Her thighs widened and she gripped him close. Chase lowered himself into her slowly, so slowly that she stirred impatiently, shifting beneath him as if trying to pull him into her.

He held still, savoring his entry, reveling in the heat and tightness. Suddenly, he could take it no more and he pushed deep within.

She gasped, her eyes widening.

Chase could have killed himself then and there. She was a virgin. Somehow, in the erotic dance that had held them in thrall, he’d allowed himself to forget that fact.

He pulled her close and whispered softly in her ear, “Easy, love. Easy.”

Slowly, she relaxed beneath him. Chase kept whispering, long strings of soft words, of warm sentiments, of heated promises. He kept his hands busy, stroking her here, soothing her there. Within moments, she began to stir restlessly, to press against him, her pain forgotten in the onslaught of desire.

Ah yes. She was a passionate woman. He could see it in the way her chest rose and fell, her small breasts puckering as if begging for a touch. He leaned forward and pressed his mouth to first one nipple, then the next, pulling gently while she gasped in pleasure.

Slowly, ever so slowly, he began to move inside her. He let her set the pace, her lithe body growing more moist, more demanding. God, but she was a sweet piece, hot and lush, more desirable than any woman he’d ever known. Chase gritted his teeth and fought to maintain control. It was the most erotic moment of his life, the feel of this woman beneath him. For the love of Hera, but he’d never experienced such a heated encounter.

How was it that a country chit completely devoid of experience could make him crazed with desire while countless women with other, far more exotic notions, left him less than inspired?

What was it about Harriet Ward that made her bolder, more colorful, more intriguing than any London-born and -bred mistress?

Whatever it was, it was intoxicating. Fascinating. Scintillating. He reveled in her nearness, in the strength of her body, in the lithe grace of her form. He cupped her closer to him, losing himself inside her silken softness.

She was lost, eyes closed, gasping for breath as her body moved demandingly, hips thrusting, feet firmly planted on the mattress. She was magnificent, her unalleviated passion pushing Chase to the edges of his own control.

Suddenly, her eyes widened and she gasped, her body clenching about him, the silky tug yanking him over the edge. Chase ground his teeth, but it was too late. His body reacted before he could withdraw and he climaxed deep inside her.

For several moments they remained where they were, entangled, arms about each other, his face pressed against her hair, her legs still tight about his waist.

It was achingly sweet, that moment. And Chase, for the first time in his life, didn’t feel an overwhelming compulsion to jump up from the bed and make good his escape.