Everything was fit for a duke.
Everything in Hawk’s house, in fact, was out of a fairy tale. Including its owner, Pia thought whimsically.
It was easy to be enthralled, especially for a romantic such as herself…and Pia reminded herself again to keep her feet planted on the ground.
Hawk linked his hand with hers, and Pia allowed him to turn them back in the direction of the house.
Though it was a good fifteen minutes before they arrived at his suite, they snuggled and exchanged the occasional kiss along the way, heedless of whom they might encounter.
In his bedroom, Hawk looked into her eyes as he undressed her, slowly and tenderly, bringing tears to Pia’s eyes.
They made love languorously, as if they had not a care in the world, but all the time.
Afterward, Pia lay in Hawk’s arms, and sighed with contentment.
“We really have to stop doing this,” she remarked.
“What?” Hawk glanced down at her. “Making love in the afternoon?”
“Yes, it’s decadent.”
“It’s the only indulgence I’m allowed these days,” Hawk protested. “And my BlackBerry is beeping nearby.”
Pia lifted her head and smiled at him. “I’m not used to it.”
He raised an eyebrow. “This is beyond your realm of expertise?”
“Oh, Hawk, haven’t you guessed?” she asked tentatively.
He stilled, searching her gaze.
“You’re my first and only lover.” She paused, and then added, “Th-there hasn’t been anyone else in the past three years.”
Hawk’s brows drew together in puzzlement. “You’re a desirable woman—”
Pia gave a small, self-conscious laugh, her heart bursting. “I-it wasn’t for lack of opportunity, b-but by choice.”
Hawk shifted so he was looking down at her as she lay back. “I don’t understand. You’ve taken the initiative…unlike what I remembered.”
“Books and videos,” she answered succinctly. “I wanted to educate myself.”
So I’d never run the risk of losing you again to lack of experience.
Hawk said nothing for a moment, and Pia gave him a tentative smile.
Hawk’s expression softened. “Ah, Pia.” He gave her a gentle kiss. “I’m honored.”
She arched into him, responding intuitively to his advance.
“So that’s why you weren’t on any protection when we were first intimate again that day after rock climbing,” he murmured.
Pia nodded. “There hadn’t been any need.”
“That day, you said three years was a long time,” Hawk mused. “I thought you were referring to how long it had been since we’d last been together. But you meant since the last time you’d had sex, too, didn’t you?”
Pia nodded again, and then her eyes crinkled. “Care to shorten the time between sex?”
Hawk gave a half groan, half laugh. “Ah, Pia. It’s going to be difficult to keep up with you.”