She tasted of rich wine and something more, something unique to her. Her soft sighs were sweeter than the trill of the birds in the trees or the rustle of the leaves in the breeze. As much as he longed to unbutton her bodice, strip her bare, he showed restraint because he was well aware that at any moment someone could happen upon them. This spot was popular among boaters. With luck, any intruders would be strangers and a kiss they could laugh off. To be caught doing more . . . he wouldn’t risk bringing that shame to her. No matter how his body ached to possess her fully.

He didn’t want her practicing with anyone else, exploring another’s mouth. She was daring as she stroked her tongue over his, as she drew his into her mouth and suckled. His low growl echoed between them as he dragged his hand down her back to her bottom and pressed her close so she could know the affect she had on him.

Tearing his mouth from hers, he trailed his lips along the underside of her jaw. She released a tiny mewl. “Do you like that?”

“Yes.”

He took her lobe between his teeth, nipped, then soothed with his tongue. Another mewl. “And that?”

“Yes. I thought only mouths were involved in kissing.”

“How boring would that be?” He made a sojourn along the column of her throat. “If no possibility existed for us to get caught, I’d kiss every inch of you.”

“Every inch?”

Raising up, he looked down on her and grinned. “Every inch.”

She blinked. “Every?”

He kissed the tip of her nose. “Every.”

“Is that proper?”

“Probably not. But I would enjoy it and would ensure you did as well.”

“Would you want me to kiss every inch of you?”

“Only if you wanted.”

She licked her lips. “Would you think me wicked if I did?”

“Ah, Christ.” He buried his face in the curve of her neck. Never in his life had a mere thought caused him to ache with such need, but the vision of her mouth moving over every inch of his flesh—

She squirmed beneath him.

“Please lie still.”

“You’re poking me.”

“That’s my body signaling that I want you.”

“Oh.”

“You sound surprised.”

“I don’t know if I’ve ever been wanted before.”

“I rather suspect you have.”

“Why?”

“Because, Fancy, you are a delectable delight.”

She laughed lightly, her entire body shaking beneath him. God, he loved the airy sound of her laughter, like the chimes at Christmas.

“How do we make it so you don’t want me?”

That wasn’t going to happen. Even if he took her fully, he’d want her again. He knew that with certainty. But also knew what she was asking. “To distract myself, I’m going through Aesop’s fables.”

More laughter from her. “I don’t know that there is one that applies to this situation.”