Page 99 of Intolerable
“No. Mort will get the rest of my clothing. The Red Fox is close. Come.” He held her close against his side as he navigated them through the crowd.
Less than ten minutes later, he escorted her up the stairs of the inn to his large room with a wide window that looked over the mass of people milling about outside. Cassandra went to stand in front of it as he closed and bolted the door.
She pushed the hood back from her head. “How long will the revelry go on?”
“All night probably. I hope you aren’t planning for a peaceful sleep.”
She turned from the window, her brow arching. “Are we sleeping?”
He sat down in a chair near the hearth where someone had lit a modest fire. “What did you want to do?” He removed his shoes and wiggled his toes, eager to strip his stockings away, but not wanting to shock her. Perhaps shedidwant to sleep.
Unclasping the cloak, she slipped it from her shoulders and moved to hang it from a hook near the door. “Since we’re to be married—tomorrow, did you say?”
“As soon as I can get a special license.”
She hesitated, and he hated that he’d planted that doubt in her brain. “You’re certain?”
Shooting to his feet, he strode to take her hands. “I’ve never been more sure of anything. I thought I’d loved before, but I didn’t really. Not like this.” He cupped her cheek.
“How can you be sure I’m different?”
“Because I am.”
“You aren’t afraid your emotions will change?”
He shook his head firmly. “Not anymore. I can’t see the future, but I canfeelit. I expect to love you more in fifty years than I will in five and more than I do today.”
“Oh, Ruark.” She grinned up at him, unabashed happiness shining in her eyes and making his heart flip.
He bent his head and kissed her, pouring all his emotion into her. It was a long moment before he lifted his mouth from hers. “Now, shall we sleep, my almost-countess?”
She gripped the collar of his shirt and tugged him back down to her. “Not on your life.”
Cassandra wasn’t going to lose another moment with Ruark. “And I’m not agreeing to your no sexual intercourse rule. We’re getting married tomorrow—or close to that. Please don’t make me wait. Haven’t we waited long enough?”
He clasped her back of her neck, his eyes glittering. “I’ve waited a lifetime for you. And it was worth every moment.”
He swept his lips over hers, claiming her in a way he hadn’t a moment before. That kiss had been sweet and giving. This kiss was passionate and demanding, his tongue spearing into her mouth and taking what he wanted. She was more than happy to take in return, clasping his shoulders and pressing her body to his.
One of his hands caressed down her shoulder then over to her breast. “You are wearing far too many clothes,” he murmured against her lips. “At last, I’m going to see you completely bare.”
“You are fortunate that I am still dressed for callers. This gown is far less complicated than evening wear.”
“Thatisfortunate.” He found the fastenings on the front that, once unclasped, allowed the bodice to fall to her waist, exposing her undergarments beneath.
Providing assistance, she guided him to help her from the gown and soon it was adorning the back of a chair instead of her person. Turning, she presented her back so he could untie her petticoat and it soon joined the gown on the chair.
She began to pluck at the laces of her corset, but he quickly took over, his fingers moving with deft precision. “You’ve done this before.”
“Not like this,” he assured her, brushing his lips against her neck. “Neverlike this.”
He tossed the corset away, leaving her in chemise and stockings—and the one change she’d made to her costume before going in pursuit of him: her shoes. She’d swapped slippers for walking boots, a decision she was now grateful she’d taken time to effect.
“Perhaps you wouldn’t mind unlacing my boots with the same skill and speed as my corset?” With a saucy look, she went to perch on the side of the bed.
He quickly stripped his stockings away before crouching down before her. His gaze found hers as he loosened first one boot and then the other. Then he gently removed them, setting them aside.
“I don’t suppose you’d mind removing your shirt?” she asked, her throat dry as anticipation curled inside her. “I rather liked the view of your naked chest.”
