Page 29

And the temptation would accelerate. “If you think that will keep me from you, then you aren’t the intelligent doctor I know you to be.

” He tucked an escaped lock of hair behind her ear.

“Doctor’s daughter, damned stubborn Scottish healer, managing baggage, unorthodox young woman, all those things are merely labels that allow you to hide, so you won’t be hurt when people call you such.

But I see deeper, and I know that when your heart is engaged, you will be all those things and more, just as fate has always planned for you when it set out this path for you, and I’ll be standing at the side, waiting for you to finally acknowledge me, waiting for you to open your eyes and see me for the man that I am.

I’m by no means perfect, but I’m trying my best.”

If that didn’t win her back after this temporary loss of faith or confidence, then nothing would.

“Oh, Alexander, you are perfect to me— for me!” Lydia shifted positions and threw herself into his arms with enough force that he toppled backward with her resting haphazardly over his chest and his head went onto the bolstered end of the sofa.

“I am rubbish with navigating through life when emotions are involved.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle. “That, my dear, is a rather large understatement. I am struggling with the same.”

“It makes me glad to know I’m not alone.

” Her purr of laughter went straight to his member, and damn if that organ didn’t harden to painful awareness.

“We’re all broken and jagged, I think, trying to make sense of life and find lasting connections therein.

But when we find somewhere that we are accepted and understood?

When we find someone who feels like home? There is nothing to describe that.”

“That sums it all up quite nicely.” Home. She felt like home to him. Alexander ran his hands up and down her arms as she levered into a sitting position straddling his waist. “Now, do you need more convincing that this courtship is still the best thing for both of us?”

“Possibly. You know how stubborn I am, and not easily impressed.” When she grinned and the gesture crinkled the delicate skin at the corners of her eyes, he lost another piece of his heart to her.

“That’s all the encouragement I need to show you that I am, indeed, the man for you, and if I’m not, there is no doubt that you’ll tell me how I can improve.

” He slipped a hand to her nape, tugged her down, and then kissed her with enthusiasm as if he hadn’t seen her for years instead of a mere two days.

Those soft petal lips welcomed him home without condition or exception.

It was one of the best things about falling in love, or so he assumed, since he’d never truly been in such a state before.

Minutes later, she broke the embrace to smile at him.

The bodice of her dress gaped, for he’d undone the laces at the back and the sleeves had slipped down her arms. The fabric clung to her breasts with barely a breath, and damn if that wasn’t the most erotic thing he’d ever seen.

“Does that mean we shall continue with the courtship?”

“Yes, but I still have those fears.”

“We both do, but those feelings are merely gatekeepers. They are there to help you make certain the thing you want on the other side of them is exactly what is written on your heart.”

“What a lovely way of explaining it. Thank you, and… I think it might be.”

Though he wished to shout his potential happiness from the rooftop, that would mean tearing himself away from the wonders of this woman’s arms, and quite honestly, he’d rather worship her body than go out into the rain.

“I try. God how I try.”

“You do, and there is a certain elegance to that.” Lydia’s eyes darkened with the same desire that currently lit tiny fires in his blood.

“What did you have in mind, then, for this afternoon, Wexley?” One of her finely feathered red eyebrows arched in invitation or challenge, he couldn’t decide, but knowing her, it was a challenge.

Was there any wonder he was coming to adore her? “Perhaps it’s better I show you. Words you might not believe since any man can utter them, but actions will stay with you longer.”

“Such a quick study.” She lowered her head to his. “That is quite an attractive quality.” Then she kissed him.

And his world fell apart.

Their tongues met and tangled in a mating dance as old as time.

In short order, he stripped to his breeches and lawn shirt.

Her dress joined the growing pile of discarded clothing, as did her stays and petticoat.

Fingers and hands were seemingly everywhere; caresses encouraged moans and questing fingertips over sensitive skin were met with gasps and sighs.

It took little time to remove his shirt and her chemise, and once she was gloriously naked, Alexander laid her on the sofa and came over her.

“Perhaps bringing in a sofa was a good idea after all,” he whispered against her soft skin.

“Agreed.” And she drew her fingers along his chest, leaving maddening sensations behind.

Giddy awareness assailed him as he kissed a path down her body, being sure to tease and torment her nipples as he went.

Her back arched; she furrowed her fingers into his hair while he continued his quest to lick and nibble every inch of her.

When he pressed his lips to her mons, she splayed her thighs, wriggled her hips in invitation, and Alexander didn’t need another clue.

How damned fortunate am I when I’m with her?

He devoured her, showed her with his tongue and fingers how he would claim her in mere moments.

Whimpering cries of need left her throat and still he explored.

Soon enough he encouraged her swollen nubbin out of hiding.

There was a certain satisfaction in knowing he would have many times in the future to perfect how to work her body in ways that would bring maximum pleasure.

Through suction and friction, he brought her to the edge of bliss again and again.

By the time she came undone from his ministrations, he was hard to the point of discomfort, needed to join with her else he’d embarrass himself.

On the brand-new sofa, and he’d never hear the end of it from Lewis.

While Lydia was lost to the throes of her release, he left the sofa long enough to remove his breeches. By the time her breathing had returned to normal, and a red flush swept over her upper chest, he’d again covered her body with his and claimed her lips.

