“They’re looking at your breasts.”
She was too tired to be outraged so she huffed instead.
“You should be treading the boards, my dear Miss Belmont. A woman with your acting skills would be famous in no time.”
“I would be hopeless at remembering my lines, I’m afraid. I have to re-read everything.” Lord, his fingers felt glorious as he slipped them beneath her hair and rubbed her neck.
“There I would be able to help you. I’m brilliant at remembering things. In fact, I know none better. Perhaps we could form a team?”
She could hear the strong beat of his heart beneath her cheek. His skin was warm, and the hand stroking her was slow and steady. Before Claire realized what was happening, she felt herself being pulled down into sleep…
CHAPTER TEN
She woke disoriented. There was daylight coming in through the open curtains, and she distinctly remembered closing her eyes in the darkness, yet she could recall nothing in between. Moreover, this was not her room, and there was something warm beneath her cheek. Opening her eyes, she saw a smooth expanse of skin and a dark nipple.
Dear lord, she’d slept the night on Simon’s chest.
Tilting her head back, she looked up at his face, and sleepy grey eyes looked down at her.
“How do you feel?” His voice was husky, he looked like sin, and Claire had the ridiculous urge to climb on top of him and place her lips on his.
“I…uh, I–”
“Speechless, Claire? How delightful. I must remember to embarrass you when you attack me in the future.”
“I slept, Simon,” Claire whispered, realizing just what she had done. “Really slept.”
“Yes you did, clever girl, and there is no need for embarrassment. However, there will be a payment for using me as a mattress.”
She tried to get off him, placing her hand on his chest but he placed his own over it so she couldn’t move. “Release me, Simon.”
“Payment first.” He turned her on her back and loomed over her.
“Wh-what are you doing?”
“Are you ticklish, Claire? Shall we test that famous control of yours?”
“What? No, don’t you dare!” she cried as his hands moved over her body in a way that made her giggle and squirm. “Stop, please, Simon!” No one had tickled her for years–in fact, since her childhood. “Th…this is improper,” she stammered, trying to slap his hands aside.
“Well, well, not quite so controlled, after all, are we, Miss Belmont?”
Claire felt him go still, and she looked up at him.
“You’re beautiful in the morning, Claire.”
They looked at each other silently for long, heated seconds, and then his body pressed hers into the mattress.
“Simon,” Claire whispered, her hand reaching up to touch his face, mapping its contours as their gaze remained locked. Slowly, he lowered his head until their lips met. His body held her still, and his hands cupped her head as his mouth took her on a sensual journey that had Claire’s head reeling in seconds. He explored her gently, teasing her lips as he placed one hot, lingering kiss after another on her mouth, and Claire lost every other thought but him. He surrounded her; the planes of his solid chest pressed against her breasts, his thighs trapped hers, and the feeling was exquisite.
“Christ, Claire, we have to stop.” Simon’s words were ragged as he tore his mouth from hers. Slipping his arms around her body, he held her close–so close, she could feel the thud of his heart against her own. It was wonderful to be held like this. It was almost as if they were one person. The feeling of being safe and cocooned–the wonder of it–felt so good.
“I have to leave the room now, Claire.” His voice was a rasp as he eased away from her and climbed off the bed. She watched as he found his shirt. His muscles rippled as he pulled it over his head, and then she could see no more of that wonderful golden skin.
“Simon, I can never thank you for helping me sleep last night.”
He didn’t turn to look at her. Instead he made for the door. “The enjoyment was not all on your side, Claire, I assure you.”
Letting himself out of the room, Simon closed the door and quickly headed outside. Finding a trough of water, he plunged his hands inside, and then when that did not cool his ardor, he submerged his head. God, he was on fire. Waking with her in his arms had created a furnace of need inside him. His body was hard from their kisses, and the feel of her breasts against his chest would be etched there forever. He’d done the right thing by stopping. He knew that even if his body did not. They would be together for days, and she trusted him. He would not break that trust now. Plunging his head back into the water again, he finally felt his body begin to cool.