Page 80 of A Night of Forever
When his tongue thrust into her, fast, ravishing her ruthlessly, faster, faster, faster, the pleasure was so acute she finally screamed his name just as she clapped a hand to her mouth to muffle the sound.
Even if he would not make love to her with the part of his body she’d so recently worshipped, this was ecstasy.
Shudders possessed her body. Bliss possessed her mind. The tender savagery of his kisses held her enslaved. Her lungs were on fire.
She could not keep still, moving and slipping on the desk as her hips rose to meet his clever, fabulous tongue. Just when she was sure she could take no more, heat exploded through her in a consuming wildfire.
When she finally came back to herself it was to find herself gazing up into Arend’s beautiful face.
His tender look melted her once again.
He still supported her legs over his shoulders and he was placing tiny kisses on the inside of each thigh. Primal triumph curved his lips.
He looked so pleased with himself she couldn’t stifle her giggle. “I hope those papers you pushed to the floor are not important.”
He lowered her legs and helped her to slide off the desk and onto her feet. Noticing the evidence of her juices on his face, she lifted the hem of her dress and wiped him clean.
“That,” he said, “was so beautiful. You are so beautiful.”
Her hand flew to her scar, but he pulled it away. “Beautiful,” he repeated, and placed a kiss on her wound.
His words humbled her, and she knew she was blushing. “You are very good at giving pleasure.”
He stepped forward and kissed her lightly on the lips. “I am when I am with you.”
She wanted to believe him, was desperate to believe him, but he’d been with women far more experienced than she.
He must have seen something in her face. “Truly,” he said. “I love the innocence and awe you bring me when we are together.”
Innocence. Was that what he wanted? “I won’t be innocent forever,” she whispered. “Then what? Will it still be as special?”
He opened his mouth to speak and then closed it. They stood watching each other, both seemingly desperate to make this relationship work, and neither of them knowing how.
“You should go,” she said. “Philip will be waiting.” But she couldn’t let him leave with such naked pain on his face. “Be safe. Wait for me in Deal.”
He hesitated, then nodded and, without another word, slipped out the door.
Chapter 18
Isobel paced the floor of her bedroom in the house at Deal. She felt as though she had been there forever, trapped and confined. But in fact, she had arrived in the town only the day before. And she’d found both Philip and Arend still in one piece.
They’d found no sign of Victoria, however.
They’d found no leads at all.
But there was one perfect consequence from the trip. Marisa had assumed she and Arend were lovers—well, theywerelovers, of a sort—and as a result, Isobel had woken this morning with Arend lying beside her in bed, sound asleep.
It was wonderful. Amazing. Perfect. She’d simply rolled onto her side and watched him as he slept. Watched his chest slowly rise and fall. Watched his mouth soft in relaxation, his handsome face tranquil, his jaw less taut. She hugged the moment to herself and wished with all her heart that one day he could shed the strain of his past as easily when he was awake as he did when he slept.
It had been awkward sharing a room because Arend was adamant that he would not force her to wed him by getting her with child. Deep inside, she respected and admired his stance, but she longed to feel the intimacy of their joining once again. Seeing him in the throes of passion had been a revelation to her. It was as if, for an instant, his walls came down and the man he could be if he just forgave himself was revealed.
She pushed the drapes aside and peered out to the street below, wondering when Arend would be back.
He had gone out early with Christian to speak to a smuggler with ties to France and a reputation for being the best at escaping the revenue men’s interest. Victoria would only use the best. She could certainly afford it.
Before they’d left, the men had instructed Isobel and Marisa to stay inside. The last thing they wanted was for Victoria to spot either of them and learn that the Libertine Scholars were in Deal.
They were right, of course. To be seen would be very silly.
