“What’s put that frown on your face?” Hal asked, drawing her a little closer.
Something she didn’t want to talk about and thoughts that didn’t belong in their beautiful evening. “I’m pouting because I wanted another slice of pie.”
His eyebrows lifted. “Truly?”
“Good heavens, no!” She laughed. “I was jesting. I won’t need to eat again until tomorrow evening.”
“Good,” he said, “because I plan to dance with you until then.”
“I think I could manage that,” she said, enjoying every shift of his body, every flex of his shoulder beneath her hand. “I’m sad to know this is the last song of the night and it’s almost over.”
“It’s not our last dance,” he said. A storm of emotions swirled in his eyes as he held in his arms, dancing to the flowing strains of the waltz. She felt the brush of his knee against her leg as he drew her close for a brief moment. Her heart thumped in her chest and her stomach fluttered as Hal looked down at her with desire in his eyes.
The warmth of his hand at her waist thrilled her. Every private glance from his dark eyes was filled with heat and longing and the promise of something more.
“The song is ending,” he said, dancing her off the floor. “Let’s thank our hosts and hurry out before the drive is congested with carriages. “I slipped out earlier to check on Gus and he said he’s ready to go when we are.”
Nancy smiled and felt deeply grateful for Hal’s wonderful sense of humor.
With a playful wink, Hal tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and guided her toward the door where Thomas and Victoria Drake stood to bid their guests goodnight.
“It was such a pleasure to meet you,” Nancy said to the Drakes. “Thank you both for this lovely event.”
“We were honored to have you as our guests,” Victoria said, giving Nancy a warm hug while Thomas and Hal shook hands. “We would like to have you and Hal to supper some evening soon.”
Nancy and Hal both expressed their delight and appreciation, and then with a final thank you to their hosts, Hal whisked Nancy outside to their carriage. He lit the carriage lanterns and got them on the road home just as the crowd of guests were making their way outside.
The sound of peepers and the rhythmic jangle of Gus’s harness created a heartbeat in the warm night. A vast sky of stars twinkled overhead, and from time to time Nancy caught a hint of Hal’s warm, spicy cologne.
Never in her life had she experienced such a romantic night. Each look from her husband made her flush with heat. Each touch of his hand or brush of his body made her heart pound and her breath catch. Until meeting Hal, she hadn’t known such thrilling feelings existed.
Sighing, she leaned back against the seat and gazed up at the night sky. “The stars look like twinkling diamonds; don’t you agree? They appear so close I think I could touch them if I stood on the seat.”
He arched an eyebrow at her. “Shall I assist you up?”
She laughed. “I’m afraid we would hit a bump and I’d tumble off into the shadows and you’d never find me.”
“I’d find you, darling. I’d just look for the starlight sparkling in your eyes,” he said, looking over at her, his gaze filled with warmth.
“If you’re looking for eyes shining in the dark you might pluck a bear from the field instead of me.” She shuddered. “Do you ever wonder what’s out there in the woods watching us?”
He laughed, his gaze surveying her face as if thoroughly delighted with her. “Not unless I hear a growl or something large moving quickly through the brush.”
“You’re terrifying me, Hal.”
He chuckled and lifted his arm to the seat back. “Come here.” He slipped his arm around her and tucked her against his warm side. “I’ll keep you safe, darling. You just enjoy the stars and this nice summer night.”
“I am, Hal. This is an evening I’ll never forget.”
“I intend to make certain you don’t.”
Shocked, she glanced up expecting to see a teasing grin on his face. But instead, in the glow of their lanterns, she saw dark eyes filled with longing.
“I’ve been waiting all night to do this.” He dipped his head and kissed her so slow and tender it made her dizzy with desire.
Chapter 21
At the Tucker’s livery door, Hal climbed out and secured the carriage. William was right behind them and would tend to Gus and the carriage. That was part of the service William provided at his livery and the added benefit he insisted on giving Hal when he’d rented the carriage. So Hal rewarded Gus with a sugar cube and a friendly pat on the neck as he thanked the magnificent animal for his service.
Then he turned to help Nancy out. As he lowered her to the ground, he kept her close, sliding her body down the length of his own. The light caress of their bodies sparked a fire inside him.
She stared up at him, her eyes dark and filled with trepidation and desire, as if she knew where the evening was heading — and she wanted to go there with him.
He held her hand as they cut through the orchard. A sliver of moonlight shimmered on the creek but didn’t provide ample light by which to navigate the grassy apple orchard. Nancy hiked her dress higher, but continued to stumble over the thick clusters of grass. Hal easily kept her upright, but the third time she caught her slipper in a thick clump of grass, he realized his mistake. “I’m sorry, Nancy. I should have dropped you at the house before returning the carriage.”
“And deny me this exciting challenge and a romantic walk beneath the stars? No, thank you.” No sooner had the words left her mouth than she stumbled against him. She laughed and glanced up at him. “These slippers work much better on a dance floor.”
“Allow me, darling.” Hal reached down and lifted her into his arms.
She hooked her arms around his neck, her face close to his. “Is this your tricky way of getting me in your arms, Mr. Grayson?”
