Page 28 of The Widow Wore Plaid

The insistence of his lips, the tension in his body, and the bulge in his buckskins all told of his desire.

So much the better.

She pressed back, slipping her tongue between his lips, eliciting a throaty growl from him. Drowsiness fled as her body heated, craving his heat as well. She pressed herself against him, as always the mere feel of his sinewy strength enough to arouse her passion.

He’d begun an exploration of her shoulders, slipping his hands over them, down to span her waist, until he slid them farther and cupped her bottom. Even through all the layers of her clothing his touch set her aflame. “I want you, Jane.” His raspy whisper in her ear sent a shiver of lust through her. “I’ve wanted you ever since I left your bed this morning.”

“I want you too, Gareth.” Molten desire licked through her veins. She must have him or her body would burst into flame.

“Here, quickly.” He lifted her onto the bed and raked her habit and petticoat up to her hips.

The cool air on her exposed skin did nothing to deter her ardor. In fact, as he disrobed before her—throwing off his jacket, unbuttoning his fall—anticipation reached an impossible pinnacle until she actually ached to have him fill her once more.

His fall fell open at last and his cock sprang forward, absolutely at the ready.

As was she.

He leaned over her and pulled her hand down until it touched his hard, hot flesh. “Guide him home, love.”

Shifting slightly, she grasped him and ran her fingers down his length, reveling in his shudder.

“Quickly, love.”

Immediately, she guided him home, lifting her hips to meet him.

Impatient, he thrust forward, sliding swiftly and seating himself deep within her.

She moaned with the pleasure of simply having him inside her, the closeness that persuaded her that they had become one.

Groaning, he lay still, a look of stern concentration coming over his face.

“What’s wrong?”

He shook his head slightly, and finally spoke. “I’ve wanted you all day, my love. That much pent-up desire has brought me immediately to the verge of completion. If I am to give you your pleasure as well, I must wait for my control to return.”

Dear man. Always so solicitous of her needs rather than his own. Well, this time he need not do so. “No, Gareth. Go ahead, my love. I don’t need to wait.”

“You’re sure?” A moot question as he’d begun to move the moment she spoke.

“Absolutely. Oh, yes, yes, love.”

He plunged sharply into her, his pounding rhythm quickly sending her spiraling upward toward her ultimate release. Twice more he thrust sharply within her, then cried out as she called “Gareth” and shattered around him.

Slumping on top of her, his weight was never uncomfortable in their post-passion glow. Always thoughtful of her comfort, however, he rolled up off her and stood, pulled her skirts down, then threw himself onto his back beside her, panting as if he’d run a race. “Are you all right, love?”

“Wonderful, except for this incredibly hard lump pressing into my back.” She hadn’t noticed it in the heat of the moment, but now it seemed like a pikestaff sticking into her spine.

“My pardon for that.” He gathered her into his arms and pulled her head onto his chest. “I shall have this mattress replaced immediately so the next time we make love here you will do so in comfort.”

“Well”—she snuggled down onto him, thoroughly drained—“I promise I won’t complain too much. Will we do this often after we are married?”

He chuckled. “That will depend on whether or not you wish to return. I will always serve your pleasure whenever and wherever you wish.”

Jane tightened her arms around him. “And did your father convince your mother to anticipate their vows here?” She’d guessed that was what had prompted him to bring her here. “Or did she withstand the temptation?”

“Oh, no, they consummated the marriage a good month before the wedding, in this very bed.” He kissed the top of her head.

“So you have managed to make history repeat itself.” She didn’t know if she liked to think that this had been his parents’ bed once upon a time.