Page 83 of A Duke, a Virgin and a Baby
“I am sorry to hear that you have been ill father. But it should have not taken an illness to highlight what truly mattered in your life. Nonetheless, the same conditions I provided to mother apply to you. I urge you to respect my wishes or else, do not harbor any hope of being allowed anywhere near me or my children.”
With an air of finality, she rose to her feet, the icy expression on her face only thawing when Leah stood after her, prompting her to step closer to embrace her sister.
“Thank you,” she whispered into Leah’s ear.
Gently, Leah shook her head, murmuring back,
“No, my dear sister. Thank you for being brave for the both of us.”
When they pulled away, Anna gave her parents one last glance and told them softly, “Take care,” before Julian took her hand and led her out of the room.
“How are you feeling?” was the first thing he asked when they were outside.
“Tired,” Anna admitted, a little in disbelief that she had truly spoken to her parents the way that she had. “But relieved. I am glad I said all that I did, and even more so that they listened. If they keep their word, all will be well.”
Julian nodded, helping her into the carriage carefully. Once he had settled down by her side, he pressed a kiss to her forehead and told her,
“I am very proud of you. That could have not been an easy task to fulfil, and yet, you stood your ground and your revealed what was in your heart. Whether or not they choose the to do the right thing, know that you will always have me.”
Anna smiled at him, cupping his cheeks and pulling him in for a kiss – just a simple press of their lips to remind herself that the last few weeks had not been a dream.
This was her husband. Her supporter, her lover, her happiness and her future. And he had no intention of leaving.
“I know,” she replied quietly. “And I am glad for it.”
Anna had fallen asleep on the way back to their estate, and upon their arrival, Julian made no effort to rouse her, instead opting to carry her into the house.
Julian understood how tasking the earlier meeting must have been on her nerves, pride shooting through his veins as he recalled how spectacular she had been. It was quite a sight to witness how upfront she had been about her feelings, unwilling to allow her parents guilt her into believing that all she had endured was not avoidable.
When he arrived at their room, he gently moved to set her on their bed, surprised when she clung to his coat, stopping him from moving away.
“Darling?” he mumbled, stroking her hair gently.
“Where are you going?” she asked, just as quiet.
“Nowhere. I simply wanted to take of your shoes and get you comfortable enough to sleep well.” He replied.
Anna shook her head, her eyes barely open as she tightened her grip on the fabric of his coat.
“No… I don’t want that.”
Unable to keep himself from smiling at her behavior, Julian moved closer, his fingers still combing through her dark hair.
“How odd,” he mused playfully. “You can barely keep your eyes open, love. But I will indulge you. What is it you want, my dear?”
Anna opened her eyes a little more, and the glint in them sent heat spreading through Julian’s veins. Before she uttered a word, he already knew what she would ask for.
“You,” she whispered, letting go of his coat to point at him. “I want you. Will you deny me this request?”
Julian laughed, pulling off his coat and kicking off his shoes before he joined her in bed, lifting her up into his arms.
“As if I’ve ever denied you anything before,” he muttered before their lips met.
Anna clung to him desperately as they kiss, their tongues mingling passionately as his hand maneuvered her onto his lap so he could take off her shoes. Soon, his hands were undoing the clasps of her dress, just as hers were opening the buttons of his shirt.
The air around them grew heavy with arousal, with the day’s earlier activity falling aside as nothing more than a past occurrence in the face of their desire. Anna shivered as one of Julian’s hands went up her skirt, his fingers sliding into her ready, wet heat.
She left a trail of fleeting kisses over his cheeks and jaw, slipping lower and lower until she was leaving marks on his collar bone,sinking her nails into back with a cry as he thrust his fingers deeply into her.
