Free More Than Charming by Jomarie Degioia Page A

virtually nothing from him. She could feel his gaze as if it touched her skin and her nipples tightened.
    “You suit me,” he said, his voice husky. He brought his eyes back up to her face. His gaze was tender, compelling. “I’ll be a good husband, Catherine. I’ll never hurt you.”
    She blinked up at him, her mind muddled from his closeness, his sweet words. “James, I don’t know.”
    “Do you care for me?”
    “Yes,” she said without hesitation. “Very much.”
    He kissed her again, slowly pushing the sheets aside. He ran his hands over her, brushing his palm over her breast. She gasped at the thrill that bit of contact gave her. His mouth left hers to nuzzle the soft skin on her neck.
    “Marry me, Catherine,” he whispered raggedly against her ear. “Please say you’ll be mine.”
    She heard it in his voice, the emotion she so wished to believe he felt for her. She couldn’t find it in her heart to refuse him. “Yes.” She breathed.
    He lifted his head, hope clear on his face. “What did you say?”
    She brought her hand to his cheek. “Yes. I’ll marry you.”
    He grinned at her. He kissed her once more, slowly easing her nightgown off her shoulders. He trailed kisses over her throat, her breasts. He stared down at her. “God, you’re beautiful,” he rasped.
    James bent his head and placed a tender kiss on her nipple. Catherine arched in response and he closed his mouth over the sensitive bud. She moaned softly as he caressed her other breast. His hand stole under her nightgown, over her leg, her thigh, finally seeking the curls that shielded her womanhood. He stroked her gently, urging her legs apart.
    “Oh, my goodness!” She gasped as his fingers delved inside her.
    Catherine moaned as his mouth laved one nipple, then the other. His fingers stroked her delicate folds—gently at first and then with more pressure. She reached up and held him tightly to her, her legs moving restlessly on the bed. She lifted her pelvis toward him, riding his fingers with her moist heat.
    “God, I want to give you more,” he said. “So much more . . .”
    She was close to . . . something. Her wetness drenched his fingers now and her breath came in quick gasps as she trembled beneath his expert attention. James brought his mouth to hers, catching her cries as she suddenly climaxed.
    He placed little kisses on her face. “My God, Catherine.”
    Her eyes fluttered open. “Wh-what just happened?”
    He smiled down at her. “That was proof you’re as passionate as I, love. Tell me now we don’t suit.”
    She blushed and threw her arms around him. “You do suit me, James.”
    James breathed in sharply, then quickly pulled away. “I’d best return to my chamber, bride,” he said hoarsely. “If I stay, I’ll have to take you.”
    Her brow furrowed. “But didn’t you just do that?”
    He shook his head, a wicked smile on his face. “That was merely a glimpse of what we’ll share, Catherine.” He kissed her quickly and stood beside the bed. “Good night, love.”
    “Good night,” she answered with a small smile.
    James left her then, first making certain that no one was about to spy his sneaking out of her room. He paused in the doorway and turned to her, a tender look in his eyes. “Until the morrow,” he whispered.
    She nodded and snuggled into her pillow, a sigh escaping her lips. Her body still tingled where he’d touched her. What he’d done to her! She felt right about accepting his proposal. In the back of her mind, however, she couldn’t help but think that he’d never said he loved her.
    She refused to let one little word, or the absence of it, detract from the wonderful feelings he evoked in her. She fell into an easy sleep.
     
    *     *     *
     
    James tossed and turned in the bed in his guestroom. Just the thought of Catherine and the way she’d responded to him had his cock hard and throbbing. Her flesh against his fingers . . . She was so hot, so tight. Lord, but he