She had to laugh at his conviction. “My lord, I will never trust another man. Now, if you please, leave my room.” She started toward the door to open it. “I am tired. Worn thin. We can discuss this night on the morrow—”
He caught her arm, swung her around and kissed her. His embrace was commanding, and she had no choice but to kiss him back.
One minute she was rational and tired, and in the next, she was suddenly vital and alive. It was that simple and the decision that quick.
Their lips did fit together well. Her body warmed to his, became warm in the places where he was hard—
He was hard.
Thea could feel the length and heat of him exactly where it should be against her, and she was undone.
There had been a time when Thea had wanted Boyd’s attentions, and a time when she’d avoided all contact with him. She understood her body’s signals. Hers was not a prudish nature, although she had long ago made the decision to place herneeds and wants far below those of her children.
However here and now, desire burst into life with a vehemence that was all encompassing.
What was wrong with letting herself enjoy this kiss? She’d been holding herself so tight, trying to be so strong. What harm could one kiss do?
And it felt good to at last let her body enjoy being in his arms. His body heat enfolded her. His strength held her.
The kiss deepened.
He sat on the bench, pulling her down onto his lap. Thea straddled his legs.
Were her nightclothes up around her bare thighs? She didn’t care.
Did his hand caress her breast? Oh, yes. Yes, yes,yes.
She was perfectly happy. Blissfully happy. Hungrily happy. And when he broke the kiss to brush aside her hair to nibble his way to her ear, Thea thought she was going to shoot straight from his arms into heaven...
Neal was intoxicated. Thea was seductive, willing, aggressive.
She cupped his head with her hands, bent over him and kissed him with an abandon he had not known existed.
Dear God, he wanted her.
In truth, he’d wanted her all those years ago when they’d met by the stream. He’d fantasized about her, yearned to see her and cherished each moment they’d been together. Butthis,having her respond to his kisses, holding her in his arms, was better than any fantasy.
The pull, the draw, the need was a hundred times stronger than it had ever been with any other woman. Neal had had dalliances over the years, but the women had meant nothing to him and he’d lost interest. Yes, he was a man with a strong drive, yet while his brother had played with every female who’d placed herself in his path, Neal had been discreet, almost celibate.
But now all caution flew to the wind.
He tasted her ear, her cheek, her nose, her eyes. Her breasts were firm and hard in his palm. He reveled in the silky skin of her thigh, his hand following the curve of her hip, the indentation of her waist.
She was moist and hot and he could not have stopped unbuttoning his breeches even if his brother had come charging into the room with the whole host of the Horse Guard behind him. He had to be inside Thea. Hemustbe inside her.
She moved against his hand, as impatient as hewas. He tired of feeling her breast. He found the tight hard nipple with his mouth, licking, stroking her right through the fabric of her gown.
Her breath caught in her throat as she whimpered out of pleasure, and he wanted her all the more.
And then he was free of his fumbling with buttons and material. He was hard, ready, and charged by her moist heat.
With an almost animal need, Neal lifted her hips and brought her down on top of him. Her tightness surrounded him. Her heat almost was his undoing.
She stiffened, the action allowing him to go deeper.
“Neal,” she said, her voice wavering.
He kissed her ear, found her lips. “It’s all right,” he murmured almost desperately. She couldn’t stop now.Hecouldn’t. “It’ssoright. Sogood.”