Page 97 of The Danger of Desire
That touched her beyond words. She cupped his head in her hands. “Listen to me, my darling.”My love.“I’ll do whatever it takes to make this possible—keep a truncheon by the bed to bash you if you hurt me, or keep the room lit with candles for as many nights as it takes.”
“Delia—” he began.
“Give me a chance. When you had that nightmare at the house party, my being there helped you. Admit it.”
“Yes, it helped so much that I ruined you,” he said acidly.
“But you didn’thurtme. You clung to me, you held me close, you... fondled me—you didn’t strike me. It’s worth a try, don’t you think?”
A skeptical expression crossed his face. “I still had a horrific dream that night.”
“Yes, but perhaps if I were there from the beginning...”
He pulled free of her. “God, I don’t know.”
“I don’t want to spend the rest of my life enslaved to your fear. And I daresay neither do you.”
The faintest hint of hope shone in his face. “You really think that your being there would make a difference.”
“I have no idea. But I’m willing to try.” She held out her hand. “I’m bone-tired, my darling, and I suspect you are, too. So come to bed. And we’ll see where we stand in the morning.”
He stared at her, clearly torn between hope and fear. At last he said, “All right. But you must promise me: if I harm you tonight in any way, you will never try this again.”
She shook her head. “I won’t promise that. Sometimes it takes more than one try to get something to work.”
“Delia—”
“No! This may take a while, and I’m willing to attempt it as often as necessary. What about you?”
His hollow gaze bore into her. “I don’t want to risk... driving you away from me.”
The words sounded wrenched from him, and her heart flipped over in her chest. It was the closest he’d ever come to admitting that he cared for her. “You won’t drive me away. I can assure you of that.” She thrust her hand out at him again. “So? Will you come to bed with your wife?”
He released a shuddering breath. “All right. But I still fear you’ll regret it.”
“You know that I’ll be honest with you if I do.”
“True. You’re the most forthright female I’ve ever met.”
When he took her hand, she exulted. Somehow she would get him past this. She didn’t know how, but this seemed like an excellent start.
This time when he took her in his arms and kissed her, she didn’t protest it. Whatever made it easier for him was fine.
He undressed her, and she undressed him. She wasn’t surprised when he tumbled her down on the bed to have his way with her. He tended to forget his troubles when he was inside a woman, and she certainly didn’t mind that, given how good it felthavinghim inside her.
After he made love to her with his usual skill, they lay naked and entwined on her bed. Her happiness knew no bounds. They were growing closer. He wastrying.
“At last, we’ve had an ordinary bedding,” he murmured against her cheek. “I feel vindicated as a husband.”
She laughed. “I’ve enjoyed every single time you’ve made love to me, whether it was ‘ordinary’ or not.”
“I’m happy to hear it.” He nuzzled her neck. “Do let me know if I ever disappoint.”
“I hope you’ll do the same for me.”
He chuckled. “I can’t imagine your ever disappointing me.”
The sincerity in his voice touched her, and she cuddled close to him. “Likewise.” After a few moments, she said, “Tell me about Pickering.”
