Tess closed her eyes, and his lips met hers in a kiss that started out soft but almost immediately degenerated into something hotter and darker. His tongue stroked hers, a slow delirious tasting, and she pressed closer, loving the feel of his body against hers.
Yes! She’d dreamed of this ever since Careby’s!
Her silk robe and nightgown were so thin that the heat of him seeped into her, and her nipples tightened as sherubbed against his chest. The cotton of his shirt provided a delicious friction.
She returned his kiss with equal fervor, and slid her arms around his waist. He caught her hips and pulled her up against him, then ran his palms up her ribs to cup her breasts.
Tess breathed a sigh of happiness against his mouth.
Growing bolder, she slid her hands under his shirt, exploring the smooth, warm skin and strong muscles that bracketed his spine. He made a low growl of pleasure, and when she reached down and squeezed the firm mounds of his bottom, he smiled against her lips.
“Vixen! Get on that bed.”
His words shocked Tess out of her sensual haze, and she pulled back, but Thornton registered her wide eyes and let out a wry chuckle.
“Oh, right, I forgot. Virgin.” He seemed to be reminding himself of the plan, but his playfulness made her heart swell with affection. “Let’s try that again.”
He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, then stroked down her arm until his fingers threaded through hers. “As fetching as this robe is, I’d very much like to remove it. Would that be acceptable?”
Tess nodded. “Yes. But only if I can remove your shirt.”
“For a virgin, you’re very curious,” he teased.
“A girl can be curious as well as inexperienced, can she not?”
“True. I just hope your maidenly sensibilities can cope with such an excess of stimulation.”
Tess laughed. “It’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
He untied the sash at her waist and eased the robe over her shoulders. It dropped to the floor with a silken hiss. Determined to keep things equal, Tess tugged at his sleeve.
“Come on, off with it.”
He reached over his head and removed his shirt, tossing it carelessly aside, and her senses reeled at the sudden expanse of his chest, so close. He was so beautiful it made her a little dizzy. He looked like one of the Greek athletes she’d seen carved in plaster at her neighbor Sir John Soane’s house.
“How are you feeling, little virgin? A bit faint?” The amusement in his voice showed he was enjoying the game, and his eyes held nothing but admiration. “Breathing helps, you know.”
Tess sucked in a shaky breath.
“Since this is all quite new,” he said dryly, “I should tell you that you’re allowed to touch me.” He held his arms out to the sides. “Anywhere you like. I’m yours to explore.”
Tess didn’t need telling twice. Fascinated, she pressedher hands to the flat planes of his chest, testing the hardness with her palms. His skin was warm, almost hot, and he had an intriguing line of hair running from his belly button down into the waistband of his breeches.
The scent of his skin made her stomach flutter, and she skimmed her fingers along the bumps of his ribs, then back up to circle his tawny nipples. He hissed in a breath, as if she’d caused him pain, and she paused.
“Does that hurt?”
“Not at all. It feels good. Are you ready for the next step?” His fingers toyed with the ribbon of her nightgown at her shoulder.
“Yes.”
He gave the little bow a tug, and it started to untie. “This may shock you, but the next bit requires the removal of this very un-virginal nightgown.”
“Should I have worn my plain white cotton chemise?” Tess teased, loving the way his eyes darkened as he stroked her collarbone.
“Absolutely not.”
