To Bed or to Wed (19 page)

Nathan caught her in his arms as she launched herself at him. His lips had barely touched hers before hunger built in his body. He lost himself to the sweet taste and soft wonder of her mouth. As she threaded her fingers through the hair at his nape, he slid his hands down her body then gripped her bottom, pulling her flush against him. Too many blasted clothes kept him from exploring her as he wished. Once, twice
, he teased her bottom lip with his tongue. On the third pass, she opened for him, invited him in and welcomed him with her own.

His Charlotte was nothing if not adventurous. One of the many things he loved about her.

Breaking the kiss, he held her at arm’s length. “My dear, I must ask, if ruination is your goal, we retire to my rooms.”

“That sounds like an acceptable solution.” Her grin flashed white teeth in the gloom. “I’ve been wondering for days now if I should bed you or wed you first.”

Nathan chuckled. He scooped her into his arms, carried her down a darkened hallway then up the marble staircase. “Tonight, that question will be settled.” After carrying her past a couple of doors, he paused at one, held her in one arm then turned the latch. “I’m wagering you’ll choose to bed me.”

She nipped the underside of his jaw. The touch of her teeth on his skin had his arousal pressing against the front of his breeches. “I think I just might.”

“I should have put it in the book at White’s, for I’d come out a winner.” With a foot he closed the door set her down, waiting as she steadied herself. The orange glow from the dying fire in the hearth cast flickering shadows through the room and over her face. “Instead, let me help you out of these clothes. You were never meant to be dressed as a man.”

“I had to see you.” Charlotte shrugged out of the greatcoat. “I’m afraid I lose all
reason where you’re concerned.” She fumbled with the buttons on her tail coat.

“I sympathize with the complaint.” He brushed her hands away. Seconds later, he shoved the tailcoat from her shoulders and down her arms. “Although, I do have one disappointment.” Nathan made short work of her waist coat. Once it had joined the other garment on the floor, he tugged her shirt from her breeches
that were rolled and bunched at the waist.

“Please enlighten me.” Charlotte’s voice sounded breathless. Was she anxious or excited about what they were about to do?

“I won’t be able to divest you of your pretty underthings. I spied your petticoat that first night we met when you were snagged in the shrubbery.” He urged the fine lawn shirt over her head. He pulled it from her arms then tossed it away. A chuckle escaped his throat. “You’re wearing a shift? Perhaps I’m not sad after all.” The outline of her erect nipples thrust against the cotton shift. Damnation, she looked marvelous in the breeches that showed her shape to perfection.

“Is it so shocking? I am a lady and not quite as hopeless in decorum as you might think.” When she reached for his clothing, he waved her hands away.

“Never hopeless but always refreshing. Instead, think of yourself as innovative and curiously brave.” He led her to the bed then urged her to sit upon it while he knelt at her feet. “I love every facet of your character. I cannot wait to discover more.” His chest constricted as he realized it was true. Discovering Charlotte’s secrets would be the greatest adventure he’d ever embarked upon.

Charlotte shivered in the cool air. Though a fire had been lit, it had been some time ago for now it was nearly spent. Only the fact she was halfway undressed in
his presence kept her as hot as if she walked the beaches of Brighton at the height of summer. “Nathan, do you truly wish to do this with me?” She wanted no regrets, and she refused to give into the fear that he’d cast her aside once this night was over.

“Dearest, I don’t know what else I can do to show how earnest I am.” He sat back on his heels, struggling with his tail coat. Once he finally whipped it off, he did the same with his waistcoat
then went on to loosen and finally tug off his cravat. “However, I do have one last trick that may ease your mind.” Now in his shirtsleeves, he resumed his kneeling position. “You must know how enamored I am of you. Why else would I risk all at the theater the other night?” He tugged off one of her boots only to run his fingers up and down her calf.

Dear Lord.
His touch was divine. Goose flesh raced along her exposed skin. Her nipples tightened into hard buds. Even the tiniest of movements scraped the shift over them. “Yes, I’m well aware.” She could hardly concentrate while he removed the other boot and treated that leg to the same torment.

“When we argued yesterday morning, I wanted to call you back, tell you I’d acted like an arse, that I shouldn’t have let the other people in my life dictate my reactions, anything to make you stay.” Nathan slid his hands along the outsides of her legs. Since the breeches were loose around her waist, it took little more than a few tugs to have them down and off her limbs. She merely had to lift her hips and help him. “My pride prevented me from doing any of that.”

She nodded while his words bounced around her brain. “How does any of this convince me now?” Goose flesh marched up her legs. Nothing except her thin shift shielded her body from his view.

“Just so.” Nathan heaved to his feet and brought her off the bed to hers as well. “I very nearly declared myself in that opera box, but I didn’t. Why don’t I seal the deal now so you’ll know I’m completely in earnest?”

Silence reigned between them while she held his gaze. The shadows of the room couldn’t disguise the need in his eyes. Yes, the hint about him and Felix coming to arrangement meant marriage, but she hadn’t wished to assume. “Do you mean to say…?”
Do hush, Charlotte. Don’t ruin his moment.

Nathan grinned. He urged the shift up and off her body. “Oh, sweeting, you are quite magnificent.” He swept his attention down her frame, pausing at her breasts then again at the apex of her thighs. When he’d once more captured her gaze, there was no mistaking the
desire there and it made her shake from the sheer power of it. “You are correct. I do mean to say, or rather ask, will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Her heartbeat rushed in his ears while her mouth went dry. “Good heavens, I never suspected such a question would carry so much weight or hope
or excitement with it.”

