Oh, and the feel of his strong body pressing down on her, claiming her, filling her so full that they existed as one entity.
Heat pooled between her thighs at the thought. She craved that feeling of closeness, wanted to feed this addiction, ride high on a wave of delirious pleasure.
But she couldn’t wake him.
And yet she imagined climbing on top of him, letting the warmth of his body chase away all the cold, lonely years. In this constant state of bliss, she had no worries—no fears. Life was full of endless possibilities.
When she could no longer fight her desire, she placed a shaky palm on his chest. With nothing but a few sheets covering the obvious swell of his manhood, she expected his skin to be cold—but no. Heat radiated in her palm and warmed her all the way to her toes.
Like a true wanton, she peeled back the sheets gently, drooled at the sight of his hard shaft rising to greet her. Oh, how she itched to touch him. Just once wouldn’t hurt. If a man could sleep with such a throbbing erection, he would hardly feel the light touch of her fingers.
Lydia stole a peek at Greystone, whose serene expression confirmed he was sleeping. Suppressing a chuckle of excitement, she reached out and ran the tips of her fingers lightly down the length of his shaft. The skin slipped like silk over steel. Captivated by the sensation, she wrapped her fingers around him, hugging his erection. It seemed to glide effortlessly through the curl of her fingers—up and down in an intoxicating rhythm.
“Oh, Lord,” she whispered as the heat between her thighs burned.
“Oh, Lord, indeed,” Greystone said in a low, husky voice.
Lydia’s head shot in his direction just as he raised his hips to push his manhood through her tight fingers. His emerald eyes flamed with desire and he opened his mouth to release a sweet hum of pleasure.
“Forgive me,” she said, a little panicked at being caught. “I thought you were asleep.”
“I’m rather glad you did.” He closed his eyes briefly as her hand continued to massage the solid length. “God, Lydia.”
She loved hearing her name fall from his lips, loved the power that came from having him at her mercy. “Do you like me touching you?”
“Like it? Hell, I doubt there’s a better feeling in the world.” A grin formed, one that held the confidence of a rogue coupled with a playful boyish charm. “Climb on top of me.”
Desperate to ease the ache between her thighs, she did as he asked. She almost forgot she was naked until her nipples peaked at being exposed to the cold air.
Greystone’s arms snaked around her back, and he pulled her close. Her nipples were the first to receive his attention, her neck and lips next. He ravaged her mouth in a wild frenzy. They panted each other’s names, grabbing bare flesh, kissing and nipping anywhere and everywhere.
“Come up on your knees, love,” Greystone said, tearing his mouth from hers. “Quick.”
As soon as Lydia did as he asked, Greystone took himself in hand and guided the head of his impressive erection to her entrance. He eased inside her, pushing deeper, deeper still until she was stretched and full.
His large hands settled on her hips and urged her to move. Under his expert tuition she found a rhythm. But their need for each other left them ravenous.
Possessed by pure carnal lust, Greystone flipped her onto her back. Thank heavens there were no servants outside. The bed smacked against the wall. They panted and gasped. Their groans of pleasure echoed through the room.
And then she was on her hands and knees, Greystone’s fingers strumming expertly between her legs as he thrust inside her from behind. Lydia’s world shattered, and she cried out his name. On a guttural groan he withdrew from her body and rubbed his erection over her buttocks.
They remained there for a moment, drawing in deep breaths.
“Good God, if this is what I can expect each morning, I’m never letting you leave,” Greystone said before climbing off the bed and returning to wipe her back.
Lydia collapsed onto the mattress. Her legs trembled, her head was still lost in a cloudy haze. “That’s what comes from being curious.”
“Hell, be as curious as you like.”
Lydia smiled. “What time is it?”
Greystone moved to examine the mantel clock, giving her a perfect view of his pert buttocks. “A little after eight.” He returned to join her on the bed.
“I feel so exhausted I could sleep for the rest of the day.” Lydia pulled the sheets up over her naked body. “Won’t you stay here with me? Let us forget the rest of the world exists.”
Greystone took hold of her hand and captured it between his palms. “We have too much to do today. I need to check that Roberts has settled into the gatehouse, survey the progress made to the cottages, go to Dunnam Park and beat Randall to within an inch of his life.”
Lydia gasped. “There’s no need to punish Lord Randall. I’m convinced my sister-in-law, Arabella, is the one behind his effort to seduce me.” She contemplated telling him about the lord’s toilet habits but knew that would only rouse his ire.