At last, he understood that the heart wanted what it wanted. He could no more stop his love from flowing than he could stop the next rainstorm from soaking the countryside. He would happily suffer the pain of separation if it meant one more day with her. One more moment. One more kiss. And he had taken as many of those as he could.
“Very well. You can accompany me, but you’ll have to catch me first,” she teased, lifting her skirts and racing into the maze of hedges. Flushed and breathless, he chased his delicious quarry, knowing the bounty that awaited him once they were away from prying eyes. They were masters of hiding away the secret love that flourished between them that carefree summer.
And he was an expert in catching his prey.
Chapter Ten
“I’ve got you, my Lottie,” he said as he grasped her by the waist and pulled her flush against his chest. Her breaths came fast as she attempted to calm herself.
She turned, placing a hand on his cheek. “Of course you did. I let you catch me.”
“As the victor, I demand to claim my prize,” he whispered, locking his gaze on her warm brown eyes, golden as though lit by the very rays of the sun.
“Of course,” she said, lifting her hands to play with the hair at the base of his head, sending shivers coursing through his body.
Closing his eyes, Peregrine savored the touch, lowering his lips to meet hers. How would he learn to live with the intense hunger she stoked within him? Was it like this with all women? After several years of preferring the country life over that of the city, he hadn’t gained the experience a man of his twenty-two years typically did. The way she lit up his whole body was unlike anything he had ever felt. Perhaps it would be the same with his wife? Somehow, he doubted it.
Sliding his hands down the curve of her waist, he tasted the soft moan on her tongue as she pressed deeper into him. It was amazinghow quickly they could light the flame into a blaze, the passion that stood between them. Their time was fleeting, and they made the most of it.
Pulling away, she took his hand and led him into a private alcove within the maze, a circular section with a small opening where one could easily hide from prying eyes. She placed both his hands on her hips and brought their lips together once again.
Her hand crept down to stroke him, his erection straining against the prison of his breeches, but it was safer that way. Perry leaned his head back, rolling his eyes in ecstasy at her touch. They had grown bolder in their last few love sessions. More desperate. He knew they had to put a stop to whatever was growing between them, but they were helpless once their lips met.
Truly.
Tugging at her skirts, she guided his hand between her legs. “Touch me,” she breathed against his cheek, taking a moment to come up for air.
How could he resist? He wasn’t made of stone.
“Like this?” he teased, drawing a finger up her inner thigh.
“Yes,” she responded breathily.
Perry could barely suppress a groan as she continued to stroke him. His cock tightened against her palm, begging for release. He knew what would come next. He had made his way home with soaked breeches before and savored every minute.
“Perry?” she spoke, pulling away.
Taken out of his love haze, Perry blinked. “Yes, my love?”
“What happens next?” she asked.
Perry frowned, bewildered. “After what?”
“When a man and a woman…are together completely?” A bright pink blush tinged her cheeks, and she hid her face in his chest.
Perry cleared his throat. How would he reveal the truth without embarrassing himself? There were certain expectations of a man of his age. He had simply neglected to sow his wild oats, choosinginstead to focus on his studies and research. Huffing a breath, he ran a hand through his hair and chewed on his lip.
“I know what happens, but I can’t say I’ve experienced it.”
Her large eyes widened as realization dawned. “Oh. Does that mean you cannot?”
He laughed. “Of course I can. I simply haven’t.”
Dropping to the lush green grass, she tugged on his hand, pulling him down next to her. “I would like to know how it feels to be properly loved.”
His heart hammered in his chest as he absorbed her provocative words. Perry shook his head. “I would not ruin you for anything. I care too much to hurt you and jeopardize your future that way.” He brushed a wayward strand of hair behind her ear.
“I want you to give me what he will never be able to give me.”
