The Lover

By the time the carriage drew up before Cameron House and Niall handed her down, Sabrina was trembling with need and love and a hundred other powerful emotions. Using the lamp which had been left burning in the foyer for her, she led him upstairs to the bedchamber that had been hers since childhood.

When Niall shut the door softly behind them, he gave her a smile no less dazzling than the sun.

Her hands unsteady, Sabrina set down the lamp and moved to stand before him. She could feel her heartbeat quicken as she reached for the lapels of his satin coat. “You do not need this, do you?”

Niall studied her quizzically. “I suppose it depends on what you plan.”

“I mean to undress you.”

“Then by all means, proceed.”

She kept her touch light as, without a word, she began removing his clothing: first his coat and waistcoat, then his lace cravat. For a moment she stroked the fine linen of his shirt, feeling the hard outline of chest muscles beneath. Then that garment went as well.

Niall aided her by removing his shoes and stockings. He paused with his hands on the waistband of his breeches, a soft light of anticipation in his sapphire eyes. Then he stepped out of his breeches and he was naked, his rippling, sinewed skin bronzed and luminous in the lamplight. His heavy arousal rose thick and full from his groin, iron-hard with lust, the sight so raw and virile it made Sabrina’s stomach quiver.

Yet the desire between them was far more profound than physical intimacy. She drew a sharp breath as she stared at the powerful man before her, so beautifully, heartrendingly masculine. This man was her husband. Her lover. Her love.

Tonight they were not conqueror and conquered, seducer and seduced. They were equals…husband and wife.

She was certain Niall shared the same sentiment as he drew her into his arms and held her close.

“I would that you could see inside my heart,” he whispered against her hair. “I feel joy just being with you. I feel pleasure at the sound of your voice. I feel desire, the like of which I’ve never known before you.” He drew back to gaze at her. “I need you, Sabrina. I’ve never needed like this before.”

He looked at her with all th

e tight, helpless longing in his soul. She stared back at him, hearing the pounding pulse of her own heart. His vulnerability touched her.

“Nor have I,” she whispered, “ever needed…this way.”

His eyes flared with something powerful and helpless. He bent then and kissed her with a deep, greedy hunger, fiercely, possessively, knowing that she felt the consuming fire between them that defied all reason. When he raised his head, his heart leapt. He could see in her lustrous eyes a hunger and need that matched his own.

His hands reached for the hooks at the back of her gown. Making short work of the fastenings, Niall eased away her bodice, freeing her breasts. The soft lamplight bathed the milky paleness of her skin, highlighting the twin peaks that stood proudly gleaming before him.

He took a long breath to draw air into his tight, aching chest. “Lovely mouse…”

His gaze arrested as he caught sight of the gash she’d received defending his life. The flesh had nearly healed but would forever leave a scar.

Sabrina saw his beautiful mouth tighten. When mutely he bent and pressed his lips to the puckered skin, she felt her heart wrench.

“Niall…”

“Hush, sweeting.” He raised his hand to brush her mouth with a sensual finger. “Let me show you how deeply I feel for you. Let me love you, Sabrina.”

“Yes…”

Her lips ruby with desire, her eyes hazed with longing, she swayed against him.

Impatiently Niall undressed her, destroying all his careful handiwork in moments, dropping the exquisite gown heedlessly upon the floor, scattering her jewels and undergarments upon the carpet.

Then lifting her in his arms, he laid Sabrina on the velvet coverlet, among the pillows. His heart thrumming, he gazed down at the exquisite perfection of her lush rosy-tipped breasts, slender waist, gently rounded hips, long shapely legs…

She trembled for him, waiting in an agony of anticipation for his touch, her nipples so erect they hurt, the hollow between her thighs throbbing for his possession.

“Niall, please…”

It was all the invitation he needed. Emotion flared in his eyes as he settled beside her on the bed.

She was so lovely, Niall thought achingly. He felt himself drowning in the dark luster of her eyes.