The truth was, she’d been clear about her intentions from the beginning. And even though his and Sophie’s connection was undeniable, he had to respect her decision to put her family first.

But he refused to dwell on any of that now—not while Sophie was in his arms.

She was giving him the gift of one night. And if that was all she could give him, by God, he’d take it.

He crushed his mouth to hers and hauled her body against his. He’d tried his best to tell her how he felt with words. Now he’d show her.

And he couldn’t help but hold out hope, however foolish and naïve, that Sophie would realize how good they were together—and change her mind.

One taste of her lips was all it took to send him reeling. He ran his hands over her body, savoring the fullness of her breasts and the flare of her hips beneath his palms.

She clutched the lapels of his jacket in her fists as she kissed him back with equal fervor. Breathless, she shoved his jacket off his shoulders and pulled at the buttons of his waistcoat. He tugged at the laces of her gown, and they wrestled with each other’s clothes until they were both naked, surrounded by a heap of silk and wool, slippers and boots.

When she would have pulled him down onto the soft, cool grass, he stopped her. “I have an idea,” he said, helping her to her feet.

Her hair hung around her shoulders, half up and half down, in beautiful disarray. Her lips were swollen from his kisses, and her blue eyes were dark with desire. “Do you?” she asked, shooting him a smile so soft and sensuous that it melted him from the inside out.

He slid his palms down her arms, caressing her from shoulders to elbows. “Are you nervous?”

She pursed her lips and smirked. “Just intrigued, my lord.”

“Good.” In one smooth motion, he gently grasped her waist, lifted her, and placed her on the swing behind them. When she arched a questioning brow at him, he leaned forward, kissed her neck, and whispered gruffly in her ear. “Part your legs for me.”

Sophie drew in a raspy breath but did as Reese asked, settling herself against the soft quilt he’d draped over the swing. Slowly, he sank to the ground in front of her and kissed the sensitive spots on the insides of her knees.

She gripped the back of the bench as he nuzzled her thighs, loving the way his light beard grazed her skin. Each time he moved against her body, the swing retreated slightly—until his hands, strong on her hips, brought her back to him. The subtle push and pull, the hypnotic swaying, aroused her till she was pulsing with need.