Page 43 of If The Fates Allow
“Can we…” She paused, nearly wrapping herself at his side. The forest at night always brought back memories she never wanted to relive. “Will we have privacy?”
He flashed a smile over his shoulder. “Worried you might scream as you did on the beach?”
There was no demure blushing this time, with Willa being completely comfortable. Noah had placed the impossible idea of being his wife in her head, and she had seized the dream with both hands. “I’m honestly hoping I scream louder.”
“You will,” he assured her.
“I spent the day cleaning and straightening everything.” He closed and locked the door before turning on the desk’s gas lamp. The remodel on the cottage had gone exceedingly well, with Noah having a small examination room and even a pair of beds for those patients he might need to monitor overnight. “I wanted this to be perfect for you.”
Willa stood at the door, watching as Noah showed her items that had been added since her last visit. The man was so very capable in every way, but appeared nervous at the moment, and she took her time marveling at the change.
He stopped abruptly in the middle of the room, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck. “Never in my life have I ever been unsure of how to begin something like this.”
Willa approached slowly with her hands clasped tightly in front of her. “And just how many women have you seduced, Dr. Anderson?”
“More than I’d care to admit.” He smiled sheepishly. “But none of them will be remembered after you.”
“I would hope not.” Standing before him, she smoothed her hands over his shoulders. He was wearing a simple dress shirt and wool pants. All of which needed to be removed. Post haste. He had promised he would allow her to explore his body, and Willa was anxious to learn every detail. “I am to be your wife, after all.”
He released a sigh as if relieved. “What I feel for you can’t be explained, and my greatest passion is to find the explanation for everything. A cause to the end result. But with you, I have been categorically and infinitely enchanted since the moment we met.” Crystal blue eyes searched hers,the depths of them holding her captive. “My body. My soul. They’re yours, and I can’t explain it. I only know that they are yours, Willa.”
Not needing to hear anymore, she shed her coat, allowing it to drop to the floor. Her long nightgown was next, and she tossed it onto the desk chair. Naked and not at all afraid, Willa released the pins from her hair, allowing it to fall over her shoulders. “Then take what is yours.”
“Dear God.” Noah drank her in, pulling back a step to see her fully. “The things I’m going to do to you.” He swiped a hand over his mouth, moving around her in a circle as his eyes coasted over her nude form. “The way I’m going to make you feel.”
“But will I scream?” she teased, enjoying this sway she held over him. No man had ever yearned for her like this, let alone a man like Noah. “Will you give me that again?”
He was behind her when she asked, and Willa found herself snatched back against his chest. “I’m going to give you more.” Lips and tongue coasted along the spot where her neck met her shoulder, and she sighed, relishing the secure hold around her waist. “Are you ready to begin?”
“I am.”
“Are you going to do as I say?”
“Probably not.”
A laugh rumbled from somewhere deep inside him. “At least I’ll never have to worry about your honesty.”
Turning slowly, she stood in his arms, her naked body pressed to his clothed one. “I’ll never lie to you,” she promised as his hands glided lower to grip her bottom. “But will you please remove your clothes now? I’m feeling a bit awkward being the only nude one in the room.”
He smiled and staring at the genuine affection shining brightly down on her, Willa knew one thing for certain.
They were going to have a wonderful life.
A beautiful one.
Together.
Noah would keep her safe as she would him. They would care for one another until the end of their lives, and then maybe even longer if the powers above granted it.
“You look so serious, Ms. Fairweather,” he whispered. “What are you thinking about?”
“Sonnet forty-three.”
He thought for a second or two, and as understanding struck, the carefree smile on his full lips faltered. “I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death?”
Death lurked like a menacing figure in her life, watching and waiting for her to become weak enough to steal away. Reminders of her mortality were tucked into every corner of Haven House. From her beloved conservatory to the second-floor expansive balcony she could hardly ever enjoy to Grace’s bedroom right next door. Death was always there.
But with Noah, she wasn’t afraid. Death could chase her for eternity, and with him at her side, Willa felt as if she would have the courage to wave the grim reaper off, telling it to return another day.