All teasing fell from his expression. “Does that mean you refuse?”

“Oh no, I was merely pondering out loud.” Wanting to ease his mind and banish his doubts, she stepped closer and threw her arms around his neck. Her sensitive nipples scraped against his shirt. Shivers tripped along her spine and lodged between her legs. “How delicious.” She gasped as Nathan stroked his hands down her back. When he cupped her bottom, her skin heated. “I had no idea it would be like this.”

A low growl tore from his throat and he tightened his hold
, pressing her against him. Strange things happened to deep inside her core at the sound. It was much like a tickle but stronger and more… wonderful. It throbbed. “If you answer my question, woman, I’ll show you exactly how much more it can be.” His breath warmed her cheek. It steamed the shell of her ear, especially when he nipped her lobe.

“Oh my.” She gave into the quivering sensations that swamped her insides. Charlotte gave rapt attention to his comment. Finally, a man worthy of her regard had asked for her hand. Flutters filled her stomach. Marriage to Nathan would be anything but dull. “Yes
. What else should I do since I’m completely in love with you anyway?”

He crushed his mouth to hers, obliterating the rest of her statement.
Between heated embraces, Nathan stroked and petted her body. He peppered her neck and throat with hot kisses. At her collarbones, he licked her skin. “You have made me the happiest of men.” Another pass of his clever tongue tore a moan from her lips. “I had no inkling of what I was missing in life until I met you.”

Once it seemed her knees wouldn’t hold her upright any longer, Charlotte pulled away and stumbled backward, falling onto the bed in an unladylike heap. What did one do with all of their nakedness when one
’s partner was still clothed? “Is that all there is then? Once a man declares himself, he stares at his lady until she’s forced to scurry beneath the coverlet for warmth and modesty?” Not that she had any intention of doing such a thing, but she did wish he’d get on with things. Her curiosity would kill her before too long.

“Oh, I’ll give you warmth, my darling. Afterward, you won’t think about modesty in the same way, I’ll wager.” Teasing and something much stronger graveled his voice. “I shall join you shortly.”

Not knowing how a lady should display herself while nude, Charlotte lay on her side, her head propped on one hand, her other hand draped over her curls in an attempt to hide her sex. She amused herself by watching Nathan undress, and he made quick work of his toilette, much to her chagrin. There was no chance to witness the play of light and shadow over his flat stomach or abdomen, nor was there opportunity to adore how his muscles twitched and rippled with each movement.

Instead, she fixed her gaze on his rampant member. So much hard length, jutting from a nest of dark curls. Warmth tickled her folds. “I must warn you. I am not experienced in the bedroom arts. I rather doubt I’ll be able to provide you the pleasure you’ll expect
, though I do read about the joinings between men and women in some of my novels.” Doubts swept in to assail her. Would he regret his proposal? After all, she wasn’t a young miss, but an untried spinster.

“My love, don’t worry.” Nathan joined her on the bed. He urged her onto her back while covering her body with his. “You will learn my body just as I’ll learn yours. Having you here, now, in my bed is the greatest pleasure I could hope for.”

She sighed as he dropped feather-weighted kisses over her cheeks, chin and forehead. “You’re quite wonderful, you know. Will I be able to compete with your ego?” Charlotte drew her hands along his muscled shoulders then down his taut arms and back again. He felt warm and vital. Beneath her fingertips, the raised skin of scars became her guide. Soon she’d ask about each one of them and demand the stories behind them.

“Of course, because you’ll boss me.” He kissed a path from her throat to a breast, and when he closed his mouth around one aching nipple, she arched her body against his.

“Let’s start by doing that again.” When he did as requested, only with her other breast, she dug her fingernails into his shoulders. “I may require hours of teaching.” In his arms she felt alive and needed, beyond desire and well into love. Special. Adored. Cherished.

“I
’m happy to meet every one of your needs.” Nathan shifted his weight. He parted her legs with a knee. “For all of our life together.” He claimed her lips with a kiss so sweetly drugging, Charlotte swore she floated outside of her body.

“As I will for you.” She slid a hand to his nape and encouraged him to kiss her again. After all the tears and turmoil, she’d finally reached the place in life she was always meant to be. She nibbled a path along his jaw. The rasp of his stubble against her tongue sent heightened sensations through every nerve ending. “Also, I apologize for slapping you.” Charlotte brushed his poor, abused cheek with her fingertips. “I won’t do that again.”

He rested his forehead against hers. “I hope I don’t give you a reason to.” As he slid a hand down her body, he kept her lips busy with kisses.

Charlotte wriggled beneath him. There was so much she didn’t understand of what occurred in a marriage bed, or in this case, the pre-marriage bed
, that she couldn’t wait to get on with it. “Nathan, I… oh!” Her breath stalled as he put a hand between her thighs. When he glided a finger along her folds and through the moisture there, a surprised moan left her throat. But it wasn’t until he touched the swollen, throbbing piece of her womanhood that she bucked against his hand. “Dear heavens, that’s lovely.”

“
I agree.”

She spread her legs wider, but he withdrew his hand. “Will you do that again?” There hadn’t been enough of that sort of play. His touch left her burning and an unexplained need building in her core.

“Most certainly, but for now, I’m afraid I won’t last if we don’t speed things along.” He threaded his fingers with hers then pinned her hands to the mattress on either side of her head. “Please tell me you’re ready to receive me.” His voice was raw, urgent. The head of his engorged shaft bumped her opening.