Colt knew he’d take the memory of this to the grave. She was so tight, her silken hips in his hands so enticing, he wanted to spill himself there and then, but he didn’t want this to end. Ever. The tastes and feel of her, the scented hollow of her throat, the way she met his strokes, all fed a brewing storm that played havoc with his desire to take her slowly. But she was too hot, too sweet, and the leisurely pace he wanted to maintain failed. Her moans became more vocal, his grip roughened lustily. Needing more room than the chair allowed, he stood. She wrapped her legs tightly around his waist, held his shoulders for balance, and he growled with each deep stroke. Watching her feed on the pleasure sent his desire soaring and when she exploded, calling his name, his own completion flung him to the stars with a roar.
Regan came back to herself, breathing harshly and cradled against his sweat-dampened shirt. He fell back into the chair, still holding her close. “Did I hurt your shoulder?” she asked.
He gently tipped her chin up, raising her eyes to his. “No.”
In the silence, they studied each other and there was a softness in his gaze she hadn’t seen before. He placed a kiss on her brow. She snuggled deeper into his hold wondering if lust might pave a path to something deeper. Her sated body didn’t care, but her heart, yearning for love, continued to hope.
“I owe you an apology for the way I’ve acted after the last few times we’ve done this. I’ve not been very gentlemanly.”
The confession was unexpected and she studied him. “I accept the apology, but may I ask the reasons for your actions?” She’d asked about it before and hoped he’d explain this time.
“Because I can’t seem to control myself around you.”
“That isn’t a bad thing, is it?”
“It is when you’re accustomed to handling situations dispassionately. A doctor isn’t supposed to allow himself to run amok.”
She found his honesty endearing. “Not even with his wife?”
“Not even with his wife, or at least that’s what I believed.”
“And now?”
He paused as if thinking about the best way to phrase his response. “I’m beginning to believe differently. You’re very special, Regan. Even a man as plumb dumb as I’ve proven myself to be at times knows that. Who would’ve thought my Anna would be excited about owning tools, or want to learn to pitch horseshoes? Or that I’d want to lay you down on this desk to hear you scream my name again?”
“You do know that underneath all that doctorly reserve you’re a very scandalous man.”
“So I’m learning.”
Silence rose for another moment and he broke it by asking quietly, “Can we make a pact to forget about the shooting and my being plumb dumb, and see where this marriage of ours leads? Just because we don’t have a love match doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy being man and wife.”
That he seemed determined to keep his heart at bay was again disappointing to hear, but she kept it from her face. “I’d like that,” she replied lightly. “And whenever you wish to lay me on your desk, just let me know.”
“I will.” He chuckled, then added solemnly, “Thank you for your kindness to my Anna.”
She whispered, “You’re welcome.” She let herself be held for a few moments longer, wishing their times together meant more to him, then said, “I’m going to let you go back to your journals. I’ll tempt you into running amok again soon.”
He dropped his head and smiled. “How am I supposed to get my work done?”
She shrugged. “I’ve no idea. Good night, Colton.”
“Good night, Regan.”
Later, lying in bed, she thought back on their sensual encounter and smiled. She enjoyed making him run amok. Being with him was so different from the few times she’d had relations with Levi Spalding, the soldier she’d given her innocence to. They were both novices and, looking back, their couplings had been short fumbling attempts when compared to the powerful passion she’d experienced with Dr. Lee. Her thoughts drifted to the pact he’d asked for. He hadn’t detailed how they’d accomplish this new understanding. Would it come about through their daily interactions? And what about the softness she’d seen in his gaze? Did it mean his view of her was changing without him being aware of it? She had no answers but supposed in the end, time would tell. She’d just have to be patient. Snuggling down as best she could in Adele’s aging bed, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Ten
The next morning, Colt entered the kitchen just as Regan pulled a pan of biscuits from the oven with a mitt-protected hand.
“Good morning, Regan,” he said easily. “Did you sleep well?”
She placed the pan on the small counter and removed the mitt. “I did. And you?”
He nodded.
For a moment, they drank in the sight of each other and all she could think about was how wanton she’d felt having her legs wrapped around his waist.
As if reading her mind, he warned, “There will be no running amok today.”