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“As you feared?” I repeated when I finally managed to roll over under the sheet.
“I was rougher than I should have been,” he replied.
“I am fine.” Sore but very fine.
He smiled, bringing my hands to his lips so he could kiss my knuckles. “Did you enjoy it?”
My memory filled with all he had shown and done and how it had made me feel. “Yes, very much.”
“I as well,” he said as our hands toyed with each other, the smile on his face matching mine.
“We are truly married.” I giggled.
“That we are. Lady Aphrodite Eagleman, Duchess of Everely.”
It was just a name, yet it brought me glee. Holding the sheet, I sat up. “When are we to leave for this dukedom, Your Grace?”
“Never call me Your Grace,” he replied sitting up as well. “High society must call me so, strangers must call me so, but as my wife, you address me only as Evander…or my love.”
“Very well, Evander—” I had barely gotten the word out when his lips were upon mine. He filled me with such passion that I was forced back against the pillow, the sheet slipping from my grasp. I inhaled at his cold touch on my breast.
Then he stopped and lifted his head.
“What is the matter?”
“You are still tender, and we must both wash. Come, I will call for them to draw hot water for us,” he said as he rose from the bed. Due to his nakedness, now fully on display, I glanced away, only to see the sight of slightly dried blood on the sheet. Embarrassed, I tried to cover it, only for him to chuckle. When I looked at him, he was watching me.
“Are you laughing at me?”
“Yes, as you are precious, especially when you are embarrassed.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “I am not embarrassed.”
“Truly? Then come here. Without the sheet.”
My mouth dropped open. “I cannot possibly!”
“Why not?”
“Because…” I did not have any reason—other than embarrassment. So I was silent, and he chuckled, going to the door.
“Your clothes!” I gasped, holding the sheet tightly.
He stuck his head out the door, and I could not see to whom he spoke, but he reached out the slightly ajar door. He retrieved a pitcher, still naked as the day he was born. He then walked to the table and poured the hot water into the basin already there. He glanced over his shoulder at me, the steam of the water rising beside him. “Come. We shall clean off as they prepare the bath.”
“How long have you truly been awake to prepare all of this?” I asked.
“Not much preparation was required. I informed the staff to have water prepared for the morning after,” he replied.
“So this is common practice?”
“I would not say that, either. More so a desire of my own,” he said.
“A desire of yours?”
“For you to stand before me, in all your glory, as I clean you.” He glanced up at me. “Will you allow me?”
Never had I heard of such a thing, but then again, there was much I had not heard of. So I nodded and stepped closer to him.
