Page 24 of Miss Barton's Mysterious Husband
But flesh had its own demands, demands that they’d both resisted for too long. That need could no longer be denied.
He rose on his elbows and began to move in hard, determined thrusts. The rise to climax was swift. All the pent-up desire rushed through her to charge her response to every touch. She welcomed him as he plunged inside her. Her fingers digging into his arms, she strove for that rapturous peak.
When he scraped his teeth over a sensitive nerve in her neck, Charmian shuddered into ecstasy. Rivers of fire. White light. Heat. Muscles clenching in helpless delight. She lashed her arms around him, clinging as she rode out the irresistible storm.
As she convulsed, she cried out. Through her fiery crisis, she heard him groan. He jerked in her arms, and the liquid heat of his seed flooded her.
Roland slumped against her and buried his face in her shoulder. She heard his hoarse breathing. He was heavy, but she didn’t mind. The press of his body confirmed that he really was here. Ripples of ultimate pleasure ran through her, soothed the sharp edges of her long unhappiness.
After a few seconds, Roland shifted to the side, stretching out against the plaster wall. She stared at him, noting that he was no longer the troubled man who had arrived at the inn. He looked younger, easier, more like the carefree gentleman she’d married.
She shifted closer to kiss him with all the gratitude in her heart. “I’d forgotten how magnificent you could make me feel. Thank you.”
His smile held no trace of his earlier bitterness. “I love you, Charmian.”
“And I love you.”
His expression expressed a wry fondness. “And you’re still crying.”
As he brushed at the tears trickling down her cheeks, she gave a waterlogged giggle. “I’m just so happy. I thought this would never happen. I was terrified that I’d lost your love forever.”
“Impossible.” He kissed her with such tenderness that her tears spurted anew. “I’m so grateful we found our way back to each other. You’re my reason for living.”
She studied his face, as she struggled to control her wayward emotions. “I don’t want to go to sleep. I’m afraid this might be a dream.”
A laugh escaped him. “On my solemn oath, I’m here, and I’ll be here when you wake up.”
“That makes me happy, too. You make me happy, Roland. Don’t go away again.”
“Never.” The word sounded like another vow. After so much heartache, they’d found each other. The magnitude of the gift was almost beyond understanding.
She cupped his jaw in her hand, feeling the faint prickle of whiskers. “I can’t believe we’ve been so lucky.”
Eyes alight with adoration studied her features. “You’ll start taking it all for granted in twenty years or so.”
She gave another watery huff of amusement. “What a lovely idea.”
He kissed her with all the love that she read in his face. Love and weariness. They’d both had an arduous day, and they’dhad to wend their way through a tangle of harrowing emotions before that perfect, passionate conclusion.
“Sleep now, Charmian. Sleep safe in my arms, as you’ll sleep safe in my arms from this day forward.”
“Roland…” Emotion welled up inside her, although she didn’t want to cry anymore. She’d spent far too long crying. So she swallowed the lump in her throat and responded in a wry tone. “I hope the beds are bigger at Leeder Hall.”
A brief laugh. “No risk of falling on the floor there.”
“I’m pleased to hear it.”
“Roll over on your side, and we’ll manage very well.”
It turned out that he was right. She shifted around to fit her back against his chest. Lying close like this, there was plenty of room.
He slipped his arms around her and curled one hand over her breast. The gesture was so laden with tenderness, those dratted tears rose again. Mistily, she stared into the firelit darkness and said a fervent prayer of gratitude for second chances and steadfast love.
Roland’s familiar scent surrounded her and the warmth of his long, powerful body. Her heart settled into a steady beat, as she finally accepted that her long ordeal was over. She and Roland were together and would stay that way.
Roland’s embrace tightened. He dropped a kiss on her naked shoulder. “Happy Christmas, my dearest wife,” he murmured, his voice gruff with tiredness.
“Happy Christmas, my love,” Charmain whispered, closing her eyes. For the first time since she’d left him, she felt at peace.
