Page 56 of A Return of the Wicked Earl (The Shadows 1)

Annalise put her hands on her chemise and slowly tugged it up. It was a struggle taking it off in the water, but she finally discarded the wet cloth by the bath. Blake hadn’t moved, and Annalise expelled a breath of relief. She leaned forward, covering her most intimate parts.

Annalise swallowed, her heartbeat still frantic, her thoughts in turmoil. “Do you mind scrubbing my back?” Her voice came out in a higher pitch than usual.

Blake cleared his throat and moved slowly behind her. She couldn’t see his face or his reaction to her brazen nakedness. She was too afraid to turn. But she could feel the tension in the air.

A moment later, his hot hands were on her as he carefully stroked her back with soap. The touch of his fingers on her skin left a burning sensation in their path. The glide of soapy water against her back made her sigh in pleasure.

He lifted a lock of hair from her back and kneaded her neck, then splashed it with water and moved away.Is that it?

Annalise raised her head to see him standing at the foot of the bath, his profile to her. His eyes were closed, his body tensed. He put his hand on his crotch and readjusted himself with a hiss. Annalise stared at him, wide-eyed. The crude gesture made her breathing frantic, and she felt heat pool low in her stomach. She shifted uncomfortably in the bath.

She wasn’t a maiden; she knew that he was aroused. His shaft swelled, and he was ready to enter her core. Annalise swallowed. The thought should have been unpleasant. Nothing about the act was agreeable, but her body was reeling with excitement.

He turned to her with a predatory smile. “See something you like?”

Annalise raised her eyes to his. He caught her staring, and she burned even more in embarrassment.

His smile turned gentle, and he settled on his hunches in front of the bath. “Do not worry. I promised I wouldn’t do anything you didn’t want.”

She remembered the night he came to her for the last time. His alcohol breath against her cheek, his hard shaft against her center. And his crude words.It is your duty as a wife to pleasure me whenever I am hard, or I shall find someone else who will.

“But last time… you said—”

Blake turned away with a grimace. “We said no past, love.” His voice was hoarse, and he said the words as if against immense pain. He took a deep breath. “I was an idiot. I was young and foolish and the biggest arse this world had ever known.”

Annalise smiled softly. “I am not disagreeing.”

Blake let out a low laugh. “I have made a lot of mistakes. I have fallen hard in life. But one has to fall to learn. Let me prove to you I’ve learned. Let me atone for my sins.”

“How?”

“I can start by rubbing your feet.” Blake dipped his hand under the water and fished out her ankle. He washed her with soap before letting it drop and started rubbing the sole of her foot.

Annalise moaned and dropped her head back against the bath. He continued kneading her foot with his thumbs, then moved up to her calves, and every thought fled Annalise’s mind. He worked on her other foot, and she lay in the bath, enjoying her husband’s ministrations. When he was done, she was languid and relaxed.

Blake brought a towel and wrapped her in it as she stood. He picked her up and carefully set her on the bed, then started drying her thoroughly.

Annalise studied the harsh lines of her husband’s serious face as he kneeled before her, concentrating on drying her legs. “You would be a perfect maid, do you know?” she teased, hoping to get him out of his serious thoughts.

Blake smiled. “Are you offering me the work? I would gladly take the offer, but you would have to take care of the estates.”

“Hmm, but will you be able to dress my hair?”

“I shall aspire to do your every bidding,” he whispered as he straightened on his knees, his face mere inches away from hers.

Annalise stared into the impenetrable eyes of her husband, which darkened with passion. Annalise leaned forward until her lips touched his.

Blake closed his eyes but otherwise didn’t move. Annalise’s heart thumped loudly in her chest.

Don’t do this,her mind warned.

Just for today,her heart answered.

Annalise opened her mouth and placed a soft kiss on Blake’s lips.

Blake took her by her upper arms and eased her away. “What are you doing?”

“Kissing you,” she answered hoarsely.

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