Chapter 5

"I want you."

Enchanting blue eyes smoldered with dark yearning. A rush of unexpected longing hit him in his gut. She ran the tip of her finger down his chest, to his stomach, and lazily circled a ring around his navel. He sucked in a breath.

"I don't know when I've wanted a woman more."

"Pretty words." The scent of blossoming roses floating in the air. His beautiful angel drifted closer, her face becoming clearer. He smiled with hope. He would see her. His hungry gaze watched her plush lips as she pressed a kiss to his upper chest, firing his hunger even more.

"I mean every single one."

Slipping his hand beneath her hair he clasped her neck and slowly drew her nearer. Her eyes invited him, her lips opened for what she wanted next.

"Every time I see you, touch you, feel you, I want to do this."

He kissed her deeply as she opened her mouth to his teasing tongue. He growled and tightened his embrace. Nothing had ever felt so real.

She whimpered, and slowly faded away.

Come back. Don't go.

His body hot and hard, he reached for her.

Aaron woke with sweat running into his eyes and his heart pounding.

The woman in his dreams had disappeared. Again.

Devil take him. He'd had the same blasted dream again. It was becoming a nightly ritual. Why? He couldn't remember an incident where he might have met this woman who visited him at night. Even though she seemed so real, how could he dream of a woman he'd never met?

Why can't I see her face?

The woman in his dream felt flesh-and-bone real. But her face was always blurred. He shook his head. Maybe he hadn't met her yet. Maybe all this wedding bliss, and lost-love returning babble with his brothers, had somehow gotten into his subconscious.

Marriage was not for him. May his brothers find happiness in their euphoria. Aaron had no intention of becoming leg-shackled. Besides, he was too young. Perhaps in a few more years.

Aunt had been caught up in the wedding with Nathaniel and Serena. His oldest brother, that was a shocker. He never would have imagined Nathaniel getting married, and certainly not living at the manor they all hated.

It was the remembrances there. Their childhood left much to be desired. With an overbearing father, a man who used his oldest son for a whipping post … Aaron shuddered and shoved those memories away.

What did any of that have to do with his dream? The same dream over and over again. Nathaniel getting married. Edmund acting like a lovesick puppy … Christ. His brothers' affairs were drawing him in. That had to be it.

Aaron washed and dressed and strode down the corridor to begin his day. Sasha met him at the bottom of the staircase.

"Hello, girl. How are you doing this morning?" He scratched the top of the dog's head. He glanced about. "Where is that mongrel of yours? And here we thought he was the calm one of the bunch."

The dog must have heard his voice, for The Black came loping down the hall. He slid on the tiled floor before he bumped into Aaron.

"So, there you are." He gave The Black the same attention as he had the mother. "What have you been into this early in the morning? Huh?"

The dog barked. Aaron made a gesture with his hand and The Black sat. Clearly excited, his tongue was hanging out of his mouth, but the dog did obey commands.

"Good boy." Aaron strode to the front door and opened it, sending the dogs outside. After several minutes, he decided they were fine, so he came back inside and closed the door.

Nothing quite like an early morning ride.

As he entered the kitchen, Cook was firing up the stove.

"I'll have some breakfast in a jiffy."

"When I get back. For now, I'll grab one of your blueberry muffins." He snatched two out of a basket covered with cloth.

"That's still not gonna be enough for you."

"You spoil me. This will do for now."

He headed to the stables and met the stable master coming out carrying an empty bucket.

"Good morning, sire. Geldings are having their breakfast."

"Good morning, Fletcher. Glad to hear it. Is the apple barrel full? I'll need two to take with me."

"Sure is. Give me a minute to saddle up Pride .

"I'll do it. I've got plenty of energy to burn."

And a damsel with smoldering eyes to work out of my system.

Aaron loved riding in the mornings, when the day was starting anew. A bit of dampness in the air, after the rain last night. He breathed deep, allowing the fresh air to expand his lungs. Aunt would still be in bed. She'd had a late night at the Maverick's ball. Even so, she was usually up before noon. Aaron loved his aunt. Surprisingly, they managed living together under one roof, well. He came and went as he pleased, and the old girl never got in his away.

Life was treating him kindly, of late. Nathaniel's wedding had come off without a hitch. He and Serena had not wanted to wait, and neither of them cared for a big wedding. Of course, Aunt demanded a certain few of the ton be present. And he, nor his brothers, had heard a word about Bellingham.

Aaron knew not to believe the man was gone. He wished the bastard had gone down with his ship, but Bellingham was too damn sneaky. That thought led to Blade. Had Blade gotten off the ship?

The best way for Aaron to clear his mind was with vigorous exercise. He leaned down, patted Pride on his strong neck, and shot across the east meadow.