Genevieve loved him. She loved him.
Richard kissed her, glorying in her untrammeled response. She was magnificent. From the first, she’d sent his soul soaring. She was the only one for him. He ached to become worthy of this gift. He had so bloody much to make up for.
“Take care with your arm,” she said breathlessly. She sprawled across his lap. With tenderness that tore his heart, she rubbed her cheek against his bare chest.
“You’re delicious.” He kissed the curve of her shoulder. “And you’re wearing too many clothes.”
A gasp of shocked laughter escaped her. “We can’t!”
“Of course we can. The monks are past minding.” He pressed his nose to the satiny skin behind her ear. “I love your smell.”
Another of those tremulous gulps of laughter, half-horrified, half-enchanted. “Thank you. I think.”
His teeth scraped down her neck, making her tremble. “Your scent haunts me.”
“Richard, we’re stuck in a crypt. How can you possibly t
hink about… that?”
He lifted his hands to unhook her dress then winced. He’d forgotten his wound. Love was a powerful drug indeed. “For the first time in my life, I’ve told a woman I love her. Against all odds, she says she loves me too. How can I possibly think of anything else?”
She stiffened in his arms, then pushed back to study his face. “The first time?”
The wonder in her eyes made his gut lurch with poignant joy. “The very first time.”
Her throat moved as she swallowed. “I’m glad.”
She linked her hands behind his neck and her kiss carved a rift in his soul. A Genevieve-sized rift. His hold tightened as he kissed her back.
“Let me show you how much I love you,” he whispered, brushing his cheek along hers. He lifted his hips to demonstrate his readiness.
“You make me a wanton,” she said huskily. “What about your arm? This is unwise.”
“I’m a man in love. I don’t need to be wise.”
She cast him a quelling glance. “At least let me undress myself.”
“Just what a fellow likes to hear.”
“Stop flirting,” she said repressively, but her lips curved.
His pulse kicked when she shifted away to shuck off the pinafore. “How can I help it? Ever since I first saw you, so serious and beautiful, poring over your ancient tomes, I’ve wanted to tease you.”
“That’s obvious,” she said drily.
“I couldn’t imagine such a smart girl giving me a second glance.”
Beneath her lashes, she cast him a disbelieving look as she rose on her knees. Reaching behind her, she tugged until her bodice sagged. His mouth went dry and his heart slammed against his ribs. “You’re worth the occasional glance. You’re quite decorative, you know.”
Ridiculously his cheeks heated. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
“On my back at least.” She didn’t sound like she minded. The bodice drooped, revealing plain shift and corset. Pearled nipples pressed against the sheer white material. “Don’t tell me you’re blushing.”
“Devil take you, Genevieve.”
This time he couldn’t mistake her amusement. “I begin to think you might love me, if I can make the rakish Sir Richard Harmsworth blush like a schoolboy.”
He grabbed her hand. “Come to me.”