He gave an appreciative grunt of laughter. "That was all part of the experience."
Her bold, assessing gaze focused on him again and made his balls tighten. At this rate, she’d be lucky if she escaped a fast tumble on the dining table. "I’m sure you’ll think of something else to keep me occupied."
His laugh this time held a touch of surprise. "No doubt I will. I am a notorious rake after all." He paused. "I like that you’re not shy."
Color edged her cheekbones, putting the lie to that statement. "We don’t have time for coyness."
"Aye, that’s true." A slow smile curled his lips. Selina had surprised him from the first, and she kept surprising him. No wonder he found her so damned enchanting. He stood and held out his hand. "Shall we?"
She surveyed him as if he was the best thing she’d ever seen in her life. He knew she had no idea how her expression betrayed her, but every time her eyes lit with pleasure at the sight of him, she knocked another chip off the cynicism encasing his heart. He’d had so many lovers, but he already knew this was the lover he’d miss all his life.
Taking his hand, she rose with the natural grace that had drawn his attention the first time he saw her. "We shall."
He drew her into his arms for a kiss. At the first touch of her lips, the air caught fire. She’d left last night’s innocent hesitation far behind. This was a woman who knew what she wanted. The searing candor of her desire sizzled through him like lightning.
By the time they drew apart, he was shaking. So was she. She had that lovely dazzled astonishment on her face that always made him want to kiss her again. Which, by God, he couldn’t do. If he kissed her here, Mary would never get in to clean up. And upstairs, as Selina had been brazen enough to point out, there was a large bed. A bed he’d never shared with a lover. It seemed appropriate that the one woman who would sleep with him there was the one woman he’d never forget.
On a practical level, as she also noted, a bed offered privacy and potential that his carriage lacked, however incendiary their exploits on the way to the hunting box.
"I want to run," she said with a breathless laugh.
"Do you want me to chase you, you wee hussy?"
"You know…" She paused as though she contemplated the secrets of the ages, before a joyous giggle escaped her. She whipped out of his arms and darted for the door. "I think I do!"
Between her head start and his surprise at discovering this playful aspect to her character, he didn’t catch up until he reached the landing off the bedrooms. "Devil take you, you’re quick," he said breathlessly, as he hauled her into his arms for another passionate kiss.
He loved the sound of her laughter, carefree and bright. "No, you’re slow. You’re not used to doing the chasing."
By God, she might be right. Too many easy victories left him spoiled. No wonder that until he met Selina, he was bored and utterly sick of himself.
"Now I’ve caught you, what the devil am I going to do with you?"
"Take me to bed, Brock," she whispered. As the laughter faded from her eyes, he read a desire as potent as his own. "I need you. I need you now."
"My darling…" he said, moved by her honesty.
Words escaped him as he swung her up into his arms and covered the distance to the bedroom in a few swift paces. He shouldered open the door and set Selina down in the center of the room.
Outside, the snow had set in, but here in this room, fire blazed in the hearth and blue velvet curtains enclosed them in cozy warmth. He stepped back. "Let me see you. You’ve no idea how often I’ve imagined you naked."
She cast him a knowing glance. "I can guess."
"The moment I saw you, so subdued and beautiful, you took over my every thought. You still do."
Pleasure softened her features, made her so lovely he couldn’t believe his good fortune in winning her. "And I saw you, so striking and tall and handsome – and wicked. I hated that I wasn’t the sort of woman who would ever attract your notice. Even though attracting your notice put my whole future at risk."
He felt a satisfied smile curve his lips. "Now you’re a rake’s mistress."
"And I’ve never been happier."
Unaccustomed emotion cracked his heart. She was such a superb woman. She ought to have the world at her feet. Yet her expectations for happiness were so humble.
Now wasn’t the moment to dwell on whether she deserved better than this week of self-indulgence. Passion beckoned too powerfully. He waved at that becoming arrangement of upswept curls.
"Take down your hair. I’ve dreamed of seeing your hair flowing about you." Detailed, sensual dreams where tresses of rich blonde draped across his bare skin like ropes of silk.
The softness lingered in her eyes, as she sidled closer to the dressing table. The mirror behind her offered him two views of her, tall and slim and lovely. With more of that grace that stole his breath, she raised her arms and began to slide the pins from her hair.