The tender swell of her breasts pressed against his chest.
“Alison,” he whispered against her lips.
Alison gasped and pushed away from him. “I don’t know what came over me.”
Cameron willed his racing heart to slow. “Desire, my sweet.”
“But it’s not appropriate.”
“We will marry tomorrow,” he said.
Her eyes widened. “So soon?”
“I will be much more at ease once we are married.”
“I think you will be anything but at ease when we marry.”
He chuckled. “There may be some truth to that. However…” He gave her a hard kiss, then set her on her feet and rose. “If you are to have that bath before the servants rise, I had better prepare it.”
Fifteen minutes later, Cameron woke Seton and asked him to discreetly tend to the horses and return the rented horse to the inn. After that, he set the tub before a roaring fire and half filled it with warm water.
Alison dipped her fingers into the water.
“It will no’ stay warm for long,” he said.
She didn’t move, but stared at him.
“What is amiss, love? I have told you, you need not worry about a constable showing up on our doorstep.”
She shook her head. “I am so confused.”
“About what?”
“About you.” Her brow furrowed. “I am engaged to another, I have compromised my reputation, and trapped you in this farce of an engagement, yet you act as if I please you.”
“Our engagement is no farce. Your reputation is now my responsibility and I do not feel trapped. In fact, I feel something altogether different for you.” He traced a finger down her cheek. “Something quite pleasant, in fact.”
“Until I disobey your next instructions.”
“You could at least try to do as I ask.”
She shook her head. “You tease, but you know I am right. You cannot possibly wish to spend your life keeping your wife from mischief. I…do not conform well.”
“I appreciate your honesty. But, as I just said, we will marry tomorrow. Now cease worrying. I will wait in the hall while you bathe.”
“Wait.” She hesitated. “There is no chance you will change your mind?”
“No chance at all.”
She nervously licked her lips. “Then do not leave.”
Was she saying what he thought she was saying? “Are you certain?”
She nodded.
Still, he hesitated. “You trust me?”
Her expression softened. “Of course.”
Cameron stepped closer. He kissed the top of her head. He had to proceed slowly, for desire raged though him like a storm. She had repined her hair before they’d left the inn, but tendrils had fallen loose during the ride. He pulled the pins free of the locks and her hair tumbled around her shoulders
Despite his best efforts, his heart pounded as he slipped the sleeves of her dress off her shoulders. His gut twisted at sight of a bruise on her forearm. If she didn’t kill the patron of Hera’s Garden of Pleasure, he would. Cameron pressed a soft kiss to the bruise, then let the dress fall to the floor so that she stood in her shift and petticoat. Dark nipples hardened beneath the thin fabric of her chemise.
He brushed his knuckles against the raised tips. “Do I overstep my bounds when I say I have never seen a more beautiful woman?”
Chapter Fifteen
Alison should have known she would find herself in his bed. The rogue was simply too charming to resist.
She looked up at him through her lashes, “I would say you live up to your reputation as a rogue, sir.”
He grasped her hand and lifted it to his lips. Her heart skipped a beat. The darkening of his gaze whispered of desire. No man had ever looked at her like this. Engagement to Robert had left her feeling secure, cared for, even loved. But when she stood near Cameron, her insides turned molten. God help her, what was it about the man that sent butterflies skittering across the insides of her stomach at the mere sight of him?
He touched her cheek. “I have never meant the words more than I do tonight. You are beautiful.”
He brushed his mouth against hers. She stood motionless and allowed him to push the petticoat from her hips. When he slipped the chemise from her shoulder, the fabric fell atop the other clothes, leaving her naked. His breath hitched. How could she be so brazen? Because, despite his debauched ways, the man had rescued her. A man who risked his life to save young women he didn’t know from certain horror.
He held her hand as she stepped into the tub, then sank into the warm water. She had to keep her knees bent to sit comfortably. She scooped the soap off the small table where he’d place it along with a drying cloth, then splashed water over her chest, shoulders and face.
