A Wolfish Tryst at Christmas Read Online Free Page A

to analyze the cause. Elizabeth covered his hand with
hers and then pressed her lips to his palm. “Our future is
uncertain. Even you can’t deny that.” She smiled, though it
wobbled. “I refuse to send you back to the war without first
knowing the wonder of having been loved by you.” Was it really her
saying such bold words?
    One of his dark eyebrows inched toward
his hairline. “I do love you. Surely you have guessed that by the
tone of my letters.”
    “ Yes, but there’s
something more that words on paper can’t provide. I want the
physical culmination of that love.” She stepped into the willing
circle of his arms, thrilling to feel his hands at her waist. “I
want to experience the wonder of what a man and a woman share once
the heat consumes them.” She held his gaze while she clasped his
arms. “Give me this gift in the event you don’t return. Let me
remember you as the man, in addition to the letter writer, who has
stolen my heart.”
    His eyes darkened. “I won’t lie and
say your words haven’t made me feel beyond ecstatic.” He pulled her
as close as her crinoline would allow. “I’ll admit, being with you
in person and talking to you face-to-face is wonderful indeed, but
having the opportunity to worship your body will be a happy side
effect.”
    “ You have no idea how much
I’ve thought about this exact moment. I couldn’t wait to be with
you, couldn’t wait to feel your kiss and caress.” Tingles tickled
her heart and ebbed through her chest seconds before Blake crushed
her in his arms and fit his mouth to hers. They’d shared an embrace
six months ago, but it was nothing like this, and it had been in
parting besides. Now, she gave herself up to the firm feel of his
lips as he moved over her mouth, confident, determined, sure while
he nibbled at the corners or playfully nipped at her bottom lip.
His fingers played along her spine, working the row of tiny crystal
buttons on her gown.
    When the dress sagged open and the
bodice hung loose, Elizabeth sighed. She burrowed more fully into
his embrace and pulled his head down for another kiss. Deep,
lingering, drugging, the kiss set fire to her blood and played
havoc with her insides, confirming what she’d already known. He
belonged to her. Heat pooled between her thighs while a foreign
throb started deep inside. She whimpered, not knowing how to
alleviate the ache, but desperate to find out.
    Blake wrenched away, his breathing
uneven. “Damn, Lizzie, I knew you were passionate. Reading your
letters always put me in the moment you’d written them, but I had
no idea how powerful it could be with that passion behind an
embrace.”
    What did he mean? “Is that a good
thing?” She frowned and a niggle of worry inched its way into her
chest. “I’m trying to follow your example by doing to you what you
do to me. Am I not kissing correctly?” She clutched the sagging
bodice to her breasts.
    “ Oh, love, it’s a very
good thing, and yes, you’re doing exceedingly well.” He set her at
arm’s length. “Will you allow me the honor of undressing
you?”
    “ Yes.” Her one-word
permission floated on a breathy sigh even though her heart felt as
if it would burst from her chest, it raced so fast. “Please hurry.
You’ve made me feel… urgent, as if I might break apart if I don’t
kiss you, touch you again.”
    In fact, she couldn’t wait for him to
remove the uniform. What would he look like, smell like, taste
like? She fought a blush. Yes, she intended to kiss his skin. She
craved him no matter that it might be frowned upon in polite
circles. If this was her only chance to experience love making with
him, she wanted to enjoy it.
    He sat on the trunk at the end of the
bed and removed his shiny dress boots before carefully aligning
them on the floor. A soft smile played about his sensual lips, in
direct contrast to the intense stare he pinned her with. “You’re
adorable in your innocence.”
    Blake stood. He eased her hands