Scarlett had never been touched—no, kissed—so intimately by a man before. But in the haze of  pleasure that was enveloping her, Scarlett reminded herself that Leo didn't know that.

As far as he knew, she'd been in this same position with many men.

But her husband certainly hadn't treated her this way, and that was the only man who Scarlett had ever laid in bed with. And oh goodness, she had no idea that it could feel like this.

Leo was currently in the process of sliding his tongue between her legs, tasting Scarlett in a way that was shocking and so wholly tantalizing.

"Leo," she sighed, bucking herself forward instinctively. She wanted more. She wanted everything.

He grabbed her hips with both hands, holding her close to his tongue as it flicked against her. A tension was building within Scarlett that she didn't recognize while Leo continued his assault to her senses. With an unashamed moan, she flung her head back against his pillow.

"Do you realize?" Leo moaned, his eyes peeking up at her. She watched as he held her open and licked slowly, his tongue dancing once it reached the most sensitive point between her legs.

Rich color burst behind her eyes. "Realize what?" she gasped.

Leo grinned, satisfied. "How good you taste."

Scarlett did not know how to reply to that. But Leo was happy to fill the silence.

"It is only you and I now, darling."

A moan ripped from her throat.

"Yes." Leo chuckled. "No one else has ever or will ever you feel this way, Scarlett."

He punctuated the possessive statement by sucking her between his lips, making the pleasure crescendo to an unbearable degree. Scarlett instinctively grabbed at Leo's hair, crying out his name as every nerve exploded in a shattering release. His mouth teased her until the very end, until she couldn't take it any more. And then she collapsed, closing her eyes as all of her limbs sank into the soft linens.

"You still taste exquisite." Leo's voice hovered above her, and Scarlett blinked her eyes open.

A roguish smile stretched across his face, not void of a small dose of pride. She longed to run her hands through his hair once more, his blonde hair already tousled nicely. And then, Scarlett remembered that nothing was stopping her from doing so, and she reached up to feel his silky locks.

A little appreciative murmur slipped through Leo's lips as her hand slid down his neck to his chest. Leo had touched all of her, and now Scarlett reckoned that it was her turn. She gave a little shove against the hard wall above her, and Leo seemed to understand. He flipped onto his back, and Scarlett twisted to face him, taking a short moment to gaze at him.

If she were a painter, Leo Pearce would forever be her model. One hand thrown above his head, the curves and dips of his muscles were on full display as he relaxed for her viewing pleasure. He had sunk into the navy linens, the darkened cloth a stark contrast to his bleached hair. But the hue only brought out the color in his eyes.

His eyes alone made Scarlett's pulse race faster, telling her that despite his demeanor... he was anything but calm.

Reaching over, Scarlett ran her fingers through the light dusting of hair on Leo's chest, and she was rewarded by a shiver running through him. Leo caught her wrist just as she was about to continue tracing the plane of his stomach.

"Scarlett," he rasped.

"What?" She glanced up, her eyes colliding with a pleading look.

"My dear, I've never been more in love with a moment that I also prayed would end." His seductive, throaty reply was Scarlett's undoing. Leo's fingers and hers collided as they undid the ties of his trousers. Leaning forward, Leo kissed Scarlett, capturing her attention as he simultaneously slid his pants to the floor.

Once that task was taken care of, he fell back into the pillows and linens, observing Scarlett carefully.

Suddenly, she felt a little uncertain. What if she wasn't able to pleasure Leo as he was expecting her to? He assumed that he had a skilled mistress in his bed, but Scarlett's only experiences involved lying on her back quietly.

Almost as if noticing her hesitation, Leo reached for her. "Come, darling."

He guided Scarlett toward him, and she straddled his hips. An undeniable thrill ran through her at the sight of seeing Leo so aroused, so ready for her. His erection was terrifyingly bold. But looking at it made Scarlett ache with longing.

She'd never wanted to feel a man like she wanted to feel Leo.

A ragged breath escaped him as the storm returned to his roaming eyes. They closed briefly before reopening and piercing Scarlett.

"This is a vision I am never going to forget," he muttered.

Scarlett was intoxicated by his response to her, and she wanted more.

"Leo," she breathed, not able to put anything into words as he was doing. But it was all the response that Leo apparently needed, because he grabbed her hips, aligning them with his. And then Scarlett began to sink onto his hard length, testing the feeling and teasing the man beneath her.

"I need you," he murmured. "I've needed you for so goddamn long."

Grinning at the groan that flew through Leo's lips, Scarlett sank further, meeting Leo as he thrust his hips upward, hitting her with a euphoric feeling of wholeness.

"God, Scarlett. This is—"

Even Leo became speechless. His hands roamed over her as she remained stilled atop him, adjusting herself to this feeling. This hot, aching feeling of having him inside her. But it wasn't enough. She needed...more.

"Leo," she cried. "Leo, I need—"

"I know what you need," he growled, grabbing her hips and helping her to move her body in time with his, their need for each other only increasing with each stroke. She was drowning in him, in his devilish spell. She couldn't escape, but there wasn't a single fiber of her being that wanted to.

Her hands flew forward, bracing herself on either side of Leo's shoulders, her fingers digging into the sheets with desperation. He bucked upward repeatedly, hitting her in ways that Scarlett never even knew was possible, his body coaxing foreign responses from her.

Leo swore and moaned her name, and the possession of it only added to the thrill. His fingers dug into her sides tighter, not letting her go.

And yet, he wanted her to.

