He gave her a sly smile.“His nose will never be the same.”
She laughed then, her hand coming to her mouth.“Oh, that is satisfying.”
“I agree.”He stopped just in front of her, brushing a loose curl from her cheek.“And as I said in the carriage, I’ll see to him from here on out.”
Her fingers itched to trail over the bare skin just in front of her.“Thank you.”She swallowed, attempting to concentrate.This was still business.“I just have one more question…”
“What is it?”
“You said that I could retain control—” His muscles flexed in his chest and the words died on her lips.
“I see the archbishop tomorrow.After that, I’ll visit a solicitor and have the details of our arrangement drawn up in writing for both of us to agree upon.Your father’s money will be yours.And in exchange…”
“You need an heir.”
He stepped closer then, practically touching her, one his arms snaking about her waist.“First, I need a wife.”
She placed her hands on his bare skin, shivering at the feel of his muscles under her fingertips.His skin was hot and a delicious mix of smooth with coarse hair over that.She’d like to trace every line on his abdomen, mapping his body with her touch.
He dropped his head, his mouth just an inch from hers.“I’ll protect you, Priscilla.All I need in return…” His voice drifted off.
“What?”she asked, looking into his gaze, the connection sending a jolt through her as their eyes met.This close, it might have been more intimate than kissing.
“I need you to keep me close.”
Keep him close?They’d be married.Of course, they’d be close.
She didn’t answer with words, however.Rising onto her tiptoes, she pressed her lips to his.How could she be any closer than this?
* * *
Wyatt’s armtightened about her waist as he deepened the kiss.
She looked so lovely staring up at him.She felt even nicer pressed to his front.
And as she melted into him, her mouth yielding to his, her body curving to fit into the crook of his, he knew he’d never let her go.
He’d fight a thousand Eugenes.
Hell, he’d fight his own past to keep her at his side.
He pushed his fingers into the hair at the nape of her neck, her loose coif becoming even looser, allowing his fingers to twine into the silky brown tresses.
He breathed in her floral scent, wanting more of her.The sweet and musky sent of gardenias wrapped about him, only adding to the heady sensations making his thoughts swim and his pulse beat like thunder.
Truth be told, for the first time in his life, he wanted her heart and he wished to give her his too.
She slid her hands up to his shoulders, tracing down his arms and then to his waist, her fingers skimming along his abdomen, making everything inside him tighten as she danced her touch along the waistband of his breeches.
Her exploration of his skin was both delightful and wholly unfair.He ought to feel a bit of the curves he’d been dreaming of since he’d met her that first day in Hyde Park.
But that required a bit more privacy then they had in this space.
Lifting her by the waist, he never broke their kiss as he started to carry her toward his carriage, which currently sat in the back of the building.
He managed to hold her as he opened the door, climbed the single step and then snapped it shut behind them, the curtained interior both dark and intimate.
And when he swung them both onto a seat, her landing softly in his lap, her small giggle tingled along his spine.Her legs dangled over one side of his, her side tucking snuggly into his front.Their breath mingled as he stared into her eyes.
