Chapter 12

Harlan hadn't expected Leah to agree, but now that she had, he couldn't ignore the gift she'd granted to him. With one fluid motion, he slid his arm beneath her legs and lifted her into his arms. Words weren't spoken as he carried her to the bedroom and set her on her feet near the bed.

His gaze traveled the length of her body and back up again. He couldn't wait to see her in all of her naked glory. He'd almost forgotten about his head wound, and honestly, he didn't care. He was starting to feel better already.

Sliding his hands down the sides of her hips and legs, he bent down and lifted her skirts just enough so he could slip off her shoes. Catching her gaze now and then, it thrilled him to know that she was watching his every movement. As he returned to a standing position, he moved around behind her and began to unlace her clothes. As each layer was peeled away, his cock started to kick with urgency.

The material began to pile onto the floor, and he was gratified when she was left standing in her stays, chemise and stockings. Already, he could see the feminine curves of her body starting to take shape. His manhood swelled further as he admired her.

Her stays were front lacing, and he took his time turning her back around to him. He kissed her earlobe, the gentle curve of her neck, while he massaged the slope of her shoulders and her upper back.

"Mmm…" She released a low hum of approval, so he rewarded her by continuing the gentle attention. He had the feeling she was untried and he didn't want to rush things if this was the only opportunity he might have to be with her. He hoped to God that it wasn't, but he had no idea what the future might bring. It was best to enjoy every moment that was presented.

As he continued to lave at her soft, smooth skin, he moved his hands around to the front of her bodice. From this angle, she was petite enough that he could easily unlace her underclothes with skillful precision. When it loosened enough for him to slip his hand beneath the fastenings, he cupped her full breast in his palm and began to mold the flesh.

She gasped at the contact, and then moaned. He would wager that she was wet already. Desperate to find out, he let his other hand lift her chemise past where her stockings ended at her glorious thighs. He saw the center of her desire, the dark curls at the apex of her thighs. He had to grit his teeth, because he wanted to taste her, but neither did he wish to frighten her maidenly sensibilities.

Instead, he contented himself with sliding a finger along her center. As suspected, she was dripping with desire. The heat coming off of her core was enough that he slid a finger inside her tight passage. She was absolute in every way as he began to tease her with a rhythm that mimicked lovemaking. He couldn't wait until his cock was deep inside of her, soaked by her juices and milking a powerful release out of him.

He imagined the moment of his climax and his movements quickened. He thrust against her from behind while gently biting at her tender skin and teasing her quim.

She started to move her hips against his hand, and her head fell back against his shoulder. It was a symbol of divine passion, but most of all, complete surrender.

"Come for me, Leah," he whispered harshly in her ear. "Do it now."

She groaned at the demand. "Harlan…"

The sweet sound of his name on her lips as her body started to tremble was the most wondrous music he'd ever heard. A rush of moisture coated his fingers, and he vowed that the next time she was brought to orgasm, he would greedily lick away every bit of her release.

She went lax in his arms and he carried her over to the bed. There he divested her of her stays and lifted the chemise up and over her head. Clad only in her stockings and the jewels he'd given her earlier that evening, she was perfection itself, a wondrous sight to behold, and he knew he wanted to claim her as his own just like this. It was a memory that would last him for the rest of his days.

He quickly tore off his clothes, a forgotten heap on the floor as he settled himself between her thighs. His thick cock was eager to complete their union, the tip secreting a small amount of fluid that made it glisten, but no more than her core, which was still drenched with the ecstasy she had experienced.

Before he slid into her, he had to know if this was what she truly wanted. Holding his control back with everything that he had, his forehead starting to break out in with slight perspiration, he said, "Leah, I have to know—"

In reply, she reached out and grasped his hips and dug her nails into his flesh. He gasped at the way his cock jerked in reaction, his sack beneath tightening in anticipation.

The tenuous thread snapped and he positioned himself at her center and pushed forward.

Leah wasn'tsure what to expect for her first time, but so far it had been fantastic. It was the only thing she could think of to explain such a wondrous sensation. Her body still hummed in the aftermath, pinging in all the right places.

But it wasn't until Harlan entered her body, a slightly stinging, burning intrusion that had her holding her breath for another reason entirely that she wondered if this had been a good idea after all. She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on relaxing her body, to will the pleasure from earlier to wash back over her, but the discomfort was making it difficult to do so. She decided this part of lovemaking wasn't that enjoyable, although she had heard from more than one woman that it did, indeed, improve with time.

Leah had been hoping that she would have a good memory to reflect back on her time with Harlan, but while he had offered her something truly amazing just moments ago, she realized she hadn't been prepared for this invasion.

"Leah?"

She heard the note of concern in his voice and she opened her eyes to see him looking down at her. It was the expression of worry in his hazel eyes that caused her to open herself up to him fully. She reached up and wound her arms about his neck, bringing him down to her for a kiss that was full of passion and splendor and everything she'd felt earlier. It was gratifying to feel her body start to respond as it had before, and slowly, any lingering discomfort started to fade into something quite pleasant, indeed.

She lifted her hips and gasped when his cock slid a bit deeper inside of her. When he moved back and pressed forward again, she decided that this was becoming rather… nice. The friction of their joined bodies was all it took for her to start eagerly meeting his every movement.

