Page 51 of Courting Elizabeth

Her skin was burning.

I closed my eyes for a second.

“Are you cold?” she asked, almost teasing despite her breathlessness.

“I am suffering.”

“Should I stop?”

“Certainly not.”

She smiled and kissed me.

Her hand traveled from my neck to my chest, found the opening of my shirt, and slipped beneath the fabric. Her fingers touched my skin.

I groaned against her mouth.

She froze.

“Did I hurt you?”

“No.”

“Then why…”

I took her hand and pressed it more firmly against my chest.

“Because you drive me mad.”

She explored with growing boldness, tracing the muscles of my chest, the line of my ribs. When her fingers drifted lower toward my stomach, I had to stop them.

“Not if you don’t wish to go further.”

Her gaze dropped to the obvious strain in my trousers.

She understood.

“Is it painful?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“May I…”

She didn’t finish.

I brought her hand to my lips.

“Not tonight.”

“You refuse?”

“I’m protecting you from a decision made out of pity.”

“I don’t pity you.”

“Good.”

I rose with difficulty and closed her robe. My fingers trembled as I retied the sash.