From the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Cameron in the chair before the fire, legs stretched out before him. She rubbed the soap on her arms. Her mind muddled. Robert had never made her feel so…desired. He was a good man, but Cameron was just wicked enough to make her feel wicked. But there was so much more to his appeal. She had caused him so much trouble, yet he wanted her anyway.
She hazarded a sideways look at Cameron. He’d leaned his head against the chair back and closed his eyes. Firelight cast shadows across his features. A day’s stubble darkened his strong jaw. His straight nose had a slight bump on the bridge. Thick eyelashes brushed the tops of his cheeks. No one could deny his virile appeal. She released a shaky exhale. Not even her.
“What?” he whispered, his eyes still closed.
She started. “I thought you were sleeping.”
“A man never sleeps when a beautiful woman is staring at him.”
“How do you know I stared? Your eyes are closed.”
He opened his eyes, then twisted enough to lean an elbow on the chair arm and meet her gaze. “Believe me, with you sitting in that tub, I am aware of every move you make.”
A shiver ran along her spine and she realized the water had grown cold. She reached for the drying cloth and stood. Water cascaded off her body as she wrapped the cloth around her. Cameron rose and reached her in the next second. He grasped her hand as she stepped from the water. Alison snapped her head up. She clutched the towel to her breasts.
“Beautiful,” he whispered, then claimed her mouth.
Alison drew in a breath. Cameron slid his tongue along the seam of her lips, then slipped inside. She mimicked his movements, gliding her tongue along his, then raised onto tip toes to align more of her body with his.
He broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers. “Alison, I will only continue if you tell me you need to be with me as much as I do you. You will be my wife tomorrow, but I will not coerce you.”
She let the drying cloth fall to the floor.
Cameron’s hands slid down her back until his palms cupped her buttocks. He groaned, then scooped her into his arms and, in four long strides, laid her on the bed. He straightened. His gaze met hers, then tracked lower. Her nipples tightened under his stare. Heat bloomed in her belly and the warmth seeped into the deepest part of her. He cupped her breast, grazing her nipple, and a soft spasm tightened in her core.
He made quick work of his shirt buttons and shrugged out of his shirt. Fine, dark hair dusted his chest, trailed down his abdomen, and disappeared into the waistband of his breeches. His erection strained against its confines. When he lifted his gaze to hers, he was smiling.
“I…I…” Her mouth went dry.
“Aye?”
“Do not tease me.”
His brows rose. “Not even a little?”
“I do not like to be teased.” She didn’t like feeling naïve and insecure.
“There are many ways to tease.” He braced a knee on the bed and hovered above her. “Tis a pleasure to be teased in the right places.”
Alison recalled when she and Erin had once listened at the door of Erin’s father’s bedchamber. He’d been keeping company with the Widow Evangale and the wido
w had been vocal about her wants. Had the widow’s stomach turned somersaults as Alison’s did now? Her soon-to-be husband kissed a trail from her jaw to her neck and then lower across her collarbone.
An ache welled in her breasts. Almost by instinct, she parted her thighs and Cameron settled between them. His mouth closed over her nipple. Heat flashed from her breast to her sex. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders as he locked his arm beneath her lower back and positioned her fully on the bed. In an instant, his mouth was kissing her breast, laving one raised peak then the other.
“Cameron,” she said on a breathy exhale.
Liquid heat flowed through her. The taut muscles of his back rippled beneath her fingertips. She held tightly to him as he rocked his hard length against her belly. He braced above her, locked his gaze with hers, and trailed a finger between her breasts, then lower along her abdomen, then even lower, causing a quiver in her belly.
“Oh.” She sucked in a sharp breath.
He cupped her mons, and his finger played at the entrance to her channel. She closed her eyes, unsure about the wetness and aching need of her body.
“Nae, Alison, do not close your eyes.”
