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Shelene ignored the rest of her dinner and slowly pushed from the table, flicking the top few buttons of her dress as she crossed to him. When she strolled behind him, she ran her hand across his broad shoulders. Indeed, he could carry the weight of many such burdens.
Roman gripped her hand. “What are you about, wife? We are in public.”
“Ah, I actually got your attention,” she said. “And I think you know, but if I need to make it plain, I could show you.” They had flirted when they first fell in love, but they’d had the sharp gaze of her parents watching them closely—her mother much more so than her father.
“You know we can’t. Not when we have such a long journey, with infinite peril, ahead of us.”
His lap was also broad and could easily carry her weight. She eased onto his thighs, her bum securely nestled, then wrapped one arm around his neck. His arm settled about her waist; one hand dropped to her thigh. Willingly or not, he pulled her closer.
She ran her fingers through his hair, then leaned in to press a kiss to his lips. Pretending she knew what she was doing was probably a mistake, but when he responded, searing heat melted her bones.
The kiss was sweet and hard; teasing and tortuous. When she broke away, she was panting. Roman’s eyelids had masted, and he examined her with interest. “Don’t play with me, Shelene. You might get burned.”
“Ack.Maldito,” she said softly before pressing her face into his neck, frustrated, wanting her husband fully. And thinking he smelled good enough to eat. “I don’t know what I’m asking for, but I want you. And I want you to want me in return.”
“My God, you have no idea. It is all I can do to stay away from you.”
“Because of your duty?”
“Because I’m disciplined. Because I see the consequences of all my actions. We will be back in Spain within a year. We will be free to enjoy all the benefits of our marriage then.”
She caressed his cheek. “We’ve waited so long. We don’t need to wait another moment.”
He kissed her again, but she felt his embrace loosen as if he meant to set her aside.
Shelene wasn’t having it. They’d said their vows, and she would bind him to her in a permanent way—that of husband and wife.
“No. You say you are an honorable man. Then honor me as you promised in our vows.”
“Shelene. Please.”
She copied his earlier kiss, pressing her lips to his then opening her mouth and using her tongue to entice him. Slow swipes and little teasing thrusts. Wine was on his tongue, and the intimate taste of him, part of the whole. One more piece to the puzzle of Roman Forrester. And she must know. She must.
He might be sayingno, but she knew he was affected, as was she. How long could he resist? How long would she have the advantage before he remembered he’d made some ridiculous pledge?
While she kissed, she flicked a few more of her bodice buttons. Against her hip, she felt the proof of his desire, so she squirmed a little, pressuring his manhood.
“I want you,” she whispered against his lips.
“Not here,” he said, his voice strained.
His hand cupped her mostly-covered breast and squeezed. His thumb brushed her skin.
Breathless herself, she was still in her right mind though and she had her sights focused on consummation. Mother had hinted about what Shelene’s marital duty would entail, but she was still none the wiser about the details.
Well, shehadheard a few things. From one of her married cousins in Madrid and from the lady’s maid she’d had who occasionally assisted Martina.
But she wanted the details.
All the details.
And there was no man better at details than Roman, infuriating as it had been during their early courtship. She let out her breath. Hadn’t they married to bring each other mutual comfort, to smooth each other’s flaws and to heal hurts? Not to mention the less obvious and more deeply held emotions of love and trust.
“I’ll meet you in your room.”
“No. Joaquin is there.”
“He’s downstairs, eating dinner with his mother.”