He cupped her breasts and toyed with her taut nipples, and she moaned his name. Their combined breaths were harsh and labored, a slick sheen of perspiration coating their bodies. Leah kept her focus on Harlan, watching as the corded muscles bunched in his upper arms and shoulders. The veins in his neck were prominent, winding around the enticing column of his throat. She brushed a hand through his hair, feeling the faint line of his wound, although it merely added to his air of danger and intrigue.

As his movements became more relentless, powerful in their intensity, Leah was lost to the sensations. She had no doubt she would be sore in the morning, but right now, it was heavenly. Sparks shot throughout her core and filled her with pure light that coiled and spun around, bursting with flame until it exploded and waves of pleasure coursed through her body. She arched her back as time suspended—lost to the universe.

She was still floating among the heavens when Harlan gave a hoarse shout and withdrew from her body and pulsing jets of his hot release poured out onto the bed.

Harlan wrapped his arms around Leah's midsection and she clutched his head to her breasts as they basked in this enchanted moment. His hair was damp and she worried about the stitches, but he didn't seem to mind as his breathing slowly started to deepen and even out. This moment just seemed so… natural.

When he lifted his head and looked at her, he offered her a smile that caused renewed flutters to set off in her midsection. "You are perfection," he uttered, and with the way he said it, she felt as though it was the truth.

Lifting the corners of her lips, she said, "Is it always like this?"

"No." Warmth flowed over her when he didn't hesitate over his answer. "This is new territory for me as well." He kissed the tip of her nose and moved to the side.

She almost reached out for him, to bring him back to her, but she didn't want to appear too needy. As he slipped on his trousers, he said, "I'll prepare a bath for you. The warm water will help to ease some of the discomfort."

As he left the room, Leah was grateful for his consideration on her behalf. As she moved, she realized that she was feeling a slight twinge where they had joined. While it was a slightly odd feeling, it made her feel rather… complete.

She grabbed her chemise and slipped it on. Now that their passions had cooled for the moment, she was feeling a bit vulnerable in her nakedness. She had never let anyone see her thus, and yet, again it just seemed… right that Harlan might share her body with her.

A short time later, he came into the bedchamber and held out his hand to her. "My lady, your tub awaits."

It was a small cottage without some of the more modern conveniences, such as shower baths or the popularity of indoor plumbing that belonged to a select few who maintained the wealth to install it into their homes. Leah had yet to enjoy the pleasure of these luxuries, but when she entered the kitchen and stripped off her chemise and slipped into the warm water of the copper tub situated in front of the fire, she sighed with relief. Sometimes there was nothing so grand as to be enveloped in watery comfort.

Rather than leaving her, Leah watched as Harlan gathered the soap and washed her hair himself. It was wonderful to feel his hands gently massaging her scalp. He lifted a pitcher that was sitting nearby. He set it into water, and then let it flow smoothly over the strands of her hair.

She reached out a hand to hold his. "Thank you."

He bent down and kissed her on the forehead and said, "I shall leave you to the rest."

She washed her body with the strip of linen that he'd left for her, and then leaned her head back against the edge to enjoy the lapping water as it lulled her into a sense of security. She had no doubt that she would later look back on this moment with a fond recollection, and perhaps a bit of irony. It was the night she'd lost her maidenhead to the one man who was worthy of her regard, the same man who had abducted her on an English road.

It should have been sobering, but Leah swallowed hard, because she felt as though she was in very real danger of losing her heart to him.

Dear God, she realized that she didn't even know his last name.

The water was starting to grow cold, her fingers and toes starting to wrinkle by the time he returned. His hair was damp from his own wash and he'd changed into a plain, dark blue robe.

He looked so handsome with his bare feet and knowing that heated hazel gaze was just for her, she was tempted to coerce him into the water with her. Instead, he held out a larger linen and she stood up, allowing him a moment to appreciate the view—the rivulets of water flowing down her breasts, her stomach, her hips—before she took the offering. She wound it around her body and tucked it above her breasts as he handed her a brush for her hair.

He moved one of the kitchen chairs closer so that she could dry off and stay warm. His consideration struck her to the point she wondered if there was a reason he was being so kind.

Preferring not to ruin this enchanted evening, she stared into the flames of the fire as he brought the other chair around to sit next to her. "What is your last name?"

"I suppose you deserve to know that," he teased, and then he said, "Mathis."

"Harlan Mathis," she tested the sound of his full name on her tongue. "It sounds nice."

He chuckled lightly. "I'm glad that you approve, Miss Lindquist."

She shot him a dry glance. "I don't believe there is any need to refer to me so formally any longer."

"Yes, I suppose you're right," he said with a lopsided grin.

She couldn't resist the urge to lean toward him and offer a kiss. When she pulled back, he traced her lower lip with his thumb. It seemed as though he wanted to say something, but if he did, he didn't allow himself to express the words. Just remained silent while she continued to brush out her hair.

When she was finished, he led her back to the bedroom. There, she noticed that he had changed the bedcoverings. He handed her the cotton nightgown she generally wore, and after removing the damp linens, she slipped it over her head. Next, he pulled down her side of the bed and waved a hand. "After you," he murmured.

Feeling weariness taking over, Leah rolled onto her side and snuggled beneath the coverlet. She felt the bed dip slightly as he made his way in behind her. When he wrapped an arm around her waist, Leah sighed in contentment. She knew that this was where she wanted to be.

Forever.

In the midst of Harlan's arms.

She wanted to stay awake, to enjoy this night for as long as possible, but her lids started to grow heavy and she couldn't keep them open any longer.

The next morning when she awoke, he was gone.