constantly kissing her. She clung to him, her moans becoming a shout and then she called his name a dozen times before falling limp.
He hovered above her, smiling. “Was it good?”
She managed a weak smile. “Very good, Lord Torrington. I would say remarkably good.” She frowned. “But what of you?”
Glancing down, she saw his member at full attention and touched it, her fingers encircling it. He groaned and placed his hand over hers, stilling it.
“Not now, Anna.”
“Why not? I must do for you what you did for me.”
“That is for later. When we are wed. Only then will we consummate our love.”
She hadn’t known that wasn’t what had just occurred but it made sense. She knew a couple somehow joined their bodies. That his cock needed to be inside her.
She squeezed it gently and he moaned. “I told you I want all of you, Desmond Bretton. That. Means. All.”
He kissed her, hard and demanding, almost making her forget she held on to him.
Anna broke the kiss. “I will not be satisfied until we join together.”
She began stroking him and he let her. His breathing grew harsh. His face almost pained.
“All right,” he said roughly.
She released her hold on him, glad to claim victory.
“This will hurt,” he warned. “It does the first time. Never after that.”
“I don’t care,” she told him, knowing it would be the only time but happy to suffer whatever pain there was in order to make him happy.
His fingers teased her again, building her anticipation again, and then he pushed into her swiftly. The pain wasn’t as bad as he had said. She had suffered far worse under Fiend and Matron. Anna wrapped her arms about him.
“Are you . . . did I hurt you much?” he asked.
“I am fine.” To show him, she moved against him—and it felt divine.
“You are more than fine,” he growled, kissing her. “You are perfect.”
Dez began moving in and out. Instinctively, Anna rose to meet him. Their dance of love went from slow to frenzied. In the end, they both cried aloud, having reached a plain of heaven.
Afterward, she lay nestled in his arms, a drowsiness coming over her. He stroked her arm.
“I am glad you felt safe enough with me to make love,” he said.
“You have always made me feel safe, Dez. From the time we were children. When I climbed a tree, I knew you were below me and would catch me if I fell. When I swam to the center of the lake, I knew if I tired, you would never let me drown. You have always been my safe haven, Dez, even at the asylum. I would think of you and all the bad things would fall away.”
He kissed her brow. “I love you so much, Anna. When I thought you were dead, a part of me died. Now that I have found you again, I feel whole and complete.” He hesitated. “I know it seems soon, with everything you have undergone, but when you are ready I want to wed you.”
Anna knew this moment had been coming. She steeled herself, determined to not give in to him, no matter how persuasive he tried to be.
“I don’t ever plan to wed, Dez.”
She sensed him tense. “Never? But . . . I thought you trusted me.”
“I do. I always will.”
“Is this because of the time you spent at Gollingham?” he demanded. “You are not to blame for that, Anna. You are a person of worth. I do not judge you for your time there.”
“I can never marry,” she insisted softly, knowing others would judge her—and him. She couldn’t allow this wonderful man to be sucked into the vortex that would surround her, dragging him down with her. She loved him too much to see him hurt and ostracized by the ton.
Dez released her and sat up. “I never would have made love to you if I thought we wouldn’t wed. I would never have compromised you.”
She captured his hand and brought it to her lips, kissing it tenderly. “I appreciate all you have done for me. You saved me, Dez, but I cannot commit to you in that way.”
Anna saw the hurt in his eyes. Hurt she had put there. She understood he would hurt for some time over her decision but, in the long run, he would thank her for allowing him to get on with his life. He could create a new one for himself, away from the war, now that he was the earl. He