Page 44 of Ella’s Desire

“Oh? Pray tell what you mean by that.”

“This time we’ve had together.” Ella lifted her shoulder in a delicate shrug.

Bronson wanted to kiss that shoulder. And then the whole rest of her. He knew she would have to return to her own chambers soon, but he wished she could stay with him, for them to pleasure each other again and again throughout the night.

She had been a maiden, however, and her body would need to recover from what they had done. The stain of blood on the sheets was proof enough of that. Despite her enjoyment, blood did not come without pain.

“We have had an enjoyable time together,” Bronson agreed.

“Mmmhmm…” Ella lay her head on his chest while her fingers played idly through the sprinkle of dark hair. “I wasn’t sure until tonight, until this.”

She drew herself up on her elbow and met his gaze. “I love you, Bronson.”

She loved him?

Victory soared through him.

He crooked a smile up at her and trailed his finger over her narrow chin. “And I love you, sweet dove.”

Their union promised to be mutually enjoyable, for the feelings blossoming between them, everything seemed to be absolutely perfect. With growing love and passion such as theirs, nothing could possibly go wrong.

Ella was in love with Bronson. In every decent, pure and utterly wicked way it was possible to be in love with someone.

Over the next several days, they could not keep their distance from one another. They met in alcoves and snuck out on rides without a soldier to guard over them. They slipped into empty rooms and went to one another at night. They did not, however, climb anymore trees.

Each time they were together, they touched and loved one another’s bodies, bringing the other incredible pleasure.

She could scarcely go through a minute of her day without the idea of him inside her, or tasting her, or touching her. They didn’t even speak when they came together, their bodies saying all that needed to be said.

The wedding planning was coming along nicely for having been done in such a short period of time. Ella stared out the window of the solar several afternoons later and wished she was naked in such beautiful light with Bronson there to stroke her.

“Oh, Ella, you’re so in love.” Cat laughed and snapped at the air.

Ella jumped slightly and regarded her sister in surprise. “Did you ask me something?”

“Aye, several times.” Cat smothered a giggle behind her hand and slid a glance to Leila, who did likewise. “What sort of food do you think ought to be served at supper? What is his favorite meat?”

Ella thought for a moment. She didn’t know what his favorite meat was. He had commented on food often as well, and yet for the life of her, she couldn’t recall what he’d said at any of those moments. “Venison,” she lied. After all, he had eaten it. And what man didn’t appreciate a good cut of venison?

Besides, if she chose everything, he would love it all because she had selected it for him.

Cat’s eyes sparkled. “Oh, I love venison too. This feast will be wonderful. What sort of drink is his favorite?”

“Wine.” Ella replied this time with confidence. He drank wine at every meal.

“Aye, but what kind?” Cat pressed.

Ella blinked. If he had even bothered to comment on the wine, she hadn’t paid it a single thought. “Bordeaux claret,” she replied. It was her favorite wine, and one was as good as the other, wasn’t it?

She’d meant to ask him more questions about what he liked and did not. Truly, she had. Except that every time they saw one another, she fell prey to passion and forgot what she’d meant to say.

Leila tilted her head as if listening to something no one else could hear. “Lady Calville and Lark will arrive today.”

“Oh, how wonderful.” Cat peered through the glass window behind Leila as though she could see the guests traveling up herself. Which she wouldn’t be able to do, most likely.

Leila had a gift for knowing what was coming, though misinterpretations had left her hesitant to share her visions. She only ever said anything when she was certain an event would come to pass.

“Won’t it be delightful to meet Calville’s sister?” Cat spun about the room.