Only Series - Only Mine Part 14

aI want you to think of this as medicine,a Wolfe said. aIt will ease the last of the coldness inside you.a aHow did you know I feel cold inside?a He shrugged. aIave known the black ice of fear. Itas not something you forget.a Startled, she watched him with wide aquamarine eyes. aYou?a Wolfe smiled at her look of disbelief. aMany times.a aWhen?a aOne of the worst times was when I saw a bull buffalo thundering toward Lord Robert after his horse stepped in a prairie dog hole and went down. I was the length of the herd from him, riding bareback at a dead gallop. I had seen Cheyenne hunters killed by buffalo. I knew what would happen if I missed my shot.a aYou didnat miss.a aNo, I didnat. But sometimes I think it would have been better if I had.a When Wolfe saw the shock in Jessicaas face, the corner of his mouth turned down. Silently, he encouraged her to take a drink of brandy. She swallowed, grimaced, and swallowed again.

aI didnat mean I wished Lord Robert dead,a Wolfe said finally. aBut if I hadnat made such a spectacular shot, he would have left me with the Cheyenne. I was thirteen, just coming into the mysteries of being a warrior.a Jessica watched Wolfe over the rim of the brandy gla.s.s, her eyes intent, reflecting the dance of candlelight.

aMaybe it wouldnat have made any difference if I had stayed,a Wolfe said, shrugging. aI was never fully Cheyenne. Part of me was always fascinated by the land across the sea where my father lived. Yet I was never fully British. Too much of me belonged to campfires and wild lands. The viscountas b.l.o.o.d.y savage.a She made a soft sound of protest.

Wolfe shrugged again. aIn the end I became neither Indian nor British. I became a man who chooses his own way, his own rules, his own life.a aA Western man.a He smiled oddly. aYes. A man with neither home nor family, and a past that was too painful to keep.a For a moment, Wolfe looked beyond Jessica. The sadness in his expression was almost tangible. Tears stung her eyes once more, for she knew what he was thinking: He was a Western man married to a woman who was all wrong for him.

aWolfe,a she said huskily.

aFinish the brandy, elf. Then Iall bathe your face and hands with rosewater. Afterward, if you like, Iall hold you so that you donat hear the wind while you fall asleep.a Jessica started to speak, only to have Wolfeas thumb press gently against her lips.

aDrink up. It will take the knots from your muscles almost as well as a rubdown.a Memories of the night Wolfe had rubbed scented oil into Jessicaas aching body leaped between them like invisible lightning.

aDonat worry, Jessi,a he said matter-of-factly. aI wonat ever frighten you like that again. You donat have to fight for your life with me.a Eyes closed, Jessica lifted the gla.s.s and drained the last of the fragrant brandy, wondering why she felt unhappy rather than relieved.

aWolfe?a She coughed and swallowed quickly. aAre alla"that isa"are mosta"a She coughed again.

aSlow down, elf.a Wolfe eased Jessica back onto the pillows and tucked the fur blanket up over her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. aLet yourself relax.a He reached into the basin of warm water, retrieved a linen cloth, and wrung it out. Gently he washed her face, removing the trail of tears.

aWolfe?a He made a questioning sound that was rather like the purr of a very large cat.

aI thought all marriages were like my motheras,a Jessica said.

aI realize that. Now.a aBut they arenat, are they?a aNo.a aEven in the marriage bed?a aEspecially there,a Wolfe said, wringing out the cloth. aIf there is affection between husband and wife, the marriage bed is a place of pleasure for both of them. If there is loveaif there is love, I suspect that paradise holds no greater joy.a The cloth moved gently down Jessicaas arm. For long moments, the scented cloth lay over the sensitive inside of her wrist, where life pulsed softly beneath fine-grained skin.

aMost men,a Wolfe continued as he smoothed the cloth over her palm and fingers, aarenat drunken or cruel. They take no pleasure in a womanas pain.a Jessica watched Wolfe with wide, intent eyes.

aAny man worthy of the name knows his own strength,a Wolfe continued. aHe knows that women are more delicately made, more slow to burn with pa.s.sion; but once a woman burns, there is no fire to equal it, not even a manas. She will share that fire generously with a careful partner.a aDespite the pain?a aAn aroused woman feels only pleasure when she holds a man inside her body. That shared fire is the sweetest kind of burning. For both of them.a aFire without pain,a Jessica whispered, remembering.

