Her Wicked Proposal novel Chapter 54

"Put your feet down. It's shallow here," she urged.

"I know." He suddenly stood and grasped her body, hauling her to him. A hunter victorious, he smiled and curled his arms around her back, hugging her.

Cedric relaxed. He was blinking rapidly, water streaming in rivulets down his face as he clung to her. As his breathing began to slow he bent his head, resting his chin on the top of her head.

"You'll be the death of me, Anne," he murmured. The warmth of his breath against her temple made her skin break out into goose bumps.

Trembling, she stroked his cheek, watching his empty brown eyes fix on something distant. The vast emptiness there was starkly beautiful, like a tragic hero from an opera. He called to her, begged for her to fill him with love and light.

"Why do I trust you?" she whispered. "I should be terrified that I remember so little of my life, yet thoughts of you ease my fears. Why?"

Cedric was silent for a moment. His large hands spanned her back, making her feel small in a way she'd never felt before.

"From the moment I met you, you captivated me. You were clever, but also sweet and innocent. Then that innocence was ripped from you and you remained strong and alone. I saw myself in you, a kindred spirit. We bear our burdens and fight to keep those we love happy and safe. It was inevitable that I would want you, desire you the way I do."

She combed fingers through his wet hair, brushing it out of his eyes. "What was our wedding like?"

He gave a boyish smile. "Perfect. You were the loveliest bride to grace St. George's."

"Flattery from a blind man?" she teased. "I wonder if that's reliable."

"I knew how you would look, and then I held you in my arms, your scent, your touch. You were perfect. We were both happy."

"Were?"

"We quarreled a few days ago. I left and you fled into the night. That's how you came to be wounded." Cedric massaged her shoulder and sighed.

Anne pressed her body into his, molding herself against him, and he moaned. "Can't we forget all of that? Can we not start over?"

"Darling, I'm doing my best not to ravish you senseless at this moment. It would be unfair to you in your condition. I will not have you remember me as a monster." Cedric's valiant and honorable words were somewhat diminished by the insistent press of his arousal against her hip beneath the water.

"Have we made love before?" She wanted him to say yes. It would explain her body's recognition of his, her desire whenever he touched her.

"We've come close. In the library of Godric's townhouse."

"I can feel you thinking. What is it?" Cedric asked as they ascended the stairs.

Anne nibbled her lip, debating on what to tell him.

Cedric patted her waist. "Come, sweetheart, talk to me."

"I want to be happy, and I feel that maybe we will be. Do you think me very foolish?"

"To hope for happiness? Never, my heart, never."

"How do you always do that to me?" she whispered, her voice shaking with emotions she was afraid to let out.

Cedric's face lined with concern. "Do what?"

"Make me feel strong, even when I feel the weakest I have ever been."