Gently pushing the wide neck of her gown lower, he began kissing the trail his fingertips had just travelled.
“I know you appreciate my help,” she said between short breaths, his lips kissing along her collar bone. “And thank you for telling me about your mother. My family, we love one another. I never considered how difficult that is for some people.”
Of course she understood. It was yet another reason she was perfect for him. Reaching under the blanket, he undid the first several buttons at the back of her gown. The fabric slumped forward and he pushed it further down her arms, revealing her chemise and corset. He began plucking at the strings in the back as he lowered his head and kissed her clothed breast. She gasped and he gently nudged the fabric down to place a light kiss on the tip of her rosy nipple. Her breasts weren’t large but they were round and high and perfect to fill a man’s hand. He did exactly that and she arched into the touch.
“Tag,” She curled her fingers into his scalp as he kissed the sensitive flesh again, then sucked her into his mouth. He did the same to the other as she pressed closer to him, her head tilted back, allowing him access to creamy skin.
Without thought, he began to slide her dress up her legs, skimming his fingers along her calf, over her knee and then up her thigh. She shivered underneath the light touch, her hands clutching at his shoulders.
He reached the apex of her legs and pressed against her mound, the fabric still separating his touch from her. She bucked against him, crying out.
“Shh,” he murmured close to her ear. “We don’t want anyone to hear us, my love.” But he had no intention of stopping. Minnie was spread across his lap, her long legs flowing across the bench seat as she leaned back against him. Having her trust him like this filled his heart with a pleasure he couldn’t name. She was beautiful and strong and willing to put herself in his hands.
Tag intended to reward her for such trust. He parted her pantaloons, and grazed her tender flesh with the tips of his fingers. She whimpered, gripping his arms tighter as her legs fell further apart.
Smiling at her response, he found her lips again and gave her a long slow kiss as he repeated the movement with his hand, adding just a bit more pressure. She kissed him eagerly, her hips pushing into his hand.
“Do you like that, love?” he said against her lips.
“Yes,” she gasped, “Oh, yes.”
He stroked again, creating a rhythm with his hand. He wished he could see her, but that would have to wait for the next time. He’d explore every inch of her body. Then he realized, he was planning a next time and a time after that.
He wanted all of those times and more. Wanted to hear her murmured words of understanding as he shared the layers of his past. Wanted to watch her belly grow with his child and hold her close.
With a startling realization, Tag realized that he loved this woman. Yes, she was strong, strong enough to hold him up when he failed. She was also kind and giving. Hadn’t she been willing to sacrifice herself for his benefit? Who had ever done that for him before?
Minnie moaned again as he moved faster, her body shaking with the finish that was building. God, he loved seeing her like this. Truth be told, he just loved looking at her. In the morning light, at night, in the garden, or the drawing room. “Minnie,” his voice broke as he held her close. He loved her. And he’d do anything to make her happy. Now how did he convince her of that?
Chapter Sixteen
Minnie was about to burst into a tiny thousand little pieces. Break apart. She hoped she’d come back together, but the working part of her brain wondered if she’d ever be the same.
Tag’s scent swirled around her so strong and masculine, the sandalwood and pine both erotic and comforting.
He pressed his lips to hers again. “That’s it, love. Let go.”
“Tag.” She breathed him in, the heat of him filling her with warmth. “I…” What did she say? She wanted to tell him that she loved him. That she’d do anything for him if only he’d love her in return.
“I know, sweetheart.”
Did he? She couldn’t think anymore as she shattered and cried out his name. He held her against his chest, cradled in his arms, his forehead pressed to hers. “That was…”
“Beautiful,” he whispered in the dark interior. “A gift I shall treasure always.”
She stilled wondering what he meant by that. “As shall I.”
He kissed her long and slow, keeping her close. “There is something I have to tell you.”
“What?” her body was soft and her muscles sluggish but her mind came back into focus. “What’s wrong?”
He gave his head a little shake. “I’m sorry that I didn’t do more to protect you the other night at the ball but I’m going to do it now.”
She huffed a breath. “I need you to understand. Protection isn’t a good enough reason to marry. You’ll resent me—”
“No sweetheart, I won’t. But that’s not what I’m talking about.” He kissed her cheeks, her chin, the tip of her nose. This sort of touching was so intimate, that she relaxed back into him. “I’ve come up with a plan to ensure the countess doesn’t say a word about you. It’s not that I don’t want to marry you, but I want you to have all the choices you can have. You deserve that.”
She swallowed, attempting to sit up. So much had been said in that one sentence, she wasn’t certain where to begin. “You want to marry me and you want me to have choices?”