Audrey looked across at him with an expression so full of reserve, yet so coy at the same time, he wondered if he was pushing things too far again. Making love to her in the light of day, touching each other intimately while they could see, that might be as far as she was willing to go at this juncture.

But he had to try for more, while she was still open and willing.

In a painstakingly slow fashion, she stood and walked over to him, careful to keep an arm pressed against her waist so her gown wouldn’t fall the rest of the way to the floor. When she was standing before him, between him and the bed, Lodge tilted her chin so she looked up at him, and then drew her hand away from the garment. As her eyes widened, it pooled at her feet along with the loosened chemise, leaving her in nothing but her drawers. Blissfully, she refrained from trying to cover herself.

He worked to undo the ties of her drawers and then pulled them free, until she stood before him with nothing but a blush. Exquisite.

“ You’re certain you wish to be daring, my love?” he coaxed.

She nodded, a brisk and curt movement.

He lifted a brow.

Releasing the pent-up breath she’d been holding, Audrey murmured, “Yes. I asked you to teach me.”

Lodge chuckled. “So you did. And now I’ll ask you to trust me.” His eyes were locked on the rise and fall of her pert breasts with each short, little breath she took. He couldn’t resist moving the pad of his forefinger over the swell of her breast and feeling it quiver beneath him. “Will you do that?”