Page 56 of Raven's Rise
Rafe shook his head. “We’re not going to France, are we? You want to get your son back.”
She nodded.
“Do you have a plan for that, my lady? The family won’t just let you walk out the gate with him.”
“I hadn’t thought that far ahead.”
“Why did you lie about heading to Anjou? Why not just tell me?”
“Because I didn’t think you’d agree! And because I don’t have the means to pay you for anything. Well, there’s the moonstones. The necklace is worth something.”
“I don’t want your necklace.”
“You need to be paid. That’s why I mentioned my family. I’m certain they have the means to pay you…I just couldn’t be sure I’d ever actually reach Anjou if I tried to get Henry first. But I knew you’d tell me it was hopeless, or you wouldn’t take me anywhere at all—”
Rafe sighed. “Angelet. From now on, you need to tell me the truth. If you want to get your child back, we definitely need to devise some plan to do it safely. If we’re lucky, we can come up with something before we reach Dorset. And afterward…actually, we may have to cross the Channel. If you can reach your family, then both you and your son will be safe.”
Her eyes widened as he spoke. “You think that’s possible? We could all reach Anjou together?”
“It’s possible. But it will take some work.”
“You’re not angry that I lied to you?”
“I’ve no standing to take offense at anything you’ve done, Angelet.” He kissed her again. “Remember, I’m only here to serve you.”
“Oh, hush.” She gave a little laugh, tinged with sadness. “You make it sound as though I own you.”
“You do tonight.”
Rafe made her lie down again, and stretched out beside her on the bed.
She took a deep breath then let it out in a whoosh. “Oh, I don’t know what todo.”
“Then do nothing,” he said, laying a hand on her skin, feeling how perfectly smooth she was. “At least until tomorrow. We have some time to plan this out.”
He couldn’t seem to stop touching her, though at the moment, he was satisfied by running his fingers up and down the side of her body, from her shoulder down to her waist, over her hip, and down her thighs. Then he’d reverse course, and repeat.
“You’re so lovely,” he said quietly.
“I’d say you’re rather handsome yourself,” Angelet returned, “but I wouldn’t dare feed your pride.”
“Too late,” he said. “As we both know, I’m already as arrogant as they come.”
“It’s earned.” She tipped her head back, offering an invitation for another kiss. He took it, enjoying the sweetness of the gesture.
Then he found the place at her throat where her pulse beat and licked her skin. Her sigh was gold.
“Rafe,” she murmured. “Go on. With your tongue. Just like that.”
“As you command.”
Several moments later, she melted against him in an entirely new way, moaning his name, and he loved every moment.
In the morning, Rafe woke up to find Angelet curled up against him, her breathing slow and soft. For all the times he took a woman to bed, it was rare for him to wake up with one. And waking up to Angelet felt far better than waking up alone.
He almost kissed her, then drew himself up short. She wasn’t seeking affection from him, and the last thing he needed was to complicate a very simple arrangement with any suggestion that he wanted more from her than what she’d already offered.
Rafe was content with enjoying her in bed, and only in bed, and only for the short time they’d be together. Angelet was an intelligent woman, and though she wasn’t sure of her future, she obviously knew that permanently attaching herself to a bastard knight would do nothing for her own security. No, what she needed was to retrieve Henry, and then get safely to Anjou. After that, Rafe had no role in her life.
