Tess surrendered to Heath’s kisses and to the desire pulsing between them, feeling safer and freer than she had in years. There was nothing false in her kisses, no part of herself that she held back. She wanted him, hungrily, and wasn’t afraid to show it.
With his arms wrapped around her, Heath made love to her with his mouth, his tongue caressing hers so enticingly that her head swam.
“You’re incredible,” he moaned into her mouth. His words caused a quiver deep in her middle, warming her in places she yearned to be touched.
Tess sucked his bottom lip, savoring the taste of him. Her hands roamed his broad shoulders, hugging him closer, pulling his hard chest more tightly against hers.
His fingers threaded her hair and cradled the base of her head, leaning her back against the cushions. Of their own accord, her legs spread, welcoming him. His hard hip pressed through her skirts deep into the juncture between her thighs. She shifted against him, needy and demanding.
His hand cupped her breast, and desire spiked through her. Her back arched and her head fell back as she gasped for breath.
His lips claimed her neck, sucking gently as his hand slipped beneath the folds of her coat. He kneaded the soft flesh of her breast as his mouth trailed up the column of her neck, raising the hairs of her skin.
His warm breath caressed her ear as he licked her earlobe. Her hips rocked and her mind scrambled. Her only awareness was of the need to have him deep inside her. Now.
Shouts permeated Tess’s fog as the carriage rolled to a halt.
Heath grabbed the door handle before it could open. “Give us a minute!” His voice was thick.
As she collected herself, Tess’s only thought was how to make it to her bedroom as quickly as possible. She’d never wanted anything or anyone more in her life.
Heath helped her to sit and adjust her clothing.
“I must look a fright,” she whispered, her voice husky, her thoughts jumbled.
Kissing her swollen lips, he growled. “Frightfully tempting. I can’t keep my hands off you.”
The walk inside was a blur. Thank heavens it was the servants’ half day off and no one was in the front of the house except for trusty Anna. The young maid accepted Tess’s outer garments with a wink and a smile, clearly not censorious of her employer’s activities. Tess recalled that Anna had always liked Heath and distantly wondered if it was that fondness or the fact that Tess was finally engaging in some wicked fun.
But Tess couldn’t dwell on that now; she just had to move in the direction of her bedchamber.
With Heath.
His presence beside her was like a powerful wind pressing against her, silently urging.
Anna departed, closing the door behind her mere seconds before Tess was in Heath’s arms once more.
They tore frantically at their clothes, kissing each inch of skin as soon as it was exposed. They explored, touched, savored, each movement heightening her desire until she could take it no longer.
“Heath, please,” she groaned.
He lifted her in his arms.
“Burgundy, not crimson,” he murmured, eyeing the bed.
“What…?”
“Nothing. I like the coverlet.” He carried her to the bed and deposited her onto the soft mattress.
Covering her naked body with his, he lay on top of her, comfortably positioning himself between her open thighs.
His kisses were hot and wanting, his skin burning as if with a fever.
He entered her with a deep thrust, and her body wrapped around him with pleasure.
Sighing, Tess closed her eyes.
Every sensation was a color surging through her. Reds, oranges, and golds swirled behind her closed lids, like the sunlight of a new dawn. She felt free; she felt whole.
Heath rode her, carried her…
His pace quickened; his body went taut.
Her heartbeat sped up. Her breath seized. Her body tensed. She clung to Heath, waiting, anticipating, needing, wanting…
Stars exploded behind her closed lids as her world shattered.
Together they were lost.