“I’m afraid you’ve caught me.”
“I’m glad I did,” she said, her boldness surprising and pleasing him.
He stopped and angled her face toward the weak light of the moon. “Are you glad?” he asked, searching her face, needing to know. “Are you happy with me? With our marriage?”
She cupped his cheek. “The only way I could be happier is to know that you don’t regret marrying me.”
“The only thing I’ve regretted is not being able to give you more.”
“I don’t need a thing that we don’t already have, Hal.”
He kissed her then. Slowly nibbling her lips with his teeth, gently nudging them apart with his tongue, hinting at a new and exciting level of intimacy they would soon share. His arms trembled and her soft moan filled his ears.
“You cannot carry me all the way home,” she whispered against his cheek.
“Perhaps not, but I aim to try.” He hefted her higher in his arms. “Hold on.”
“I’ll never let go.”
“Keep this up and we’ll be spending the night here in the orchard.”
She laughed. “All right, but you’ll need to keep me warm when the temperature drops.”
“Count on it,” he said, nipping her bottom lip. This night was for her and he would do or give anything to please her.
He carried her to the house, up the steps, and into the foyer. He was breathing hard and his arms trembled from fatigue, but he continued straight to their bedroom. He didn’t want any question about where this night was heading.
She glanced at him in surprise — and then she smiled.
That unspoken welcome was his undoing. He lowered her feet to the floor and kissed her, tenderly, deeply, their bodies slowly swaying as if they were still on the dance floor.
He would dance with her all night.
* * *
Nancy pressed her face to the crook of Hal’s neck, inhaling the scent of him, soap and cologne and man. The silky soft strands of his hair brushed her nose and cheek and she reveled in the mix of textures and intoxicating scent of her hu
sband.
He roamed his hands over her back and cupped her hips.
A moan of pleasure escaped her. She couldn’t help it. Every touch and caress and kiss sent a warm gush of pleasure through her body. She slipped her fingers into his hair, deepening the kiss, surprising herself… and pleasing him if his low groan was any indication. She had thought the act of lovemaking would be conducted with great decorum and intention, like a well-played chess match. But there was nothing sedate or planned about their connection. Her body vibrated like piano strings each time Hal’s beautiful hands touched her. And she wanted to sing for him.
For a moment, he seemed as lost in the heated moment as she was, but then he straightened and stepped away. “Let me light a lantern so I can assist you with your dress.”
She wanted to shed the layers of material keeping them apart. In her ignorance, she had envisioned an act of hoisting skirts and awkward fumbling. But there was nothing awkward in Hal’s caresses or in the wonderful feelings streaming through her. She liked what her husband was doing to her. And she wanted more.
The lantern flared bright in the room and then dimmed to a warm golden glow as he lowered the wick. When he returned to her side, he began unlacing the back of her dress.
“Shall I help you? I’m wrapped in so many layers the sun will be rising when you… when we finally get in bed,” she said.
“I’m in no hurry, darling.” He tugged the ribbon from the last two loops and tossed it aside. He splayed his warm artist’s hands on her upper back and opened the dress. Sighing softly, he dipped his head and kissed her bare shoulder.
The contact thrilled her and raised gooseflesh on her neck. Feeling bold and a little out of control, she arched her neck and leaned into him.
From behind, he slipped his arms around her and flattened his palms on her abdomen. The wave of pleasure made her shudder. “Are you afraid?” he whispered.
“No…”
He moved his hand lower.
She gasped and tilted her head back against his hard chest. She wasn’t afraid. She was wild with desire. “This is the most wonderful thing I’ve ever felt.”
“Me, too, darling.”
She turned in his arms and saw the truth in his eyes; that despite his experience, this moment with her was wonderful for him, too. Lifting up on her toes, she kissed his parted lips, wanting to make every second of their lovemaking special and memorable for him.
He groaned and deepened the kiss for a moment, then moved his mouth to her temple. “Every time I took you in my arms this evening I wanted to pull you against me and kiss you.”
Her heart pounded and her gaze locked with his. “Then our thoughts were the same. I hope my boldness doesn’t put you off, but I’ve relished your every touch and I’m craving more.”
His lips quirked up on one side. “I like this spirited side of you. Very much. I hadn’t expected this, you know.”
“Nor had I, but I love… I love being in your arms,” she said, because she wasn’t sure he was ready to hear her words of love. “I love your touch and your kiss and all these wonderful things you’re doing to me.”
“Darling, I have so much more to show you...” He pushed the dress sleeves down her arms and tugged the fitted sleeves over her hands.
Nancy shimmied the dress down over her underskirts and stepped out of the dress. While Hal hung her dress on the closet door hook, she removed her corset, unfastened her underskirts and slipped out of her slippers. When he turned back, her skirts were at her feet and she was standing in her chemise and drawers and stockings.
His breath rushed out and his eyes filled with appreciation.
“I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do.” Trembling in anticipation, she asked, “Shall I remove the rest?”
He shook his head, a banked fire in his gaze as he came back to her. “That is a pleasure I’d like to reserve for myself.” He cupped her face. “You take my breath away…” Lowering his mouth to hers, he embraced her and drew her into a languorous kiss, using his tongue to gently encourage her mouth open.