A wave of desire went through Wolfe, but nothing of his response showed as he turned away to rinse the cloth once more.

aYes,a he said, as he bathed Jessicaas other arm. aFire without pain.a Motionless, she watched Wolfe with clear, steady eyes, loving the black angles of his eyebrows, the slightly s.h.a.ggy thickness of his hair, the bottomless indigo twilight of his eyes, and the sharply defined peaks of his upper lip.

aWhen the fire is finally quenched,a Wolfe continued, drawing the cloth down Jessicaas arm, athere is the serenity of lying together in the dark and knowing you have found your true mate. There is a rightness in being joined that goes all the way to the soul. There is power as well, the power of being able to summon ecstasy at will. Itas a G.o.dlike power. Itas the power of creation, of life itself.a aHave youa"a Jessicaas voice broke as sadness overwhelmed her. When she spoke again, it was a bare whisper. aHave you known that with a woman?a aIave had lovers. Surely that doesnat surprise you.a aI wasnat talking about your penchant for d.u.c.h.esses.a Wolfe looked up from the slender fingers he wanted to kiss and saw tears magnifying Jessicaas eyes until they were extraordinary gems.

aWhat are you trying to ask me?a Wolfe said.

She closed her eyes and whispered, aHave you lain in the darkness with your true mate and felt the rightness of it all the way to your soul?a aIf I had, I would have married. Yet I know that kind of closeness can exist between a man and a woman.a Jessica started to ask how Wolfe knew if he had never experienced it, but the answer came from her own knowledge.

aCaleb and Willow.a aYes,a Wolfe agreed. aCaleb and Willow.a Sadness caught in Jessicaas throat. aIsa"doesa"that isa"oh, blazes,a she said despairingly, unable to order her scattering thoughts.

Wolfeas thumb pressed lightly against her lips. aSlow down, elf. Youall get yourself tied in knots again. Would you like more brandy?a aIall get muzzled,a she muttered beneath his thumb.

He smiled gently. aI donat think so. Youave had only a teaspoon or two.a When Wolfe started to get up from the bed, Jessicaas hands closed around his powerful wrist.

aWolfe? What ifa"that isa"do only people like Willow and Caleb find pleasure ina"in touching?a A slow, very male smile was all the answer Jessica needed.

aYou donat have to be a paragon, if thatas what you mean,a Wolfe said.

aWould youa"a Jessicaas voice broke. She took a deep breath and held onto Wolfeas wrist as though it were a lifeline. aTouch me. Teach me.a Wolfeas eyes widened, then narrowed in response to the elemental tightening of his body. aI wonat take you, Jessi. That would make annulment impossible. Iam the wrong husband for you. Youare the wrong wife for me. Lying with you would be the worst mistake of my life.a For an instant, Jessicaas nails bit deeply into Wolfeas wrist. Then she released him and lay back with her eyes closed, too ashamed even to look at him any longer.

aSorry,a she said tonelessly. aFor a moment I forgot what you thought of me. You should have let me go to the wind. It would have been kinder. But then, you havenat felt kindly toward me since the night I ran to your room after Lord Gore attacked me.a aJessi, you arenat thinking at all,a Wolfe said. His fingers went from Jessicaas pale cheek to the soft curve of her mouth. aOr have you decided you want to be pregnant?a Her eyes flew open. They were dark with fear, haunted by nightmare.

aDonat panic,a he said calmly. aI said I wasnat going to take you. I meant it. Weare just wrong for each other as man and wife.a aI canat let you go. Iam sorry, but I canat. The thought of lying beneath the likes of Lord Goreaa Revulsion rippled visibly through Jessicaas body.

aNot all lords are brutal sots.a She simply shut her eyes and shook her head. Candlelight twisted and ran through her hair like threads of fire. Wolfeas fingertips traced one of the long locks so softly that Jessica didnat feel his touch.

aThere are young, handsome, decent lords in Britain,a Wolfe said, lifting his hand. aIall see that Lady Victoria finds one for you.a aI would sooner marry the wind than suffer a manas touch.a aAnd a halfbreed is somehow not quite a man, is that it?a Wolfe asked harshly.

