Never Marry a Cowboy by Lorraine Heath Page B

of clothing separated them yesterday. She swallowed hard. “I guess no harm could come from one moment.”
    He raised his arm, and she slowly eased to his side, his warm side, his bare side where his flesh met the thin material of her nightgown. He lowered his arm and drew her into the circle of his embrace. He took her hand and pressed it flat against his chest, just below his heart.
    â€œI’ve never done this before,” she whispered, “lain so close to a man, especially one partially dressed.”
    â€œIf you find it unpleasant, I’ll leave.”
    â€œNo!” She squeezed her eyes shut. “I mean, there’s no need now that we’re here, and since you’re my husband nothing is wrong with our sleeping in each other’s arms.”
    â€œThen relax. You are as stiff as a poker used to bring the dying embers of a fire to life.”
    She turned her head slightly, released a long, slow breath, and relaxed against him. She remembered as a child playing for hours with wooden puzzle pieces, putting them together until they created pictures. At this moment, she felt as though she had just fitted one odd-shaped piece into its proper place.
    She breathed in and caught the scent of bay rum and the faintest aroma of sweat. He hadn’t looked it earlier, but she wondered if he’d been as nervous this evening as she had been. She averted her head again and released her breath.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” he asked.
    She lifted her gaze to his. “I thought my breath going across your chest might tickle.”
    His chest rumbled beneath her cheek as he laughed. “Dear God, Ashton, what am I going to do with you? I forget how innocent you are. Have you never had a man court you?”
    â€œNever. Nor a boy.”
    His laughter dwindled, and he rolled slightly until she felt as though she was wrapped in a cocoon. He grazed the back of his hand along her cheek. “Life has treated you unfairly. Today hardly makes up for it.”
    She licked her lips. “Is it true that a union between a man and a woman is as difficult on a woman as David hints?”
    He threaded his fingers through her hair. “It can be vigorous…or not, depending upon the couple, the mood, the couple’s feelings toward each other.”
    â€œSo you could be gentle.”
    â€œOn this matter, I must admit David’s warning is best heeded.”
    She dropped her gaze to his chest, preferring the sight of it to the pity in his eyes. She laughed mirthlessly. “I don’t even know why I’m pursuing this path when I know so little about what passes between a man and a woman.”
    He took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and tilted her head up. He skimmed his lips across her brow, her cheek, until his mouth rested near her ear. “I would possess your body, our flesh joined in a heated passion that would forever mark you as mine and me as yours. Right now, the parting will go easier because only words bind us.” His breath became harsh as he moved back so he could hold her gaze. “I can grant you the physical pleasure, Ashton, but could you truly accept it, knowing that our hearts watched from afar?”
    â€œEither way, it sounds as though I shall have regrets.”
    He cradled her face within the crook of his shoulder. “It was not my intent to give you any regrets, only to remind you of our original bargain.”
    â€œThen you have loved all the women you’ve bedded.”
    â€œI’ve loved none of them.”
    Her heart constricted with the knowledge he had unwittingly given. He’d never made love to his beloved Clarisse.
    â€œThen how can you know there is a difference?”
    She released a tiny squeak as he rolled her over, wedging himself between her thighs, her nightgown pulled taut across her legs.
    â€œDo you want my body joined with yours? Give me your permission and I will make it so.”
    The lamplight cast a