“Look at me, Dorrie.”
Her eyes fluttered open, and their gazes locked. He continued to thrust in and out, watching her. Felt her tense beneath him.
“Wrap your legs around me.” She did as he asked, her fingers digging into his shoulders. “Let go for me, Dorrie.” He cupped a breast, stroking her nipple, and felt her shudder. Seconds later, she was arching up into him. Ash followed her release with his. His back tensed as he emptied himself in her.
Christ, he’d never felt something that powerful before.
He moved to her side. One hand on her stomach, hers over it. Ash let himself lie there for a few minutes. Allowed himself these precious moments to enjoy something he would never experience again.
“Dorrie—”
She rolled onto her side and pressed her hand to his mouth. “No words are needed. Thank you for making my first time magical, Ash. I will never forget it. I understand you must leave now. I will follow soon.”
How could she speak so rationally when his insides felt like they’d been thrown into the eye of a storm? He didn’t speak, just nodded and got out of bed.
“I will get you something—”
“I have things in here to clean up. There is no need for you to concern yourself.”
She lay on her side watching him as he pulled on his clothes. She looked so beautiful, her skin pink, hair a tangled mess. Sated, he thought.
“Okay.” He felt the need to speak but wasn’t sure what he should say. He finished dressing and then stomped his feet into his boots. “I will see you back in the village.”
“Yes. And don’t forget what Essex asked you to bring.” She smiled at him.
How was she so calm when she was the innocent?
He managed to nod, then unlocked the door and left. They were the hardest steps he’d ever taken. His chest felt hot and his eyes scratchy. None of the relief that he often felt after he’d been with a woman surged through him. In fact, he felt like his clothes were too tight.
But then she was not just any woman. She was Dorset Sinclair. Sister-in-law to his brother, Gus, and a nobleman’s sister. A virgin, or she had been.
“I am a fool.”
He went to Essie’s surgery and found what she’d wanted him to bring her, then left the house and did not look back.
Dear Christ, he’d just slept with Dorset Sinclair, and Ash had a terrible feeling that he would never be quite the same again.
CHAPTERNINETEEN
Essie and Baron were sure they would be able to leave in the next few days. Dorrie was pleased about that. When she left here, there would be other distractions to take her mind off what she and Ash had shared at Oaks Knoll. She hadn’t lied when she’d told him she would never regret what they had done. How could you regret an experience like that? The gentleness of a man who believed there was no good in him. The pleasure he’d given her had been unlike anything she’d ever imagined, and she knew she’d never feel that way again.
Yes, it was likely she would marry, but it would not be for love, because Ash may not believe they were destined, but she did.
Some of her family had fallen hard and fast for their Ravens, and Dorrie knew she was no different. She loved Ash Charlton, even if he could not love her. She felt strangely at peace about that, even though he would leave her. Perhaps when he did the pain would come.
“Very kind of you, Miss Sinclair,” the woman said as she handed over some of the oranges that the castle had delivered yesterday.
“You and your family must eat those and the vegetables, Mrs. Landers,” Dorrie said.
“And that we will.” She bobbed a curtsey and headed back inside.
Ash hadn’t treated her any differently since they’d made love, and that was for the best. Why would he, anyway? She knew he had slept with women before her. Did he regret what they’d done? Very likely, because even though he said he was not a good man, she knew he was honorable. He would not be here in Crunston Cliff if he weren’t.
“Hello, Dorrie.”
Baron was walking toward her. There were those in town who had not taken kindly to this man being here and watching over their sick loved ones. Most of those views had changed when they’d seen how gentle and kind he was.
“I am delivering oranges and some vegetables too.”
