She shook her head. “Nay, what you said is perfect. Too perfect.”

He was having trouble following her logic. “Good. Then in case I wasn’t clear, I love you, and only you.”

Her eyes were luminous and shimmery—he hoped with emotion—as they looked into his. And her mouth . . . it was too damned inviting. Unable to help himself, he lowered his lips to hers and gave proof to his words with a slow, tender kiss.

God, her mouth was like honey. So soft and sweet and irresistible. He had to pull back before he sank in deeper.

But everything seemed to be conspiring against him. The bed that was right behind her was also too inviting—as was her very-easy-to-remove night robe. He tried to step back, but the room was too small, and it wasn’t enough to break the invisible current pulling them together.

But he’d made a vow, damn it. Not until they were married. “I should go,” he said firmly to remind himself.

He even managed a half-turn, before she caught his arm. “Nay, please. Won’t you stay?”

As if it were the most natural thing in the world—which it was—she sidled up to him and curled against his chest as if she belonged there—which she did.

He would have had to be made of stone to resist the urge to put his arms around her. He wasn’t—made of stone, that is, although part of him sure as hell felt that way.

He drew her closer, savoring the sensations as her body melted into his. “You make it hard to do the right thing, sweetheart. I made a vow.”

“And you can make another one,” she said, moving her hands from his shoulders down his stomach to his belt. “Once I’m done with you.”

“I should bathe—I’ve been riding all day.”

She gave him a naughty smile. “Nice try, but you smell fine. And I suspect we’ll both be a little sweaty soon.”

Ah hell. Alex was done arguing. It was just making him hotter when she talked like that. He could feel the tug at his waist right before she succeeded in unbuckling his belt. He gave up the pretense of fighting it and tore off his surcoat. She was as efficient as any squire at helping him remove the heavy mail shirt and the padded linen aketon underneath. Only then did she hesitate—letting him see that she wasn’t quite as confident as she appeared—but it wasn’t for long. A moment later, his linen shirt was on the bed behind them and his chest was bare. She was quiet for a long time as she seemed to take in every inch of skin and muscle. Her gaze was soft with desire when her eyes finally met his. “I’m afraid I have to warn you that I might not be done with you for quite some time.”