Clara drew back, eyes wide. “What are you doing?”
Clutching her tight against him, he walked them to his bed, laid her down upon the counterpane and crawled over her prone body. “I must be sorely out of practice if you must ask me. I’m making love to you.”
Careful to keep his weight from crushing the babe she carried, he hovered over, letting his kisses reduce them both to mindless moaning creatures. All he wanted was to cherish her and put an end to this unfulfilled craving.
Clara pushed at his shoulders. “Reggie, please? Be serious.”
He drew back, catching her bewildered stare and feeling, only momentarily, like the worst sort of cad. “I am completely in earnest, my love. We have both mourned long enough. We both have needs and I am eager to satisfy every one of yours.”
Clara gaped at him. “You truly mean to make love to me? But why?”
He laughed a little at her confusion. “Do you see any other stunningly beautiful women lying about my country estate? Of course I want to make love to you. I’ve thought of little else since you moved in.”
He let her digest that for a bare moment before he captured her lips again.
Chapter Two
Clara’s head spun as her best friend pressed her deeper into the mattress and kissed her witless. Any moment she’d awaken from this pleasant daydream—hot, flushed and overly excited—and have to pretend that she was perfectly happy with her sexless existence as a widow and expectant mother.
Yet Reggie moaned softly as he swept his tongue deep into her mouth. She hadn’t ever imagined that before. She opened her eyes to find his dark head bent over hers, his lips pressing ardent kisses to her skin, his hot breath dancing upon her nerves.
Clara clutched his head, frustrated that her big, ungainly body refused to mould to Reggie’s as she wanted. For now, she’d be content with whatever small pleasures might come her way. Reggie rolled onto his side and pulled her toward him, and his fingers curved around the heavy weight of her breast. She moaned.
“So beautiful,” he whispered.
When Reggie pressed his lips to the upper swells of her breast, Clara’s body hummed with pleasure. She couldn’t get close enough to his beguiling heat.
But suddenly, Reggie jumped off the bed. She met his gaze. The naked desire blazing bright in his eyes sent her pulse thudding at the junction of her thighs. He stripped his dark coat from his shoulders, and loosened his cravat in a rush. His gaze roved over her and, suddenly uncertain, she pressed her thighs tighter together. Could he truly want to make love to a woman as ungainly as she?
“Don’t move, love. I’ll return in a moment.”
Clara’s heart raced with excitement. She wouldn’t have to pretend not to want more from her friend than she should. Reggie crossed to the bedroom door, locked it and the door to an adjoining chamber, and then sauntered back across the room. He stopped at the bed side and stared down at her.
Clara let her gaze roam his body. His square jaw, usually so serious and perfect, was shadowed with a dusting of dark stubble. The broad chest drew her eyes and she longed to touch the hot skin hidden beneath his waistcoat. Her admiration ended when her belly got in the way.
Reggie’s lips lifted until a broad smile brightened his eyes. “Perfect.”
“Really, Reggie. You exaggerate.”
His grin grew wider. “I hardly ever exaggerate about beguiling women.” He dropped a boot to the floor, and then tossed the other clear across the room.
When he crawled over her again, Clara was ready for more than just kisses. Her body hummed so badly she thought she’d expire before he could claim her. She reached for Reggie and drew his head to her breast. With a chuckle, he nipped and licked at the skin above her bodice, then wriggled his fingers beneath her gown at her shoulder and tugged. But the dress was made for prim propriety, not a rogues ease of access.
She chuckled and rolled to her side. “You might need to unlace me.”
Reggie groaned and pressed against her back. He nipped at her nape and sent shivers down her spine. She blushed as he snuggled close and the hard ridge of his erection pressed against her bottom. She had missed physical pleasure so badly she shook with the need to feel a man’s possession again. To feel the warmth of a beautiful man bare against her skin.
“Dear God, you are lovely,” Reggie groaned.
The low growl sent a flush of warmth rushing between he
r legs. Clara thrust her bottom against his erection, eager to encourage him anyway she could.
Reggie made quick work of undoing her gown and as her breasts tumbled free, he caught one and molded her flesh with his strong hand. Clara moaned as months of wishing for intimate touch came true. He thumbed her nipple, then twisted and plucked at the hard peak. Clara squirmed against his groin. Her body throbbed with need, but what Reggie was doing wasn’t enough.
As if sensing her impatience, he pushed her flat to the bed and set his lips to her nipple. He drew the peak deep into his mouth. Clara moaned as a rush of damp heat pulsed between her legs. She shifted them restlessly until Reggie trapped one of her legs and nudged his thigh against her groin.
Dear God, she wanted so much more. She thrust her hips against his limb and her quim tightened unbearably. She’d never experienced such a rush of need before. It was almost as if her body was a stranger to her.