Miss Bennett touched his upper arm and rubbed affectionately. “Then let’s escape. Let’s search for supplies in the kitchen and head out to the tower. We’ll take some wood and light the fire.”
Pushing all rampant thoughts of seducing her aside—and there were many—Miss Bennett’s offer of sanctuary touched him deeply. Peace and tranquility was exactly what he needed. No man in his right mind would refuse the offer.
“And what of your reputation, Miss Bennett?”
“Who will know?” She cupped his cheek, came up on her tiptoes and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips. “Not that I would ever presume to know the workings of a man’s mind, but I’m certain you’re ready to deal with whatever trouble may come our way.”
Love for this woman glowed hot in his chest. He glanced at her dress. The same midnight-blue silk he had ventured beneath to find his own version of heaven. “You do know what will happen if we’re alone in the tower,” he whispered, pressing his lips to her forehead.
When she looked up, he saw his own desire reflected back. “Then take me to the tower and make love to me, Hugo. There’s not another man in this world with whom I would want to share the experience.”
Hell, he loved that she was so direct.
“Then permit me to ask you a question before we leave, Lara.” She would make an excellent countess. She would be a strong presence in the household. Not that such things mattered. He would abandon his responsibilities, live in a cabin in the woods to be with her.
She placed a finger on his lips. “Ask your question when we return from the tower. When we leave this house tonight, we leave as two people with a responsibility to no one but ourselves. Two people looking to satisfy their hearts’ desires.”
“Then know this.” He pressed his lips to hers and didn’t care who saw them. “You’re the only thing my heart desires.”
Chapter Fourteen
They took a basket from the kitchen and filled it with slices of cold game pie, cheese, wine and a hunk of bread. Hugo found a cloth sack and filled it with as many logs as he could carry. A flurry of excitement saw him chuckle as he shrugged into his greatcoat. When insisting he tie the ribbons on Lara’s red cloak, he couldn’t help but steal a kiss.
They trudged through the snow to the orchard, inventing a story that they lived simple lives. He worked as a woodcutter, and they were already married.
“A simple life filled with love is all anyone can ask for.” The mere sound of her voice soothed his soul like the sweetest lullaby. And yet every muscle wrung tight with the need to drive into her warm body.
The icy wind nipped at his nose and cheeks. He could no longer feel his numb toes. But he had never been happier in his life.
“If you catch me, you can claim a kiss,” Lara teased. She tried to run in the snow, but it was as if she wore lead boots. Ten feet in front, she dropped the basket and collapsed into an exhausted heap.
Hugo dropped the wood. If the logs were too damp to light, he would keep her warm. He fell on top of her, held her arms above her head and pressed her into the soft bed of snow. “You owe me a kiss, my lady.”
Lara giggled. “Then you must claim it, my lord.”
The kiss—the hot, wet melding of mouths—sent blood rushing to his cock. She welcomed him into her mouth. Their tongues tangled in a dangerous and desperate dance that saw them both writhing in the snow in a frantic bid to ease the internal ache.
A sliver of common sense fought its way through his raging desire. “Come, you’ll be soaked through, and I forbid you to catch a chill.”
“You forbid me?” She laughed lightly as he stood and hauled her to her feet. “Are you always so commanding?”
“The need to protect you demands some assertiveness. Grab the basket. The tower is another minute’s walk ahead. Then we shall see about getting you out of those damp clothes.” A delicious shiver of anticipation ran down his spine. “And I shall relish every second.”
“I’m rather skilled at stripping a man out of his clothes.” She panted beside him as they quickened their pace. “Indeed, I’ve had lots of practice.”
Had it not been for her teasing tone, jealousy might have dampened his ardour. “I assume you speak of Montague.”
“After one of his drunken bouts, I often undress him down to his shirt and breeches and leave him to sleep on the chaise. I used to think he had a reckless streak, but now I wonder if he sought to blot out memories of the past.”
The comment drew Hugo’s mind back to the rampant goings-on in Montague’s bedchamber. “We’re simple folk, remember,” he said, keen to put those thoughts from his mind tonight. “In our world, we’re the only two people who exist.”
The sight of the medieval tower sent his heart racing. The sight of the woman he loved, jumping up and down outside the old oak door, trying to knock the snow off her boots, melted his insides. She laughed as their gazes locked. God, she was beautiful. He was but a slave to her whims and desires.
As always, the door was unlocked. Once inside, Hugo braced a chair against the handle should Miss Harper stalk after them in a bid to seek vengeance. Upstairs in the bedchamber, he set to work lighting the fire, while Lara rubbed her hands together and watched. At the first flicker of amber flames, his mind turned to seduction.
Aware of her eyes following his every move, he shrugged out of his greatcoat, threw it over the chair and met her heated gaze. The surrounding air thrummed with unsated lust. Unspoken words of love and longing passed between them. Her large brown eyes promised more than a safe haven. They promised a lifetime of bliss.
“Let me help you out of those wet clothes.” Hugo held out his hand, the first move in the thrilling dance that was to follow. She came to him in an instant, with a confident smile and a willingness to indulge every wild fantasy.