Her eyes flew open in astonishment. aI never said that or anything like it!a aDidnat you?a Wolfe leaned over, flattening his hands on either side of Jessicaas body. aFirst you ask me to touch you, then you say youall never suffer a manas touch. Am I not a man?a aBut you are so much more than other men,a she whispered. With trembling fingertips she traced the black line of Wolfeas eyebrows and the fierce brackets on either side of his mouth. aSo much moreaa Wolfe couldnat prevent the primitive shiver of response that went through him at Jessicaas words, at her touch, at the emotion in her eyes.

aJessi,a he breathed, shaken. He turned his head and kissed her fingertips, then spoke before he could think better of it. aThere are ways of touching that will give you intense pleasure, yet leave you still a virgin. Do you understand me?a Slowly, she shook her head, watching him with luminous eyes.

aI can give you ecstasy without taking your maidenhead,a Wolfe said simply.

Jessicaas eyes widened.

He smiled. aOh, elf, the look on your faceaa aIs such a thing possible?a she asked, ignoring the heat creeping up her cheeks.

aQuite possible. There will be no pain for you, no risk of pregnancy. You will be a virgin still.a aHow can that be?a Wolfe bent down and brushed his lips against Jessicaas ear. aIall show you, but youall have to help me.a aHow?a aIall show you that, too.a

13.

V ERY gently, Wolfeas fingers slid into the wild, silky depths of Jessicaas hair. He rubbed her scalp slowly.

aYou have wonderful hands,a she said, sighing. aThey quite unravel me.a Smiling, Wolfe traced the rim of Jessicaas ear with his tongue. She made a startled sound as sensations coursed through her, leaving a trail of gooseb.u.mps on her arms.

aSuch a tiny cry,a he said. aDid I frighten you?a Jessica shook her head and watched him with heavy-lidded eyes. The scent of roses curled up from her unbound hair. Wolfeas nostrils flared as he took in the scent.

aTell me how it made you feel,a he murmured.

aIs that how you want me to help you?a aThatas one way.a aYou made me feel shivery and yet very still at the same time,a Jessica said, watching Wolfe. aI think a rosebud must feel that way at the first touch of the sun.a Wolfeas breath came out in a silent rush as he fought for control. aYou humble me, Jessi.a She would have asked why, but the tip of Wolfeas tongue was tracing her ear once more, drawing forth another delicate tremor of sensation. Her breath caught again.

aI didnat know,a she said.

aWhat?a he murmured against her ear.

aHow sensitive my ear was.a She sighed and stretched her neck, silently offering herself to his mouth. aAnd how good my Lord Wolfeas tongue feels.a His heartbeat paused, then deepened as sleek talons of need sank into his body. He nuzzled Jessicaas soft earlobe before he caught it very gently between his teeth. He heard her breath break, then unravel in a shivering sigh.

aAnd your Lord Wolfeas teeth,a he whispered. aHow do you like them?a Jessicaas answer was to arch her neck while her hands pushed her long hair above her head, baring her neck and ear to his mouth. With a rather fierce smile, Wolfe accepted her offering. His tongue traced her ear once more, spiraling inward until she gasped at the warm penetration. He continued the rhythmic strokes until her voice broke over his name. Slowly he released her and lifted his head, enjoying the sight of her half-closed eyes and her hair fanned over the pillow.

aIs that all?a Jessica asked wistfully.

Laughing softly, Wolfe shook his head. aWhere would you like to be kissed next?a aWhere else would it feel that good?a aThere are places where it will feel even better.a Jessicaas eyes widened as she read the confidence in Wolfe. aTruly?a aOh yes.a Wolfe looked from her parted lips to the curves of her body beneath the covers. aBut youall have to keep helping me.a aDoes that mean I get to bite your ear?a The combination of mischief and innocent pa.s.sion in Jessicaas voice made Wolfe laugh even as he felt the vital hardening of his body.

aIt means I want you to keep telling me how it feels when I touch you,a Wolfe said.

aIad rather bite your ear.a He laughed, delighted by the sultry teasing in her eyes. aNot yet, Jessi. It would distract me.a aDistraction? Is that what you call those odd b.u.t.terfly shivers in the pit of my stomach?a aIn a way. Those shivers are the beginning of pa.s.sion, and pa.s.sion is d.a.m.ned distracting.a Jessica hesitated, giving Wolfe a look through lowered eyelashes. aThatas what I was afraid of. Being pa.s.sionate.a aAre you still afraid?a aNot with you.a Wolfe kissed her gently. aGood, because I suspect Iave never known a more pa.s.sionate woman, but exploring your pa.s.sion will require physical intimacy. Not consummation. Justaintimacy. That kind of intimacy disgusted you before.a aDo you meanaa Jessica flushed and swallowed. aAfter you bathed me, when youa?a aYes. When I put my hand between your legs.a Jessica covered her flaming cheeks with her palms. aDear G.o.d, Wolfe. I donat know if I can speak of such things.a aToo disgusting?a he asked neutrally.

