Page 67 of To Steal a Kiss

She had been dying to know what lay beneath all those pristine layers of starched cotton, linen, and luxurious silk. Ever since the day she’d turned up at Hunter’s and seen him in such disarray, his shirtsleeves rolled up to reveal powerful arms, she had longed to see more of him. Now her longing was reality and she made swift work of pushing the fitted jacket from his shoulders and unbuttoning his waistcoat. With more enthusiasm than finesse, she yanked his shirt from his waistband, and he chuckled.

“Such impatience,” he said, laughing as she gave a huff of frustration.

“I’ve told you before, you wear too many clothes.”

“An error I’ll try hard to rectify at every opportunity,” he said gravely, before pulling his shirt over his head and allowing it to drop to the floor.

Alice caught her breath and stared at him. Broad shoulders and a lean muscled torso filled her vision. Sandy blond hair covered his chest and narrowed to a line that trailed in an intriguing manner beneath his waistband.

“Have pity, love,” he said, as she realised he was breathing hard now, the rapid rise and fall of his chest illustrating his impatience. “Touch me,” he added, by way of explanation, a desperate edge to the demand.

Well, that was a request she had no problem indulging. Her fingers were burning with the desire to do just that. She raised her right palm and set it tentatively upon his chest, feeling the rapid thud of his heart beneath. Glancing at him, she saw his eyes were intent, a look burning in the darkened depths that made her feel he was holding a great deal in check, allowing her to explore him.

Alice thought she ought to reward such patience and raised her other hand to lie beside the first. Slowly, she slid her hands over his skin, learning the shape of him, the contours of muscle, the satiny skin and the rough rasp of coarse hair beneath her fingertips. Finding her own breath a little erratic now, she followed a path down his sides, pleased by the fine shiver that ran over him. Her fingers traced along the waistband and settled upon the buttons there, undoing them one by one as Nate leaned into her, nuzzling into her neck.

His breath was harsh against her skin, matching her own as she pushed breeches and smallclothes from his narrow hips.

“My,” she said, unaware she’d spoken at all, as Nate gave a soft bark of laughter. Emboldened by the rather frantic look in his eyes, she trailed her finger through that coarse hair again, stroking back and forth as he shivered and her hand drifted lower.

“Is it all right to… to touch you?” she asked, unsure of what he expected of her. Was it unseemly to be so intrigued?

“Of course,” he said, the words roughened with desire. “I want you to touch me, everywhere, however you wish. I want to do the same.” He looked at her, a question in his eyes and she nodded, smiling.

“Yes.”

He let out a shaky breath. “I would never hurt you, but—”

“I know,” she said at once, not wanting to think on it too much. “Prue explained a little. I trust you.”

A large hand cupped her cheek and she turned her face into it, closing her eyes. “You can tell me no, Alice,” he said, his thumb stroking her skin softly. “Never be afraid to, or to tell me yes,” he added, a wicked glint in his eyes as he leaned in and nipped at her earlobe. “Or harder, faster, more….”

Alice felt her breath catch at the possibility of ever daring to say anything of the sort, though the idea was less unnerving as he trailed kisses down her neck, setting fires as his lips touched her skin.

“Or, please, Nate, don’t stop,” he added, almost purring with satisfaction as her breath caught. “I’d like to hear that one.”

“Please, Nate,” she whispered, but he chuckled and moved back.

“I interrupted you,” he said, challenge lighting his eyes now. “You were mid exploration.” Taking her hand, he slid it down his torso to rest upon the golden hair above his groin, where his arousal was evident now. “Don’t stop.”

Alice took him at his word and allowed her fingers to trail over him. Her breath caught. She was enraptured by skin that was so fine, softer even than her own. She curled her fingers about him, testing the weight and the unexpected hardness beneath the silk.

Glancing up, she found Nate had closed his eyes, his breathing deep and even, as though he was controlling it with care.

Alice explored a little further, fascinated by the heat of his body, by the pleasing curve of the blunt head and the heavy, yet delicate feel of his balls as she cupped them in her palm.

“Alice,” he said, her name a low moan as she looked up at him again.

“Show me how,” she said, eager to learn.

His eyes flicked open, dark with desire. “Get these bloody boots off me first,” he said, sounding rather agitated. “I need you in my bed now.”

With rather more enthusiasm than she suspected was deemed appropriate for a virgin bride, Alice leapt from the stool and tugged at his boots, throwing them to the floor with careless abandon. Next, she wriggled the breeches and drawers down, trying not to stare too much at the very male part of him which was impossible to miss at this angle.

Kneeling before him she leaned back, gazing with wonder up the impressive landscape of his body. Nate looked back at her, wonder of his own shining in his eyes, a slight smile curving his mouth.

Later, she might wonder at her own audacity, wondering what on earth had possessed her, but in that moment it seemed the most natural thing in the world to want to please him, to kiss him, and she leaned in, pressing her lips to the soft skin at the apex of his thigh.

His breath caught, an agreeable sound she wished to hear again, so she nuzzled him there, breathing in the scent of musk and soap and warm, male skin. Alice turned her head, glancing up to find his gaze fixed on her. She thought perhaps he was holding his breath as she pressed her mouth to the softest skin. His arousal jerked under her touch and he muttered a curse.