Still kissing her, Jace lifted her and carried her into the adjoining room. The covers were already tossed aside. The lamp was burning low and casting a soft glow in the room and on the golden beauty in his arms. He eased her feet to the floor. Deftly he unfastened her wrapper and let it slide to her ankles. Then he unbuttoned her gown and let it do the same. As his mouth roved her face, ears, hair, and neck before locking with hers once more, he removed his shirt and tossed it aside.
Their bare flesh met when he embraced her. Leigh trembled at the glorious sensation, and Jace shuddered from the way her breasts felt against his chest. Her fingers trailed over his neck and shoulders, and she admired their strength and soft firmness. Jace’s hands roamed her silky back and teased down her spine.
He guided her to the bed and kissed her eyes shut while he removed his shoes and pants. He didn’t want to panic her with the sight of his nakedness. Jace joined her on the bed, savoring her beauty. With great care and skill, his hands traveled over her body, exploring it and mapping it as he had done to this territory. She was so soft and supple, he couldn’t wait to taste every inch of her sweet flesh. Her tawny mane spread over the pillow and shone in the lamplight. He stroked it and buried his fingers in it. She didn’t seem afraid, but he knew she must be nervous. He moved slowly, gently, not wanting to make any mistakes with this special woman.
Leigh was consumed by desire. She couldn’t seem to get him close enough to please her. His lips and hands worked magic on her, and she felt enchanted. Surely she could lie here with him like this forever. Her breasts were firm, and their peaks hard. She quivered each time his fingers or lips touched them. It created such a tormentingly sweet sensation. When his hand ventured lower, she tensed at the shocking ecstasy he created. A moan escaped her lips. Leigh’s hands wandered over his bronzed back, up his neck, into his mussed brown hair, and across his powerful shoulders. “Oh, Jace . . .”
“Just relax and let nature do all the work for you,” he whispered into her ear, his warm breath making her tremble. “It’ll be uncomfortable for a moment, love, but I’ll try not to hurt you.” As Jace moved atop her and gently spread her thighs, he kept talking to calm her. “Ever since I saw you that night in London, I’ve been crazy to have you. When you responded to me, I thought I’d go mad if this didn’t happen soon.” His lips labored lovingly at hers. He kissed her eyes, the tip of her nose, and every inch of her face. His teeth nibbled at her ear, and his hands caressed her breasts.
Leigh was nearly mindless with the aching need that stormed her body without mercy. “Please, Jace,” she urged him to continue.
His mouth captured hers and he kissed her feverishly as his manhood tenderly sought new and rapturous surroundings. He hesitated a while to allow her to adjust to these new sensations. His hands clasped her face between them and his mouth meshed with hers. She was embracing him and responding urgently, so he realized the discomfort had passed. He moved with leisure and caution. He felt her open further to him. She offered herself freely, totally, and ardently.
Leigh was delighted it hadn’t hurt as she had expected. Perhaps that was because Jace was so tender. She wasn’t totally ignorant about sex and men. She had overheard information, and her aunt Jenna had told her many things during long and private talks. Maybe the difference between gossipy horrid tales and her blissful experience was the fact she wanted and needed this man with all her being.
The flames within Leigh and Jace blazed from the sparks of their love and desire. They caressed, kissed, and labored in unison. Soon, the wildfire burned out of control. The tension inside them was nearly unbearable. Their passion was overwhelming. They neared the wondrous conclusion of their first journey together.
Jace knew she was approaching the pinnacle of arousal. It was time to carry her into the valley of pleasure and satisfaction. Up the last hill he raced with her, hesitating only a moment at the heady precipice, then pushing them over its beckoning cliff. He locked his gaze to hers at the moment their ecstasy began. As it continued to surge through them, his mouth covered hers and he rode her to their final location. There, his lips did not cease their labors. He kissed her almost breathlessly until she relaxed beneath him. He lifted his head and smiled, a warm and tender one. In a husky voice, he admitted, “That was the most marvelous experience I’ve ever had. You sure you’re all right?”
She hugged him. “Never better, Mr. Elliott.”
“It’s too late to be formal with me now, woman.”
“I suppose so, Lancelot. I must confess, I like this rescue even better than your first one,” she replied, mirth filling her eyes.
“I enjoyed both, all of them.” His finger-tips grazed her bare chest. She didn’t look embarrassed or ill at ease. He was glad, and relieved. She was his now, all his.
“Is that a possessive or victorious gleam I see in your jungle eyes?”
He chuckled as he rolled to his back and carried her along with him. She snuggled against him. He sighed with contentment. “Both. You’re some woman, Laura Leigh. I’m glad I risked everything to visit London. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have met you.”
“Yes, you would have,” Leigh innocently refuted. “Even if we hadn’t met there, we would have met here in Africa because of the safari.”
“But it would be different. If I hadn’t been in town lying in wait for you, I would be far from Mombasa and where you’re heading. If Chad had sent for me to work for him, I doubt I would have responded.” He stiffened. “That isn’t true. Iwouldhave come eventually to see what he’s up to. I have to make certain he isn’t responsible for framing me and Father. Don’t get riled,” he coaxed when she tensed. “I shouldn’t have brought up my suspicions. I don’t want to spoil this amazing evening.”
Leigh was tempted to ask Jace again about the trouble between him and Chad, but she didn’t, because she didn’t want it to seem as if she had surrendered just to open him up more. “I agree, so let’s drop it for now. Besides, you’re right. If we hadn’t become friends first, we wouldn’t be lovers tonight.”
He leaned away so he could meet her gaze. “Wearefriends, aren’t we, Leigh? You do trust me and believe in me, don’t you?”
“I do. If not, we wouldn’t be lying here like this.”
“I had to ask. I’m as new at this kind of relationship as you are. It’ll take some adjusting.”
“And what now, my competitor? My wager is worthless, because you’ve already taken your prize. Shall I bargain something else?”
He teased her nose with a lock of her hair. “No way, woman. As you said at the fort, the safari hasn’t begun yet, so this doesn’t count as part of our deal. One night with you only whets my appetite to win more. Lots more, if I cheat.”
“I told you not to include rule three because I can’t stay for a year. But you wouldn’t cheat, would you?”
“No, but I’ll work harder than I ever have in my life to get what I want. That’s you, Leigh, for as many nights as possible.”
“Perfect, because I want you just as badly.”
“Even if you cross out rule three, you can have me any time, any place, and any way you want me. Well, almost any place or time.”
Leigh’s eyes brightened with the smile that captured her lips. “That’s a fetching offer, Jace.” She knew she would never cancel the safari or fail to finish it. But dare she break rule two to gain more nights with him when her departure might prevent her from keeping her word? What would she do if Jace let her win his home in an attempt to hold her here? To accept payment gave her a reason to stay in Africa … No, she couldn’t take the plantation.
“We have to keep this a secret until you’re twenty-one and free in November. If Chad even suspected there was something between us, he would intrude. He would pack you up and haul you home.”