“Turn left just up there.” She pointed to a little alley. “We can avoid the square that way.”
He gave a tight jerk of his chin as he picked up speed and entered the alley, skirting several homes until they reached the path that led to the manor.
The air cooled as they entered the tall vegetation and Bianca pressed a bit closer to Chris. She wasn’t cold, she just liked being near him. Laying her cheek on his shoulder, she drew in a whiff of his fresh, clean sandalwood scent. “You’ll have to stay for a while, you know.”
He slowed his pace, looking down at her again. “Why’s that?”
“What if Fred tries to seek revenge again?” His attack had frightened her more than she cared to admit. His body pressed to hers had made her skin crawl, his rank breath turning her stomach.
He closed his eyes. “Has it occurred to you that you should be more frightened of me than him?”
“No,” she said the single word loudly, clearly, wanting him to understand that she meant it with all her heart. “I know you and I know you’d never hurt me.” She slid one hand from around his neck to press to his cheek, turning his face toward hers. “Do you believe me?”
His mouth twisted into a frown. “I don’t know.” Chris pressed his forehead to hers. “I want to Bianca. You have to know that I want to keep you forever and never let you go.”
Her breath stuttered and she tilted her chin up to capture his lips with her own. “I want to keep you forever too.”
Chris cut off the trail into a small grove of pines. They were short and scrubby as many were along the coast, but they provided a small shelter from the path, hiding them from view.
He didn’t even bother to set her down as he captured her lips again, dropping to his knees. She was still cradled to his chest as he took her lips again, slanting her mouth open as he traced her lips and then explored deeper. He swallowed her groan of pleasure as their tongues danced together. She ran her hands along his back and then into his hair, wanting to touch every inch of his body.
Chris lay her down on a bed of pine needles, his body half on top of hers as he continued to kiss her. One arm supported her weight around her back while the other ran up and down her side, cupping her breast, skimming her neck, running along the flat of her stomach. She itched to feel his skin again, the way she had last night, and she pulled his shirt up and over his head.
Once his chest was bare, she caressed every inch of his skin, feeling the dips and valleys until they both panted for breath.
Chris undid several buttons on the back of her dress, pulling the fabric down until only her chemise covered her breasts. Tugging the white linen aside, he kissed a trail down her neck until he slid one of her nipples into his mouth. Pleasure burst inside her, curling through her middle and settling between her legs.
She tugged at his hair, wanting more from him as he sucked harder, cupping the flesh until he shifted to the other side.
The pleasure increased until she thought she might not be able to stand another second. She pulled at his hair, her body writhing restlessly. He looked up at her, a wicked grin curling her lips. “Do you need something, sweetheart?”
She pulled harder. “It almost hurts, it feels so good.”
He slid a hand down her dress and up under her skirts. Being warm and walking as she did, Bianca kept her underskirts light, and her pantaloons a thin gauzy material. Chris slid down her body, untying her skirts and pulling the layers along with the pantaloons down her legs. “Don’t worry, my love. I know just how to make you feel better.”
She ran her hands along his bare shoulders absolutely certain that he did even if she didn’t have a clue.
He was pushing up her skirts and as the air hit her thighs, his fingers brushed against the curls between her legs.
She gasped and bucked against his touch even as his fingers made another light pass. “So soft,” he murmured against her chest. “Just lovely.”
He brushed again with a bit more pressure and she pushed into his hand, wanting more. He gently parted her curls and then touched her more fully, a moan ripping from her lips.
“Shhh,” he murmured, kissing her all along her chest. “Do you like that, my sweetheart?”
“Yes,” she hissed as he started a rhythmic movement that stole her breath. “Chris.” His name came out as a plea. There were so many things she wanted to beg him for. More of his hand, more of his body, more time, and all of his heart.
Chapter Thirteen
Chris squeezed his eyes shut, not wanting to think, see, or feel anything other than her silky flesh beneath the tips of his fingers.
He’d braced one arm underneath her to keep her off the ground as much as he could, sliding his hand up her back and into her hair, cradling her skull.
Her fingers dug into his back as he increased the tempo of his touch. H
e moved up her body so that her mouth was just next to his ear. The sound of her breathing making him ache with desire and satisfaction.
She’d told him he’d have to stay and keep her safe. Did she have any notion how much he wanted that? He’d like nothing more than to stay by her side forever. Was that best for her? He wasn’t certain.