Page 103 of Wicked Designs
She found a new strength in her voice. “Come to me.”
He obeyed, feet dragging until he stood before her, gazing down at her, those long dark lashes fanning against his cheeks as he shut his eyes for a brief moment. His right hand was the closest thing she could reach. She caught his wrist, lifting it until she captured his palm and brought it to her lips. She kissed the inside of his hand, letting him feel her tenderness.
I love you.
Godric’s legs buckled. Suddenly he was on his knees, burying his head on her lap, arms wrapping around her as he clung to her. Emily bent over him, kissing his hair,stroking his shoulders as he shook with violent silent sobs. He clenched her tight, as though he feared she’d vanish in his arms. She felt the tremors of his receding grief as he finally raised his head.
“Emily…”
She put a finger to his lips and shook her head.
“I forgive you.” She found a smile, let it pull her lips up but this only made him cringe, his face that of a fallen angel. Butherangel.
“I can’t forgive myself…” He turned away from her.
Emily grabbed his chin, forcing his face back towards her and catching him in a violent kiss.
“You are a fool, Your Grace,” she said then ravaged his mouth again, bruising him with her possession. He barely had time to kiss her back before she released him. Godric put a shaking hand to his mouth, startled as he felt his swollen, punished lips.
“I’m learning your way of kissing.” Emily smiled at him, a wicked smile. The kiss had somehow breathed life into her.
Godric slowly got up off his knees and joined her on the couch. He leaned forward to kiss her. Emily braced herself for a return of the heated melding of mouths she’d given him, returning fire with more fire.
But she did not get it.
Godric barely kissedher at first, so faint was the pressure of his lips on hers. It was a dream of a kiss. But then he deepened it. His tongue slipped betweenher lips, with infinite tenderness as their lips began that slow ancient dance. Emotion flooded through that kiss. Godric had to tell her everything he felt—the relief, joy, guilt, passion, concern.
Emily Parr had to be some sort of angel. No mortal woman could forgive a man for such sins. He’d abused her trust and taken her up against the wall like some barbarian. He’d threatened to return her to her uncle and deliver her to an unhappy marriage to a man she despised. He’d terrified her to the point that she’d fainted and been senseless for two days.
Feel me, darling! Feel me. Know that I love you.This time, when the words rushed out in his mind, he welcomed them. It had to be love. Nothing could wound a soul like hurting the one you loved. How he wanted to say the words, but it felt wrong when he’d done nothing to prove it. No. He would not tell her that he loved her until he could prove it. He was too deep into his cups and would have been unable to get out the words she deserved.Bloody fool I am.
When their lips broke apart Emily’s eyes were still closed. Godric trailed a fingertip down the upward curve of her nose and she opened her eyes to see him.
“Let me take you back upstairs to rest.” He stood up and scooped her body into his arms when he realized she was naked beneath the robe. He almost laughed.
“Are you not wearing anything else?” Emily blushed and the sight relieved him. Her face had been too pale. “After all that I’ve done to you, you just keep rewarding me,” he teased as he admired the way the velvet molded to her curves. Emily flashed him a mock scowl and hegrinned, pressing his forehead against hers, gazing deep into her violet eyes.
“Will you promise to never escape again?”
“I was not escaping. I was saving your life. And you’re still not safe. We must talk…”
“All right, my darling. When you’re feeling better, we’ll talk.” He kissed her cheek and then opened the study door.
Charles, Cedric and Simkins all huddled about the door, faces pressed close to the frame, caught in the act of eavesdropping.
Out of the three of them only Simkins managed to maintain his dignified air.
“We were monitoring the corridor for security, Your Grace,” he said.
“Security? I suppose those carpets do look most suspect, Simkins. Good idea, best to watch the paintings and statues. They could be working with our enemies.” Godric hid a smile. “Now if you’ll pardon us. I am just taking Emily back up to bed to rest.” The three men watched him leave, no doubt wondered what on earth transpired to calm the tempest of his famous temper.
Once upstairs,Godric put Emily down on his bed and started to move to the empty chair nearby. Emily grabbed his arm, keeping him close.
“Stay.” Her free hand patted the bed. Godric sat down on the edge of the bed, bent over and pulled hisboots off and turned to join her. Emily snuggled deep into the covers.
Godric turned her face towards his. “Emily, about what happened in the inn—”
“Yes?”
