Chapter 26

H is arm scorched her, making her relive that night in her mind. Aaron was here. He was holding her now. She wallowed in comfort for as long as she dared. Guilt ate at her. She wanted to erase everything that had happened since that night. Take back the awful words between them.

But she could not. There was no going back in time. She could not undo the hurt and blame, nor her rash actions. Maybe she wasn't to blame for her father's part, but she had agreed to the marriage to prevent scandal.

One could lose oneself on what ifs?

She'd been a fool. Determined to prick his pride, taunt him, and then came the powerful urge to kiss him. A romantic notion that had caused dire consequences. Yet here she was with him now. His soothing arms about her, reassuring her.

"I judged you one of father's cronies, but I knew you were a lord by the way you were dressed. I put blankets on the sofa, and tried to help you there. You were limber, and heavy. You fell to the floor and pulled me with you."

His arms never moved. He said not a word. She opened her soul.

"You kissed me. Held me like you are now, and I liked it. I'd never felt such closeness to anyone. You made me feel things. My body heated and responded to your touch. I thought … I thought this is heaven. And I was too weak to push you away. Weak with longing. I wanted your touch."

His lips brushed her neck.

"Yes, just like that. I loved what you did, and … I wanted more. I wanted to see what was next. I didn't have the power to let you go." She let her head fall back, into his shoulder. Even now, she could not stop herself from enjoying his touch. Even now, she wanted more.

She froze. She had to stop. Stop him.

"Is that enough? Please don't make me say more. I have the memory of our night together. It means nothing to you … and everything to me." She tried to pry his fingers loose from her waist.

"Wait, Rebekah. Please." He refused to let her go. "I want to know more. If you don't want to talk, will you let me hold you."

Did she dare? How had they gone from crashing a door to a heartfelt embrace?

"Let me absorb everything I've learned tonight. Let me tell you how it's been for me these past months."

Good or bad, she wanted to know. She needed to know.

"I dreamed of a woman." His voice rumbled at her jaw. "A woman with golden hair, it felt like silk against my fingers." He lifted a curl of her hair as he spoke.

He pressed his cheek to the back of her head, the way a lover would.

"Unforgettable turquoise eyes, flashing in the dark of night, yet as blue as a warm summer sky. Those eyes haunted me every night. They belonged to a woman I couldn't find. A woman I desperately wanted to touch and feel. Yet when I woke, she was gone."

His lips were back at her ear.

"I remember her hands on my body."

Rebekah trembled at his words. His hand opened and flattened against her belly. She bit her lip to keep from moaning.

"Ah, I see you remember, too. But I only have my dreams. Can you understand, Rebekah? I had to know her. I had to know if she was real. And now that I've finally found her, I don't want to lose her again."

A lone tear slipped from her eye and ran down over her cheek.

"Look at me, Rebekah. Tell me it is you. Tell me my dreams were real."

Dear God. What should she do? What could she do but follow her heart. She slowly turned. His hands loosened a bit, but never left her.

When she faced him fully, she drew a sharp breath. His emerald eyes burned like fire, scorching her own. She felt the heat sizzling in her bones. Desire. And more.

"You are very beautiful," he said, smoothing a whisp of hair from her brow. "You are the woman in my dreams."

"Yes. I hope so."

"You are," he breathed as his lips met hers.

Aaron tried not to think of how magnificent it felt to hold Rebekah in his arms. He tried not to think of her lips, or how alluring her sweet scent. And her eyes, the trust in them sent something alien burrowing into his chest.

He gave into his impulse, inching closer, giving her time to get used to the idea that he was about to kiss her.

When his lips met hers, he was lost once again. So soft, so delicious. Her fingers threaded through his hair, and tickled the back of his neck. He pulled her closer and molded his lips over hers, claiming them completely. Passion flared between them instantly, and he reveled in every blissful second. He slid his tongue over her lips, inviting her to open them, then he delved into her mouth, claiming every space, claiming her for his own.

Emotions and sensations racked his body. Having the woman of his dreams kiss him the way he wanted nearly brought him to his knees. Desire fired in every cell, demanding he make her his own. Her heart beat to the rhythm of his, pounding mercilessly, urging him forward. God help him, he must surrender to the raging desire inside.

