Like that and so many other ways. All those nights spent tossing in his bed had allowed his imagination far too much free time to run rampant, concocting manners in which he wanted her. It had often left him with scarcely any time to sleep. He’d only trusted himself to go to her bed on those nights he wasn’t already mad with need before approaching her. Most of his nights had been spent with the door to her chamber locked so he couldn’t risk hurting her.

Judith trailed her fingertips over the contours of his chest, tracing the paths of his toned form. The gentle, tickling pressure sent blood rushing straight to his cock.

He pressed his hand over hers, stilling her movements. “If you don’t stop that, love, and soon, you’ll find yourself bent over the railing there being rutted like an animal from behind.”

Piers had meant his words as an admonishment, but Judith’s eyes widened with curiosity before darkening with passion. Good God. She was quickly becoming quite the wanton.

“ Really? From behind?” She freed her hand from his grasp and resumed her torturous teasing.

“ Don’t test me, Judith. Don’t try my patience.”

A seductive smile, the likes of which he’d never seen on her before soon covered her features. “I’d rather test your endurance.”

FIVE

In an instant, Piers had her braced against the edge of the portico, her arms stretched as far as they would go, her hands gripping tight against the railing, and her feet spread as wide as his shoulders. The smooth iron chilled her where it hit against her stomach. A cool breeze wafted over her. She shivered from the gentle gust against her overheated, sweat-drenched skin. It blew her hair back, carrying the scent of roses to combine with the musk of their lovemaking.

With one hand he bent her forward slightly so she was looking out at the rose gardens under the intense moonlight. With the other, he pulled her hips back against him. And then he was inside her again, deeper than before. Goodness, she’d never felt so stretched before in all her life.