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She took another step, and another, her feet stumbling in haste as she fled from the library. Away from him.

Chapter 19

He shouldn’t have said it.

No, he hadn’t lied. He did love her; he’d never stopped. But it was too early and somehow too late all at the same time.

She wasn’t ready to hear the words; he should have known. Should have stopped himself.

Lydia propped herself against his chest and sat up, his cock still inside her, although a lot more flaccid than before. With a groan she got up, all naked beauty, and sauntered toward the dressing room.

Thorn watched her walk away, her hips swaying seductively, his cock stirring once again. He didn’t remember the last time he felt this satisfied and yet still aroused all at the same time.

It was a glorious night.

She was glorious.

Looking down at his disheveled form, he chuckled. He was so focused on her and on her pleasure that he hadn’t even disrobed, save for the fact that his falls were undone and his cock was out, his chest peeking out from under the V-shaped opening at the top of his shirt. His bare skin was covered with sweat and other fluids while his clothing stuck to his back and legs.

It hadn’t been a perfect interlude, that was for certain. It had been rushed, quick, and laden with unresolved pain. But it had been the most perfect one in his life.

He would make certain to take his time the next time.

He took off his shirt and breeches, wiping himself with the piece of the shirt he’d torn off Lydia.

Lydia.

He was starting to get used to thinking of her as that.

It didn’t matter what he called her. Beneath it all, it was her. And she was here. That was all that mattered.

He stoked the fire, adding another log to the flames. The room was growing cold, or perhaps his body had just cooled down after an extremely heated experience.

Art picked up a blanket from the bed and laid it by the hearth just as Lydia returned to the room, refreshed and relaxed. Completely naked.

Thorn couldn’t help but stare. The curve of her hip, her rounded belly, the perfectly shaped breasts… He could look at her forever.

He cleared his throat. “Come.” He patted the place beside him. “I prepared a little place for us by the hearth. The bed would be softer, but the room hasn’t warmed up yet, so although the floor is hard, perhaps it will be a little more comfortable.”

That was true—he wanted Lydia to be as warm and comfortable as possible—but it wasn’t the only reason he wanted them to lay by the hearth. His bed was cold, dark, and empty… It had always been that way.

The rug by the hearth—it was their place.

But he also wanted to watch her. Watch the emotions play on her face, her red hair glinting in the firelight. He was not ready to plunge her into darkness. He wanted to watch her sleep for as long as he could.

But before that, he wanted to taste her again. Leisurely, slowly explore every inch of her body. Feel her from the inside in every way he could. He wanted her to bathe his cock in her juices, to writhe on top of him and beneath him for hours.

Lydia settled beside him, making herself comfortable on top of the blanket. She covered herself with a sheet, then looked up into his eyes. He could drown in those golden-brown eyes, and it would be his preferred way to go. “I’ve had worse,” she said.

Heat rushed to his cheeks in utter embarrassment. “I—I… I realize this wasn’t perfect. I was too lost in passion.”

Her face twisted in confusion. “Passion?”

Fury replaced his embarrassment. How dare she deny there was undeniable passion between them? “You can’t tell me you didn’t feel the passion. You begged me for more. The way you pushed me down and climbed on top of me? Don’t tell me that’s not passion. But if that’s not enough”—he threw the sheet off—“I am ready to show you more right now! I will make you scream my name until your voice is hoarse, and I promise you won’t be thinking about anything else.”

Throughout his little speech, the emotions on her face changed from confusion to understanding, and finally, to amusement. When he finished, she raised a brow. “I wasn’t talking about that.”

He blinked, now confused himself. “No?”