Page 76 of Snowbound Surrender

“Wait. I want to touch you.”

“Against the rules.” He leaned down to brush her hair back and give her a sweet kiss. “Go to sleep now.”

He extinguished the candles, and as the room grew dimmer, so did the edges of her consciousness until she could no longer keep her eyes open and drifted away to dream of him.

CHAPTER 5

It tooka long time for Callum to fall asleep. If he had been alone, he would have pleasured himself to relieve the unbearable tension. But if she awoke to see what he was doing, he would have had to throw himself into the fire. Instead, he went outside to check on his horse and cool his ardor.

The snow still fell thickly, quieting the world around them and making him feel as though they were the only two people left in Warlock. That would make things simpler.

He cleared a path through the snow to the stable and tossed another blanket over his horse. The mare seemed content and snug enough for the night. He gathered a load of firewood to replenish the stack inside.

With nothing else to do, he stripped to his shirt and breeches and slipped onto the other side of the bed, being careful not to wake her. She was turned on her side, facing him, her hair spread over the pillow in waves he wanted to sink his hands into.

He didn’t touch her. He’d already done too much. Whatever had been in the punch had obliterated her inhibitions, although she hadn’t acted foxed. Teaching her what pleasure her bodywas capable of after a passionless marriage seemed a mercy, not a sin.

His attempt to justify his actions did not absolve his guilt. He should sleep in the barn with his mare. Being this close to her was torture. Maybe that was his penance.

He let out a low groan and turned onto his back. His erection was back and just as hard as it had been when she had flown apart on his lap. It was a moment he would never forget. In fact, he had the feeling he would relive it every time he closed his eyes. He’d definitely think about how her soft, wet heat felt and tasted every time he pleasured himself.

Finally, he dozed, but his sleep was fraught with carnal fantasies of fucking Eleanor on every surface in his cabin and in every position he knew. His dreams settled on Eleanor’s outrageous quest to suck him off.

He didn’t want to leave his dreams, but the physical world called him back. He heard a whimpered feminine moan. The pleasure he experienced in his dream magnified.

He opened his eyes. Eleanor was on her knees between his legs. The covers had been thrown off. The fall of his breeches was partially open, and the tip of his cock was visible. In utter disbelief, he watched as Eleanor licked the exposed tip with a throaty moan.

The fire was banked but provided enough light to torment him. Her shirt gaped open, and her breasts were visible, the nipples as peaked as they had been earlier. Was he still dreaming? He squeezed his eyes shut and opened them once more. She hadn’t disappeared.

“Eleanor. Stop.” His voice was like gravel.

She flicked her tongue across the slit of the head of his cock and looked up at him. “Are you not enjoying this? Am I being too rough? Too gentle?”

He swallowed and gathered his thoughts. “You are driving me wild, but it is the herbs in the punch. You must still be addled. I refuse to take advantage of you.” Or at least further advantage of her.

“You’re not taking advantage of me. I woke with a clear head. I want to do this.” Her tongue flicked at the head of his cock again before she added. “But it’s my first time trying, and you must guide me. I only got the barest explanation from the madam.”

He sat up and brought her face to his. “Are you sure you are no longer under the influence of the herbs? I do not want you to harbor regrets.”

She titled her head to study him for a long moment and smiled slightly. “Whatever was in the punch only made it easier to overcome my nerves and clarified what I want. After James died, I felt as if my life was over too, but now… I know there is much left to experience and discover. And right here, right now, I’d like to do that with you. If you are willing.”

“Your reputation?—”

“Is already in tatters with polite society without having actually done anything scandalous myself.” She shrugged, and her shirt slipped off her shoulder. “I am a widow now, and I believe that confers me some freedom. As long as we are discreet.”

He was desperate to believe her. “We are alone in my cabin.”

“And not leaving this night. I have the feeling everyone will be chagrined at their behavior at the festival and much will be conveniently forgotten. This may be our only chance. Let’s not waste our moment.”

The punch had worn off. She was not a virgin. He was not taking advantage of her. He fisted his hand in her hair and brought their mouths close. His baser instincts battled with his conscience and won.

“You enchanted me as a girl, but I could have never imagined the way you captivate me as a woman.” He brushed his lips across hers.

“But you were so cold when we met again. I thought you had forgotten me or thought me a silly girl.” She pulled away slightly.

“Never.” He closed his eyes for a moment. “The past few years have been difficult and lonely. I didn’t feel worthy of you.”

This time she was the one who kissed him, with ardor and emotion. There was understanding in the kiss, and a lack of judgment. It undid him, and if they weren’t in bed, he might have fallen to his knees to pledge himself to her right then and there.