The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2(74)

Alexander moved his head to kiss her cheek sleepily. "Good morning, Sarah."



"Good afternoon, Alexander."



"This is a wonderful bed. A very fine mattress."



She laughed with delight at his little joke, but gasped as he moved deeply within her. "Oh, Alexander, you can't..."



His last lovemaking had been desperate and urgent. Now he moved leisured and slow, with long, deep sensual strokes which drove her to new peaks of delight. Torrid kisses and his magical hands soon reduced her to a quivering mass of need.



She clutched his buttocks, writhing her hips, urging him to touch just that right spot, the elusive seat of sensation which set her soaring.



He found it easily, as she knew he would. He forced himself to hold back as she surrendered to the overwhelming pleasure. When she had quieted, he began all over again.



"My love, are you sure?"



He moved his hips by way of reply. Rising up to meet him, they matched kiss for kiss, stroke for stroke, until finally, they both gasped and gave way to the ultimate release.



"I love you, Sarah," he panted.



"I love you, Alexander."



At last he was able to move. He rolled off her, laughed shakily, and swung his legs out of the bed. "Goodness, I hate to think what Caleb and Jenny are going to say about this." He felt around the furniture, and vanished behind the screen in the corner.



"They care about both of us. They won't mind," she said, crossing her fingers and praying it would be true.



She rose and found her wrapper, then handed him his silk robe. "I'll go down and get the boiler lit, and come up with some food."



"No, don't bother. I'll eat downstairs in a minute. I just want something to drink." He emerged from behind the screen and smiled at her.



"Coffee?" she asked, giving him a peck on the lips.



"Mmm. And yes to the coffee too."



"Get back in bed and rest. I'll return shortly."



She padded down to the bathing chamber for a moment to perform a quick morning toilette. Then she took a deep breath and steeled herself to enter the kitchen.



To her infinite relief, Caleb and Jenny acted as if her spending half the day in bed was the most natural thing in the world.



"Good morrow to you, Miss."



"And you, Jenny."



"Coffee for you and Mr. Alexander?"



"That would be lovely."



"The water is hot. I've had the boiler on for a while."



"Thank you, Caleb."



"Jenny and me are going to go out back for some vegetables for dinner, so we'll leave you and Mr. Alexander alone. Can he manage with his bath, do you think?"



She blushed. "Yes, I think so. Thank you."



"There is a pot pie in the oven, just about done, and some potatoes in the warmer, and fresh bread and cheese all waiting for you in the dining room."



"Thank you, Jenny. You're a treasure."



The old woman smiled at her and vanished out the back door.



Sarah chuckled to herself, and went up to give Alexander his coffee. He drank two cups thirstily, then pulled her to him for a kiss.



"Were Jenny and Caleb upset, do you think?" he asked quietly.



"Quite the opposite. They have everything ready for us downstairs, and have gone out into the garden to give us some privacy."



He chuckled. "How sweet."



"Mmm, sweet." She savored the kiss. "The water is hot."



"I'll let you go first."



"We can go together."



"So long as you promise me you won't, well, soap me all over."



"Complaining already?" she said with a light laugh.



He shook his head vehemently. "Not in this lifetime. I just don't want to hurt you. Overdo things, or not be sensitive to your delicate state. I fear I've already overdone things for you."



"I've discovered muscles and parts of me I never knew I had, but you certainly didn't hurt me. You won't. I adore every minute we're together, every inch of your flesh, especially when it's inside of me."



He shuddered with barely suppressed desire. He had all to do not to drag her back into the bed and fill her once more. She stripped the bed of its sheets, which showed ample evidence of what had been lost and found last night. She took them down with her to wash and hang to dry anywhere but on the line outside the vicarage.



Then it was their turn to be washed. They soaped each other everywhere, but a different kind of hunger beckoned despite the fleshly temptations, so they dried each other off and promised they would continue the eager exploration of each other's bodies later.



Once Sarah was dressed, she went out to put the food on the table while Alexander shaved. As they dined, she tried to keep the conversation on neutral topics. She had promised not to pry, so she wouldn't.