She opened her eyes as he slid a finger inside her. Alison gasped. His soft chuckle sent a wave of embarrassment through her. She squirmed when he inserted a second finger, then gently thrust his fingers in and out of her passage.
Her heart raced. An unknown force within her began to build. Cameron continued to tease his fingers in and out of her as he closed his mouth over her breast. Hot, wet strokes of his tongue against the hardened tip pushed her over the edge of euphoric bliss. Convulsions rocked her hips into his hand. She cried out.
Cool air flowed over her as Cameron rose from the bed. Her pulse skipped a beat when he unbuttoned the falls of his breeches. He shimmied the waistband past his hips and stepped out of the breeches. Alison couldn’t tear her gaze from his thick shaft. As if he understood her fears, he paused, giving her time to take in his masculine form.
He sat on the edge of the bed. “Are you afraid?”
“A little.” She glanced away.
“You need not fear me.” He kissed her gently.
When he lowered himself onto her, a sense of security wrapped around her—though the hardened shaft that lay heavy on her belly made her want to rub herself against him. With one knee, he eased her legs apart. He reached back and pulled her legs up until her knees were bent and thighs widened. Braced on outstretched arms, he kissed her mouth and rocked into her. The thrust of his shaft against her belly sent quivers through her.
***
Cameron closed his eyes and summoned restraint. She was so small beneath him, fragile, yet strong. Innocent, yet wanting to submit to her passion. Warmth from her body seeped into his. Sweat trickled along his spine as he fought the urge to drive himself into her. Reaching between their bodies, he gripped his shaft at the base and fit the tip to her channel.
“Oh my,” she breathed.
Cameron bit back a chuckle. No virgin wanted to hear a man laugh while he bedded her. Instead, he slid kisses along her jaw as he squeezed his cock and gently inched deeper. Wet heat surrounded the crown as he pressed deeper.
“Wrap your legs around me,” he murmured against her ear, then pressed more kisses along her neck.
Alison banded her legs around his waist. The movement forced him deeper. Her fingers gripped his shoulders. Cameron gritted his teeth, then thrust hilt deep. She cried out. Then, like molten lava, her body relaxed. He paused, kissed her cheek…and tasted tears.
“Forgive me.” He kissed her closed eyes as he slowly pulled back, then slowly filled her again. “Am I still hurting you?”
“Nae.” She tightened her legs. “Only fullness.”
“I promise, pleasure will follow.” He would make sure of it.
He thrust a little harder. Then faster. Pleasure rippled from his cock through his body. She arched against him. Cameron lowered his head and caught one of her nipples in his mouth. The taste of salt on her skin sent a message straight to his cock. He willed his climax back. Her fingers dug into his back. When her hips began to rock in rhythm with his thrusts, Cameron angled his hips so that the edge of his cock rubbed her sex. Her breathy exhales seeped into his consciousness.
She moaned and her back arched when she cried out. He reentered her and thrust deep. Her channel tightened around him as he gave into his release. Then he stilled. Alison wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled him fully onto her.
After several long moments, their breathing slowed, and the crackle of the fire was the only sound in the room. Cameron rolled to his side and pulled her tight against his chest.
“I am tired.” She curled into him.
He kissed the top of her head. “Rest.”
She yawned and closed her eyes. “Just for a little while.”
Cameron stared at the ceiling, listening to her even breathing and thinking about Sallie, Eva, Capri, and Phoebe. Even though he had confidence in their abilities to handle most situations, the men they dealt with were dangerous, and once they discovered Alison missing, they would become desperate.
***
A hard knock caused Alison to bolt upright in bed. She blinked twice before realizing she was safe in her chambers at Welbourne. Chill air from the room prickled gooseflesh across her arms and breasts. She glanced down and saw she was naked. Naked? Memories of last night flooded her. Cameron’s body on top of hers. His hard length inside her. His mouth… Lord help her, his mouth.
