Page 10 of Willow (Out on a Limb #4)

In Which our Unmarried Couple find Themselves Behaving Like a Married Couple

Both Willow and Harry were silent as they climbed the stairs. Willow couldn’t begin to guess Harry’s thoughts, but she found her own more than enough to deal with.

They were about to spend the night together. Alone. In a room with a nice bed.

Of course they’d spent plenty of time alone together in Little Witham, but the even the snug confines of a small seaside cottage could not compare to a single chamber in an inn.

He reached past her to open the door and allow her to precede him. “Oh good, the fire’s still burning.”

She nearly laughed at that. He had no idea how close to the truth that was. Her personal fire was burning very nicely indeed, although she admitted to some concern that she might come out of this adventure slightly…singed. Indeed, right at this moment, she swore she could feel the heat of his body on her back.

It didn’t get any cooler when the two of them walked into the room, and Harry closed the door behind them with a solid thunk.

Willow stared at the bed. “I will sleep in the chair.”

“Don’t be silly. I’ll take the chair. I can pull the other one close and it’ll be almost as good as a bed.” He sounded coolly confident.

She shook her head. “Your ankle won’t like it.” Turning, she touched her finger to his lips as he opened his mouth to argue with her. “Look, we’re adults, Harry. I see no reason why we can’t share the bed. I will stay on my side, and you on yours. The coverlet looks warm enough, and I don’t want to spend all night getting up to put more wood on the fire.”

He sighed. “You can trust me, you know.”

It’s not you I can’t trust, it’s myself…

The thought flashed through her mind as she turned to him. “Of course I know that. I would not have suggested we share otherwise.”

“In that case…”

Harry unfastened his jacket and tossed it onto one of the chairs, then sat on the side of the bed to remove his boots.

Willow echoed his moves on the other side, sitting and removing her shoes and stockings. Her practical gown fastened at the front, and she wore a warm chemise beneath, so she had no real concerns about slipping off the heavy fabric and sleeping in the lighter cotton.

“How’s your ankle?” She managed to keep her voice steady, even though her heart was threatening to jump into her throat and choke her.

“Better without the boots,” he sighed, drawing the last one off. “But no swelling at all. Just a bit achy.” He chuckled. “Whatever Mrs Smithers put into her poultice certainly worked.”

“Probably the arnica,” murmured Willow, sliding under the covers and lying on the very edge of the bed.

She felt it dip as Harry did the same.

It wasn’t quite as firm as it looked, and she slid toward the middle as his weight settled. Clinging to the edge of the mattress with her fingertips, she sighed.

“Let go, Willow. I told you that you could trust me.”

After a battle with her conscience that lasted all of ten seconds, she obeyed, and found herself sliding easily up against Harry’s warmth.

“Much better,” he said, pulling her back up against his front.

“Oh,” she murmured. “You’re nice and warm.”

“You’re not…hang on.” He shifted slightly, bringing his thighs to rest alongside her own. It was as if she sat on his lap, only lying down.

It was, not to put too fine a point on it, one of the most delightful experiences she could imagine.

“Better?” He wrapped his arm around her waist and held her tightly.

“Mmm.” She nodded, uncertain of how to respond. This was all so…so…unexpected.

“It’s funny,” he murmured. “I never imagined I’d be in this situation with you.”

“Neither did I,” she answered.

“And yet it seems as if destiny or the Fates had other plans for us.” He moved a little, and she felt a soft kiss on her bare neck.

“Harry…” It was a whisper, a plea, and a murmur of pleasure, all wrapped up in one word.

“Willow,” he murmured back. “I like touching you, holding you, feeling your warmth.”

She caught her breath as he tightened his grip, bringing their bodies firmly against each other. This wasn’t a time for lies or maidenly modesty.

“I like it too.” A mere whisper, but he heard her.

“Good, because I’m going to be touching you a lot.”

“You are?”

“Yes. But I’ll not frighten you or do anything you don’t want. Do you understand? You tell me to stop and I’ll stop.”

“Your word on that?”

His arm moved, and she felt his hand sliding the strap of her chemise off her shoulder. And there…once again, the touch of his lips. “You have my word. All you have to say is stop…”

Willow took a breath, surrendered to her own yearnings, and snuggled her back as close to him as she could. Waves of desire swept all other thoughts aside. “All right, Harry. All right. If you’ll do one thing for me?”

“Name it.”

“Unfasten your shirt. I want to feel my skin against yours.”

*~~*~~*

He was hard as granite, and her words didn’t help. But to hear them touched not only his desire, but his heart. This young woman was trusting him after nursing him and caring for his injuries. Now she wanted a new experience with him…

He wasn’t really surprised; Willow was intelligent, inquiring, and determined. Traits she shared with the rest of her family.

