Isaac and Lavinia had moved to the bed, making use of the raised footboard. Lavinia had untied his wrists briefly, only to secure them to the bedframe. She had drawn the shades closed around them, making the light that snuck through the cracks warm and almost smokey in quality.

This was a first for Lavinia. So much of her intimate experience had been spent on her back, following the whims of the hands touching her. She had never been in an unwelcome position, but she had ...