Page 46 of Anice’s Bargain

“But you’ll still—” She bit her lip.

“Ach, aye.” He stroked a hand down her cheek, to her neck and cupped the silken weight of her bared breast in his hand. “I almost forgot myself for a moment there. I was too eager.” He brushed a thumb over her nipple in a subtle sweep.

Her lashes fluttered downward. “I’m as eager as you.”

“Ye’re still a maiden, lass.” He circled the hard, pink nub, while his other hand pulled free the ribbon at the back of her gown. “I need to be gentle with ye.” One loop at a time slipped free and the bodice began to sag open.

“Not so gentle.” She leaned her head back, exposing her long, graceful neck.

He licked a hot line up her neck and tenderly nipped the skin just under her ear. “No’ too gentle. Just the right amount, aye?”

She shivered and tiny gooseflesh ripples rose over her skin. Apparently, she was in agreement.

James released her breast to pull away the bodice and push it into the crumpled fabric of her voluminous skirts below. A stiffened linen binding remained over her chemise, wrapping over her torso and restrained only half of her bosom. A quick slip of a bow released that as well, and it joined the cloud of fabric at their feet.

Anice regarded him with a hooded expression and pulled free the small tie at her chemise. Her fingers moved with coy grace, widening the neck until it fell over her smooth shoulders, past her firm breasts and dropped to reveal the tempting triangle of blonde curls.

James swallowed.

He reached for her with a trembling hand. Every part of her was as exquisite without clothing as she was with. More so.

Just as he was even more hideous without clothing than with.

She was like hot silk beneath his touch. Her breath came faster as he stroked her flat belly and paid homage to the breast he had ignored, the one trapped in the linen binding she’d worn for the gown.

He kissed her again and traced the seam of her mouth with the tip of his tongue. When she parted her lips, he let her control the speed, the heat. He wanted her to be so desperate for relief that she would not feel pain.

Blindly, he grabbed the small stone pot and guided her to the bed amid the slanting, passionate kisses. She sank to the mattress, clinging to him, pulling him toward her.

He flicked the jar top free with the edge of his thumb. It clattered noisily to the ground and a sweet, herbal perfume filled the room. Meadowsweet and chamomile, and something he could not quite identify.

Regardless, it gave him an idea.

“Lay on yer stomach,” his whispered.

Anice lifted a brow, her swollen mouth curling into a sensual smile. She obeyed. Her round bottom rose firm and tempting below the seductive dip in her lower back, while her breasts pressed out from beneath her. James swept away her thick golden hair, revealing her back to him. He dipped his fingers into the sweet-smelling ointment and smoothed it over her upper back, applying pressure as he did so.

Anice gave a hum of pleasure. Encouraged, he continued on, working over her upper back first, slowly making his way to her fine arse. At long last, his hands cupped each globe in his palms and squeezed. She arched, pushing into his touch.

He swept his hands over her arse and let his fingertips casually graze her center. She gasped with a sharp intake of breath and wriggled her bottom higher, her thighs straining to part.

He moved to her legs then, rubbing his fingers against the delicate curve of her calf, the back of her knee, up her inner thighs, which parted for him. Only one swift glance of his thumb over her sex and then he was massaging her bottom again, gripping it in his hands while his fingers teased closer to the inside of her thighs.

She squirmed under his ministrations. The scent of meadowsweet and chamomile rose around him like a drug, intoxicating in the most wonderful ways.

“Touch me,” she whimpered. “Please.”

He dipped his fingers into the pot once more and did exactly what she asked: he pressed his hand between her legs and stroked up the line of her sex.

She cried out and pushed her bottom more firmly in the air. One day he would take her thus, with her breasts cradled in his palms while he thrust into her from behind.

But for now, tonight, he would take his time and treat her with the greatest care. Though it might drive them both mad with wanting.