When she returned to the bed, he was under the covers, which were pulled up to his mid-abdomen. Half the rigid muscles were visible, and she licked her lips. He was so very handsome.
“Are you going to stare at me or put the bandage on?”
Exhaling, she busied herself with the task of tying the strips of cloth together and then wrapping them around his chest, taking care to cover his wound. She knotted the ends over his sternum and surveyed her work. “That should be fine, provided you don’t exert yourself.”
“That’s a shame.”
“What manner of wife will I be if I don’t look out for your welfare?” She removed her dressing gown and lay it back on the bench before sliding into the bedclothes.
Before she could reach his side, he turned and drew her back to his chest. “We will try to sleep, then.” He kissed her temple, her cheek, the spot below her ear, his breath tickling her flesh.
Anne sighed, settling back against him and reveling in the warmth of his embrace. This was all she’d ever wanted. No, it was more than that.
This was heaven.
The soft, even sound of Anne’s breathing and the silken texture of her limbs entwined with his should have been enough for Rafe to fall into a deep, restorative sleep. But he was too aware of how good she felt in his arms and of how fleeting moments like this could be.
He closed his eyes and buried his face in the fragrant softness of her hair. Nuzzling the back of her neck, he gently cupped her breast.
“It doesn’t feel like you’re trying to sleep,” she whispered.
“Just getting comfortable.”
She wiggled her backside against his erection. “Is that what this is?”
He laughed against her neck and kissed her shoulder. “I can’t help it if you’re irresistible.”
“I won’t contribute to making you bleed again.”
“You don’t have to.” He trailed his lips across her flesh as he lightly teased her nipple. “You don’t really need to move at all.”
She arched slightly when he pinched her flesh between his fingers. “Mmm. I don’t know if I can stop myself.”
“Actually, you will need to move your leg a bit.” He reluctantly released her breast and skimmed his palm down her abdomen before bringing it across her hip. “Like this.” He gripped her thigh and bent her leg at the knee. “That’s better.” He traced his fingertips along the back of her thigh and up along the curve of her backside. Dipping the pad of his forefinger into the cleft, he moved down and then forward until he found her wet sheath.
Anne’s muscles tensed, and she sucked in a breath as he pushed inside her. She lifted her leg higher, granting him easier access to her sex.
“Even better,” he murmured, kissing her shoulder with lips and tongue before nipping her flesh. He traced her clitoris with firm, circular strokes. Her hips moved, seeking his touch as she moaned softly.
“Please. Rafe.”
He speared two fingers into her and pumped several times. “Take me into you,” he whispered against her ear, moving faster.
“I want,” she panted. “I want all of you. Please.”
“If you insist.” He snagged her earlobe with his teeth as he gripped his cock and guided himself to her sex. “Arch your back a bit, my love.”
She accommodated, and he thrust up inside her, her wet heat welcoming him. He closed his eyes and moved his hand to her thigh, holding her as he rocked slowly in and out of her body.
The muscles of her back tightened against her chest, as did the ones in her leg. He could feel her working toward her orgasm and began to move faster.
He moved his hand back to her breast and thrust up deep into her, drawing a low, gravelly moan from her throat. She cast her head back, exposing her neck, and he latched onto her sweet flesh as he stroked and tugged at her breast. Her hips twitched as her sex clamped around him.
“Come for me, Anne.” He pulled on her nipple and swept into her with a persistent rhythm, his own release building as pleasure suffused him.
She cried out, turning her head into the pillow to muffle the sound as her muscles squeezed his cock. He gritted his teeth to keep from shouting as he spent himself inside her.
Several minutes later, after he’d left her body, she turned and snuggled against his side as he lay on his back, his breathing returning to normal. “That wasn’t particularly restful.”
“It was the best I could do,” he said. “I look forward to showing you just how much I can exert myself in bed.”
She cupped his cheek and drew his head toward hers so she could kiss him. “I look forward to that too, among many other things.”
“I still can’t believe you want to marry me after everything you’ve learned.” He stared into her eyes as if he could look long enough to see that she’d changed her mind.
“You’re a good man. You’ve been a victim of tragic circumstances.”
He looked up at the ceiling, a familiar anger simmering inside him. “I don’t like being a victim. I’ve worked hard to take charge and be in control. I hate feeling helpless.”
“We all do.” She kissed his shoulder and flattened her palm on his chest. “I hated that I felt like I had to marry Gilbert. I wanted you. And I didn’t even know who you were. I regretted that anonymity pact we made more than anything.”
He heard the scorn in her voice and held her more tightly. “I do too. There are many things I regret. My association with your former betrothed is near the top of the list. Not telling you about him is right there beside it.”
“I am not
