He had intended it to be a small kiss, a gentle first step to reassure her. Her acceptance served to fuel his simmering blood, however, and the small kiss became a long one. He took her face in both his hands and gently tasted and nipped until a barely audible sigh breathed out of her and into him.

He gazed at the face he held. Her expression, heavy lidded and bright eyed, appeared unbearably sensual in the moonlight. Desire began a fierce pounding through his head and body and the same primitive excitement pulsed in her. He felt it. He almost heard it. It flowed around them and between them and in them, luxurious, tantalizing, and seductive.

He should leave. He should woo her slowly the way a good man does his intended. He should not take advantage of her ignorance, and her vulnerability after her first kiss.

He knew full well how a chivalrous knight should behave. Instead he pulled her into his arms.

Shock this time. Confusion. “I do not think …”

He silenced her with another kiss, and caressed down her back. She was naked beneath the thin gown, and the feel of her feminine softness and warmth, of her full, invisible curves, inflamed him. Her body moved in reaction to his touch, both retreating and encouraging all at once. He pressed her closer, enclosing her in his arms, and turned his kisses to her neck. She gasped quick breaths, a series of tiny, astonished announcements of delight.

And then, with a pliant stretch, she surrendered and impulsively embraced him back.

She intoxicated him. Her scent, her body, the kiss she returned, maddened him. In his mind he was already on the ground with her, sliding the robe off, warming her with his hands and mouth, covering her with his body. Kissing her still, he lifted her in his arms and carried her to a bench near the wall.

He settled her on his lap, swearing he would only dally a bit more and then take his leave. But the feel of her on his thighs and the new closeness of her body, so available beneath the thin robe, defeated that moment of good sense. Nor did she resist. The kisses turned mutual and hot and savage. Passion made her wild and her abandon became audible. For an instant, no more, she hesitated one last time when he slid his tongue into the moist warmth of her mouth.

He wanted more. Everything. Now. He caressed her stomach, then higher to the swell of her full breast.

A startled, muffled cry escaped her. She broke the kiss, gasping for breath, and leaned away as she shook her head. It looked less like a denial than that she sought to clear her thoughts.

“This is wrong. A mistake,” she whispered.

He eased her closer again while he smoothed his fingers over her breast’s tip. Its erotic peak hardened more at his touch. “It is permitted. We will marry soon.”