Midnight Star (Star Quartet 2)
“That’s it, love. Let go.”
Her body exploded as wave after wave of intense sensation washed through her. She was crying out softly, panting, unable to control herself, her back arching wildly.
He eased the pressure of his fingers, bringing her back to him very slowly, very gently. Her face was flushed, her lips parted as she sucked in breath.
“So beautiful,” he said softly, leaning down to kiss her. “So responsive.”
She felt his manhood hard and throbbing against her thigh, and tried to turn toward him. He stilled her. “No, not now. I swear I’ll survive. Remember, a gentleman always sees to his lady’s pleasure first.” He paused a moment, slowly easing his hand back to her belly. “There has been much between us, Chauncey.”
“The wrong kind of ‘much.’ ”
“Perhaps. But do you want to know something? When you were ill in my bed from your elaborate and aborted charade, that was the first time I envisioned truly having children of my own. It was all I could do to keep my hands off you.”
“You must have been upset with me when I asked you to prevent my becoming pregnant.”
“I didn’t wish to be unfair,” he said steadily.
“Shall we have an army of children?”
“And all our girl children will be the generals?”
She giggled. “Whatever they are,” she said, her eyes twinkling, “they will have the best father in the whole . . . city of San Francisco.”
“Mouthy baggage.”
“All right, the state of California.”
“Most generous, ma’am. Now, my love, I am in desperate need of sustenance and coffee. Tell me honestly how your shoulder feels.”
“It doesn’t hurt at all.”
“Honestly, Chauncey.”
“It does throb, but just a bit, I promise.”
“Good. I’ll bathe you this morning, then set you out in the sun this afternoon.”
“You’re hoping that like a flower, I’ll bloom?”
He grinned at her wickedly. “You already have. The perfect rose.”
It sorely tried Delaney’s control when he bathed her. He concentrated ferociously, but when she trembled as the cloth stroked between her thighs, he sucked in his breath.
“I can’t help it,” she gasped. “You’re the one touching me!”
He finished as quickly as he could. “Let’s leave your hair for tomorrow,” he said, rising. “I don’t want to take any chances with your coming down with a cold, not now.”
“May I dress?”
“Yes, I’ll help you.”
“Then outside in the sun?”
“Yes, but only to sleep.” He paused, then added, “And warm your petals.”
She blinked at him, then understood and flushed scarlet. “I thought you said you would help me dress,” she said tartly.
“The sun is very warm and bright.”