She felt so right beside him. She, with her buttoned-up gowns and sensible manner, distracted him and drove him wild.
He held her up when she began to sway again. “I’m almost done, love,” he whispered. “Can you raise your arm?”
Apparently not, he realized when she veered forward and then careened backward against him so that he had to catch her by the waist to keep her from falling. To his surprise, not even the jolt from her almost toppling woke her.
Perhaps because she was aware on some level that she was with him and this made her feel safe. Having his arms around her comforted her. She trusted him.
He was not so trusting of himself, however.
He was in her bedchamber and undressing her. She had the softest body. She also had the nicest breasts that he tried not to graze as he held her up and awkwardly worked the lacings of her gown, but it was unavoidable.
He had been looking closely at Eden lately, noticing everything about her and liking everything he saw. But right now, with no illumination in the room, he could barely make out the outline of her body. In some ways this was worse than having a clear view of her, because his other senses were compensating for what he could not see, particularly touch and scent.
She was facing away from him and her back was lightly pressed against his chest. Apparently, this was all his body needed to be in a roil. Having to go merely by the shape of her body and softness of her skin—dear heaven, she felt good—was a full-on assault on his composure.
Taking in the scent of her was intoxicating, for her skin was warm and lightly flowery. A hint of lemon and fresh country air. This woman, his lovely neighbor and friend, could be his every night for the rest of his life if he dared take the chance and propose to her.
Perhaps it was time to reevaluate his reluctance to remarry.
Yes, it was past time.
He was in the middle of unloosening one particularly stubborn tie when she suddenly lurched forward again.
He quickly caught her. “Eden! Be careful, love.”
He continued to speak softly in the hope of keeping her upright until he finished. But the poor thing was dead on her feet and did not respond.
Since this was not going to work without her cooperation, he turned her around so that she faced him and could lean against him while he managed the last of her ties. This also meant her perfect breasts rested against his chest.
He had undressed women often enough to be familiar with the workings of their gowns, and usually showed more prowess when seducing them. Of course, the women tended to dress more scantily than Eden was now. They also tended to be more alert and cooperative.
Yes, being awake was a requirement. Awake and willing to engage in more than merely being put to bed.
Still, there was something to be treasured about this moment, something that made it so much more special to him than any of those previous encounters in a lady’s boudoir. This was not about sex, but about heart and happiness.
Eden was endearing, and felt so sweet resting against him.
He stifled a chuckle when he heard a little snore out of her.
Dear heaven!He stifled his laughter.How the mighty have fallen!
Here he was, stripping her out of her gown, and she was not in the least interested. Indeed, she was so lacking in interest that she had fallen back into a deep slumber. However, he had confidence in his abilities and knew things would have gone quite differently had she been awake and aware.
“Eden, your gown is unlaced. Can you step out of it, love?” He had not meant to take over the chore of completely removing her gown. But she was not helping herself out of it and would get tangled up in the ties while asleep if they were left on her. Not to mention the wrinkles or possible rips to the delicate fabric that might happen when she tossed and turned.
Sighing, he set about taking the garment off her. This was agonizing because Eden’s body was alluring beyond belief and he had to keep his own from responding.
His primal instincts were on fire. Were he a hound, he would do things to her with his hands and tongue that no man ought to do to this wonderful girl outside of marriage.
Was this not the obvious solution? He had to marry her.
Hewantedto marry her.
Who else would be as good a husband to her? A faithful husband who would never betray his wedding vows.
Why not propose to her?
Well, he needed to get a better sense of her feelings first.
