Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,377

walked back to where she stood rooted to the spot. His large hand swallowed hers as he drew her close. She could barely swallow.

“Lady Harriet Rondell, Harriet, Harry, my mermaid, would you do me the greatest honor and become my wife?”

She took a deep breath, determined to ask her question. Although she prayed for the answer she longed to hear from his lips. “And Your Grace, why is it you think I should marry you?”

His eyes welled with what looked like unshed tears. “Because I love you with all my heart and soul, and no other man will love you as much as I do. Besides, we are perfect for each other.”

Her heart bloomed with such joy she held in the scream of affirmation. He was not getting off that lightly. “And when did you realize you were in love with me?”

“When you told me I was a coward. And I was. I always knew I wanted you as my wife. I just couldn’t face the reason why in case you said no and crushed my heart again.”

“I would never crush you heart. I love you.”

“You could if you say no to my proposal. The fragile beat of my heart is in your small hand. Once you’ve had your heart broken, you lock it away in a fortress inside your chest. But that night when you challenged me in the library, I realized I hadn’t been in love. All that had been hurt was my pride. I’d made an error in judgement. I chose the wrong person to shower affection upon. You are not the wrong person. In fact, you’re definitely the right person, the only person I could trust with my heart.”

“Yes,” her words were so soft he almost didn’t hear.

“Say it again.”

“Yes. Your Grace, I will marry you. I love you so much it hurts.”

He swept her into his arms and kissed her with such passion, longing and need she knew this man truly loved her.

“Now I’m going to unwrap my Christmas present and prove how much I love you.” He carried her to the bed and lay her down as if he couldn’t believe she was his.

Blade leaned over her, surrounding himself in her scent, and he could barely take in the fact he’d undressed her.

He wanted to rip the robe and nightshirt from her body; he wanted her so much, but he took his time. This had to be special. Harriet’s first time with him would be unforgettable, that’s if he could get his raging need to possess her under control. He pressed little kisses to every inch of skin he revealed, and he loved the astonishment and eagerness he read on her face.

Only when she lay before him naked did he step back. He stood looking at her and in the shadow cast by the canopy. He could not read her features. He noted that as he stood staring, she grew self-conscious and her hands moved to cover herself, but he reached out and stopped her.

“You are so beautiful,” he whispered.

She took a deep breath and her nipples quivered deliciously. Her hands moved to lie flat on the bed.

She was a vision. Innocence and sin packaged and presented just for him. The perfect Christmas gift and one he would cherish forever.

In a trice he pulled the towel from his body and came down to the bed, running his hands over her silken skin, starting with her long and beautiful legs. He nuzzled her throat, nipped at her collarbone and licked the soft indentation at the base of her throat.

At first she lay stiff beneath his touch, but like an unbroken colt, his soft touch and endearments saw her relax. He stroked her hair, then ran his fingers through the untied locks, silk against his skin.

“You have beautiful hair,” he muttered, lifting a handful of the ebony silky strands and brushing it against his cheek. He took a deep breath and prayed he’d have the strength to wait. He wanted to teach her the dizzy heights of anticipation. How good it felt to be touched and to return that touch.

“You’re trembling,” she whispered.

“I want you more than my next breath, but I’m conscious that this is your first time and you deserve my patience when all I really want is to bury myself in you.”

Her face flushed with color and he balanced himself on his arms above her. She was a woman made for loving, and his desire to claim her was making him dizzy.

“The feeling