Softly, he pressed his lips to hers, teasing and tasting. At first she seemed unsure of what to do, but soon her mouth softened, and she returned his kiss. He reached under her blanket and thumbed her nipple over her now dry shift. When Georgie opened her lips on a moan, he swept his tongue into her warm mouth. She tasted of tea and the ginger biscuits they’d found, something fresh. He reveled in the taste of her, of her soft body pressing against him, but wasn’t at all prepared for the feel of her fingers tangling the hair on his chest.
Georgie knew she was playing with fire by inviting Gavin to make love to her. She also knew that she could never regret the way he touched her. Despite what her sister had said, she had not truly understood how good a kiss could be until now. Or how Gavin kneading her breasts could light fires over her body and create an ache between her legs. She shifted and he pulled her onto his lap, her thighs hugging his hips, and that’s when she felt his member standing straight up between them.
This time when he groaned it wasn’t because of St. George’s. She felt wicked and wanton and didn’t care at all. If he’d realized before that he loved her, they would already be married.
“God, Georgie. You’re going to be the death of me.”
“I certainly hope not.” She nibbled his chin. “That would make for a very short marriage.”
Holding her against him, he rose and the blankets fell away. “There are clean sheets on the bed.”
“Are there?” she teased. She knew that all the follies stood ready to be used. Although, not all of them had the beds made.
“Um-hmm, and I started the fire in there. I’m going to show you how much I love you.”
The rain still pelted the windows as he pulled down the covers and crawled onto the large bed. He took her lips again as if he was worshiping her mouth. It was all she could do to keep up and try to copy what he did. His large and surprisingly calloused hands stroked her body and where his hands went his lips followed. When he took one nipple into his mouth, she arched, wanting him, wanting more.
He grinned and stroked the apex of her thighs. “You’re almost ready for me.”
She was not quite sure what that meant, but it had to be a good thing.
Then he captured her lips again as he rubbed and entered her with a finger. Her body took over as she moved against him until she couldn’t stand the tension any longer, then she shattered into a thousand pieces of light, and he entered her slowly, stretching her until she couldn’t feel anything but him.
His body tensed and he stopped. “Are you all right?”
She hoped that wasn’t the end of it. Surely there was more. “It didn’t hurt as much as I thought it would.”
“That’s good.” Gavin started moving again, and her body felt like a tightly wound clock. Then her body quaked, and he called out her name as his release took him. “Georgie, I love you.”
“I love you too.”
He kissed her forehead and rolled off her snugging her into his side as he did, making her feel as if she finally had a place she belonged. He stared at the ceiling for a few moments frowning before saying, “Who in God’s name would have wanted to abduct you?”
She knew what the blackguard had said, and it was Lord Lytton’s coach, but that it was Lord Lytton didn’t make any sense. He seemed to be interested in Lady Aurelia. And he had to know that he could not get away with it. Still, Gavin had to be told. “It was Lord Lytton’s coach. And one of the men said he’d pay them for taking me.”
The arm around her tightened, and she could feel the anger in her betrothed. “I’m going to kill him.”
“You are not.” Turning over, she pressed her hands against Gavin’s chest and rose above him. “You are not going to challenge him to a duel, or kill him, or anything else. You promised me you’d not do anything that could cause you to be injured.”
Their eyes locked for several moments. When he finally inclined his head she breathed a sigh of relief. She might not know a lot about gentlemen, but she knew enough to know that once he’d discovered who might be the kidnapper, he would demand to go after him. This whole situation must be handled with a great deal of care.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Gavin wasn’t positive he’d said “injured,” but he suddenly realized and appreciated the subtle intelligence she’d used when she had made him promise not to put his life in danger before they wed. “Very well. I shall encourage him to leave the country.”
“Only if you can do it without putting your life in danger.” She’d lain back down and cuddled next to him.
He listened to the storm rage outside as the storm within him ceased to exist. He’d take care of Lytton, but Gavin couldn’t do it now. He glanced at Georgie. He never imagined he’d be happy to be in love, but he was. Her breathing slowed, and he knew Georgie, his future wife and mother of their children, was asleep. He almost wished they did not have to attend this evening’s ball. Pulling the blanket over them, he closed his eyes. When he opened them again the rain had stopped.
“Sweetheart. Georgie.”
“Hmm.” She mumbled delightfully in her sleep, and he couldn’t resist a smile.
“We must get dressed and go back to the house. We have to get ready for the ball.” And he had to speak with Littleton about Lytton. If Gavin was to keep his promise to Georgie, he’d do well to have someone else there so that he didn’t put his hands on the earl, or a ball in the man’s chest.
“Ball?” Her muttered question made him want to laugh.
“Yes.” He pushed back her dusky curls. “Are you always this hard to wake up?”
Her lapis-blue eyes glared at him. “I suppose that depends on my exertions before going to sleep.” She sat up, causing the covers to drop to her waist. “I’m hungry. What time is it?”
He did his best not to look at her breasts. If he did, they might not make it back at all. “I have no idea. The storm has ended. To be honest, that is probably what woke me.” Gavin glanced around, but there was no clock. “I’ll look at my watch.” She started to stand, glanced down, and frowned. “If you would like, I can turn my head.” Her eyes widened. “Although, that would be a shame. I’ve always believed you are the most beautiful woman in the world, but now I know it for a fact.”
A blush rose from the top of her breasts up her neck and infused her face. “I am not sure I know what to say to that.”
“Say thank you.” When Gavin rose her gaze roamed his body making him more acutely aware of his nakedness than he had ever been. And the fact of his cock hardening again.
“I think I shall return the compliment.” Georgie suddenly shook her head. “We should get dressed.”
“If we don’t want to be caught naked we’ll have to.” He had no doubt that once the rain had stopped and they hadn’t returned, Littleton had sent out search parties. “Do you need help?”
“No. My habit is easy enough to don.” She went behind a screen and poured water into a basin while he went to the other room, pulled on his clothing, and gathered hers. Fortunately everything was almost dry. “There is blood.”