoughts of a besotted fool, but he didn’t care. Hewasbesotted. Why shouldn’t he offer for Adele?
On the other hand, he still had not regained his memories. He had snatches, but no clear picture of who he’d been before someone had struck him on the head. Maybe he owed it to himself, to Adele, to recover his memories before he made any decisions that would impact the rest of his life.
Ifhe could recover his memories.
She had long tresses of shining blond hair that were now splayed across his chest and pillows. He touched the ends now, careful not to do anything to wake her. He loved her hair, had loved running his hands through it as they’d kissed. He loved her body, love its softness, loved the pink undertones of her skin. He’d loved the earnest expression on her face as he’d asked him to be with her tonight, and he’d loved the ecstasy on that same face as she’d come apart in his arms.
He’d been with women before. Clearly he had. But nothing rattling around in his mind now told him he’d ever been with a woman likethis. The fact that she’d come to him almost seemed remarkable.
And he’d wanted to say no. He knew it was wrong to bed a lady who might someday marry another man. It was wrong of him to have ruined her as he had. But he hadn’t been able to resist her, not when she’d had that earnest, pleading look on her face, not when he’d seen traces of her beautiful body below that flimsy shift and dressing gown. It had taken every bit of strength he had to pull away from her body at the critical moment, because he’d wanted to bury himself in her and lose himself there. She seemed certain they would not see each other after tomorrow. So he could not risk them conceiving a child. Nor did he want this to be the last time they lay together, because this night had been a taste but he wanted a full meal.
