Page 41 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2
"Of course it is." I run my fingers over his chest. "There's a lot of Bella's book we haven't had a chance to explore yet. I know I've been slow to read it, but there are things I want to try."
"Now I'm intrigued."
I bite my bottom lip. "And our wedding is close."
"What does that have to do with anything?" he asks.
"Well, the wedding night. There are expectations." I meet his gaze. I wait for a little bit of discomfort or embarrassment to set in, but it doesn't come. I suppose because it's Linc I'm talking to. I have no need to be embarrassed about anything with him, not when we're discovering all of this together.
"You don't have to worry about other people's expectations, Bea," he says softly.
"I wasn't talking about other people's," I point out. "I want to go further. Every time we're in bed together, I want to suggest it. Maybe I'm not supposed to want that, but I do."
My words have an immediate effect on him, and I feel him harden against my thigh.
"Sorry." He shifts himself, but all it does is remind me of how close we are.
Without thinking, I hook my leg over his hip, bringing his hardness closer to where I want it to be. A hollow feeling spreads through me, and the urge to throw caution to the wind is stronger than I want to admit. I want him. More than I ever thought it was possible to want anyone.
He doesn't move away, which only makes my need grow higher. A soft moan escapes me.
"Beatrice," Linc murmurs, half a warning and half a plea.
"I know," I whisper in response. "I just want it."
He manages to pull himself away and pushes me onto my back. I resist the urge to arch up into him, but it's hard.
"We'll hear back from her before the wedding," he assures me. "And then we can do anything you want."
"I hope you're right because I have a list."
He chuckles. "I look forward to hearing all about it."
"And if we don't hear from her, maybe there isn't any harm in one night," I say. "It's not likely that I'll get pregnant from that."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Linc says, trailing a hand down and splaying his hand against my stomach. "But we can talk about it when we know for sure."
"All right. I know you're right," I say. Logically, I know it's better not to take the risk, especially when we're still learning how to protect ourselves. Adding a child into the mix is more than we can truly deal with.
"I am. But there are other things we can do before then." He leans in and kisses me deeply while his hand travels further down.
I gasp and part my legs, giving in to how good it feels to be with him, even if I'm starting to feel a need for something more growing inside me. I think it's just because I know there's more that we can do, and I'm anxious to experience it all, even if that's making me impatient.
I let my thoughts drift away and enjoy the pleasure he brings me, knowing that I'll be able to do the same for him, and that it's only going to build the anticipation for what's to come.
TWO
I lean over the history book Mr Foccett gave me, reading the words a couple of times over. It's no more difficult to read the letters than some of the books Linc has given me, but it's a lot less compelling in the word choices and that makes it harder to focus on what I'm supposed to be learning.
But I'm determined to continue. This is what Lord Fallmartin wants me to know, and I'm going to make the most of it, especially when I'll soon be leaving House Rothorne behind and moving into the royal apartments. Something I'm more than a little nervous about. I'll be close to Linc, which I want, especially as it will mean I no longer have to keep bothering his servants in order to get to his room, but the rest of it is nerve-wracking. I haven't met the Queen, even though she's also from House Rothorne, and everything Linc and his brother have told me about her makes me worry about that eventual meeting.
Pip stretches, bumping her snout into my leg. I scratch her head absentmindedly, enjoying having her sitting with me and feeling so at peace.
I sigh and try to focus my attention back on the book, but none of the words are sinking in. Perhaps I should go and see if Linc is in the library yet. He has meetings with the King this afternoon, but he might be done already.
The door to the drawing room opens, and I look up, expecting Bastian or Bella to be coming to join me, but instead, it's Lord Fallmartin who strides into the room.
Pip looks up, but decides there's nothing interesting happening and goes back to sleep. The fact that she's comfortable around Lord Fallmartin says a lot, especially when she's still on edge around my brother. Then again, she barely knows my vampiric father.
