Twice Blessed by Jo Ann Ferguson Page B

moaned against his lips.
    Raising his mouth from hers, he held her gaze as he reached for the ribbon on her bonnet. He untied it and pushed it aside as her fingers combed up into his hair, which was as coarse as raw silk. She closed her eyes when he bent forward to tease her neck with fervid flicks. She drew his mouth back to hers so they could share each breath in this glorious storm of sensation.
    â€œMiss Delancy, it’s beginning to rain,” said Sean from behind her. “Can we go?”
    Emma pulled away from Noah, hoping her face was not a brilliant crimson in the light from the lantern the boy held. Groping for her bonnet as she forced a smile for Sean, she flinched when her fingers settled on Noah’s thigh. His hand clamped over hers, holding it in place.
    She looked at him, desperation tightening her voice. “It’s raining. We should get going.”
    His other hand cupped her cheek. “I thought we were.”
    â€œNoah!”
    With a laugh, he stood and drew her to her feet. He turned to Sean and said, “Lead on, my man.”
    â€œWhere?” Sean rocked from one foot to the other, clearly uneasy.
    â€œBack to Toby and the wagon. Miss Delancy and I will be right behind you.”
    Sean nodded and rushed to clamber into the back of the wagon. As he leaned forward to hook the lantern in its place on the side, he waved for them to follow.
    Emma took a single step, but Noah’s hand holding hers kept her from hurrying to the wagon. The rain was thickening into a mist. She wanted to find some shelter before the fall became heavier.
    â€œWill you release me?” she demanded.
    â€œThat’s no way to talk to your host.”
    She frowned. “Host?”
    â€œYou can’t drive into Haven tonight. I doubt that bridge can be fixed until the water goes down. Even then, it’ll take me and several other men a few days to repair it. The only other way back to Haven will take you hours.” He smiled and doffed an imaginary hat. “So I guess you’ll be staying the night out here on this side of the creek. If you don’t want to bunk in with Mr. Murray, you can stay at my house.”
    â€œI—I—”
    â€œDon’t get all bashful on me. In addition to Belinda and Fuzzball and Sean, my housekeeper will be at the house. We’ll be properly chaperoned.”
    Emma smiled and nodded. “Thank you.”
    â€œYou’re very welcome.” He tipped her chin and gave her a quick, fiery kiss.
    â€œNoah, we aren’t very well chaperoned here.”
    As if Sean heard her, he called, “Are you going to stand there all night being lovey-dovey while we get drenched?”
    â€œLovey-dovey?” Noah laughed. “The boy has quite the vocabulary.”
    â€œSo I’m learning. Some words he uses I’ve never heard before, but he assures me that they’re all the rage on the streets of New York City.”
    â€œIt seems we both have a lot to learn.”
    Emma was glad the lantern’s light did not reach this far. She knew she was blushing, for his tone made it obvious what lessons he would like them to study together. The very thought sent a pulse rushing through her, as unstoppable as her yearning to be in his arms again. She saw his amazement when she threw her arms around him and kissed him before turning to hurry to the wagon.
    Hearing Noah’s laugh, she smiled as she climbed up onto the seat at the front of the wagon. He walked out of the darkness, and the raindrops glistened on him as if he were bathed in stars. But even those were not as dazzling as his eyes, which revealed he would not be satisfied with these few kisses.
    He took Toby’s head and guided the horse as she began the slow process of turning the wagon. From the back, Sean shouted out a warning each time it came too close to where the road fell into the creek. She steadied the wagon so it would not roll too far.
    Once its rear wheels were