“I won’t deny that.” He crooked his index finger in a come-hither fashion. “Come over here so I don’t feel as if I’m shouting.”
With a healthy dose of wariness, Jane moved to his bed as he maneuvered his legs over the side while throwing the coverlet off him. Oh, dear Lord. The sprinkling of dark hair on his pale legs captured her attention. “Where is your family?” Not for worlds would she admit to the note his mother had sent.
“They’ve gone visiting. No doubt they’ll return by dinner. Mother said something about wishing to take tea with a friend and to show off Andrew’s new wife.”
“Ah.” Something was in the wind, and it wasn’t the coincidence of his family being conveniently out of pocket during her call. “What on Earth is wrong with you?” She narrowed her eyes and peered closer at him. “Have you taken too much laudanum? You’re acting strangely, even for you.”
“Haven’t touched the stuff for some weeks now.” His smile nearly knocked her on her bum. As it was, butterflies fluttered madly in her lower belly. “I’m happy.”
“Happy?” That word and Finn didn’t readily go together.
“Yes. Also, I want to show you this.” He struggled off the side of the bed.
“Oh, please don’t—”
“Look.” He held up a hand to keep her from rushing at him while he stood awkwardly on his right leg. Though his balance wavered and his leg shook, he grabbed onto the nightstand and took a tiny hopping step while his other leg dragged.
“What… what does this mean?” she asked in a barely there whisper.
The grin he flashed could have lit the London sky in the darkest night. “The leg works slightly though it’s a bit unreliable at present. Nothing else does, but I’m grateful.”
She could do nothing except gawk at him. “How?”
“Not sure.” Finn settled on the edge of the bed once more. When he shrugged, the placket of his shirt fell open to reveal a tuff of dark chest hair. “Royce came yesterday to examine the leg as well as the rest of me. He said the nerves might have repaired partially since inflammation from the original wound finally receded, but since nothing else has feeling, it’s likely that damage is permanent.” Excitement wove through his voice. “I never thought anything of the sort was possible.”
“And Royce didn’t tell me?” Her eyebrows soared.
“I asked him not to in the event it was my imagination.”
“I can’t believe it.” She pressed a gloved hand to her mouth as she stared at him in awe. “Good for you.”
“For us, sweeting.” He winked. “However, I’m not a whole man, even if I might walk with the help of a crutch someday. Plus, I’ll always need the chair.”
Trembles played up and down her spine. “You are as whole as you need to be. I’ve told you that before.”
“That’s what I’d hoped you say.” Taking possession of her hands, Finn slowly peeled first one glove off and then the other. They dropped to the floor, then he tugged her close, snaked his arms around her and began working the tiny buttons at the back of her dress from their holes.
Jane swallowed to encourage moisture into her suddenly dry throat. “What are you doing?” She could hardly manage the whisper, for it took all her concentration to stand upright. His presence was everywhere, heightening her need.
“Taking shameless advantage of the situation. Also, I intend to show you how I feel about you, so you’ll have absolutely no more misgivings about me.”
“What if I already don’t have any doubts?” She shivered when her gown gaped open.
Desire darkened his eyes. “Then our enjoyment of what’s about to happen will be that much greater.”
One by one, her garments fell away: gown, lace-edged petticoat, stays, and then finally her shift. They all dropped to the floor at her feet with barely a whisper. Jane stood before him in her slippers, stockings, garters, and nothing but her dignity. For long seconds he raked his gaze up and down her person until gooseflesh popped on her skin and her nipples slowly tightened.
“Well? This is the first time you’re seeing me sans clothes.” Did her curves make her less desirable? Did he not like that she wasn’t as thin as some of the diamonds in the ton?
“You’re like a Renaissance painting by a master,” he breathed, and he devoured her with his eyes. “Soft and rounded in all the right places, and too gorgeous to waste on a man like me.”
“Hush.” She pressed a forefinger to his lips, and when he took that digit into the warm cavern of his mouth and sucked, she gasped. Her knees wobbled. A throb of need pulsed between her legs.
“I’ve waited so long for this, and you haven’t disappointed.” Emotion graveled his voice. He grabbed her hips and pulled her close into the vee of his splayed legs. “I can’t wait to explore every damn inch of you.” Finn then proceeded to pleasure her breasts with his fingers, tongue, and teeth.
Heated sensation rolled through her body while she stood before him, afraid if she moved the dream would shift and she’d wake up. When he danced his fingers over the sides of her breasts, swept his palms along her hips, her bum, the outside of her thighs, a sigh escaped her. With a tiny moan, she rested her hands on his shoulders. If he didn’t take her to bed soon, she’d melt into a puddle on the floor.
“You’re only missing one thing.”