Page 96 of To Love A Spy
For this moment, he wanted her so badly that he might shrivel up and die if he didn’t bury himself in her warmth.
“Thomas,” she whispered, her voice rough with need.
To the devil with rules and responsibility. All the things that normally regimented his life. For this last, fleeting interlude he would savor the sweetness of giving in to his heart’s desire.
Valencia framed his face and pulled him close. Was it wrong to want one last blazing memory to warm her through the long nights?
The spark of his smile, luminous in the candlelight. The sherry-sweet color of his hair, glinting with silver. The strong, chiseled lines of his face.He was a noble in the best sense of the word. A man who had used privilege to serve rather than to take. Unselfish in every fiber of his being.
While she, on the other hand, would selfishly seize a last moment of sunshine before the black cloud darkened the horizon.
“Oh, Thomas,” she whispered. His supremely sensual, capable hands were now sliding up the length of her legs. His touch turned tender against her scar, and as he murmured sweet endearments, Valencia felt her body melt with liquid desire. “Make love to me, Thomas.”
He traced a kiss along her throat, muffling a low laugh. “I thought I was giving the orders here.”
She pressed a palm to his cheek. “Actually, it was more of a request.”
And a plea.
“Just so we understand who is in charge.” He swept her up in his arms. “Make love to me, Val.”
“Yes, sir.”
“He’s on the second floor, last door on the right,” came a low whisper.
In answer came a muffled snick of steel.
“I’ll go first,” added Marco to his companion. “Remember, do not fire unless I give the order.”
“Do you think the Frogs have Lord Lynsley captive?” Beneath the black silk bandana covering her hair, Verona’s eyes gleamed with undisguised excitement.”
“We shall soon see,bella.” Marco drew his dagger and tested its edge on his thumb. “The barmaid said he was accompanied upstairs by another person, which makes me fear the worst. The marquess always works alone.”
Verona exhaled sharply. “What are we waiting for? As we speak, he may be suffering god knows what sort of physical torture.”
“Si, si,but we will soon put a stop to that.” Marco signaled her to silence. “Follow me.”
Lynsley lay tangled on the sheets, savoring the sweet euphoria of a mind and body utterly at peace. Their climax had come quickly, cresting in a white hot wave that had drowned out all other sounds and sensations. Now, he was drowsily aware of the ocean waters, lapping at the harbor quays beneath the window, and the silky tangle of Valencia’s hair tickling the underside of his chin. Her cheek was resting on his chest, her breath a whisper of warmth on his skin, and her hand . . .
Her clever little hand was rousing a devilish urge to repeat their lovemaking, though this time at a far more leisurely pace.He would lie still, savoring the blissful sensation for just a few moments longer?—
A softsnickintruded on his reveries. The scrape of metal on metal.
In a flash, he rolled off the bed, taking Valencia with him. She had heard it too, for she was already on her feet and reaching for her knife. Lynsley signaled for silence as he tugged on his trousers.
She nodded, and moved noiselessly to a position by the door.
Damn.Surely the French had not sorted out the chaos of conflagration quickly enough to be on their trail. The Americans? Equally unlikely. Which left robbery.
His mouth quirked in a wry twitch. Pity the poor thief. If some local was looking to frighten a foreign couple into handing over their purse, the fellow was in for a rude awakening.
The sound came again. He glanced at Valencia, who motioned for him to open the door. She had pulled on his shirt, which covered her thighs. But with her loosened hair spilling over her shoulders and her eyes heavy-lidded with passion, she looked delightfully dishabille.
He couldn’t resist a grin and a wink. Lud, it was exhilarating to be with her. In bed, in battle, she was the perfect comrade.
Angling his pistol for a straight shot, Lynsley slowly eased back the catch on the lock. Outside the door, the floorboards creaked as a boot shifted ever so slightly.
“Diavolo.” The word was barely more than a breath of air.
