Page 105 of The Texan Duke
She shook her head, unable to speak. She was not going to ruin the time she had with him by allowing the future to intrude. No, she was going to concentrate on now, these moments, and nothing else.
Pulling back a little, she looked into his handsome face, and the dark brown eyes that were capable of expressing so much emotion. Did he know that about himself?
She kissed him, sweetly, tenderly and then deeper, as if she wished to make him always remember this kiss on a snowy, sunny, winter day in the Highlands, in the home of his ancestors.
She lay on the carpet, extending her hand to him. He accepted her invitation and rose over her, anointing her with kisses and his touch.
The fire popped, the only sound other than her sighs.
She would never forget his hands caressing her breasts or his fingers trailing over her skin. She began to heat from within, not needing the nearby fire to feel warmed. Only Connor.
Her hands explored him as well, from his shoulders, down his arms to his chest and waist. She slid her palms over his buttocks, smiled as they clenched at her touch.
She held him between her palms, cradling his penis, marveling at how it felt. She would have liked to stroke it more, but he shook his head.
“If you continue to do that,” he said, “I won’t be able to pleasure you.”
The words startled her, then summoned a smile.
“I most definitely want you to pleasure me,” she said, wondering why she didn’t feel uncomfortable saying the words. But this was Connor.
“Then shall I begin?” he said, smiling down at her.
Plunge in, pull out, her retreating, him advancing. This was a war of the sexes. A battle for love. This time, it wasn’t uncomfortable in the least.
She threw her legs around his hips and held on. A moment later he startled her by reaching his hands under her bottom, then rearing back on his haunches.
Her eyes widened as she stared at him. His grin was unapologetic and almost satyr-like.
“I want to do a great many things with you, Elsbeth. Do you mind?”
She could only shake her head slowly. How could she possibly mind?
She was sitting on him, her legs extended on either side and her heels on the carpet. It was such a strange and novel position, one she had never before considered. Evidently, Connor had a great deal more experience than she’d imagined.
The thought annoyed her, which was foolish. She had no right to be jealous of his past or even his future. He would have one, just as she would. They just wouldn’t have a future together.
Once again, she brought herself back to the moment. She knew she would never forget this afternoon with the two of them locked in the library, him gripping her bottom, gently raising her and then lowering her on him. These sensations were so different, so unique from the first time that her breath caught on a gasp.
“Am I hurting you?”
She shook her head. Words were beyond her.
He kissed her again.
She had never once considered that lovemaking might strip every thought from her. All her worries, all her cares, all her fears flew away. She was merely Elsbeth, whose lover was transporting her to heights she had never once considered.
Her lover.
That’s what Connor was, kissing her throat, gently biting at the place where her shoulder and neck met. He held her breasts, heating them with his hands and then his lips, stroking the flames of her passion even higher.
Finally, when she made a sound in the back of her throat, he kissed her, extended his arms around her, his hands pressing against her back to bring her even closer. He raised himself and lowered himself to the carpet once again, so deep inside her she couldn’t think of anything but him.
The sound that escaped her lips was a soft keen. Pleasure given voice.
Chapter 32
Elsbeth had, perhaps, spent more time in the library than in any other room at Bealadair. Yet she’d never seen it the way she did today, on her back looking up at the tin ceiling with its engraved squares.