The knocking persisted. Alison gasped. She couldn’t be caught naked. She threw back the covers and jumped to her feet, scanning the floor. She spotted her dress, chemise and petticoat on the floor and raced to them. The tub was gone. When had Cameron removed the tub? Her cheeks burned with the memory of him rolling onto her when the first fingers of dawn had begun to seep through the curtains. What time was it now? She pulled the chemise over her head and glanced at the mantle clock. Eight thirty.
“Alison,” a woman cried from the other side of the door.
Alison froze in stepping into her petticoat. Erin? She dragged the petticoat over her hips, then raced toward the door.
“Alison, for goodness sake, wake up,” Erin called.
She reached the door, unlocked it, and threw it open. “Erin.” Alison grabbed her cousin and hugged her. “I am so sorry,” Alison blubbered.
“Nae, I am the one who is sorry,” Erin said.
“I locked you in a closet,” Alison said
Erin laughed through tears. “Indeed, you did, and you should be sorry for that.”
Alison pulled back. “I did not mean for any of this to happen.”
“Lord, have mercy!” a woman cried.
Alison and Erin whirled as Mrs. Cummings emerged from the servants’ stairs on the left. She fairly flew across the hall. She reached Alison and pulled her into a hug. “We were so worried.” She grasped Alison’s shoulders and drew back. “Never do that again, do you hear me?” She hugged Alison again. “What were you thinking?”
Alison laughed. “Mrs. Cummings, you are going to crush me.”
The housekeeper released her, then dried tears with the end of her apron.
“I am sorry to have worried you,” Alison said.
“You worried us both,” Erin said.
“I truly am sorry.” She grasped one of Mrs. Cummings’ hands and one of Erin’s. I am so very glad to see you both.” A thought struck. “Mrs. Cummings, have you any idea where his lordship’s father is? He must be displeased with all this commotion.”
“The earl?” she replied. “Aye, my lady. He is in Bredan at his estate Longgate.”
A sliver of tension eased in Alison’s shoulders. She couldn’t face him after what had passed between her and Cameron.
“Well, then,” Mrs. Cummings said, “I had better get back to work.” She leaned closer and said in a conspiratorial tone, “We have a wedding to prepare for this morning.”
Alison drew a sharp breath and Erin laughed. “She has forgotten, Mrs. Cummings.”
She had.
Mrs. Cummings shooed them back into Alison’s room, then pulled the door shut, leaving them alone.
Erin grasped her hand, pulled Alison to the bed, then tugged her onto a seat on the mattress. “I cannot believe it is your wedding day.”
Alison shook her head. “Neither can I.”
Erin’s eyes softened with compassion. “You are worried about Robert.”
Alison shrugged. “I must write him of…”—she released a heavy sigh—“of my indiscretion.”
“He would not want you ruined and would agree that you must marry Lord Weston even though you did not truly compromise yourself.”
“I—that is—” Alison broke off when Erin’s eyes widened.
“My heavens.” Erin howled with laughter. “I never suspected.”
Alison shoved her cousin, and Erin fell onto her back still laughing.
“We did not… We were not intimate the night I came here to his home,” Alison said.
Erin sat up. “That was but four days ago. You forgot your undying love and promise to Robert in four days?”
Guilt swept over her. She hung her head and nodded. “Aye.”
Erin snorted. “I told you he was dull.”
Alison snapped her head up. “What?”
“All this time you thought Robert so exciting.” She shrugged. “Then you met an exciting man.”
“Robert is a good man and I have betrayed him.”
“Of course, he’s a good man. But he is not the man for you. The real betrayal would have been to settle.”
Alison stared. “You believe Lord Weston is the man for me?”
She shrugged again. “I cannot say for certain. But I wager him far more the man for you than Robert.”
“Robert will never forgive me,” she whispered.
“Probably not. He can be priggish that way. A quality, by the way, you would not have appreciated over the years.”
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