So there was no reason at all for her not to be curious, even though it would push his self-control to its limit. But in the back of his mind lurked the knowledge that he didn’t want anyone else touching her like this. Ever. And that made this night unique.

Baring his chest, Harry snugged Willow against him, making sure her back was bare as well. Since this required pushing her chemise down, he did so, slowly and carefully, letting her relish the sensation of a man’s hand gliding over her shoulder and down her arm.

“Ohhh…” She sighed as her back met his front. “Oh, Harry…”

“Do you like that?”

“It’s…it’s…wonderful.” She wriggled a little, as if trying to get even closer. “I had no idea how extraordinary it feels…”

“It’s just a small part of the pleasures to be had between a man and a woman, Willow.”

He could almost hear the wheels turning in her mind, so he wasn’t too surprised when she turned her head toward him. “Show me more?”

He took a breath, trying to clear the fog of desire from his brain, and focus on her needs. “Are you sure?”

She nodded. “Oh yes, I’m sure. I want—I don’t know what I want…just something…”

He bent his head and kissed her bare shoulder, then lifted his arm from her waist. “All right,” he murmured. “I think you might enjoy this…”

His hand moved upward and found the soft fullness of her breast, and her gasp of surprise made him grin. Her nipple was already hard, so he toyed with it, gentle teasing touches, loving the movements against him she probably didn’t know she was making.

“God,” she whispered, “This is…making me feel things…”

“That’s good,” he whispered back, “because you might like this even more.”

He found the edge of her chemise and gently pulled it down toward her waist. Now her breast was bare, and he was free to play unhindered.

Her wriggles, gasps, and moans were a symphony of pleasure to his ears. She responded to his touches in a way that filled his heart and his brain, never moving away from him, but turning a little more to give him access. Her body flowered, her womanly scent rich and rising around them, and it was no hardship to involve both her breasts in his play.

That brought a moan from her throat. “What…how…” she muttered. “Harry…” Her fingers dug into his thigh as he moved himself, allowing her to roll more onto her back, and thus presenting two delightfully ripe nipples, both of which he proceeded to enjoy with fingers and tongue.

Willow writhed now, fully engaged in their play, her hands exploring his chest, his shoulders, and then drifting down to his waist…

“No, sweetheart. No further. I’m just a man, Willow. And I’d like to be the one to give you pleasure tonight. This is for you.”

“Harry,” she whispered. “I want… I ache…” Her hips moved, an involuntary movement she probably didn’t know she was making.

He nodded, then lay down beside her. “I know. I can take away that ache…” Even though I’ll have to live with mine for a bit.

“Please,” she begged, “please…”

“Relax for me, Willow. And let me touch you where you want…”

“All right.”

Without a second thought, this well-bred young woman dragged the hem of her chemise up to her waist, baring herself brazenly to the man lying beside her. “Show me, Harry. Show me what will ease this feeling I have…”

So he did.

Slowly, carefully, he used every sensual skill he’d accumulated over the years, touching her gently at first, playing his fingers over her woman’s hair, teasing what lay beneath.

She hummed with pleasure as his touch strengthened, and parted her thighs without a second thought, opening all that she was to his eyes and his hand.

“You are so beautiful,” he murmured, sliding his fingertips down, down into the slick wet flesh and gently moving them in a slow but steady rhythm.

He felt her breathing change, saw the muscles of her thighs tighten, and found himself amazed at her response to his actions. “That’s it, Willow. Feel it inside you…let it happen…”

She moaned, her mouth gasping for air as every muscle in her body tensed and she thrust herself into his hand.

He slid a finger into her heat, and gently stroked her silken flesh, then moved faster, learning her sensitive spots and focusing his attention on them.

She was arching off the bed as he continued his sensual assault, gasping, writhing, until finally she erupted around him with a muted squeal. For long moments he felt her muscles spasming against his fingers and marvelled at the sight of his Willow enjoying her first release.

Gritting his teeth, Harry stayed with her, watching, feeling a little overwhelmed at what he had just done. “Willow,” he whispered. “Willow, are you all right?”

Sucking in a gulp of air, she opened her eyes and smiled at him. “Oh yes, Harry. I’m all right. In fact, it would be fair to say I’ve never been better.” She yawned. “But oddly enough, I’m rather tired.”

He smiled. “Go to sleep, sweetheart.” Tugging her clothing back into place and settling himself down again behind her, he almost missed her whispered reply.

“All right, Harry. I love you.”

Her whole body eased against him and within seconds he knew she slept. Exhausted, sated, and not even realising she was experiencing the after-effects of a magnificent climax.

He sighed. She would now, doubtless, enjoy a long and deep sleep, and wake refreshed in the morning.

I wish I could do the same , he thought, as he put his head on the pillow beside hers. He knew he was going to be rather uncomfortable for some time. But it had been worth it, and he’d survive.

Because he’d discovered that Willow Trease loved him.