“Woman,” he began warningly, but she kissed those words away.
“I feel like I am falling in love with you,” she whispered against his lips.
She felt the harsh, painful thump of his heart against her breasts.
“Ester…”
“My family says I am bold and far too mischievous. I air my opinions freely and am not afraid to express my feelings. I love the color blue and winter and Christmas time as much as I love the freshness of spring and the beauty of autumn. I am not afraid to tell you that my heart has been ensnared by you, nor will I be the lady who wilts away if you are unable to love me back.”
His arms tightened around her until she felt like she could not breathe. Yet she did not ask him to let her go. This was where Ester wanted to be, in his arms, even as deep inside she cried that it could not be forever. She would not deny herself Edmond simply because it would not result in marriage. She would enjoy every breathtaking moment with him until he left. And if she was achingly in love with him at that time, it would be her joy and burden to bear.
Edmond stared at her with an expression she could not possibly interpret.
“My temper can be quick and fierce,” he murmured, dropping his forehead against hers. He remained silent and motionless for several beats. “I have no favorite color; they simply exist. I do not enjoy eating sweets, but I devour the cake my sister makes because every bite reminds me of a time when life was simple, beautiful, and happy. When I am with you, I feel different to how I have ever felt in my life. Is it love? I do not know. I do know I like and admire you. I know my hunger to kiss you and see you smile is unmatched by any I’d ever felt. I want to bask in your boldness and your mischievousness. I want to sit and row with you until the sun dips and the night settles. Then I want to take you to my room and love you as you deserved to be loved. With patience and care and sweetness and fire. I simply want you, Ester.”
An awful, wonderful thrill burst inside her chest. She kissed him, uncaring that those in the distance on the lawn might be able to discern what they did. She kissed him until her lips trembled and ached. She kissed him until desire writhed inside her body, and a fever of need beat in her blood. Then she rocked the boat and dumped them into the cooling waters of the lake.
* * *
The next fewdays passed far too quickly for Ester. The days were filled with rollicking good fun with her sisters as they took long walks in the woods, picnicking on the lawns and even played charade and blind man’s bluff.
During the nights, she would meet Edmond in his library, where they would talk late into the night or play chess or cards. He taught her about the games played in his gambling den and shared many amusing anecdotes about his childhood. Those days when his parents were alive, though they had been simple farmers, his life had echoed with love and contentment. The stories he shared after they died only increased her admiration for him. He had been tireless in his desire to see his family secured, and that he had achieved so much spoke to his ruthless resolve to achieve dreams that had once been elusive.
Edmond was only nine and twenty but seemed much harder than his age. She attributed it to the responsibility of caring for his three younger siblings on his own and dealing in a business that one had to own to a certain level of ruthless will and intent. For that reason, she often teased his seriousness and indulged in many mischievous jokes with him.
He was warm and caring but also exacting and could be foreboding with his temper. Yet he was not afraid to apologize, and he was also kind. All these things Ester discovered in six days, and even more distressing, was the awareness that she would never be able to rout him out of her heart. Because she never wanted to forget her experiences with Edmond Glendevon.
“Did you just cheat, Ester?” he growled, glaring at the card that fell out of her pocket.
She laughed and tried to roll from her belly where they were splayed on the carpet in his library. Ester managed to scramble up before he tackled her to the sofa and mercilessly tickled her underarms. She screamed, vowing revenge on Emma, who had made it slip a few days ago that Ester was devilishly ticklish.
She nipped his chin and kissed his mouth to distract him from his purpose. He stilled, groaned, and then plundered her mouth. Edmond pushed from her before she could wrap her hands around his neck and hold him to her.
“I am not taking you tonight,” he said, raking his hands through his hair.
She curled her legs underneath her shin and peered up at him. “Everyone is asleep.”
“After our excess of last night, you need rest.”
A blush engulfed her entire body, and she belatedly realized there was indeed a tenderness between her legs. Edmond had made love to her every night since she had been under his roof, but only last night had he taken her at least three times. At times he had been gentle, another time hard and domineering, placing her in provocative positions that had almost destroyed her sensibility. Yet Ester had reveled in each kiss and illicit touch, matching his fever with her own passionate responses. Feeling unaccountably shy, she looked away from his regard. A silence ensued, and she could feel his gaze on her. Edmond stooped, placed a finger beneath her chin and lifted her gaze to his.
“I wish for a favor; if you could accommodate me, Ester, I would be pleased.”
“What is it?”
His mouth curved slightly. “I would like to draw you.”
She gasped. “You draw?”
He grinned. “I was never formally taught…but I had a knack for it. One of my fondest memories was our father somehow buying me several sheaf of papers and charcoals. ”
A thing that would have been expensive for a simple farming family.
“You were loved,” she said softly.
His eyes darkened. “Aye, we were.”
She used her fingers to smooth the slight furrow in his brow. “When do you wish to draw me?”