Impatiently she pulled his head down again.
‘It was too late for me a long time ago, Wolf. I know that now.’
He swooped down for another kiss. She heard the click as he turned the key in the lock and the next moment she was being carried back to the sofa.
‘Wolf, you are wounded!’ she protested, half-laughing as she helped him out of his coat and waistcoat. ‘You should not exert yourself.’
‘I feel nothing,’ he muttered, lowering her down on to the cool silk. ‘Nothing but an overwhelming desire to worship you!’
With a rapturous sigh she took him in her arms. At first she tried to avoid his bandaged ribs, but soon they were forgotten. Each kiss heated her blood and set her skin tingling. Every caress carried her away until she was almost fainting with the delight of it. She melted beneath his touch, revelling in the feel of his hands on her shoulders, her breasts, her thighs. She was softening, blossoming like a flower with his caresses, instinctively offering herself up to him. Gentle fingers readied her for the union to come. Gentle words eased her fears. She moved restlessly against him, feeling the pull of unfamiliar muscles deep within, the yearning ache to be one with this man. He enveloped her, her heightened senses breathed in the male scent of his skin, the smell of spices and leather and man.
She tore off his neckcloth and unbuttoned his shirt, desperate to explore him. The bandage around his ribs prevented her from running her hands over his chest, but she gripped his shoulders as her body began to slip out of control. She was kissing the line of his throat when she felt the cords of his neck tense. She cried out as he pushed into her and he grew still.
‘Am I hurting you?’
‘No.’ It was an effort to speak. Something was building inside her, like the pleasurable swell of a giant wave. ‘No. Go on, go on.’
Her body welcomed him. She was surprised to feel completed, not invaded, and bucked against him, forcing him deeper. They were moving together, skin on skin, slick and hot, his rhythm matching the pulsing waves in her core. He was carrying her higher, until she was flying, falling, and she cried out with the sheer joy of it as he gave one final thrust. She heard him calling her name as she tumbled from the heights into near oblivion and then they were lying together, panting and gasping in each other’s arms.
* * *
A delightful lassitude had stolen over Grace. Wolf’s body was pinning her down but she did not mind, she wanted to stay like this for ever. She cradled him until his breathing became more regular and all too soon he stirred, raising himself on one arm so he could look at her, seeing her contentment. His slow, teasing smile appeared.
‘It is quite wanton, you know, to make love fully clothed.’
She smiled back. ‘Then I must be very wanton, sir, for I found it quite delightful.’
He dropped a kiss on her brow, but when he raised his head again the smile had disappeared.
‘Are you sorry we did not wait until we were married?’
‘A little,’ she admitted. When she saw his troubled look she added quickly, ‘Averylittle. I have wanted you and imagined this moment for weeks now. This is the consummation of all my hopes and dreams.’
‘It is merely the beginning, my love.’ He kissed her again. ‘Your father shall marry us, but it must be by special licence. I will not wait a day longer than I must to call you my wife.’ His smile was tender, but a little rueful, too. ‘I am afraid, my angel, you are no longer a virgin.’
She smiled up at him, tenderly brushing a dark curl from his brow.
‘And you,I hope, are no longer a vagabond.’
‘No.’ He kissed her again. ‘I have come home.’
