After watching her disappear up the stairway, Niles lowered himself onto a bench in the taproom and ordered a strong drink. Whiskey. A newspaper’s headline caught his attention as it lay on the table before him.
A ship had sunk off the southern coast last month. The Estonia. He’d have read more but could barely see straight for the discomfort each breath caused him. Niles had not invested in its cargo. The temptation had been strong, but he’d had a feeling… A few of his associates had thrown their money down. Poor fellows.
He ordered a second shot. A double this time.
Right now, she was dressing for him. Just a few short days ago, the thought would have been unimaginable.
She’d not contradicted his statement that what was happening between the two of them had nothing to do with business.
She’s been flirting with me.
The evening ahead stretched into what ought to promise an abundance of pleasure.
He’d spent the entire afternoon in her presence, and already anticipated her return. He suspected she felt the same. Surely, he was not mistaken.
The tension had been building between them all day. They would draw it out even further, over their meal.
And after.
He would take his time with her. Undressing her slowly, revealing her skin inch by inch. And then he would taste all of her before settling himself between her legs.
Damn. This could only lead to trouble.
He groaned, turned sideways, stretched out along the bench, and closed his eyes.
Breathing proved less painful in this position.
“Niles.” He opened his eyes to a concerned looking Eve staring down at him. “Why didn’t you say something? You’re in pain, aren’t you? I feel horrible, keeping you out and about all day.”
Had he really fallen asleep?
He refused to endure any more pity from her. Not with this one night left alone for the two of them. “I’m fine. Just resting my eyes.” Ignoring the stabbing sensations, he rose and bowed over her hand. “For which you’re a vision this evening.”
She eyed him suspiciously, but also blushed at his compliment. “You are certain?”
He laughed. Niles had endured far greater pain in his life. He’d been much younger, of course, and he couldn’t quite remember when exactly, but he must have experienced worse at some point.
He winged an elbow and led her to the most private table in the room, set near the fireplace, too small for more than two people.
She’d pinned her hair up, but not too severe. A few curling tendrils fell softly around her face.
And her gown, although simply made, enhanced her subtle beauty. She’d always looked beautiful to him. In the past, her gaze had been friendly enough, but she’d kept herself reserved.
Tonight, her eyes glowed with a sensual light. As though she too savored the promise of what lay ahead.
“I’m famished,” she announced as he held her chair.
“Getting thrashed at the game of chess tends to do that to a person.” He enjoyed teasing her. She hadn’t been teased nearly enough.
“Oh you!” She waved a napkin at him. “Distracting me at every turn.”
“Was I,” he contradicted. “Who provided the greatest distraction?”
The meal passed in a blur of flirtation and seductive glances. When he would think back on it later, he would have no memory as to what had been served.
He’d remember the lady and the wine. The latter of which he’d managed to slip a few swigs of whiskey in between.
He’d remember the anticipation building.
The sensations invoked as their inhibitions disappeared.
She spoke of some of the dreams she’d had as a girl. She’d wanted security. Children.
A kind husband.
She hadn’t expected a loving husband or a handsome husband. Her only requirement had been that he be kind.
In turn, Niles told her of the land he’d always wanted to purchase along the southern coast. He owned it now and had commissioned the construction of a practical home.
“Oh, but how wonderful for you!” She’d not been impressed, it seemed, so much as happy for him. “When will you live there? You aren’t going to retire anytime soon, are you?”
In fact, he already had. He responded noncommittally, remembering to whom he was speaking.
But then she’d announced that he simply must take her there to inspect it. Her and her girls, she’d corrected.
Most of his dreams, he realized in that moment, had come true. He’d stopped dreaming extravagantly the day Lady Katherine announced her betrothal to her viscount.
Eve asked about the landscaping, the furnishings, and deigned to make a few suggestions. He could almost imagine her making his house into a home.
Both their tongues had been considerably loosened. Every empty silence filled with expectancy.
By the time they climbed the stairs to their chamber, the energy in the air sparked between them.
“Goodnight Mrs. Waverly ma’am… sir.” The innkeeper’s wife nodded at them in the corridor. They’d easily passed themselves off as husband and wife. Niles didn’t remember stating such a falsehood, perhaps Eve had.
He liked that about her. That she was willing to do what she had to for the greater good.
He held the door wide and watched her walk into their chamber. She wasn’t acting coy. She hadn’t asked him to wait downstairs while she prepared for the night.
