Her heart melted as Cameron smiled down into her face, the smile that she had seen so seldom, and that she hoped she would see much more now.
“Yes, together, sweetheart.”
They both looked toward the stairway as Lily came bustling down. “I’ve had the maids prepare a chamber for Mr. Price, Rose. You’d best be getting some sleep. It will be a big day around here tomorrow with the wedding and all.”
“Mr. Price will be staying in my chamber, Lily.”
“Good Lord. I take it your conversation went well then? As if I have to ask, with you in his arms as though you’re going to be carried over the threshold.”
“We’re getting married!” Rose exclaimed.
“Thank God.” Lily sighed. “I’ll turn a blind eye tonight. Thank goodness Papa and Thomas are already abed. Good night now.”
* * * *
Cameron gently laid Rose down on her bed and sat down beside her. “Are you sure we can do this with you in your condition? I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Cam, you’ll hurt me if you don’t.” Rose pulled him toward her and kissed him, untied his cravat, and unbuttoned his formal shirt. “Take your clothes off. I don’t want anything between us.”
“Nor do I,” he said, smiling. He eased her nightdress over her head. “You are an angel. Heaven couldn’t have created a more perfect being if they’d tried.” He slid his hands over her body. “You are so beautiful, Rose, and you’re mine. I still can’t believe that you’re really mine.”
“I’m yours,” Rose whispered. “And you’re mine. Now let me see that sensational body of yours.”
Cameron’s smile lit up his face as he began to disrobe.
“I love your smile, Cam,” Rose said. “I love the way your one front tooth overlaps the other one.”
He laughed softly. “You do?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. I love to run my tongue over it.”
“I see.” He tossed his trousers on the floor. “I had no idea that my flaws were so attractive. I fear my body is covered with imperfections, sweet. Perhaps you should run your tongue over all of them.”
“Oh no, your body is perfect, Cam.” Rose grinned. “But I shall run my tongue over it anyway.”
He lowered himself on top of her and took her mouth, exploring her with his tongue and lips, kissing her face, her neck, her breasts. He took each swollen nipple between his lips and tugging delicately as she moaned beneath him. “I’ve missed you,” he said huskily. “I can’t imagine ever kissing another woman.”
“You’d better not,” Rose said wickedly
“You don’t have to worry.” Cameron trailed tiny kisses over her stomach, pausing for a moment to run his hands over her abdomen. “The fact that you’re carrying my child makes you even more beautiful.”
She smiled. “I’ll be big as a house soon enough.”
“You’ll still be beautiful, sweetheart.” He kissed between her thighs, trailed down her shapely legs, caressing and kissing until he reached her ankles.
Rose’s breath caught as he tongued the inside of her ankle then blew on the wetness.
“Do you like that?” he asked.
“Oh yes, it’s wonderful.” Rose sighed.
Cameron kissed the instep of her foot, each of her toes, gently turned her over and kissed up her calves to the back of her knees, tickling her sensually with his tongue and breath.
“Cam, please, make love to me,” Rose breathed.