She shook her head.

aTalk to me, Jessi. The last thing I want to do is frighten or repel you.a aHow about embarra.s.sing me?a she muttered.

aI like that idea.a Wolfe looked at the curves of her body beneath the fur cover. aIall keep it in mind. Now talk to me.a aTalk?a Jessica asked in disbelief. aI canat even think at the thought of you touching me like that. I keep remembering how I accidentally caught your hand between my legs in the bath and your skin felt so much nicer than the sponge, but remembering makes me shiver and turns my heart upside down and I canat breathe for the velvet b.u.t.terflies filling me and youare asking me to carry on a conversation as though weare in Lord Robertas library discussing the relative merits of Keats and Sh.e.l.ley!a As soon as Wolfe untangled the torrent of words, he smiled and kissed the hands that shielded her hot cheeks.

aYou felt unbelievably soft to me, both in the bath and in the bed,a Wolfe said. aTouching you made me shiver and turned my heart upside down and I couldnat breathe.a Slowly Jessica lowered her hands. aFeeling like that doesnat unnerve you?a aIt should,a he admitted ruefully, abut all I can think of is what a sweet delight you are to touch, and how brave you are to trust me despite your fears.a aI suspect youare saying I have no more sense than a spring rosebud.a aI suspect Iam saying I have no more brains than the sun that unwraps the rose.a Wolfe bent down to Jessicaas mouth, stopping only when he was so close he could feel her breath flowing over his lips. aWill you let me touch you the way sunlight touches a spring bud?a Jessicaas breath caught. aHow does sunlight touch a bud?a aGently. Completely. Everywhere.a Her breath came out in a soft rush that Wolfe tasted, for his mouth was covering hers. When his tongue drew a warm line over the sensitive edge of her mouth, she opened it in surprise. His tongue slid inside. Unexpected pleasure shivered through Jessica.

aI didnat mean to shock you,a Wolfe said against Jessicaas lips. aI warned you it would beaintimate.a aYou didnat shock me. The b.u.t.terflies did.a ab.u.t.terflies?a aDonat look behind you, but the parrot is back.a aHammer the parrot.a Wolfe caught her lower lip tenderly between his teeth. aTell me about the b.u.t.terflies.a aI think theyare made of fire, not velvet.a aDo you want to find out?a aYes, but please donat misunderstand if Iam startled and draw back,a Jessica said softly. aYou donat repulse me, Wolfe. Youare the most beautifully made man Iave ever seen.a aSweet little liar. Either of Willowas brothers is more handsome than I am.a aTree That Stands Alone, you are blind. When you walk into a room, all men are in your shade. You alone catch the light.a Jessica felt the tiny shuddering that went through Wolfe and knew that her words had moved him.

aDoes that mean youall let me kiss you intimately again?a he asked when he could trust himself to speak.

aYes,a she whispered. aPlease.a The gliding heat of Wolfeas kiss sent glittering sensations from Jessicaas tongue to her knees. She pressed her fingers deeply into his hair, wanting to touch more of him, wanting to be closer, wanting to feel more of the intriguing, shimmering pleasure.

The kiss deepened, strengthened. Wolfe consumed the soft warmth of Jessicaas mouth until the world shrank and began to spin slowly around her. The feeling was new but not frightening, for he was still with her, as close as her breath, closer.

He was her breath.

She wound her arms tightly around Wolfeas neck, knowing he was strong enough to keep her safe in the world he had created with his kiss, a world of languid heat and b.u.t.terfly wings brushed with fire. When he tried to lift his head, she protested and searched out his tongue with her own, wanting the kiss never to end.

Strong arms slid beneath Jessica as Wolfe lifted her from between the sheets. The flexing and shifting of his powerful body was another kind of fire caressing her. The bare skin of his chest and arms and back felt better to her palms than the soft fur on which she now lay. She tested the power of his torso, sinking her fingertips into resilient muscles, scoring him softly with her nails.