Ah, no. Tonight would be theirs.
He just may have consumed enough spirits to quiet the pain in his ribs. He could do this.
He would do this.
With his back to her, he locked the door and allowed himself a tight wince before quickly replacing it with emotions he’d rather have her see. Appreciation. Desire. Lust.
All of which coursed through him at an alarming rate.
She stood in the middle of the room, arms wrapped around her front. She appeared shy and uncertain now that they were alone again.
He’d not give her a chance to shut him out. “God, you look beautiful.”
“Are you certain?” Hesitancy laced her voice, but anticipation lit her gaze. “I’m not unaware that you’re in pain today.”
In three long strides, he held her in his arms. “Does this seem uncertain to you?” He’d have liked to scoop her up and carry her to the bed, but even with the greatest resolve, he didn’t think it possible. Instead, he walked her backwards until they both fell onto the mattress.
Oh, hell. An unwise move on his part to be certain. He covered his shallow breaths with a few chuckles.
Because she was laughing now.
Laughing and lying beneath him.
Careful to keep most of his weight off her, he reached one hand to untie his cravat. “Are you certain?” He would have her assurance. “You’ve suffered a loss.” At her raised brows, he conceded “Not a great one, but a loss nonetheless.”
Slim arms wound around his neck, pulling him downward.
Pain.
But this was Eve, and he’d make love to her… this once.
“I’ve wanted to do this for so long.” He confessed the words against her lips. Perhaps he ought to have kept the sentiments to himself, but—
“Don’t wait any longer,” she commanded, equally breathless. Her hands finished untying the sloppy knot he’d tied earlier and then worked his shirt out of his breeches and over his head.
An amazingly efficient woman. Damned if he would complain.
While his ribs protested, he turned his mind to her mouth, her breasts, her thighs… In a frenzy, they undressed one another with a familiarity as though they’d been doing it for years.
Except their passion was new. Burning and fresh.
As was the stabbing pain in his side and chest.
Niles had managed somehow to remove all her clothing before dropping his face into the curve of her neck. “Eve.” He could not have imagined the combination of nervousness and anticipation he’d feel with her.
And a level of trepidation. He wasn’t exactly at his best this evening.
But this was Eve.
When he lifted himself to hover over her again, something thick seemed to lodge itself in his throat. The trust behind her gaze slew him.
She was not a young girl in her twenties. She was a woman. A mother. She’d been a long-suffering wife.
And yet she could somehow trust him.
“I’m so glad it’s you.” She murmured the words as his mouth covered the pulse at her throat. “Niles.”
“Eve.” All he could manage was her name. And yet, it was everything. She was everything. Giver of life. Temptress. Her namesake had led to the fall of man. Would she lead to his own demise? He wondered vaguely that his heart might be obliterated completely by the time this, whatever it was, ran its course.
He didn’t care.
He pressed against her core. So wet for him. Legs wrapped around his thighs, ready to pull him closer.
If only each breath he managed to take didn’t make him feel as though his chest was about to crack open.
His ribs would heal eventually. He focused on the sensations where they joined and continued moving rhythmically.
Damnit. The pain was becoming impossible to ignore.
Eve’s hands clutched at his back as she arched upward. He needed to keep going. Just a few more minutes. He was close, so close, as was she.
He hated that he might be missing any of this.
And then…
She was trembling in his arms and pulsing around him. He exercised all the patience he could muster and then withdrew in one jerking motion, found his own release, and then collapsed into a heap of satisfaction and agony.
“Niles.”
He couldn’t quite answer her. Hell, he could barely breathe.
“Niles?” Concern filled her voice this time, and he could feel her leaning over to peer at him. For the second time in as many days, he lay helpless and pathetic, at this woman’s mercy.
“Ribs,” he finally managed. He’d not want her thinking he was about to expire.
Damn fool-headed man had scared her half to death. Brought her to the height of passion and then collapsed lifeless beside her. She ought not have allowed him…
Well.
They shouldn’t have…
Only.
The evening truly could not have ended any other way. And he’d insisted he was well. The thought that he’d been willing to make love to her despite the pain in his ribs was somewhat flattering.
The day had been a most memorable one. She’d never forget it.
So instead of drowning herself in recriminations and regrets, she cleaned herself up and then located the willow bark powder for Niles.
And after assisting him to down all of it, climbed back into bed beside him and enjoyed sleeping beside a man.
It might be the last time she’d ever have the opportunity.