Splendid

His eyes were open.

Emma caught her breath and looked closer. His eyes were definitely open, and even in the darkness of the room, she could see humor lurking in those green depths.

“I did not remove my undergarments, if that’s what you were trying to discern,” he said, and Emma swore she could hear a smile in his voice. “I’m not a complete cad,” he continued.

“Thank you,” she said sincerely.

“You fell asleep, and I didn’t have the heart to wake you up. You’re quite adorable when you’re sleeping.”

“So are you,” she could not help saying.

“Thank you,” he said, just as sincerely. “How long have you been awake?”

“Not long.”

“You were warm enough?”

“Oh, yes,” Emma said mildly, marveling at the absurdity of her situation. Here she was, lying next to a man in bed, in his bed, at nearly four in the morning, and they were conversing as politely as if they were in a drawing room. She sighed, letting her gaze float across the ceiling. “We’ll have to be very careful when you take me home,” she finally said. “If we’re very quiet, we won’t wake anyone up, and we’ll be able to avoid a scandal.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Alex said offhandedly. “I’ll take care of everything.”

Emma rolled onto her back. Alex made no attempt to move his leg, and it settled into the crook between her leg and hip. “It’s very cozy in here,” he remarked. “I’m not used to sharing this bed with anyone.”

“Oh, really, Alex,” Emma scoffed. “You’ve had scores of mistresses. It’s common knowledge.”

Alex grinned widely. “Jealous, are we? Now that’s a good sign.”

“I’m not jealous.”

“As it happens, I haven’t had scores of mistresses. Even I’m not man enough for that. I admit that I haven’t lived the life of a monk, but I haven’t kept a mistress for quite some time now.”

Emma turned her face to his, her eyes questioning.

“It’s been at least two months now, I imagine.”

That was just about as long as they had known each other. Emma was absurdly pleased.

“And,” he continued, “I certainly never brought any of them here. You, my darling, are the first to grace my bed.”

“You make it sound as if we have done something that we haven’t.”

Alex declined to comment; he just took her arm and pulled her to him. “You’re too far away,” he murmured.

Emma gasped as she was pressed up against the hard length of his body. Cocooned under the bedcovers, his skin had grown very warm, and the heat was melting through her clothes. “Maybe,” she allowed. “But now I think I’m a bit too close.”

“Nonsense,” Alex sighed, sinking his hands into her thick hair. “You smell lovely.”

“Rose-scented soap,” she said shakily.

“I think I love rose-scented soap.” He pressed his lips against the tip of her nose. “I also think you have far too many clothes on.”

“Now that I know is not true.”

“Will you hush?” Alex moved his lips to her face and kissed her eyes shut. Emma felt her resolve begin to melt, and she realized that she wanted to be seduced every bit as much as he wanted to seduce her. As he continued to rain light kisses across her face, she tried to rationalize her position. She knew what she was doing was wrong. Or at least everyone told her it was wrong. But something inside her told her that this was very right, that she belonged here with Alex, lying in his arms. It was as if all the warmth in the world had accumulated inside of him and was now shining out of his emerald eyes onto her. And was she really such a sinner for loving him so much? Emma didn’t think so. She deserved this one moment of bliss. Her decision made, she took a deep breath and tilted her face up to his, parting her lips slightly when his mouth settled on hers.

Alex sensed the change in her instantly, and the desire that he’d been almost afraid to feel rocked through his body once he realized that she wasn’t going to reject him. “Oh God, Emma. I want you so much,” he moaned. “I’ve wanted you for so long.” As he began to unbutton the man’s shirt she was still wearing, he realized that his fingers were shaking, and he smiled sheepishly, feeling very much like a green boy. As each button slipped out of its hole, Alex got the feeling that he was unwrapping a delicate treasure. His breath caught in his throat, and he realized that he had never before felt this kind of nervous, exhilarating anticipation. Finally, the last button popped free, and he parted the shirt, revealing a silky chemise that bared more than it hid.

He placed his strong hands on her midriff and slowly pushed the chemise upward, the silky material rubbing sensually against Emma’s glistening skin. She shivered, unable and unwilling to contain her response to the strange and beautiful feeling of Alex’s hands through the thin silk of her chemise. Dear Lord, how she wanted him, wanted this. Her entire body felt aflame, burning up with weeks of unfulfilled need.

Alex paused when the bottom of the chemise was settled just below her breasts. He raised his eyes to hers, offering her one last chance to stop him, but all he saw in those violet pools was desire and trust. “Sit up for a moment,” he said huskily. Emma did so, and he pulled the chemise up over her head, sucking in his breath as her full breasts were finally revealed to him. “You are so beautiful,” he murmured, gazing upon her with reverence. “So beautiful.”