the word since it was still difficult to speak.
It didn’t matter, though. They were together.
And she wanted this man so badly.
She released the tight hold she held on his hair and stroked his cheeks. He wiped the tears that fell down hers. They stared at one another, drinking each other in. He was so beautiful.
Anna whispered, “Kiss me,” and saw desire flicker in his eyes.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
She nodded, words beyond her at this point.
Dez’s mouth returned to hers. The kiss began soft and sweet and tender but a storm raged within her. This man had been taken from her. Time had been stolen from them. She wanted it all back. Now.
She opened to him, letting him know she yielded. That she wanted to taste him. Crawl inside him. Anna clung to him as his tongue gently began exploring her. Though she wanted him to hurry, she understood he wanted to go slowly. To make sure she knew her own mind. She would follow his lead.
Because she never wanted to be parted from Dez ever again.
Anna allowed him to drink her in, hoping she still made his heart beat as fast as hers now did. It pounded so that she thought it might explode from her chest. Her blood seem to come alive and she could feel it flowing through her veins, calling his name, over and over. As Dez continued his exploration, she could wait no longer. Her tongue stroked his. He groaned, his hold tightening on her. Boldly, she now searched him, her tongue gliding along his teeth. Along the roof of his mouth. Rubbing against his tongue.
Then a passionate war erupted and they both fought for control. It was a game with no losers because each of them grew more excited and satisfied as they continued to kiss. She locked her hands around his neck, claiming possession. His fingers pushed into her hair, massaging her scalp as he had when he had tenderly washed her hair. Her emotions exploded and she whimpered.
Dez broke the kiss, his face worried. “Are you all right? I am sorry if I pushed too far but my God, Anna. I love you so, so much.”
“I love you,” she mouthed.
“Rest your voice, darling,” he urged. “We will have much to talk about once you can.” He paused. “You do know where you are? Who I am?”
She nodded and forced out, “I thought you were make believe before.” Tears welled in her eyes. “Now, I know you are real.”
He smiled with his entire face, his eyes lighting up. “I love you, Anna Browning.” He threw back his head and shouted, “I love you!”
His gaze met hers and she nodded, the only way she could tell him she felt the same. Already, she seemed to wilt. The realization that she wasn’t insane and had truly escaped from the Fiend had eliminated her energy. Her legs quaked and she almost collapsed but Dez swept her into his arms and took her back to the cottage.
“You are tired. I can tell,” he said. “This experience has been overwhelming. You need to sleep, my love. Sleep will help restore your strength.”
He carried her to the bed and placed her upon it.
“Stay,” she whispered.
“I wouldn’t go anywhere else in the world,” he said.
She patted the mattress, her eyes beseeching him.
“You want me . . . to lie with you?” he asked, his voice breaking.
She nodded enthusiastically.
“It’s not . . . oh, blast and bother,” he exclaimed. “Who cares if it’s not proper or what the ton might say? They aren’t here. We are. And my dear, sweet Anna, I need you even more than you need me.”
Dez climbed onto the bed beside Anna and gathered her into his arms. Her cheek nestled against his hard chest. His arms wrapped around her protectively. She sighed, utterly contented.
“Sleep,” he urged. “I will be here when you awake.”
Anna closed her eyes, finding peace for the first time since they had been parted.
*
Dez lay beside Anna, listening to her breathing as it became more agitated. She had been resting peacefully for an hour but now she began to grow restless, thrashing about, murmuring words that were incomprehensible.
Suddenly, she sat up, flailing, fighting with the bedclothes. He tried to calm her, placing his arms about her to keep her still, but she continued to fight, making guttural, animal noises.
“Anna!” he shouted, trying to get her attention. “Anna, you are fine. You are with me. It’s Dez, Anna. Please, calm yourself.”
Her eyes, wild with