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She reached for his face then, cupping his cheeks in her hands and lifting his head so that their eyes met. He wondered when he might see her at her most lovely. Candlelight, daylight, threatening grown men with pistols. But right now, he was certain, this was the most enchanting she’d ever been. “We don’t have to live near the ocean. Not if you don’t like it.”
She’d figured that out, had she? “I love your entire fantasy, so we’ll see it come to life.” He gave her a small grin. “Besides, it’s time I got over my fear.”
Her thumb grazed the corner of his lips. “If you truly want to, I’ll help you.”
“I do,” he said as he started to climb higher up her body. Kissing her mouth, he lifted again, looking deep into her eyes. “With you there, maybe I can overcome the haunted feeling I get every time I look at the water.”
“We’ll go then.” Placing her arms about his neck, she pulled him back down for another kiss. “If I can do one thing for you it’s this.”
On
e thing? She’d do far more than one, and he’d spend a lifetime giving everything he had to her. Didn’t she understand that yet?
Chapter Twelve
Ophelia frowned as he lay his head back down on her stomach. In a moment like this, she could almost believe that she didn’t need Chase’s love, just his touch. Surely her love for him could be enough.
But then he’d mentioned a family and her heart had nearly stopped. She tried to picture carrying a man’s child without his affection. She shuddered, her eyes squeezing shut.
She’d still help him with his fear and tonight would be one of the memories she always treasured, but her future needed the sort of love that bound two people together absolutely. Otherwise…she tried to think of the alternative. The truth was she cared for him too much to suffer his indifference again. Or to watch him ride away for his own pursuits, like he’d done yesterday.
He lifted up on his arms, sliding his body forward and then he pressed down again giving her a gentle kiss. The touch was so tender, she nearly forgot her fear, her worries. Part of her longed to wrap her arms around his neck and agree to all his plans.
When he lifted up again, he pulled her night rail back down over her torso. “We should get you to bed. It’s late.”
A muscle in her cheek twitched. She’d only worry the more for being alone. Turning her face away, she covered her eyes with a hand. “Must I go back upstairs? My bed will be…” Lonely. But she didn’t add that word. If she walked away from this man the bed was going to feel lonely for a long time.
He pressed down on top of her again. “Cold?”
That was a perfectly good word for it and she nodded. “Yes.”
“If we’re quiet, I can help you warm the bed before I go,” he said close to her ear as he stroked her hair from her face.
“That would be nice.” She coiled her arms about his neck.
Without another word, he lifted them both from the settee, carrying her from the library. Creeping through the house, they made it to her room where he set her on the cold floor. A shiver ran up her spine as she carefully opened the door. They tiptoed in and then he closed it again, sweeping her back into his arms. She’d left the covers peeled back and he quickly settled her into the bed, tucking the blankets about her body.
A moment of disappointment filled her. She’d wanted to feel him against her again. These memories would have to last a lifetime.
But he didn’t leave. Instead, he sat on the bed and began removing his boots.
Her insides tugged. There was something so intimate about watching the act of him removing his shoes. She leaned up on one elbow, as the muscles in his arms flexed while he worked. “You left your shirt in the library.”
He grinned back at her. “A hazard of nighttime trysts. I’ll collect it before I return to my room.”
She gave a small jerk of her chin as she nibbled her lip. “I wanted to say thank you,” she started, scooting forward. Her eyes widened as she realized she’d been about to thank him for this great adventure. Perhaps she’d gotten her adventure after all.
“For what?” he asked, finishing with his boots and sliding under the covers, fitting her body to his.
She sighed as she snuggled into his warmth. “For this great adventure. The funny thing about reading stories is that you’re always sure they will end happily. What I didn’t realize about real adventures is that you’re less certain of how they will end.”
He held her in his arms. “That is very true. But in this case, you needn’t worry. Our adventure has a happy ending.”
She looked up at him, her throat tightening. “Do you really think so? I think we want different things.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Do you want this? Snuggling in bed together?”
That was easy, her heartbeat quickened. “Yes.”
