Page 65 of The Scent of Intuition
Alfie looked at her, but she leaned her head back again and shut her eyes, sucking in her lower lip.
He wanted to kiss her. Stroke her face and her lips.
He wanted to hold her in his arms, not just be a helping hand.
But even now, she was a lady and out of his reach.
So he did all he could, all he was permitted. This time, he did what she permitted, not the circumstances or the people commanding their lives.
He quickly found his way and parted her folds. She helped with both hands.
In just a moment, his index finger slipped in. She arched her back and pushed against him, but she was so tight. So precious and so hot.
He knew how to move but started slowly. Only when she moaned and relaxed a little did he insert a second finger.
“Faster,” she whispered, her eyes still closed.
Alfie’s heart dropped. This was not how he’d imagined this to go.
He was serving her.
That was his station as an apothecary.
Although this was going above and beyond his job description.
And yet, it could never be more, could it?
He could never love her openly. It wasn’t permitted.
And she was most likely simply curious and overcome by the fragrances in the warm bath. Could she feel more? He mustn’t allow himself to hope.
His heart was breaking as he picked up speed. She tensed and arched her back, pushed against him, and then she opened her eyes.
She blinked at him, and he froze.
There was something in her gaze that took him off guard.
Her gaze shot to his soul, and he couldn’t hide his feelings.
Then she reached for his collar and pulled him to her face.
“Alfie, I’ve wanted you for so long.” Her breath came hot on his lips.
Alfie leaned in. Their eyes exchanged a serious glance. For a moment, nothing happened.
Everything happened.
Her eyes darted from his left to his right eye and back as if she were calculating something in her mind—or recalling a memory.
She knew who he was, not merely here, but also all those years ago in Delhi.
And then she opened her mouth and pressed her lips against his.
He was too far gone to make this a chaste kiss; she pulled his collar, and a slight ripping sound echoed in the distance. All hecould focus on was her hot mouth, the heady combination of the fragrances, and her throbbing middle.
“Take me out of the bath!” she whispered and then plunged her tongue into his mouth. Alfie opened up and received her so willingly that he couldn’t but suck a little. Her lips were swollen, and he knew all too well how slick and ready she was—yearning for him.
Alfie stretched his arm and took another towel from the stool without breaking the kiss. He didn’t remove his right hand from her center but wrapped his left around her back. She rose, her mouth still on his, and then he had to pull his hand out of her.
