“Elizabeth,” Jonathan’s voice rasped.“Tell me what you want.”
Her eyelids fluttered open.“I want you.”
He groaned, then parted her legs and lifted her hips, thrusting full-length into her.She gasped, then wrapped her legs around him as he plunged deeper and deeper inside her.She never wanted this moment to end.
Jonathan watched the woman beneath him.Her eyes were misty, her breasts full and tight, and she was driving him crazy with each thrust.Their passions peaked, and he drove himself into her one final time, shuddering at the flood of ecstasy that swept through him.
When his breathing finally calmed down he rolled to his side but still kept Elizabeth in his arms, stroking her back softly.“Elizabeth?”
“Hummm,” she murmured.
“Do you love me?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did you leave me?”He felt her tense beneath his fingertips.
“It wasn’t because I didn’t love you.I’ve always loved you.There were other reasons you don’t know about.”
“What were they?”
“I don’t want to talk about it now.”
“And may I ask why not?”
“I’m very tired.Can we talk about this in the morning?Let’s just enjoy this night.And we’ll talk later.”
“Perhaps you’re right.I’m tired myself,” he said, drugged by the emotion of their lovemaking.He pulled the cover over them.“But tomorrow I want answers.”
Chapter 15
The sound of rain hitting the windowpanes woke Elizabeth.She glanced at the window.By the dusky hue of the sky, she guessed it must be daybreak.
She yawned, stretched her fingers, and felt something delightfully warm.The heat of the skin beneath her cheek reminded her she wasn’t alone.She was in Jonathan’s room curled next to him as he slept peacefully beside her.
Cautiously, she raised her head from his chest and watched him sleep.His tanned face had softened, and he looked more like the boy she’d loved instead of the man she’d hurt.Her chest ached with the knowledge of the pain she’d put him through.She’d never wanted to hurt Jonathan, only to protect him.
Last night had been wonderful, Elizabeth thought as she gingerly moved away from him, but she knew it wasn’t forever.She couldn’t expect it to last.
She loved Jonathan, of that much she was sure, but he hadn’t said one word about love to her when she’d told him how she felt.Thinking back on it now, in the light of day, that hurt.
The only thing he’d said was he wanted answers this morning.
She looked at Jonathan carefully, trying to read what was in his mind.
Elizabeth still hadn’t decided whether she would tell him the truth about Captain Lee, or lie and tell him she’d been married briefly to someone else.If Jonathan knew that Dawson was Captain Lee’s child, would Jonathan hate Dawson?The child looked nothing like Lee, thank goodness, but more like herself.Still, the thought of Jonathan rejecting her child was unbearable.
Her mind whirled with questions.That old familiar panic raced through her like a raging fire.She had to do something before Jonathan woke up.But what?Should she quietly slip away or stay and face him?
Carefully easing herself from the bed, she looked for her clothes.They were all around the room and she blushed as she retrieved them, remembering the passion they had shared last night.She started to dress, then Jonathan gave a deep sigh and stretched.
Elizabeth held her breath.
Please don’t let him awaken, she prayed silently.I’m not ready yet.
When she could breathe again, she managed to get her dress partially hooked up the back.She turned to face the bed.All right, now that she was dressed, she was ready to answer his questions.She would start by telling Jonathan that she had a child which she’d named after his father.
No, that wouldn’t work, she realized.She had to prepare him.Maybe if she eased into the subject slowly...
