Page 55 of Stay with Me

“Your question is too bold.” Her tone hinted at humor.

“Fair enough.”

“It may seem odd that a woman of my age is still a virgin. Or maybe it’s not so odd here. But I was waiting for the right man.”

He relaxed against the mattress and relished the length of her against him. Even with the blanket acting as a protective barrier, she was warm and soft and curvy and fit against him in all the right places. “Then I shall prove to you that I am the right man.”

“You’re doing a good job so far.”

“Am I?”

“I’ve never met anyone like you.” Her words were soft, almost as if the admission had come out unexpectedly.

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, wanting to kiss so much more than that. But he intended to go slow and use self-control. “I regret I have been with other women. If I had remained chaste, perhaps I would not struggle now to contain my desires.”

“I admit, I don’t like picturing you with anyone else.”

He smiled at her confession. “I did not take you for a jealous woman.”

“I’m not normally.”

“Just with me?”

She shrugged.

“I own freely that I am a jealous man.” He tightened his hold of her. “No man will dare to look at you now that you belong to me.”

“Belong?” Her tone held a hint of scoffing. “Do you think you own me? Like I’m your property?”

He only had to think of his father and Simon’s treatment of their wives to understand how such a legality must feel to Sybil. “As my wife, I may do with you as I please. But I would that you belong to me not only in body but also in soul and spirit.”

“No woman should ever be owned by a man.”

“You are mine.” He couldn’t keep his tone from turning rough with possession and was surprised by the force of his need. Perhaps this was what drove Simon. And perhaps it led him to lash out in an effort to be in control.

She pushed at his chest and started to move away.

“Wait.” He loosened his hold, needing to be different from Simon, needing to be a better and more caring husband, needing to relinquish his desire to bend her will to his. “You are mine, but I shall be yours.”

She ceased her efforts to free herself and stilled.

Yes, he wanted her to possess him every bit as much as he possessed her. “I vow to be yours in body, soul, and spirit.”

When she expelled a breath, he drew her back against him but tenderly. The bond between them was yet tentative, and he sensed it could be easily broken if he wasn’t careful.

“I vow I shall be a good husband to you.”

“Then you must know that I’m your equal and not your possession.”

He hesitated. Such a declaration defied everything he knew to be true about women.

“I’m not like the other women.”

“’Tis why I am drawn to you. I would not have you be like them.”

“I won’t be content to be left behind to do menial things. I’ll help you with defending the innocent from their accusers.”

He didn’t know how she could help him. But he wouldn’t say so now. “I cannot help anyone else until I help myself.”

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