Chapter 78

Eli glanced down at Nettie's face glowing in the firelight, her wry smile, the wicked intelligence in her eyes. Had she really believed he'd break things off now that her father was dead? He pulled her into his lap and kissed her upturned nose.

He was done talking. Making sure her cast was properly supported on his chest, he wrapped both arms around her for a long, leisurely kiss.

"You're a quick learner," he murmured a few moments later. "That thing with your tongue - do it again." He brought his lips back down and sucked on her tongue as she slipped it into this mouth. One of his hands cradled her head. The other rested open on her delicate rib cage and felt the layers of silk shift across her skin. Dear lord, she wasn't wearing a corset.