“Could you what?” she whispered.

With the awkwardness of one unaccustomed to such actions, he lowered his head and rested it on the pillow of her breasts. A sigh left him as his body melted against hers, his arms wrapping around her waist as if he’d never let go.

The ache in her heart became tender pain, and she closed her eyes to manage it, even as she softly placed her hand upon his head and cradled him close.

When he spoke, his voice was low and dark. “Is this my night?”

“I-I suppose it is.” Simply saying the words left her flushed. Yet he did not move. Tentatively, she stroked him. “Is this how you want to spend it?”

A broken chuckle left him, his body moving against hers. “Ah, lass, I want so much. So very much when it comes to you.” Then he stilled. “Truth, Eliza?”

“Always.” Her voice cracked.

She thought he might not answer, silent and tense as he was, but then he took a small breath. “I looked down at you, lying here upon the bed so very lovely, your hair unbound as a wife’s might be, your eyes on me, so soft and beguiling. It felt as though you were mine… No,” he amended, “it felt as though I was yours.”

Inexplicably, she wanted to sob. She blinked at the ceiling, her eyes burning, and her hand stroked through his silky hair.

“So many souls belong to me.” The wide warmth of his palm slid, slow, almost seeking, down her waist. He paused, just below the curve of her hip, and his grip held. “And yet I’ve always remained alone.”

Eliza’s heart pounded against her ribs. She wanted to speak, to assure him that he was not alone. But her voice was caught at the base of her throat. So many people thought to own her, yet no one had ever wanted to be possessed by her.

His lips found the pounding pulse on her neck, and he pressed them there, not a kiss but enough to hold her attention.

“Let me believe it,” he whispered against her skin. “That for one night you’ve claimed me.” His movements were careful as he lifted his head and looked at her with his unearthly eyes. Behind his thick, black lashes, they seemed to glow gold, as he spoke with a soft breath of sound. “Let me believe that I am yours.”

“Adam.” The shell she’d placed around her heart was breaking, and it hurt, even as warmth flooded that cold space. With shaking hands, she cupped his lean cheeks, his evening beard rough against her skin. He watched her, still and silent, and she pulled him closer, closing her eyes only when her lips met his.

Kissing had never been like this, when the mere feel of a man’s mouth made her melt, made her body clench with a raw, almost angry need for more, instantly more.

As if he felt it too, Adam breathed into her, as he softly groaned and canted his head, opening her mouth with his, and slipping his tongue in deep. A taste. A tease. Her fingers twined into his hair, her body arching as she licked him back, reveling in the way it made him shake.

Adam exhaled roughly and drew back to look down at her. With the tips of his fingers, he traced along her skin, not quite touching her but raising the flesh there and leaving a trail of heat as he moved. But it wasn’t enough. He caught her look and a wry smile tilted his lips. “I can’t decide.”

Eliza licked her dry lips. “Decide what?”

“Where to touch you first.” His gaze went dark as melting molasses. “I want it all at once.”

“And I just want you.” The demand was out of her mouth without thought. He had to know this. Of course he did, and yet her words had an immediate effect upon him.

His nostrils flared, and when he spoke, his voice was guttural. “You have me. Always.”

“Then let me have you now.” Gods, she was burning for him.

He grinned wide, his expression lightening like the dawn. “My impatient dove.”

“My wicked tease,” she shot back, loving that she’d made him smile.

He eased back farther, resting his head upon his hand, his long body stretched out beside her. With a lazy hand, he plucked at the sleeve of her gown. “Take this off.”

The arrogant demand in his tone and the way he looked at her, expectant, almost greedy in his impatience, ought to have annoyed her, and yet heat shot over her skin, and her nipples tightened painfully. Adam saw her reaction, and a dark growl rumbled in his chest, his gaze rapt upon her aching breasts. “Let me see you.”

With shaking hands, Eliza reached up. Slowly, she pulled on the tie that bound her nightgown. She watched his face, taking in the tightness there, the way his lips parted. The bow of her gown slipped free, and the fine linen slithered over her breasts.

Adam’s gaze blazed hot, but he made no move to touch her. “All of it, Eliza.”

Such a blunt command. She flushed hotter, her movements clumsy as she worked to push the gown down over her hips. And all the while, he watched, silent, his dark brows drawn together in concentration.

Silence nearly overwhelmed her as she lay against the cool sheets, her hot skin exposed for his inspection. And yet she’d never felt so wanted. Adam drew in an unsteady breath. And then he moved, the bed creaking under him as he eased forward, his mouth coming for her breast. But he did not kiss her. Eliza’s heart nearly stopped as he leaned down and nuzzled the tip of her nipple, his evening stubble rasping over her.

“So bloody beautiful,” he whispered. And then his mouth caught her, the flat of his tongue swirling around her breast as if to savor her flavor, and he groaned as if in pain. “So bloody good.”