Page 44 of Once a Scoundrel

Chapter Ten

Stephen lay in bed and watched Faith sleep.

The pre-dawn blues of night faded as the light of sunrise began to spill through the window and play across the delicate features of her face. Her smooth skin and high cheekbones, her red-tinged lashes lying softly closed, her pink lips parted slightly, her hair spilling across the pillow...Dear Lord, even asleep she was beautiful. He could barely believe that she was now truly his to love openly and for the rest of his life, or that this caring, wonderful creature had given herself so freely last night.

They would have to rise and dress soon. The duchess would certainly return early to continue her care of Mary, and he needed to visit the manor house, to inform the staff of his arrival and check on Jeremy.

For now, though, there was no hurry to leave the warmth of the bed.

Yet the yearning inside him was too strong to let her keep sleeping. They would be officially engaged as soon as he was able to speak to the duke, but knowing his mother and hers, even a short engagement would mean weeks of wedding planning and no chance to be alone with Faith. He grimaced. After the way he’d left Hartsfield two days ago, Strathmore would certainly ensure it. Months might pass before she was back in his arms.

But at this moment, they were together, and he didn’t want to waste a moment.

He caressed his fingertips across her cheek and whispered her name. She stirred but didn’t wake. With a small pang of guilt that he wanted to rouse her when she’d been so exhausted last night—but only a verysmallpang—he traced his thumb along her bottom lip.

Her eyes opened with a light flutter of lashes and a soft inhalation. She stared at him, sleep-dazed and confused, which sent an amused warmth spreading through him. Clearly, she didn’t remember yet why she hadn’t awoken in her own bedroom at home, or why they were sleeping together in the same bed, still naked beneath the covers—

Then a smile tugged at her lips, and her eyes cleared with a bright sparkle.

“Good morning.” He leaned over her to place a kiss against her lips.

“Averygood morning,” she murmured against his mouth as her arm snaked around his neck to pull him closer to her.

He kissed her languidly, savoring the sweet taste of her. As she returned his kiss and relaxed beneath him with a sigh, she ran her fingers through his hair and unwittingly stoked the tingle of arousal slowly building inside him. He smiled against her mouth. He wanted to wake up like this every morning, and soon, he’d be able to do just that.

“Did you sleep well?” she asked.

He slipped his hand beneath the blanket and caressed over her body. “Quite restful.” He cupped her breast against his palm, handling her gently, knowing she would still be sore. “Soft mattress,” he murmured as his fingers strummed her nipple. It tightened instantly with the memory of what pleasures he could give. “Warm blankets.”

“Warm man,” she corrected, her breath growing shallow with arousal.

He grinned down at her, happier than he’d ever been in his life. His hand left her breast to roam lower. “Soft woman.” Oh soverysoft and inviting, and for the moment all his to savor. His hand stroked idly against her lower belly, his fingertips brushing tantalizingly against her feminine curls. “And you, love? Did you sleep well?”

“Yes,” she sighed, which turned into a low moan when he stroked between her legs. “Oh yes...”

He watched the pleasure dance across her face as she closed her eyes and held her breath against the intimate caresses he gave her. He didn’t want to hurt her by bedding her again so soon, but already she was wet with desire and ready for him. And his body longed for hers.

“Are you too sore?” Concern thickened his voice as he watched for any sign of discomfort on her face as he lightly teased her with his fingertips.

“No,” she answered between soft pants. “That feels good.”

He groaned. It feltverygood. Unable to resist, he stroked harder against her, caressing deeper into her slick softness. “And this?”

She gave an answering sound that was half moan, half whimper. And all pleasure. Her hand slipped down between them and folded around his cock, then gave a tentative stroke along his shaft that left him shaking.

“And you?” Another long, slow stroke of her hand, this time much bolder, and he squeezed his eyes shut. Then she asked so softly that he could barely hear her, the innocent question in complete opposition to the wicked way she was pleasuring him, “Are you sore here?” Her thumb caressed over his tip in curious exploration of his body and teased at the tiny slit, where already a drop of wetness gathered. “Or here?”

Losing his restraint, he brought his mouth down hard over hers, capturing her lips in a fierce, open-mouthed kiss that had her arching beneath him—

A knock rapped sharply at the door. “My lord?” More knocking, harder and more insistent as Polly continued to call out for him. “Sir! Wake up, please!”

Faith’s eyes grew wide.

He placed his fingertip against her lips in warning to keep quiet, then called out over his shoulder. “I’m awake. What is it?”

“It’s Mrs. Halstead, sir. Her fever’s broken!”

A long, jerking sigh of relief poured from him. “Thank God.”