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She stood up on tiptoe and kissed him. Her arms wrapped around his neck, while she tried to show him what she felt. The desires she couldn’t voice, the forbidden yearning to steal whatever moments she could.

At first, he didn’t kiss her back. But as she pressed her mouth to his, slowly tempting him to yield, his arms tightened.

His kiss was tentative at first, as though he wasn’t sure if she truly wanted him. Hannah gripped his neck, hoping he would respond to her invitation.

“Don’t hold back from me,” she whispered, when his mouth broke free from hers. “Not tonight.”

Michael brought her against the door to one of the stalls, lifting her up while he kissed her hard. “I’m no good for you, Hannah.”

“I don’t care any more. I need you.” She held on tight, shuddering when his thigh slid between her legs. Hard and firm, he nudged her, making her ride him.

Though anyone who happened upon them would only see a husband and a wife caught in an embrace, beneath her skirts, he made her feel completely vulnerable.

“Take me back upstairs,” she whispered.

“In a moment.” He claimed her mouth roughly, his hands dragging through her hair.

Pins fell everywhere while he kissed her, his tongue teasing in the intimate act she feared.

Her mouth was numb, swollen from his kiss, while she ached between her legs.

When he pressed his thigh between her legs again, she couldn’t stop the shattered gasp that escaped.

It was like the night upon the ship, only this time, the impact was far greater.

That night, she’d suspected they would not become lovers. But now, she wasn’t certain how far she would let him go.

Michael slid her down, touching his head to hers. “What are you doing, Hannah?”

She shivered, fighting to catch her breath. “I think you know.”

He grabbed her hand and pulled her outside the stable. Hannah knew the stable lad could have guessed what happened to her, for her hair was falling about her shoulders, her face flushed with unfulfilled need.

When they reached the doors to the inn, Michael stopped short. “Go up to our room and wait for me there. I’ll only be a moment.”

She fled up the stairs, not looking at any of the guests and praying they weren’t staring at her disheveled appearance. When she reached her room, she took off her shoes again, blindly pulling at the remainder of pins that held up her hair.

Oh, heaven. What was she about to do?

She stared at the solitary bed and the flickering candle illuminating the small space. Everything about this room was primed for a seduction. One she wasn’t ready for.

It was too easy, falling into his arms within the stable. Now that he’d given her a moment alone to think, her mind was screaming out every lecture her mother had ever given.

Never let a man touch you, unless he is your husband. Not even a kiss. And especially never let him see so much as a bared ankle.

The door opened, and Michael stood with something hidden behind his back. Hannah craned her neck to see what it was, and then spied a covered plate.

Michael removed the cover and revealed a thick slice of cake with buttercream icing.

Hannah didn’t smile, though it appeared mouth-watering. Glancing at the dessert, she mentioned, “You...forgot to bring a fork or a spoon.”

“No, I didn’t.”

She didn’t know what he meant by that, but sensual images of him feeding her from his fingertips suddenly erupted in her mind.

Michael set the plate down upon the dresser and closed the distance. He moved behind her, his hands upon the buttons of her gown. Though Hannah tried to relax, her skin had gone cold. It was easier to imagine surrendering to him when he was kissing her, not allowing her to think.

Instead, his hands flicked over the buttons of her gown, one by one. Her mind was raging that she should stop him and hold fast to her innocence. Her body tensed as more and more skin was revealed.

“I know you’re afraid,” he whispered, dropping a kiss on her nape, “but you have no maid, and you cannot sleep in your corset.”

He was offering her the choice, she realized. He would not ask for more than she was willing to give.

“If you’d prefer, I could ask one of the maids downstairs to come up and assist you.”

She let out a shaky breath. That would be the easiest course of action, but it would also raise unnecessary questions about why she wasn’t allowing her husband to unfasten her gown.

“It’s all right,” she managed. “You can help me.” Her heartbeat clamored in her chest, punctuating the indecision building up inside her.

“Will you turn down the lamp?” she whispered. “I don’t want you to see me.”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he came around to face her. He made no further move to undress her, but the gown sagged about her shoulders. “Do you want me to sleep somewhere else?”

“No. You can’t.” Not only was it too expensive to hire out a second room, it wasn’t safe to be apart.

He stepped back, waiting for her command. Hannah clutched the edges of her gown, as if trying to hold together the last remnants of her upbringing.

Michael seemed to be weighing his own decision. In the end, he walked toward the hearth and sat down in one of the chairs, his gaze averted from her.

It was like she’d already lost him. And it hurt, worse than anything she could imagine. This man had taken care of her when she’d needed him most. He didn’t live by the rules, but by his judgment. And she knew there would never be another man like him in her life.

If she did marry, it would be to a titled lord who would expect her to bear his children. She’d met dozens of them over the last year, and not a single one would come close to the intense feeling she held for Michael Thorpe.

She wanted to know him intimately. To feel his skin upon hers and to know that he cherished her. There was not a doubt in her mind that if she let him make love to her, it would be the worst sort of rule to break. It would also be wonderful.

Her moments of freedom were slipping away, with every hour. This might be their only night together. And she wanted it, no matter that it was wrong. No matter that he could never be hers.

Hannah let her gown slide down, baring her corset and chemise. She untied the petticoats, stepping free of them.

The long walk across the room was the most frightening she’d ever taken. But in her heart, she knew she would hold regrets if she did not reach out to him now.

In the candlelight, he would see every part of her body. Right now, shivers prickled over her skin as she walked in front of him. Wearing only her undergarments, she laid herself bare, offering herself.

And still Michael didn’t move. His eyes stared into hers, as though he didn’t know what to think of her actions.

Kneeling down before him, Hannah reached out to remove his coat.

Her fingers shook as she untied his cravat and unbuttoned his waistcoat.

Abruptly, Michael’s hands suddenly closed over hers.

“You don’t want this, Hannah. I can see your fear.”

She’d never been so bold in all her life, but more than anything else was the fear that he would turn her away. “I am afraid, yes. And I know that I should ask you for help with my corset and sleep far away from you.”

He waited, and she touched her hand to his heart. Despite the calm mien he presented, his pulse was racing. “I know what I should do,” she repeated again. “But I want this night. Give me a memory I’ll always have.”