This time she raised a brow, and he noted that she managed to look every bit as arrogant as he did. She said, “And what makes you think that was a joke?” But then she laughed, which quite broke the effect.

“I am forgiven?”

She nodded. “Percy never apologized.”

“Percy is clearly an idiot.”

She smiled then—a small, wistful smile that very nearly melted his heart. “Caroline,” he said, barely recognizing his voice.

“Yes?”

“Oh, hell.” He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers in the most feathery light of kisses. It wasn't that he wanted to kiss her. He needed to kiss her. He needed it the way he needed air, and water, and the afternoon sunshine on his face. The kiss was almost spiritual; his entire body trembled just from the barest touch of their lips.

“Oh, Blake,” she sighed, sounding as bewildered as he felt.

“Caroline,” he murmured, trailing his lips along the elegant line of her neck. “I don't know why…I don't understand it, but—”

“I don't care,” she said, sounding quite determined for one whose breathing had gone way past erratic. She threw her arms around his neck and returned his kiss with artless abandon.

The warm press of her body against his was more than Blake could bear, and he swept her into his arms and carried her through the upstairs hall to his room. He kicked the door shut, and they tumbled onto the bed, his body covering hers with a possessiveness he'd never dreamed he could feel again.

“I want you,” he murmured. “I want you now, in every way.” Her soft heat beckoned him, and his fingers flew along the buttons of her frock, slipping them through their buttonholes with ease and haste.

“Tell me what you want,” he whispered.

But she just shook her head. “I don't know. I don't know what I want.”

“Yes,” he said, pushing her dress down to bare one silky shoulder, “you do.”

Instantly, her eyes flew to his face. “You know I've never—”

He put a gentle finger to her lips. “I know. But it doesn't matter. You still know what feels right.”

“Blake, I—”

“Hush.” He closed her lips with a searing kiss, then opened them again with a hot flick of his tongue. “For example,” he said against her mouth, “do you want more of this?”

She didn't move for a moment, and then he felt her lips move up and down as she nodded.

“Then you shall have it.” He kissed her fiercely, savoring the subtle minty taste of her.

She moaned beneath him, and tentatively placed her hand on his cheek. “Do you like that?” she asked shyly.

He growled as he tore off his cravat. “You may touch me anywhere. You may kiss me anywhere. I burn just for the sight of you. Can you imagine what your touch does?”

With sweet hesitation she slid down and kissed his smooth-shaven jaw. Then she moved to his ear, then his neck, and Blake thought he would surely die in her arms if his passion remained unfulfilled. He pushed her dress even lower, revealing one small but, in his opinion, perfectly shaped breast.