He dragged his mouth away and gasped a breath. “God, Sophia, everything about you is divine. Everything about you is as I remember. Help to banish the demons in my head. Help to heal my heart.”
It took a strong man to admit his weaknesses.
And Finlay Cole was the most powerful, most virile man she had ever known.
“Kiss me, Finlay. Kiss me here.” She touched the sensitive spot below her ear. “Just like you used to.”
The man she would have for her husband, the man she would love until she drew her last breath, pressed his hot lips to the pounding pulse in her neck.
Oh, lord!
She shuddered.
“Here,” she breathed, stroking her collarbone.
He dipped his head, rained kisses down to the valley of her breasts. Feasted on every inch of exposed flesh. “Were we anywhere else, I’d have you out of this gown. I’d fill my hands with your breasts, take each dusky pink nipple into my mouth and suck hard.”
“Then I pray at some point, somewhere more private, the inclination comes over you again.” This would be the first time they made love, but she hoped to heaven it wouldn’t be the last. “Hurry now.” The need to have him inside her made her bold. “Take me before someone finds us in here.”
Take me before you have a change of heart.
She stripped off her glove, trailed her hand down his chest to the placket of his breeches. He watched her intently as she fiddled with the buttons, as she delved inside and wrapped her fingers around his throbbing erection.
Finlay hissed between clenched teeth.
He was so hard, so thick, so strong. She would take him in her mouth, feel the immense power of him with every plunge. If only they had more time.
She slid her hand back and forth over steel encased in silk. She had touched him like this once before, on the day of the picnic. But someone had called their names, and they’d hurried from the woods laughing, lust still thrumming in their veins.
Finlay closed his eyes, desire softening his features. Oh, she’d never thought to see him like this again, thought nothing would bring him pleasure.
“Take me from behind,” she whispered. It would be easier when fully clothed. “Be quick.”
He opened his eyes slowly, the hunger she’d lived and breathed for seven years swimming in those unfathomable dark pools. “Next time, I’ll make it better for you.”
Next time!
The words were more potent than any aphrodisiac. Sophia grabbed Finlay’s cravat and dragged his mouth to hers while still stroking his manhood. The kiss was raw, savage, carnal. One minute they were moaning into each other’s mouths, the next, her palms were pressed against the wall as Finlay bunched her skirts to her waist and pushed his erection between her ba
re buttocks.
He entered her body—Oh, God, yes!—his muttered curse of appreciation finding her in the darkness. She thought she’d died, left this world and entered paradise. Such was the outpouring of love. Finlay pushed deeper, his pleasurable groans more beautiful than a choir of angels. Her body hummed the same tune. All her troubles and fears faded into insignificance as she stretched to accommodate him.
One last push and he was buried to the hilt.
This was how it was meant to be.
Them.
In lust. In love.
He gripped her hips and held her impaled. In that perfect moment, it was as if the world had found its centre, its natural balance. Every pain and hardship melted away to make room for a new beginning, a beautiful beginning.
Tears sprang to her eyes. Tears of happiness. Tears of joy.
And then he moved, withdrawing slowly and filling her full, sliding in, out, in again. Driving deep. Staking his claim.
“Oh, Finlay!” She pushed back against him, over and over, the audible slapping an applause to fate.