She said nothing to discourage him, but she encircled his neck with her arms and tangled her fingers into his hair at the nape. Goose flesh swept his body. David plundered her mouth, drinking in her taste, her warmth and her sweet response to his kisses.
When he drew back, she had closed her eyes. “Abigail,” he whispered.
Her lashes fluttered as she looked up at him. “David.”
He kissed her cheek, her neck, and across her collarbone. “I am afraid, as much as I admire how pretty you are this evening, I’m going to delight in mussing you up.”
Abigail tightened her grip about his neck and smiled up at him with bright trusting eyes. “I think I would like that. Tell me what to do?”
David sucked in a breath and ran his hands over her back. “Simply being here is enough. How could I be so fortunate as to win you?”
Abigail molded herself to him, her hands restless in his hair. David kissed her again with all the pent-up passion a week of wanting—and fighting that want—could provide. Tomorrow he would buy Abigail a pretty ring to place on her finger, speak to Peter to make their union official. She would never lack any comfort, but tonight he would make Abigail his forever.
He plunged his tongue into her mouth, tasting, teasing enough to make Abigail moan. He drew back to look at her. Her skin was flushed, lips parted and damp. He kissed her softly and then her eyes snapped opened again, shrewdly assessing him. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re wonderful?”
“No. But I’m sure I’m only that way because of you.”
Her hands fluttered over his chest and finally settled at the top of his waistcoat. She undid the first button and bit her lip. She moved her fingers down to the next and the next until his waistcoat hung open.
David lifted his hands to her beautiful hair and carefully removed the pins. The pale strands tumbled down her back in waves and he tossed the pins over his shoulder as impatience seized him. He ran his fingers through the strands. “This is the second time I’ve seen your hair down.”
Abigail pushed his coat and waistcoat from his shoulders and they fell to the floor in a messy heap. A frown marred her brow. “When was the first?”
“You were seven, I think, and tangled in a tree. Your hair has grown since then.”
A small laugh left her lips. “All of me has grown since then.”
“I noticed.” He kissed the tip of her nose, rather humbled that he would be her first and last lover. He would make sure she never regretted her choice. “You take my breath away with your beauty.”
Abigail rose on her toes and caught his mouth with hers. David cupped her head, secured his fingers in her hair and surrendered to his fate—Abigail.
She caught his shirt and pulled the material free of his trousers. Her hands slid over his skin and he sucked in a shocked gasp. His body strained for more.
David fumbled for the fastenings of her gown but their location defeated him. “I’m all thumbs,” he said in apology.
A smile flittered across Abigail’s face as she stepped back. “Here. It opens this way.”
She pulled a cord at the neck and thanks to the little sleeves, the gown loosened enough to slide to her hips without a struggle. She wriggled a bit and the fabric fell to her feet. David’s pulse raced. She stood in just her chemise, her small breasts peaked and visible through the thin garment.
He caught her hand in his and raised it to his lips. “I am unworthy of such a gift, but I would be an utter fool not to accept.”
He kissed the back of her hand, and then her palm. Slowly, he drew his lips up the length of her arm until she was once more standing in hi
s embrace. Her breasts brushed his chest with each unsteady breath she took.
“Do people make love standing up? If so, I’m not sure my limbs will hold me.”
David swept her into his arms again and carried her to his bed. He lowered her gently to the mattress and stood back. So lovely. He kicked off his footwear before he followed. “Not always. You need never do anything you don’t want. This can be enough.”
“It’s not enough,” she whispered unsteadily. “It couldn’t possibly be.”
She brought herself against him, rubbing like a cat and kissing him until he lost all reason. Her chemise disappeared quickly, as did his shirt and breeches. When they were both naked and panting, David drew her under him and kissed her nose. “I never imagined this when I came home, but I doubt I will ever forget this summer.”
He smoothed a hand down her side and along her thigh before hooking her leg around his thigh. Abigail shifted, opening herself to him and tightened her hold. “No more talk.”
She rose to kiss him again and teased him with her tongue. He groaned and shifted his hips until he brushed her curls with his erection. He drew back. “I’m told this, making love the first time, may not be pleasant for you.”
She cupped his face. “Nothing you could do would ever disappoint me.”