West tilted his hips forward. “Something is definitely…up.”
“That’s a terrible joke.” But she moved closer, sending the blood crashing through his veins.
“You laughed. I heard you.” That low, alluring chuckle always set every nerve in his body jumping.
For the first time in years, she sounded carefree. “Only because I took pity on you. Seeing you’ve been ill, and all.”
“I’m feeling much better.” He stepped back to admire the lovely creature he’d captured for himself. “Pretty dress. Take it off.”
Helena offered her back. “Unlace me. I didn’t wear this with quick seduction in mind.”
He clicked his tongue in mock disapproval. “And people call you a clever woman.”
She flicked him a glance over her shoulder, as he deftly unfastened the extravagant crimson velvet dress. “Something’s interfering with my mental processes.”
He kissed the shoulder bared under the sagging gown and went to work on her corset. Her undergarments sported more exquisite embroidery, but he was too desperate for her to pay much attention.
Later. Next time. Tomorrow.
The future shone bright as the sun.
“Hmm, I wonder what that could be.”
“No idea,” she said drily, slithering out of dress, corset, petticoat and shift.
“You’ve been practicing,” he said in admiration.
“I have no morals left.” She faced him. “It’s most distressing.”
He paused to enjoy the lovely view, as she raised her hands to release her abundant black hair. In fine clothes, she did a fair job of acting the civilized creature. But he knew better. He always had. She was free and untamed, and her fiery spirit would light the rest of his days.
He gave another disappointed tch. “You must still cling to a few morals. You’re wearing drawers.”
Her narrow-eyed look didn’t hide her burgeoning excitement. “Not for long, I’m sure. Isn’t it time you removed a garment or two?”
He laughed. Partly at her audacity. Mostly because he was just so bloody happy. “Devil take you, you’re a demanding wench. Don’t you want me to woo you?”
Her smile was sizzling seduction. He’d thought he already tested the limits of arousal, but the wanton invitation in her expression made his cock swell massively against his trousers. “Of course.”
He paused in pulling off his shirt. “Really?”
With greedy hands, she reached for the buttons on his trousers. “Later.”
He gasped as she opened the front fall and curled her fingers around him. She didn’t linger past a few breathtaking caresses. Soon he was naked, and her drawers lay white and sheer on the carpet.
Backing her toward the bed, he kissed her. What a fool he’d been to imagine he could live without this. He pushed her onto the mattress and came down over her. Lacing his fingers through hers, he slid her hands high and pressed them into the pillows near her head.
Helena raised her knees to frame his hips. Her eyes held no hesitation, just joy.
“Don’t make me wait. I feel like I’ve already waited a century.” Her light tone cracked, and he realized that she, too, ached for the transcendent joining.
West tightened his hips and plunged into her. She cried out and clenched hard around him. He went still, letting the radiance seep into his bones.
He felt entirely possessed, united with Helena in a way not even their most passionate earlier encounters had achieved. Knowing that she gave herself without condition or limit transformed the physical act into a mysterious connection he’d never experienced before.
At last, he moved, and on another cry, she convulsed. He rose on his arms to watch her swift climax. She arched against the sheets, quivering with ecstasy. As she started to come down off that shuddering peak, his kiss promised her forever.
Then blindly he sought his own release. Driving into her hard to stamp his claim on her. She moaned and rose to meet every thrust.