Page 78 of The Moonstone Major
She looked up at him in confusion. “Then what is?”
“Once I have you in my bed, how am I ever going to let you out of it?”
Chapter Fifteen
Chloe could nothelp but smile at Fionn’s statement, for she had never considered that she might be alluring to him, and this was a very heady feeling. “You find me appealing?”
“Very.” He kissed her on the mouth, a hot, light kiss because this gorgeous man was a walking flame and she ignited at his every touch.
He glanced toward the window as another forceful gust rattled its shutters. “I hope that is not Captain Arundel marking his displeasure.”
Chloe shook her head. “He never would because he understands what love is now that he has found it with my aunt. They are both quite pleased of our match.”
“Oh, they told you that, did they?” He arched an eyebrow in amusement.
“Not in so many words, but I know they are.”
“Perhaps they approve of my loving you, but not so heartily approve of having you in my bed before we are married.”
“We are as much as betrothed, so you are permitted to take liberties.” Chloe gasped as the realization suddenly struck her. “Oh, Fionn. Is this not the loveliest thing in the world?”
He emitted a soft, contented growl. “Yes, love.”
She was afraid to blink, afraid to breathe and have this sinfully delicious man disappear before her very eyes.
Fionn, on the other hand, appeared ridiculously calm about their predicament. Did he not have a single qualm about their need to marry? Or the fact they were about to share a bed?
Well, this could not be the first time he was sharing a bed with a woman. She had never done anything like this before.
“Um…” She cleared her throat.
“What is it, Chloe?”
“Am I to keep your shirt on as my nightgown?”
“Yes.” But he cast her a steamy look that warned it might not stay on her for very long.
Her heart raced and began to skip beats.
She had never been the object of anyone’s desire, and even though she had no idea what to do once in bed, it all felt quite thrilling.
All the more thrilling because she suspected he loved her more than she loved him. Of course, she loved him completely and eternally. But she had never suffered as he had, and it was this suffering that made his love for her all the more poignant and enduring.
To bind himself to someone, share his heart and be willing to trust, was a far bigger step for him to take than it was for her.
In truth, she had been concerned especially about his ability to trust. Why should he ever trust when everyone who ought to have loved and protected him had betrayed and abandoned him? How was he to let down his guard when to do so on the streets of London might have led to him losing his life?
And yet he seemed ready to accept her into his heart when he had never known love from anyone before.
She threw her arms around him and drew his head down so she could plant kisses all over his face.
He laughed. “Chloe, what are you doing?”
“Trying to show you how much I love you.”
He laughed and allowed several more kisses before he eased out of her grasp. “All right, now it’s my turn to show you how much I love you.”
She gulped and sank onto the bed as he removed his shirt and turned back to her with the most exquisitely hot look in his eyes. Even removing his shirt had been a beautiful thing to behold, the way his muscles strained and flexed as he drew it off him to reveal a lean, hard body that she was certain had been sculpted of stone.