A deep sound vibrated through Wolfe as hunger knotted fiercely in his body, making his muscles cord up beneath Jessicaas exploring hands.

aWolfe?a Jessica whispered. aIs something wrong?a aNo. I just learned that elves have tiny golden claws, thatas all.a aWhat?a He laughed deep in his throat as he looked at her dazed, sultry eyes and flushed lips. aYou taste of brandy,a he said.

aSo do you.a aI taste of you. Lick my lips, Jessi. Let me feel that soft little tongue in my mouth again.a Surprise shivered through her. aI didnat realizeaa Wolfe made a questioning sound that was also a purr of antic.i.p.ation.

aThe kiss,a she whispered. aI didnat know how intimate it had become until I heard your words. I tasted you.a aThe brandy was all you.a aThe rest of it wasnat. Youare so warm and almost salty and almost sweet.a Jessica shivered. aLike wine, your taste keeps changing. And like wine, you make me dizzy.a aJessi,a Wolfe said thickly, ayouare going to burn me alive.a When Wolfeas arms tightened, lifting Jessica to his mouth, she went eagerly. He teased her by holding back, kissing her chastely until her arms locked around his neck in an attempt to hold him close for the kind of deep kiss he had taught her to enjoy.

But Wolfe was much too strong to be held. The tiny maddening kisses continued.

aWolfe?a He made a purring, questioning sound that ruffled her nerves, but there was nothing lazy about his eyes watching her. They smoldered behind his thick lashes.

aKiss me the way it was before,a Jessica whispered. aKiss me so that I can taste you on my tongue.a Wolfe groaned and took her mouth in a seamless, hot kiss that was more arousing and yet more satisfying than any he had ever known with a woman. His hands kneaded from her scalp to her nape to her hips, shaping her to his body. The silk of her nightgown was more of an enticement than a barrier to his fingers, for the cloth was so sheer that the heat and textures of her body werenat concealed. She was as sleek and supple as a cat beneath the silk, and like a cat she arched in response to the stroking of his hands over her back. When he finally ended the kiss, she was shivering against him as though cold; yet her skin was hot, flushed with pa.s.sion.

Slowly Wolfeas intent, dark glance went from Jessicaas mouth to the pulse beating quickly in her neck and then to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Her nightgown was a translucent veil too sheer to conceal her body. Her nipples were deep pink, tempting him.

aRemember the bud and the sunlight?a Wolfe asked in a husky voice. aRemember how I warned you that pa.s.sion is an intimate thing?a aI find I like that. With you.a aGood, because it begins to get intimate now.a aBegins?a Jessicaas eyes widened. aBegins?a aSweet little red-headed parrot,a he murmured. aYes, it begins. Soon. It will feel good, Jessi. Even better than when I stroked your tongue with mine.a Wolfeas hand went from her neck to the fine-grained skin just below her collarbone. Her breath broke as she suddenly became aware of the sensuous weight of her own b.r.e.a.s.t.s. He kissed her lips slowly, deeply, until she gave her mouth to him and demanded his own in return. Only then did his hand shift, covering and cupping and caressing her b.r.e.a.s.t.s in the same slow rhythms of his tongue sliding over hers.

aYou feel like a captive bird in my hand,a Wolfe said. aYour heart is beating so violently. Do I frighten you?a Jessica tried to speak, but all that came from her lips was a stifled sound. Nerve endings she had never known she had were responding to the slow movement of Wolfeas fingers. A net of fire licked from her b.r.e.a.s.t.s to her knees, making it impossible to breathe.

aHelp me, Jessi. Let me hear your words. Let me hear your breath breaking if I please you.a Wolfeas fingertips closed over the velvet peak of Jessicaas breast. He plucked delicately, listened to the husky breaking of her breath over his name, and felt her nipple harden in a rush that left it pressing against the sheer white silk of her gown.

aI think,a he said thickly, athe bud isnat frightened of the sun.a His fingertips moved again and again. He heard the tiny cry from the back of Jessicaas throat. When he finally looked away from the hungry pink bud, she was watching him with wide eyes.

aYouare trembling,a Wolfe said.

aI canat help it. When you look at me like that itas all I can do to breathe.a aHow am I looking at you?a aAs though you want toaa Jessicaas voice dried up. The heat of her blush radiated beneath his hand.

aAs though I want toa?a he asked huskily.

aKiss me,a she whispered. aThere.a aYes. Hold onto me, Jessi. It begins now.a Frozen between disbelief and antic.i.p.ation, Jessica felt Wolfeas body shift along hers, felt his mouth against the pulse beating frantically in her neck, felt his breath flow warmly over her skin, felt him smooth first one cheek and then the other over her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Distantly she realized that his hands were moving down her body as well. The tiny little fastenings at the front of her gown were dissolving like snow beneath flame. The feel of silk falling away from her b.r.e.a.s.t.s made her shiver as her nipples drew into peaks.