"Let go," he commanded. His face was pulled tight with a darkened mask that Scarlett knew she'd never forget. "Come on, Scarlett."

They were both panting with desire, Scarlett gasping for air as Leo leaned up to steal a kiss—to take any breath left in her body. Because then she was falling again, hanging onto him fiercely as they both cried out and collapsed in each other's arms.

Oh, heavens. That was...that was indescribable.

Leo rolled her over, so they lay side by side. He threw an arm over her, nuzzling his head into the crook of her neck. Scarlett's heart was pounding, not able to slow despite the deeply sated feeling taking over her body.

"Can I take you home every night?" Leo murmured, but Scarlett was too distracted by the tickling sensation of his deep, rumbling voice against her ear to pay attention to the words he was saying. She giggled, which only caused Leo to laugh, and it was a ripple effect.

Scarlett hadn't thought anything of her breathlessness, brought on by the elation of the moment, but then a familiar tightening sensation began to stretch inside her.

She froze, her hand flying to her chest to claw the bare flesh there.

The feeling spread, taking over everything.

"Scarlett?" Leo propped himself up on one arm, noticing her hesitation.

Her breath was coming in short spurts now, the attack on her lungs in full swing. Her other hand clutched at the pillow beside her, trying to find a grip on something solid.

"Christ, Scarlett," Leo swore, rushing to cup her face, worriedly searching her face. "What's happening? Are you alright?"

She gave her head a little shake, pointing to the reticule that she'd placed on the mantle earlier. She always carried around a dose of easing powder in it when she attended events, such as the Aston Manor ball this evening. Following the direction of her hand, Leo strode hurriedly across the room, not caring that he lacked any clothing.

He plucked the small purse from above the fireplace. "This?"

Scarlett nodded, not able to speak through the wheezing in her airways. But Leo understood, opening it and immediately finding what she needed. Bringing it to her, he settled on the bed again, stroking her back as he did.

"It's going to be okay," he muttered, barely loud enough for Scarlett to even hear. Then, almost as an afterthought, he rushed across the room again before returning with a glass of water.

With shaky hands, Scarlett took the easing powder. Afterward she sat back, sinking in the cushions and focusing on her breathing. She urged her pulse to slow, her lungs to cease their constriction. Leo continued to comfort her, speaking a string of soothing words that her brain didn't care to comprehend. But she felt the soft caress of his hands against her skin, and he gradually helped to undo the tension pent up in her chest.

Until slowly, surely, Scarlett fell asleep.

****

Leo was frozen at Scarlett's side. It was evident that she was now sleeping, but he was afraid to do anything that might disrupt the peace. He was also terrified that she still wasn't okay, periodically checking for the beat of her heart and the light air of her breathing.

There was a knot in his stomach. There was a breaking in his heart as his mind continued to replay the moment that Scarlett had gone stiff.

And now, though she was soothed, Leo's mind continued to race, connecting the lines. The greatest pleasure, the most potent joy he had ever felt, was being destroyed by fear.

He did not wish to leave her, but he knew he needed to call for a physician, so Leo threw his trousers and muslin shirt back on. After ringing for a servant, he hastily scrawled a note for Dr. Daniels, who was the physician that had always attended his family.

Glancing back over, Leo noticed the Scarlett was only half-covered by the bedclothes, and he swiftly gathered a blanket to lay over her, ensuring her comfort the best he could.

Once his note was passed onto a maid, Leo sat. And waited. His memories haunted, teased, and pleased him all at one time as he laid his head back in the armchair. Time passed unknowingly; all Leo knew was that moonlight continued to shine through the opening in his heavy damask curtains.

A little cough broke through his trance, jerking him upright. Rushing over to Scarlett's side, he saw her eyes blink open, her expression peaceful as she did.

"Oh, thank god," he breathed.

A hazy gaze met him. "Leo?"

"I'm here, Scarlett."

She covered her face with one hand. "I'm so sorry, Leo."

Leo scoffed. "Dear lord, you should be."

She peeked out from behind her hand, a horrified look upon her face.

"You scared me half to death!" Leo exclaimed, but then he gave her a reassuring smile and softened his tone. "Everything is going to be alright now, though. Of course you need not apologize. I've called for my physician, and he's surely on his way."

Scarlett gave her head a little shake, as if in confusion.

"Your physician?" Her brows furrowed as she rubbed her forehead. "That isn't necessary, Leo."

"I daresay is it, Scarlett," Leo pronounced. "You couldn't breathe." He didn't want to alarm her, but he needed her to see...he needed her to know how terrified he had been to see her gasping for air.

But she appeared unfazed. "I already have a physician, Leo. I have already been evaluated for my condition."

"You have?" Leo asked, instantly irritated. "Well, they did a rather ruddy job of it considering what just occurred!"

"Leo.." she sighed, still rubbing her forehead. She clearly still wasn't feeling well, and he worked to calm his own nerves.

"Please just let Dr. Daniels take a look at you, Scarlett."

A slight pause. "It's asthma. I have these attacks occasionally. Sometimes they are brought on by...exertion." She glanced sheepishly away.

Leo groaned. "Christ, Scarlett. Why did you not tell me about this?"

She gave her head a little shake. "I wasn't thinking about it. All I could think about was how..." Her voice trailed off, but Leo could deduce the rest. They'd been swept up in each other, not worrying about anything else.

"I'll see your physician, Leo," she said at last. "If it should please you."

Leo bent over, kissing her on the forehead. "It pleases me."

She nodded and closed her eyes again. Her breathing was deep, and Leo had never before been so thankful for the rise and fall of a chest.