The intimate contact surprised and shocked her and sent her senses spiraling. The thrill of his delving tongue circling her own left her reeling and clinging to him. Her body hummed and a throbbing ache spread through her thighs, and higher, as he stroked her bottom. He moved his hands up her back and began plucking the pins from her hair. She heard each pin hit the floor and felt her hair fall down her back. He threaded his fingers through her curls and fanned them out across her back.
She pushed his coat off his shoulders. “Take this off so I can touch you,” she whispered.
With a shrug he worked his arms out of his coat sleeves and let it fall to the floor behind him. Then he cupped her shoulders and drew her chemise to her waist in one sweeping motion. As his dark gaze dipped to her breasts, his nostrils flared and he inhaled sharply. His gaze returned slowly to her mouth and at last to her eyes. “You are so beautiful, darling.”
He was beautiful, and she drank in the sight of him standing so gallantly before her all dark-eyed and handsome. Her nipples puckered beneath his caress and she couldn’t stop herself from pressing into the warmth of his palm.
He groaned and leaned down to stroke her breast with his tongue.
The wet heat of his mouth made her gasp with pleasure.
He lifted his head. “Did I hurt you?”
“No… Oh, Hal… I’ve never experienced such pleasure.”
“Neither have I,” he said, stepping back and quickly shucking his clothes.
Nancy watched because she didn’t know what else to do — and because she couldn’t take her eyes off her him. His shoulder muscles flexed as a shrugged out of his shirt and tossed it aside. Dark hair fanned across his bare, muscled chest and traveled a narrow path down his lean waist. As he pulled off his trousers, he revealed long, corded legs speckled with hair. Nancy remembered how shocking her first glimpse of him was earlier that evening when she’d come upon him with only a linen wrapped around his hips. Now as he dispensed with his undershorts, she experienced another shock — and intense curiosity — and a craving deep in her body.
“Come here, love.” He reached for her and instructed her to lift her arms.
She willingly obeyed his gentle order and let him remove her chemise. He knelt before her on one knee and removed her stockings. Looking up at her with dark, penetrating eyes, he asked, “Are you ready?”
She answered by sliding her lacy drawers down her bare legs.
A slow grin spread across his face. “You never stop surprising or delighting me.” He swept her into his arms, cradling her body as he carried her to their bed. He laid her on the quilt and followed her onto the bed.
The heat and hardness of his body overwhelmed her and thrilled her as he lay beside and partially on top of her. She had never shared her body or her bed, but her husband with his skilled artist’s hands was quickly proving himself a man of experience. The tremor passing through her wasn’t fear. It was desire, sharp and intense. It was passion, hot and wild and demanding.
He buried his face in her neck and inhaled, groaning with pleasure. “I’ve longed to hold you like this from the moment I looked into your eyes.”
His confession surprised her and gave her courage to touch him. She threaded her fingers into his hair as she’d wanted to do each time she looked at the rebellious waves below his collar. “I love your hands and the way they make me feel when you touch me,” she whispered. Unashamed of her need, she drew his mouth down to hers, wanting more, wanting all of him.
A deep groan of pleasure shuddered through him and he deepened the kiss and cupped her breast.
Desire rushed through her like hot syrup, warm and delicious. Nothing compared to the feeling of being in her husband’s arms, feeling the heat and hardness of his body pressing against hers, the slow, probing of his tongue in her mouth.
He stroked her breasts while he teased her mouth with his tongue and lips. He moved his mouth to her breast and s
lid his hand to the apex of her thighs where she throbbed with heat. The caress of his fingers made her gasp with pleasure and rock her hips. He stroked her there until she was panting and pulling him against her. She was burning up. Her body was craving and yearning and leading her to a place she’d never been — a place she desperately wanted to go. She ran her hands along his shoulders letting him know she was ready for this, for him.
His shoulder muscles shifted like hard ridges beneath her palms as he moved himself over her and fit his narrow hips and hard body between her thighs. His eyes devoured her as he joined his body with her own.
They met with wild abandon and she surrendered joyfully to their passion. For several intense minutes they seemed to soar among the stars, their bodies exploding with light and sparkling stardust as they clung to each other.
Aftershocks of pleasure shuddered through Nancy as she lay beneath her husband, breathing in ragged gasps, her mind and body stunned. She just made love for the first time in her life. With her husband, her lover. She kissed his neck, loving the taste of his skin and light scent of his cologne.
Releasing a shaky breath, he pushed to his elbows and looked down at her, his hair mussed and adorable. “What a… little vixen you are,” he said, breathless, his voice filled with awe.
“From the look in your eyes I suspect you’re not put off by my… exuberance?”
His hoot of laughter shook the bed. “Quite the contrary, darling. I love your passion. I was just pleasantly surprised.”
She smiled, liking the admiration in his eyes. She’d surprised herself too. “I hope I wasn’t overzealous and that I didn’t shock you.”
He laughed. “You did shock me, and I liked it.”
“Then I may shock you again,” she said, cupping his face. “Because I love you, Hal Grayson.”
When I Fall in Love Page 21