But she apparently wasn’t in the mood to be courted. She looped her arms about his shoulders, and as she pulled him closer, she wrapped her legs around his, holding him in the cradle of her hips. “I need you, Alexander.” The whisper was fraught with desire and a touch desperate.

“You have me, for as long as you want.” Would that translate to marriage if he might ask soon?

Only the gods knew, but he remained hopeful.

He kissed her again because he could, and feathered his fingers into her hair to gently hold her head in his palm, keeping her steady.

With his other hand, he guided his shaft, teasing her flesh with his tip before thrusting, taking her, claiming her, spearing into her, and he didn’t stop until he’d buried himself stones deep.

Sensations raced along every nerve ending; a rush of tingling awareness went over him.

“Damn, but this moment is one of my favorite things.”

Lydia moaned with delight. “You are… Well, there is no one like you.” She squirmed beneath him, taking him ever deeper.

As she tightened her inner muscles, squeezing his length, she lightly bit his earlobe.

“For the love of all that’s holy, please continue.

I have thought of nothing except coupling with you since the last time. ”

“In this, you and I are of one accord.”

Then, he moved slowly in and out of her passage for the sheer pleasure of feeling that glide.

As if they’d known each other for a lifetime, they settled upon a rhythm that was much like dancing.

Alexander gripped her hips, canting them at an angle he preferred and one that would give her the most pleasure.

She threw her head back, and with each new thrust, sounds of encouragement left her throat.

“This is… You are…” She gasped. “I’m afraid we won’t know how to act when we have the opportunity to do this in a bed.”

“Perhaps we are enough different that we don’t need to follow the rules even in this,” he whispered back, for he couldn’t distract himself from his task.

This coupling was more than a quick joining that had no purpose other than to culminate in physical pleasure.

No, now he made love to her, the woman he hoped to win at the end of this courtship, the woman he would gladly pledge his life to, the woman he feared he was coming to love in such a short period of time.

Then the pace of his thrusts changed as frantic need tingled through his stones and shaft.

Deeper still he plunged. Faster he worked his hips.

Harder he stroked in an effort to send her flying while denying himself the same satisfaction, if only for a moment.

Lydia strained beneath him, her back arching, the perfect globes of her breasts bouncing, her skin flushing with arousal.

As he switched his angle of penetration and the root of his shaft rubbed against her swollen nubbin, the first frantic cry broke the silence.

With gasps and words of approval, she fell into bliss so completely the contractions of her channel yanked him into a release immediately.

White light rushed up to meet him, and for a few seconds he existed in a void where there was nothing except the rapid tattoo of his pulse and the labored sound of his breathing, while the warmth of her exhalations skated across his cheek.

As he murmured words that had no meaning or even structure, Alexander collapsed on top of her, and she wrapped her arms around him.

He kissed the side of her neck, her cheeks that were salty from tears, her closed eyelids, and finally her sweat-damp forehead.

With her, he would always have a supporter in his corner, and damn if he didn’t feel as if he were going down swinging in the ring.

Only this time, it was for love, and that was worth fighting for.

“Thank you,” he whispered against her lips.

She uttered a tiny snort. “For what?”

Let me count the ways. He brushed his lips against hers while holding her gaze. “For believing in me, seeing that I can be someone other than a Stapleton brother.”

“Well, you are that, and forever will be. There is nothing wrong in living to honor your father’s legacy, but there is something to be said for wanting to discover who you are beyond the boxing world.”

“Yes, of course.” He rolled onto his side and took her with him. “Did your father agree to let the space next door?”

“He did, but since he will be at Cambridge during the week until the Michaelmas term, we have decided not to do anything until then.” She nuzzled the crook of his neck, and his shaft tightened all over again.

“By then, perhaps I will have a more definitive direction for my future, and if the space isn’t available, there will be others. ”

“In the event you wondered, I will be there for whatever you decide.”

“I am beginning to realize that. You have no idea how much that means to me.”

And you have no idea what you are beginning to mean to me.

Why did men fear falling for a woman? Why had he, when it made him feel stronger than he’d ever had before?

Hell, if he went into the ring tomorrow, he had every confidence he would win the bout.

“My mother wishes for me to attend a ball thrown by one of her friends in two days. I know it’s short notice, but would you come with me?

” How much did he want to dance with her, show her off to society as his?

Her eyes rounded. “Are you certain?”

“Yes.” As he slipped a hand over her hip, he grinned. “Do you have a ballgown?”

“Of course. I’m not quite a country bumpkin. Papa allows me to have three news ones done up a year. I promise I’ll behave myself with a winsome air and modest deportment,” she said with a wicked twinkle in her eye.

“Don’t you dare. I want the ton to see why I have been distracted beyond all reason by a doctor’s daughter with Scottish roots.” Damn, he was proud of her. “And perhaps you can meet my mother.” That would be an interesting situation. Good thing there would be brandy at hand.

Lydia sighed. “Why am I so weak-willed when it comes to you?”

“Well, I am addicting and charming, so there’s that.”

“Do hush, Wexley. No one likes a braggart.” But she smiled, then slipped a hand to his nape and pulled him close for a kiss.

Life was damned near perfect.