His hand pressed into the small of her back; her legs wound around him involuntarily; and she felt the depth of him in her sensual body so intensely that her mind unraveled like yarn, her breaths butterfly light. He still hadn’t broken from her kiss; now his fingers looked for a path between their locked bodies, moving downward from her belly button, but she stopped him. “No, Alex. Too much.” He opened his eyes to understand, looking right into her; and it laid her soul bare. Without warning, the tightening coils in Lucy’s body sprang free. Her whole physical being was racked by almost aching sensations her mind couldn’t hold back. She had never felt so exposed, but so imperatively open. Her senses had returned from a long-imposed exile. Somehow—she couldn’t say how—she had let herself trust him, craved this oneness with him, and the physical effect was mesmeric. He absorbed all of her pleasure, the exquisite and unrepeatable first chords of intimacy between them; and only then gave himself up to her rhythm.

Time was irrelevant. Lucy had no idea how long it was before he finally locked his arms around her, and they admitted to satiety. She drifted to sleep hearing Alex’s heartbeat and the wind.

20

SHE WAS AWARE OF A TAPPING SOUND, THEN FELT THE SPACE BESIDE HER. Her lids rose indolently, and she saw his shadow teasing up the embers, adding logs to the fire, releasing a fresh smell of pine. The shutters weren’t latched and wind rattled the glass.

“It’s early—not yet seven. And the weather’s filthy.” His voice was soft and husky, and he retraced his steps to her. “But my lady is fair. A good reason not to move.” He slipped in next to her warmth and cradled her. His fingers had an aroma of smoked almonds, and she kissed the tips—a prelude to other explorations with her lips.

He laughed. “Are you always this demanding? After two hours’ sleep?”

“It’s time I was more demanding…I’ve never felt this good after two hours’ sleep.” She leaned up on an elbow to confront him, noted his emerald eyes glittering back at her playfully. “‘Nay, come, I prithee. Would’st thou be ruled by me?’” She hovered to take a dominant position.

“‘Madam, I will.’”

IT WAS PAST TEN O’CLOCK WHEN ALEX KISSED HER AWAKE AND LAID A SINGLE finger across her lips to hush her. “I’m going to check in with Siân, then I want to run out for some milk and something to eat—there’s not much here.”

“Should I come?”

“I’ll be quick. Do you feel safe?” She nodded drowsily. “Then just stay put. Or run a bath. The water will be steaming now, and there’s a tempest at the door.”