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He then laved and suckled her other breast, all while his hand was pulling up the hem of her nightgown. Her moans told him that she was enjoying his ministrations, but she was not yet ready for what he really wanted to do. What he had been dreaming of for weeks. Edward ran his hand up her inner thigh and then softly brushed her between her legs. When she took in a shocked breath, he ran his finger down her crease and found her pleasure point.

She gasped.

“I promise this will not affect your virginity.” Then he lowered his mouth to her, taking his first taste of Rose. Her aroused, musky scent was all around him, and he wanted nothing more than to give her something she had never had before. He wanted her to come so badly so that he could show her all that they could be together.

He licked and sucked her clit, and when her hands were in his hair, he knew he was winning the battle. He placed the tip of his finger inside her; she squirmed and murmured something he couldn’t quite hear. Her body softened around his finger, and he slipped it in a little deeper, then added a second finger and stretched her gently all while laving her. She put the calves of her legs over his shoulder so she could lock him in place. He gloried in the taste of her.

“Oh, my God, Edward!” She was panting now, and it only made him more determined.

Edward continued to flick her with the tip of his tongue before sucking on her nub to make her squirm against him, her fingernails digging into his head and shoulders. He felt her muscles stiffen within her and her legs clamp around his head as her climax came upon her. When her body loosened, he was able to remove himself from his position to rise and kiss her.

“I…I…have no words,” she said breathlessly before laughing.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“I did not know such a feeling existed.” She opened her eyes and her arms to welcome him into her embrace.

“And there is so much more to discover, my love,” he said as he dragged her farther up the bed so that he could feel all of her against him. He kissed her deeply, and he felt himself grow hard again.

“I know you told me it was possible, but I never thought… Did it give you pleasure like it gave me?”

“Not in the same way, but yes, and I liked it very much.” He did not want to scare her with how much he wanted to do it again.

“And is this normal? Between men and women, I mean?”

“I would say so,” he replied, having not really thought about it. “There would be those who would condemn it, I suppose.”

“Why did you come here tonight? You take a great risk. We both do.”

“I could not stay away. You are like the sweetest treat. Once tasted, I cannot stop. I do not know what it is about you, Rose, but all I know is that I need you. When I am with you, I feel…normal. I am not stupid; I know what people say about me. I know my own family puts up with me because they must. That obligation weighs heavily on me but not when I am with you.”

She put her palm against his cheek. “You are a good man, Edward Ashton, but you hold on too tightly to the past. It is as if you are chained to it and no one has the key to set you free. Only you have it, but you won’t put it in the lock and turn it because it means you will have to face it, and it may hurt.”

Why did it always have to come back to that damned night? “I wish I could explain it to you, but I cannot.”

“Why? What will happen if you do? It could not be as bad as you have built it up to be.”

“One day, perhaps, but for now those chains are all that are keeping me together.”

Rose nodded and placed his head against her breast, and he closed his eyes, relieved that she had not pushed for more.

Rose was fast asleep when he tucked her in and left her. His heart was heavy as he realized that when he looked into her eyes, he saw a forever he wanted but did not deserve.

Chapter Eighteen

When Rose went to the breakfast room, Edward was there. She blushed instantly. He strode to her side, pushed the footman into the hall, said to him, “Not a word,” and closed the door. Then he took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. Heat emanated from him, landing on her cheeks; her whole body leaned into him. Her heart beat madly, and she clung to him, never wanting the kiss to end. When he lifted his head, he was smiling. Lord, how she loved his smile. Then he handed her a plate and guided her to the sideboard, then opened the door. The footman stood right where he had left him.

“Lady Rose wishes for some tea,” he said, and the footman jumped to get the teapot off the sideboard to pour some tea into her cup.

She looked over at Edward as he shook out his paper. “Are you not eating, Your Grace?”

“No, I have a meeting this morning. I will not be back until late this afternoon.” Then he leaned forward and whispered, “Will you miss me?”

Rose lifted her chin. “Not at all. I also have a very busy day.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, we are all going to visit Lady Lucinda. She is putting on a luncheon before they start to pack up the house.”