Part 19 (2/2)

”Yes?”

”A warning, if you will. In a single morning, you have managed to offend the Church and unsettle our system of schooling. Tell me, do you have any plans for the afternoon?”

”No, I believe I'm done for the day.”

”Excellent. I think we need to keep you busy. You have been teaching Suzette to read and have taught children in the past. Would you like the position of schoolmistress?”

A small gasp escaped her. ”Oh yes! Yes, I would!”

Angelica felt as though her heart was ready to burst, overjoyed by what she'd just observed-his anger and outrage over the abuse the boy suffered. How many more times did she need to see him demonstrate his compa.s.sion for others? With each matter brought before him today, he'd been fair. Considerate. He'd even a.s.sisted her with the old priest-and now he was granting her a position that meant the world to her-schoolmistress.

Why keep her past a secret from him when it cost her more than it gained? When it was keeping her from more bliss. From more with him. Everything she'd seen today further confirmed in her heart that she should take the risk. He'd shown himself to be worthy of her trust. And she was going to lay her secret bare.

The wall of silence that kept her apart from him was going to be torn down.

”If you like, you may start tomorrow, Angelica.”

She couldn't stop smiling. ”Thank you!” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. ”For the position and for making me sing.” Each time she sang that song, it gave her great comfort and strength. She stepped back. He looked utterly stunned.

She laughed. ”That wasn't very discreet of me, I suppose,” she said without apology. She didn't care who was watching. She wasn't going to be afraid. Or hide anymore.

Everything was going to be all right. He'll understand.

He smiled back at her. ”I'm glad you are so pleased.”

”I want to accept your invitation,” she blurted out.

He was speechless for a moment, her words astounding him more than her public affection. ”Really...”

”Yes, Simon, truly. Will you come to my room tonight?” She had the overwhelming urge to kiss that perfect mouth. Never to stop.

”You understand what this means, don't you?”

”Yes.”

”You will reveal yourself to me completely, without holding back?”

Old fears rose within her. She quickly said, ”Yes,” before they could overtake her. ”I will, but-”

”But what?”

”I want to be with you first, just like on the s.h.i.+p. One more time. Then I will tell you what you wish to know. I promise.”

Simon walked through the front door of his home. The day couldn't have trickled by more slowly. He'd gone through the motions, meetings, and inspections, but all he could think about was Angelica. In his arms. Finally trusting him. His knowing all her secrets.

He climbed the stairs. Each step that brought him closer to her made his heart beat a little faster. By the time he reached Angelica's door, he felt nervous. Incredible. He'd never been nervous with any woman. Not ever.

Entering her room, he found her standing on the small balcony. The breeze caressed her hair and the hem of her pale-colored dressing gown.

Basking in the moon's silver light was his moonlight angel.

Momentarily transfixed, he watched as she inhaled the night air and gazed at the mult.i.tude of starry lights. Raw hunger shot through his body. Hardening his c.o.c.k.

His desire for her was humbling.

He approached, the sound of the distant sea becoming more p.r.o.nounced.

”That is indeed a beautiful moon,” he said.

Startled, she spun around, then smiled. Her smile wasn't as joyful as it had been earlier. It was a little nervous, a little apprehensive.

She threw herself against him, taking him off guard. Twining her arms around his neck, she planted a zealous kiss on his mouth. There was nothing apprehensive about that.

Capturing her face between his hands, he angled her head and took command of the kiss, sliding his tongue past her lips, possessing her mouth. He gave her slow, measured strokes of his tongue, enjoying the sensual sound of her soft moan, and the sweet, hot press of her form against him. For an instant, he wondered if he should shatter her mystique at all. Did he really want this enchantment to end? Would it end?

She ended the kiss, breathless. Big green eyes stared back at him, darkened with desire. Taking his hand, she began to pull him toward the bed. ”There was a moon just like that one on the night we met,” she said.

He rooted his feet to the floor, halting them from moving any closer to the bed. Yet he couldn't stop his gaze from stroking down the length of her body. A breeze stole its way into the room and swirled her dressing gown, giving him a glimpse of her legs. Beneath the wrap, she had on only a night chemise. The two layers of thin material didn't come close to s.h.i.+elding her from his burning regard.

”You are beautiful. Pa.s.sionate,” he said. ”A devastating combination.”

She blushed. It was an appealing novelty. The women he normally bedded were not the blus.h.i.+ng types. Especially in the boudoir.

”We have matters to discuss before we do that.” He nodded toward the bed. He couldn't believe he was hesitating, in any way, to take a beautiful woman who was offering herself to him. To take his fantasy angel.

She slipped her arms around his waist, her soft belly pressing against his stone-hard c.o.c.k. His eager p.r.i.c.k twitched hungrily. ”Take me first, Simon. I love the way you make me feel... Just one more time before we talk.” She pressed her mouth against his neck and trailed hot kisses toward his throat. He closed his eyes. She was moving things along, using the oldest of ploys. And it was working. The crest of his c.o.c.k was already wet with pre-come. Yet he wasn't going to let her use his body against him. He was here for more than s.e.x. She'd made him promises she was going to keep. He'd never agreed to her suggestion of s.e.x first.

He picked her up and had her on her back on the bed in one fluid movement. He lowered his body on top of hers. Taking her wrists, he slowly raised her arms above her head and pinned them there with one hand. Her eyes widened, but she didn't fight him.

”You are still playing games, and you are trying to distract me with s.e.x.”

”No, Simon, I just want-”

”I know what you want. We are not leaving this room until you have told me everything you've promised to tell me.” He wanted her to trust him enough to tell him the truth. He wanted to stop obsessing about her. His gaze fell to her sweet b.r.e.a.s.t.s, rising and falling with her excited breaths.

G.o.d help him, he just plain wanted her.

He couldn't keep chasing after her or tormenting himself with questions about her. Nor did he want to be jealous of phantom lovers he envisioned with her. He had to have answers. Or lose his b.l.o.o.d.y mind. Maybe then he could return to his old self or at least to some semblance of that person.

Slowly, he opened her dressing gown and untied the silk ribbon at the neckline of her chemise. ”We are going to play my game, chere.”

Chapter Fifteen.

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