Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord.
*
Will swallowed ashe undid each button of his wife’s dress, the shock of her request still lingering in his limbs. Frankly, he couldn’t tell what had possessed him to invite her. That hadn’t been the plan. He’d merely wished to stir a blush into her cheeks. He loved the pink hue that unfurled across her skin because of him. Yet the invitation had rolled off his tongue as though it had always meant to be said.
And once again, she exceeded his every expectation.
His fingers had never trembled as much as they did in that moment. He let out a long breath as he retracted his hand after the last button.
“Done,” he said, clearing his voice when it came out too gruff.
In a blink of an eye, the dress pooled on the ground.
She slanted a look over her shoulder. “The stays. Unlace them.”
Had he entered another realm? He couldn’t quite believe what was happening, but that still didn’t stop him from undoing her stays, eyes never leaving her as he made short work of her corset. The entire chamber seemed to hold its breath, the only sounds being the gentle rustle of her shift and chemise joining the rest of her clothes and the slight movement of water against the sides of the tub.
His gaze trailed over the pale expanse of her back.
She turned her head and rested her chin on her shoulder. “No words?”
He had words. Two.
Almighty Heaven.
He’d succeeded in stirring the coveted rosy hue, but that was nothing compared to all her delicate curves and the slope of her body as she turned to fully face him.
A playful grin hung on her lips. “It’s just sharing water, isn’t that right?”
Ah yes, just one more foolish word that had once again come to nip him in his arse. How many times had this happened now? Many.
Don’t call him a gentleman—he didn’t avert his gaze, and could already taste the softness of her breasts in his mouth. They were the right amount of handful that made him want to reach out and love them. Her slender body still had enough curves to set his heart on fire.
“Still nothing to say?”
“You are lovely.” Will thought the words might have stuttered out, but they were smooth, even though his tone had been pure gravel.
“So I’ve gone from looking lovely to actually being lovely. That is a step up.”
She chuckled and held out her hand, and Will clasped it in his own as he helped her step into the tub. The soft haze of steam danced upon her delicate features, pulling at the breath in his lungs.
Beautiful, love.
That would be his note tomorrow.
Will sank back into the tub, his breath stalling when she followed suit, her legs sliding up against his as she settled across from him.
He suddenly questioned the choices that led him to this moment. No matter how he looked at it, he’d been caught in his own little scheme of temptation. The tub was not big to begin with, so they had to sit close to each other, leg up against leg.
Dear God, it felt marvelous.
It also felt dangerous.
He usually possessed exemplary restraint, but he suddenly worried it that might be obliterated today.
No, keep it together, Will.
He splashed some water over his chest, rubbing the spot over his heart. “You surprise me at every turn, love.”
