Anna laughed along and then gave Spencer a glance.
“Thank you all for coming,” she said warmly. “Now, I shall retire to bed with my husband and… celebrate a second honeymoon.”
It was precisely the right thing to say, for her friends left quickly after that. At last, with Sophia in her own room after all of the excitement, they were alone.
“And now what shall we do?” she asked.
He took her into his arms, carrying her toward the stairs as she giggled.
“We,” he said firmly, “are going to disappear for a while.”
EPILOGUE
Anna wondered how her husband knew that she wanted a grand gesture, proof that he loved her, but only briefly.
She wanted to thank him, to tell him that it was all she wanted him to do since the moment he returned, but each time she opened her mouth, she was distracted by how light she felt in his arms, and how he was looking at her like she was the most desirable and womanly thing to ever exist.
Before her thoughts could linger too long, she felt herself being laid on her bedcovers and her mind blanked completely. She fought to keep her wits about her, for she wished to remember everything and be an active participant.
“I love you,” he said for a second time, “I love you, Anna, and I should have told you before. I was simply–”
She hushed him gently, running her fingers through his hair.
“I know,” she assured him. “There will be time for us to mend all of that, and to talk things through. For now, I want you to show me just how you feel.”
“As you wish,” he whispered, taking her hands and slowly removing her gloves.
Piece by piece, he stripped her bare. Her necklace was gently removed, but when he came to her wedding ring, he simply kissed it. When she was left in her gown alone, she softly flipped her onto her stomach, and she smiled into her pillow as she felt him unlace her corsets. There was a deftness to it, and also a longing that she had always wanted him to reciprocate.
Once he was done, he stood back for a moment as he gave her a look of both admiration and satisfaction.
As before, she did not hide her body from him. She was his, wholly and utterly his, and she knew that he would continue to earn such trust. He continued to gaze upon her for a moment, and then he remembered what he was supposed to be doing with himself and removed his shirt.
As he stepped away from the bed, she admired his physique in turn. It was no surprise that he could carry her and move her as he pleased, and do so easily. Had she not known how gentle he was with her, she would have been intimidated.
And, when he removed the rest of his clothing, she remembered just why she was intimidated after all. He returned toher, kissing her passionately, which she reciprocated with enthusiasm.
“I feared losing you,” he whispered when they broke apart. “I will never let myself come that close to it before righting myself again. I will be a better man for you, Anna.”
“You talk far too much,” she giggled. “Is that not what you once said to me?”
“Said,” he agreed, his lips against her neck, “and thought several times over, but I want nothing more than to hear that pretty voice of yours now.”
That was enough for her to let a moan leave her lips.
“Just like that,” he chuckled, moving down her body and leaving soft kisses on each part he passed.
Anna was at war with herself, relishing each touch he gave her but also desperate for more. She knew how divine he made her feel when it escalated, and she craved it while also wanting to prolong it. She could not decide what she wanted, but she did not need to; Spencer knew her better than she knew herself, and when she saw how much he was enjoying himself, she could not deprive him of what he clearly wanted too.
“I do not know how long I can hold myself back for,” he said at last, and her heart soared.
“You need not do so at all,” she said quickly. “I am ready for you, I assure you.”
With a half-grin, he deftly moved his cool fingertips between her legs, feeling the proof of her assertion in an instant. She blushed at how quickly he had affected her, knowing that he reveled in it. Without a word, he moved down to her legs, his mouth closing around her so quickly that she had to clamp her hand over her mouth to control herself.
In spite of his claim, he seemingly took no issue in taking his time with her, his tongue exploring her with a desperation that she had never expected could be possible. She felt her thighs tremble, leading to him holding her still. All that she could do was whimper as she writhed beneath him, silently pleading with him to continue further, but also not to stop. She was trying to keep her composure, but then she remembered his promise; he would ensure that she would build to another climax if that was what she wanted.
And so, she let herself go, and he did not stop after that. It was evident that he was going to continue until he was also satisfied, and she was more than happy for him to do so. When he did pull away, she wondered if he had even more in mind for her, and there was almost a sense of relief when she felt him at her entrance again. He took her hand in his, placing it beside her face as she felt his weight press her into the bed.
