He snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Their lips were nearly touching, and he couldfeel her tremble, which only inflamed his desire for her more. He could wait no longer and took her mouth in a searing kiss. When she moaned in pleasure, he deepened the kiss. There was something so sweet and innocent about her as if she’d never been kissed passionately before. Did her husband not relish the feel of her soft lips? What a fool that man had been because Robertson had never felt like this, and he’d kissed plenty of women before. He couldn’t get enough of her, but he certainly didn’t want to frighten her.
When she leaned into him, he kissed a path along the column of her neck and felt her shiver. “My lady, are you cold?” he whispered.
“No, your kisses are delicious. I’ve never felt like this before.”
“I’m so glad,” he said, reaching to undo the top buttons on her riding habit. He knew it was too much when she suddenly pulled away from him and stood up.
“Olivia, I apologize if I’ve offended you,” he said, jumping to his feet. He watched closely as she smoothed down the front of her riding dress.
“You didn’t. It’s just—”
Chapter 13
Olivia felt the heat climbup her neck. She was so embarrassed about her reaction. What was wrong with her? She’d been thoroughly enjoying Everett’s kisses until…
Would she always be afraid of a man’s touch? She didn’t want to be, but two years of abuse at the hands of her late husband was a lot to overcome. Taking a deep breath, she vowed to be brave from now on. No one was going to hurt her, and she had to believe that.
“My lord, there’s no need for you to apologize. It’s I who—”
Everett gently took her hand. “Olivia, there’s no need to explain. You’re safe with me. I’d never do anything that you don’t want. All you need to do is tell me to stop, and I will. That I promise you.”
“Thank you, my lor… I mean, Everett.”
He led her back to the bench. “Would you like to talk about it?”
When she looked into his eyes, she had the overwhelming sense that he would understand. She took a deep breath and began. “It’s not a pleasant tale. Are you sure you wish to hear it?”
“Yes, whatever you feel comfortable telling me, I’m here to listen.”
“My marriage was not a pleasant one, I’m afraid.”
“My dear Olivia, did your husband hurt you?”
All she could do was nod as the tears began to stream down her cheeks. She hadn’t meant to cry, but this was the first time she’d ever tried to explain the hell she’d suffered at the hands of the late viscount to anyone besides Bett. It was overwhelming, to say the least.
Robertson pulled her into his arms and rubbed her back soothingly. “It’s okay, my sweet Olivia. No one will ever hurt you again. I promise you.”
It took long minutes for her to gather her composure once again. “You see—”
He placed his finger on her lips. “Shhh…there’s no need for you to think about that anymore. Even without knowing the specific details, I understand the hell some men make for their wives. Don’t trouble yourself by trying to speak about it anymore.”
She sat up and swiped the wetness from her cheeks. “I would like to share a little of what happened if you’d like to hear it?”
“I will if you’re comfortable talking about it,” he said.
“I am. As you can imagine, I knew nothing of the marriage bed when I wed Armstrong. When he brutally assaulted me on our wedding night, I had no idea that this was how marital relations were supposed to be.”
Everett squeezed her hand but did not want to interrupt her story.
“I think the worst part was when he brought a riding crop to the bedroom.”
“Dear god. Olivia, I’m so sorry you had to endure that. That man was pure evil.”
“Thank you, Everett. That means the world to me. I’ve never really talked about it before.”
“And you do not need to talk about it anymore. It’s in the past, and whatever happened to you shall not happen again.”
“No, it will not,” she said with steel in her voice. “I’m older and wiser now, and no one will ever tell me what to do or force me to do something I don’t want to do.”
