His warm breath fell against her nose, her lips while he touched her face with his fingers as if to convince himself that she was really here, with him. Then, he ran his hands down her back, around her waist. He pulled her in. She fit everywhere against his hard planes. She was certain he could feel her thumping heart battering, wanting to burst free and throw itself at his feet. She bent backward just a bit, but he enveloped her like smoke, allowing her to feel the thrashing tempo of his heart, keeping pace with…no, surpassing hers.
His mouth descended on her throat first, devouring her with soft, eager lips, and salacious strokes with his tongue that made her forget her fears and burn with desire instead.
She lifted her hands and ran her fingers over his shoulders then up the sides of his head. She closed her fingers through his hair and tugged softly, directing his mouth to hers. She wanted to be kissed, and only with Nicholas could she be so bold. It felt good, wonderful, in fact.
He dragged his mouth to hers, open and hungry, and covered her in rapture. His kiss sapped the strength from her knees but, thankfully, his embrace was complete. All she had to do was keep her arms around his neck.
When he’d first kissed her four years ago, his arms were cautious, his mouth, inexperienced. But, oh now, he held her with a perfect blend of strength and tenderness. Now, his mouth tempted and teased. His tongue laid siege to her defenses, her fears with slow, tender strokes and a dance to a melody only they could hear. She wanted more. She needed it.
But he was withdrawing, leaving her panting.
She opened her eyes and met his gaze. He smiled, though his jaw was clenched as if it took everything he possessed not to pull her back.
“Goodnight, lass,” he whispered along her ear, sending fiery sparks through her blood.
He backed away with a resigned smile fixed on his face, and left her.
Julianna wanted to bring him back, but she knew it was not wise. They would end up in bed, and as much as she innately wanted what came next with him, she didn’t want the disgrace of being caught, unmarried.
So she let him go, bolted the door, and dressed down to her chemise. Thanks to Margaret’s crafty expertise, making her back laces long enough for Julianna to reach and undress herself.
She thought of Nicholas’ hot mouth covering hers, his hands on her, holding her close, as though she were treasured. Oh, she prayed it was so and climbed into bed.
A short while later, she heard Elias crying. She rose from her bed and hurried to him.
“What is this?” she questioned in a gentle tone while she climbed in beside him. “Why are you crying?”
His cries did not intensify, but they continued. Julianna guessed the poor babe had had a bad dream. “Do not be afraid, my love,” she cooed, holding him close. “All is well.”
She remembered something Berengaria had done for her when she had bad dreams. She began to hum and then to sing in a soft voice. She sang an old ballad her nurse had taught her about a very old woman remembering the love of her youth.
Then old MaggieBrown,
Put leaves in hercrown,
With a leap in herstep,
And a song on herlips
She danced to the edge of thecliffs.
Oh youth, how lovely were yourdays?
Oh joy, my path was always brighter with youthere,
Oh love, stay beside me, stay beside mehere.
Julianna sang softly. In her darkest days when she’d given up hope, she remembered this song. It helped her to believe that she and Nicholas would be together when they died. She used to think the song was about her. She no longer did. She had William back. She was given a second chance. As she rested her head, she was tempted to leap up and find him to make certain nothing terrible happened to him ever again.
Julianna opened hereyes the next morn and looked up at Elias, who was sitting up and waiting on her. “Good morn, Elias.”
“Dood morn, Lanna.”
She leaned up on her elbows. “Are you hungry, my love?”
He nodded and rubbed his belly.
She smiled and looked down at herself. She was still in her chemise. She hadn’t meant to fall asleep in here last night. She was going to have to hurry to her chamber to dress. She would take Elias with her.
