Evie breathed out, something like peace stealing over her. She’d been half in turmoil, half numb since she’d read Hayden’s letter, drifting and afraid. What she would do now, she had no idea.
That didn’t matter at the moment. Here in this field, with Jamie, she was free. No ties to anyone, no worries about her future. This point of now was much more important. The earth was at her back, a quiet breeze on her face, the man who’d rescued her from a life she’d have regretted by her side.
Jamie had saved her from an empty, lonely fate. Evie rolled onto her side, leaned over Jamie, and kissed him.
He slid his arms around her and pulled her to him, rendering the kiss long and satisfying. When they parted, Jamie’s eyes sparkled with sin.
“Time for me to return the favor, love.”
Chapter 25
“Favor?” Evie blurted, but she knew what Jamie meant.
“Ye gave me great pleasure on our train journey.” Jamie’s smile was wicked. “Time for me to give you that pleasure now.”
Evie gulped. “How?”
The only thing Evie knew a man liked to do with a woman was lie with her—that euphemism meant sliding his hard organ inside her.
Mrs. McKnight had told Evie and Clara all about it after Evie had accepted Hayden’s proposal last year, declaring them both ready for such knowledge. Her mother had blushed but stated that having a man you loved share your bed wasn’t a bad thing at all.
Evie wouldn’t mind with Jamie, she realized with a suddenness that left her breathless. She’d dreamed of him often since Southampton, of Jamie’s weight on her in the darkness, he loving her all night in decadence.
Jamie’s laughter vibrated under her. “Don’t look so worried.”
Evie’s face heated. “I meant that we are in the middle of a field. Where anyone might walk past or float by on the river.”
Jamie raised his head and scanned the empty countryside. “Not many about today. I’ll risk it.”
“But …” Evie pictured herself embarrassingly nude while a farmer wandered along, perhaps to check his field or fetch a recalcitrant cow.
Then again, why did the prospect of being caught while Jamie loved her send tingling excitement through every nerve?
“But what?” The gleam in Jamie’s eyes made the excitement grow.
“It’s a little cold for us not to be wearing clothes.” Evie said the words hurriedly, her face growing hotter still.
Jamie stared at her incredulously a moment, then he collapsed onto his back and went off into gales of laughter. He wrapped his arms around himself and laughed to the sky. It was a beautiful sound, twining Evie’s heart.
“Why are you laughing at me?” she demanded. “Perhaps you are used to baring your backside in country meadows all over the world, but I am not.”
This made Jamie roar even more. His whole body shook, his eyes streaming.
Abruptly, he heaved himself up, wiping his eyes with the backs of his hands. “Love, I am so glad you slammed into me on the Southampton dock. I’d have missed this wonderful time with you.”
He stopped the argument she’d drawn breath to continue with another kiss. Evie forgot what she meant to say, letting the gentleness of the kiss return her to the place of tranquility, where her life halted so she could be only with Jamie.
She found herself on her back on the blanket, Jamie coming to rest at her side. He propped himself on his elbow, gazing at her as though she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
“I want you to worry about nothing.” Jamie’s low voice spread hot prickles along her spine. “I won’t distress you, and I won’t ask you to strip.” The heat in his eyes increased. “A pity, but there it is. Maybe later.”
Evie realized then what he meant to do. She’d eased his clothes open and touched him on the train. Jamie would do the same to her.
Her body moved closer to his of its own accord. Evie began to tremble, wanting his hands on her so much it unnerved her.
Jamie brushed her hair from her forehead. He kissed her there, then the tip of her nose, then her lips again. His mouth was warm, spreading heat.
He slid his hand to her chest, slowing to cup each breast. Evie wore a corset, but the fabric was thin enough for her to feel a hot tingle as he teased each nipple with his thumb.
When he removed his touch, Evie swallowed her disappointment, though his large hand resting on her belly wasn’t bad either. She sucked in a breath when he moved that hand to her thigh, and then to the join of her legs, the skirt only a thin barrier.
Crazed sensations sprang up where he touched. Evie gazed at him with wide eyes, emotions tumbling through her.
“Lie back, love,” Jamie whispered. “I’ll take good care of you.”
Evie, trembling, tried to relax. But sharp need seized her, keeping her limbs stiff.
Jamie skimmed his hand down her skirt, all the way to her ankle boots. She felt a breeze there, followed by his fingers under her skirt and petticoat, his firm touch on her stockinged calf.
His hand swept up her leg to her garter then the slice of skin between it and the hem of her knickers. She stifled a gasp, hands balling.
“A nice fine cotton,” Jamie announced as he brushed her drawers. Evie felt cool air on her legs as he neatly folded back the skirts. “Satin ribbon to hold them closed, beautiful on you.”
His fingers worked, and the drawers loosened and moved downward. Evie jumped when the warmth of his hand brushed her bare abdomen.
“Easy, love.” Jamie’s touch was light though it grew bolder as she calmed.
Evie closed her eyes, letting herself still under his caress and the sunshine. He ran his thumb across her belly, resting his hand there to let her get used to him against her bare skin.
Then his fingers, broad and strong, slid between her legs. Evie stiffened again, but Jamie stroked her forehead to soothe her. He lay close beside her, leaning to brush kisses to her mouth then closing her eyes with his lips.
Evie gasped when he moved his hand among the curls between her thighs. She’d never had anyone touch her there before, only herself when she washed. She’d never experienced anything special when she swiped a washcloth over herself, not realizing there was anything to feel.
Jamie showed her how wrong she’d been. He parted her most intimate place with one finger, engulfing her in fire.
Evie held her breath, her entire body tightening. The sensation was powerful, exciting, and at the same time, terrifying.
Jamie kissed her again, his lips tender. “Shh,” he whispered. “Let yourself enjoy it.”
Evie released her breath and drew another long one. While Jamie waited, she forced her muscles, one by one, to loosen.
“That’s my Evie.” Jamie brushed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “I’ll give you joy, I promise.”
Evie nodded and reached up to touch his cheek.
The next moment, she arched against his hand as he stroked a place that scalded. Then his finger slid into her, penetrating what nothing ever had. Evie’s hips lifted of their own accord, her body wanting the feeling, more and more of it. Never wanted it to stop.
Jamie kissed her as his finger penetrated her liquid heat. Evie rocked under him, gasping out loud when he added a second finger.