He couldn't stop himself. His hands roamed, caressing every delectable inch. Rebekah gave him her all, merging her mouth with his.

Good God, he was on fire.

He tugged at the ties of her bodice, freeing her breasts. Blood surged to his temple as his eyes devoured her full flesh.

"Rebekah," he breathed. She was the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen.

"No words, Aaron. Not now."

Her terms moved him. He lowered his mouth to capture a puckered nipple. She pressed herself closer, making him growl. He fed, like a newborn babe. Her whimpers drove him mad with longing. He kissed and caressed and finally moved to her other breast, giving it the same attention.

She was heaven in his arms. Delicious, and delectable, and her passion sent his blood roaring in his ears. His hands made quick work of her gown, letting it drop to the floor.

He raised his head to look at her. His gaze took in every beautiful inch, every enchanting curve. Then he met her sparkling eyes.

"I'm asking this time. Do I have your permission to go further?"

For her answer, she pulled his lips to hers. He kissed her with deliberate slowness, building her desire, feeding his own hunger.

Suddenly, he broke free.

"I'll have your answer, wife. There will be no misunderstanding between us."

She dropped her head to his chest. Her eyes begged, but he wanted her to say she wanted him. He had no idea he could feel this way. Feel such passion it bordered on rage. He tightened his arms around her. Rebekah was his wife, by God. His wife. Desperation pierced his soul. He would keep her.

No matter what—come hell or heaven—she belonged to him.

The pain in his heart grew larger with every second that passed. He wanted to crush her to him, never let her go. He held her snugly. Lovingly.

"Do you want me, Rebekah?"

When she lifted her head, the emotion in her eyes rocked him. "Yes."

Good enough for him.

He swept her feet from under her, lifting her high into his arms and charged from the library. He took the stairs two at a time, protecting the bundle snuggled against his chest, and pounded down to his bedchamber. He crossed to the bed and held Rebekah's gaze before gently placing her upon the counterpane.

He quickly lay down beside her and pressed his nose in her hair. "I've got you where I want you, and I'm as clear-headed as a man can be."

Rebekah clutched his neck. He rose slightly, so he could see her eyes.

"Tell me, Rebekah. Tell me you are the woman in my dreams."

"Make love to me, Aaron. The way you did that night."

He growled his joy, and then captured her mouth in a fiery kiss. She kissed him with a fierceness he'd not experienced with another woman. His hands caressed every inch, every enticing curve, as he removed the rest of her clothing.

His lips followed, and before long, she was completely naked.

"Aaron, please."

"I can't help looking at you. You're beautiful."

"I want to feel you, too."

He tore the shirt over his head, then tugged off his boots and breeches. When he turned back to her, she held up her arms. The only invitation he needed to make love to his wife.

He kissed his way, learning her fabulous body. So tempting, so sinfully tantalizing, he finally moved from her glorious breasts, making a slow trek downward. He laved a path to her smooth belly where he greedily licked the area around her navel. His hand dipped to her center. She rotated her hips letting him know she wanted this.

She was slick with passion, and he grinned, feeling immense satisfaction.

My darling, there is so much more to come.

He kissed and licked as he crawled between her legs. His kisses trailed deeper, then he covered her center with his open mouth. When he flicked his tongue across her bud, she cried out.

Rebekah was so passionate. So responsive. He gloried in every moan, every whine she uttered. He pierced her hot, wet, heat with his tongue again and again, loving her taste, loving her jerking motion. He held her thighs with his hands, angling her so his tongue could thrust deeper. She latched onto his head, holding him where she wanted.

He dove into her, playing with her bud, and then he feasted. She moaned and suddenly her hips jerked off the bed as she screamed her release. He couldn't keep the grin from his face as he kissed and soothed her, giving her time to calm.

His name fell from her lips. He sighed in amazement at how much he liked it.

He glanced up to see the exquisite pleasure on her face. "Are you ready, my love?"

Good God . Had he called her his love?

Yes. He had. He'd deal with that later. Right now, he needed to be inside Rebekah.

Her eyes opened, and she gave a little nod.

His erection throbbed violently as he pressed to her opening, and then plunged.

Christ.