Then she realized he meant to undress her completely.

aWolfea"a her voice broke.

aThis is part of intimacy. I wonat hurt you, Jessi. Will you let me undress you?a Her breath came out in a ragged rush. aYes.a There was a shimmering silence broken only by the secret sounds of Jessicaas gown being eased from her body by Wolfeas hands. She trembled visibly, but made no effort to cover herself when the cool air of the room washed over her naked b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

aYouare perfectly formed,a Wolfe said in a hushed voice. Upon the heels of that discovery came another. aAnd I have dreamed of seeing you like this since your fifteenth summer.a The intensity of Wolfeas voice and his indigo eyes devouring her made Jessica feel both nervous and beautiful. It was a moment before the meaning of his words sank in.

aWhen I was fifteen?a she asked in a low voice.

aLady Victoria was right. I wanted you so much I didnat let myself think of you as a woman. But I couldnat control my dreams.a Wolfeas voice deepened. aIn my dreams I came to you, undressed you, tasted you. My dreams drove me from England.a aNot the d.u.c.h.ess and the scandal?a Without answering, Wolfe ran his fingertips from the pulse beating in Jessicaas throat to the lush mahogany cloud at the apex of her thighs and back up again. The sound of his name shivering from her lips made him smile despite the need raking him with claws of fire.

Once Wolfe would have been afraid to continue touching Jessica, afraid to trust his own control. Once, but no longer. He had only to think of what her childhood had been like and ice condensed within him, taking the pain of unrelieved hunger from his body, giving him the strength to enjoy her without claiming her.

Yet the hunger remained, growing with each breath.

aThe d.u.c.h.ess was a convenience,a Wolfe said simply, tracing a line of fire down Jessicaas body again. aI thought if I took a lover, my dreams would be my own.a aWere they?a The words were breathless, squeezed past the tension in Jessicaas throat. She wanted to cover herself and hideaand she wanted to stretch like a cat beneath Wolfeas hand. The conflicting impulses rippled through her, tightening her nerves until she shivered.

aMy dreams havenat been my own since we took shelter from a rainstorm beneath an oak. You were drenched. Your dress clung to your b.r.e.a.s.t.s and your nipples stood hard against the cloth.a Wolfeas dark head bent until he could kiss the wild pulse in Jessicaas throat.

aI wondered if your nipples would tighten like that for me,a he whispered.

The tiny sound Jessica made licked over Wolfeas senses. He set his teeth delicately where her neck curved into her shoulder.

aYou haunted me,a Wolfe said. aI told myself it was my age, the cold rutting with aristocratic women, my unruly body. I told myself everything but the truth. I wanted you until I couldnat look at you without being aroused.a His mouth glided lower, exploring the warm valley between Jessicaas b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Her heartbeat shook her, but it was Wolfeas words as much as the warmth of his breath on her bare skin that made her tremble. The tip of his tongue drew a line of molten heat over her.

aYou taste like a rose,a he whispered.

Wolfe turned his head from side to side, savoring Jessicaas warmth and her scent, enjoying her with a frank sensuality that made breath fill her throat until she ached. With a shivering sound she moved beneath him, turning slowly against his caressing mouth without understanding why.

aYouare burning me,a he whispered.

aaTis you who burn me. Your mouth is fire.a Hunger ran through Wolfe, tightening his body until he let out his pent-up breath in a long, soundless sigh.

aYouave burned me for so many years,a he said. aI was trying to find an excuse for leaving England when the d.u.c.h.ess threw her very public tantrum over my absence from her bed. Finally Lord Robert agreed that he could live without the company of his b.a.s.t.a.r.d for a time.a Wolfeas dark cheek smoothed over the swell of Jessicaas breast. Her hands lifted, but not to push him away. His words disarmed her, seducing her even as his caresses set her afire. She threaded her fingers into the midnight thickness of Wolfeas hair until she could feel the living warmth of his scalp. Sensing the response that went through him, she drew her nails lightly over his scalp once more.

aI wept when I heard you were leaving,a she whispered.