“Sleep here in my arms. All night. Please, Phil. Say yes.”
The depth of intimacy between them astounded her. A rush of potent emotions flooded her body. Oh, bloody hell. She was falling for him. Good God, she had taken leave of her senses. The voice inside her whispered urgently, “Go back to your own room, keep your distance from this man. Guard your heart.”
It was too late. All of it. Instead of running to her room, she snuggled in close and nodded, powerless to resist him. She would save all her resolve until it was time to go. It would require every ounce to leave him. Until then, Phil knew she was lost.
Chapter 10
After awaking to find herself quite alone in the large, comfortable bed, Phil dressed in the green striped travel gown once again and made her way downstairs. The door to the study was open, and without thinking, she stepped across the threshold. Both dogs lay in front of the hearth. Justinian gave her a welcoming woof as she scanned the interior of the room. No professor. The clock in the corner bonged nine times. She had slept deep and long, one of her more restful slumbers--ever. And why not? Glancing out the window, she sighed. It snowed overnight. Oh, damn it all. She could be stuck here longer than a week. Somehow, the prospect did not seem as disconcerting as before.
She headed to the ground level. All these years she never actually slept with a man, she rather liked it. Bloody hell, she loved it. There was something to be said for cuddling together under the blankets sharing warmth and comfort. Outside the kitchen door, she reached for the apron hanging on the peg and tied it in place. The sound of splashing water halted her movements.
Spence, taking a bath. Of course, the tub had been left in the kitchen. He hummed, the deep tones of his voice resonating very much like the bass string section of an orchestra. She stepped into the room, and he stopped in mid-scrub. Last night she downplayed how much his body affected her. Though lean, Spence possessed a musculature she found very attractive. Everything about him spoke of elegance. Yes, his nose was a bit long as were his arms and legs, and his ears stuck out. Regardless of all that, he moved with a poetic fluidity. He possessed an expressive face with eyes and lips, which were perfection. She drank in the vision of his broad shoulders and fine chest. So early in the morning and yet arousal clutched her tight.
She pulled over the chair, sat next to the tub, and snatched the cloth from his hand. “I’ll wash your back. Lean forward.”
He did, muscle moved under the skin stretched across his shoulder blades. She should not be touching him, but could not help herself. It became an automatic response, like breathing in and out.
“And what are your plans today?” he asked as she trailed the cloth down the valley of his spine.
“Breakfast first, of course. I thought I would roast a chicken for supper. I may read later this afternoon while enjoying a cup of tea. I brought a Gothic novel with me.” Phil rolled the cloth lower, across the top of his fine arse. A slight moan left his lips. “Then I suppose after we eat, I’ll come to your bed. Lay you flat and straddle your hips. Plunge down on your erect cock and ride you until we both come.” Remaining in control of her emotions became impossible as her blood boiled hot with lust and the mere touch of his skin tore down the barriers she kept around her heart.
With the quickness of a predatory animal, Spence clasped the back of her neck, pulled her down until her face was level with his own, and kissed her savagely. How fiercely he possessed her mouth, not giving her quarter. Deeper he plunged until they both panted. She pulled away and dared a glance. His stiff cock could not be missed. He still gripped her neck. “Why wait?”
“Oh, Professor. I believe I have created a monster,” she teased.
Spence was taken aback, the spell broken. Blinking rapidly, he let go of her and