He gritted his teeth, overwhelmed at the astonishing sensation. Her heat surrounded him. Her muscles clenched him so ardently. He had to move.

He twisted his hips, and she grasped his shoulders. His wife was a bit possessive. He slowly pulled back and the need to surge inside her was strong. He submitted to his yearning and abandoned his struggle to go slow. Desire had him in its thrall and he was a driven man. Rebekah's sweetness enveloped him, her tremors urged him on.

Her body shifted, welcoming his thrusts. Each stroke swept him higher until he could not hold back. In wild abandonment, he filled her, the blood rushing through his veins. His heart pounded and his head was ready to explode.

And then …

He rumbled a growl of satisfaction as his body stiffened, and mind-numbing ecstasy tore through his frame.

Aaron ran his fingers from her shoulder to her wrist and back up again, creating a tingling that shot clear to her toes.

Good heavens. She'd just had a pinnacle and he was setting off sensations of craving again.

Aaron. Lying beside her. Rebekah could scarcely believe this was real.

She wanted to pinch herself to see if she was dreaming. Instead, she snuggled deeper into him, enjoying the comfort of his touch.

Her belly still quivered from their heated lovemaking.

Aaron had made love to her. He was here, holding her now.

"I didn't exactly keep my promise, did I?"

Confusion had her sitting up. "What do you mean?"

He smirked. "I did not keep my distance."

It took her a moment to remember. In the library he promised not to hurt her. He had promised to keep his distance. She smiled, and rested her head back on his shoulder.

"I'm glad you didn't."

"Are you?"

She raised up again? Searching his eyes for his meaning. Was it possible her husband was not as sure of himself as she'd thought?

She smiled. "Am I the woman in your dreams?"

He sighed. "There is no doubt."

"None?"

Aaron lifted her hand and toyed with her fingers. "None at all. You've fulfilled every dream I've ever had. You're perfect."

"Aaron, I am not perfect. Earlier this evening, or this morning, whatever, you crashed the bedchamber door I was hiding behind."

"Not my finest moment. Are you glad?"

"Hindsight," she said. It was difficult to concentrate when he played with her fingers as he did. It was intimate. She had to look at him again to convince herself that Aaron was with her. "At the time I was terrified."

"I'm sorry. I would never have hurt you." He raised her hand to his lips and brushed a kiss over her knuckles.

She could hardly believe this was the same man.

"I wasn't so much afraid of you, as, I don't know how to explain it. I just ran, without thinking. I didn't know how you would feel about me. If you would hate me, or—"

"Have you figured out by now that I obviously do not hate you?"

She smiled. "I think so."

"Rebekah," he began—

"Uh, oh. That doesn't sound promising."

He hiked a brow. "On the contrary. I want to ask you something."

She pulled the cover about her and settled next to his side. Then realized he was still holding her hand.

"Okay. What is it?"

He stared into her eyes for the longest time. "Will you stay with me? Will you allow us to begin again?"

She was in shock. That was the last thing she'd expected.

"Yes, it's a bit surprising to me, too. But I don't want to lose you. I want you with me. As my wife in truth."

"You mean, you want this to be a real marriage?"

"I was hoping for a little less terror on your part."

"I'm … it's not terror. I'm just surprised. Why would you … I mean …"

He released a short chuckle. "Why, indeed." He shifted on the bed. "Look. We started off shaky, well more than shaky. But we are married, so why not give this a chance? Give us a chance?"

A tear slipped onto her cheek, and she brushed it away.

"Now I've gone from terrifying you to wounding you. My only defense is I've been caught completely off guard, and I'm a mad man. Is there no hope for me?"

She cupped his cheek, and then the tears came in earnest. She gulped and tried to speak. "Aaron, just hold me. Please," she sniffed. "I'm a blubbering mess."

"Come here." He gathered her close, his strong arms securely around her. Once the waterworks started, she had trouble controlling them. She'd been on such an emotional whirlwind for weeks; everything was now catching up with her.

I love you.

I think I've loved you ever since that night.

When she finally got herself together, she leaned back. "Aaron. I want more than anything to be your wife."

His grin stretched from ear to ear. "At least we got the legal part out of the way."

She smiled, her heart filling with joy.

His eyes glazed over.

Then he brought his mouth to her lips—and took her breath away