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Chapter Twenty
Dash collapsed ontop of Perdita, unable to move, knowing his weight was too much, but he couldn’t seem to make himself pull away. Enjoying the tingling of his skin and the blissful state, he floated on the waves of pleasurable release. He had reached new heights with Perdita. The woman was bold, insatiable, and proving herself to be an apt pupil in the sensual arts. He pushed himself onto his elbows to see the woman who had just shattered him with her passion and love.
With her eyes closed and a wide grin across her face, she sighed. “Oh, don’t leave me. You make the best blanket.”
“High praise indeed for my love-making skills.” He rained kisses on her eyelids, her cheeks, and her nose.
Her eyes snapped open. “Do you need me to tell you how gifted you are? It seems with all your experience you’d be quite confident of your prodigious talents.” She wiggled, pressing against his semi-hard cock, which never happened before Perdita. He was a damn lucky man.
“No, darling. All I need is you in my bed every night. I don’t want to wait months for us to be together. Or sneaking around.” He rolled to his side and pulled her warm curves against his chest and lifted the covers over them. “How soon can you plan the wedding?”
“The custom is to ask the lady before you plan the wedding.”
“I did ask this lady.” Dash trailed his finger across her collarbone and then followed the path with his lips to her sensitive and smooth neck.
“No, you commanded. There was no request. I would remember agreeing to something this important to my future.”
“Perdita, don’t tease me. I couldn’t bear not having you as my wife.” The fear of rejection after his miserable childhood tugged at his deepest fear.
“Oh, Dash. I do want to marry you.”
“Then what is the problem? I want to marry you. Roddy will give his approval. Everyone will believe I married you for your dowry, the scoundrel that I am. You’ll be admired for having captured the dark lord. The rumor will maintain my reputation and keep my cover.”
“You plan to still be a spy?” She pushed the curls away from her eyes to observe his face.
“I will do what my country needs me to. What is it, darling? What is that look?”
“The last days have been incredibly intense and shocking. That you love me, that you are a spy. It is a lot to think about and accept.”
“I’ve loved you since you were eight years old. I told you on our last day together. Don’t you remember? I remember every second of the day. And how you came apart on my tongue, your strong thighs grasping my head, begging me. Just like you did tonight.”
She gasped, her soft breasts rubbing against his chest. “You’re incorrigible. What I remember is you told me you loved me that day and then came back a month later to say you didn’t.”
“I’m sorry, Perdita. I was stupid, arrogant, and so full of self-loathing. My legacy was a father who didn’t care for me enough to secure my future. I was penniless with the responsibility to save my estates. I didn’t want that life for you.”
He raised to his elbow to look into her eyes. “What can I do to reassure you of my commitment and loyalty to you and you only? Tell me and I will do it. Anything.”
“I want two promises sworn as a gentleman before I agree to our marriage.” No cooing and soft words from Perdita. She was too innocent to use his post-coital satisfaction against him.
“Not exactly romantic, my dear.” He sighed dramatically for effect. “Go on.”
“Dashiell Louis Alexander West. Do not take that bored aristocratic tone.” She sat up and pointed her finger sharply into his chest. “As if you’re tolerating my requests.”
“My apologies. I’m listening.”
“Dash, please, I’m trusting you with my future happiness. I could never have a marriage like my parents. I’m not experienced like you are. There have only been random kisses and a few intimate moments, whereas you’ve had endless women. I’ve heard the rumors and have seen them with my own eyes. I know the women you’ve had affairs with by the way they gaze at you.”
“You let other men kiss you?”
“That’s your response?” She poked him again. “Yes, I’ve kissed other men. You rejected me without any explanation. I sought, as you did, affection and love. At least I was discreet.”
He never looked for love. It was pure unmitigated lust and a need to forget. Nothing more.
“I loathe myself for hurting you and us and knowing that you turned to others because of my stupidity. But I’m here now and will always be the man you can depend on.”
She ran her fingers along his cheek, staring into his eyes. “I will never be like my mother seeking affairs, but I must have your solemn oath that you won’t go to other women. It would destroy me.”
“Oh, darling. You can’t believe that of me. How could I ever want anyone when I have you? I swear, Perdita, that I will never stray from our bed.”
