Isabella reached her chamber and shut the door behind her, exhaling heavily. She prayed that she was convincing enough for Ridge to believe all the lies that had tumbled out of her mouth, asthat wasall they were. She told him what she thought he wanted to hear, and while there was a certain truth to what she’d said, that it would be foolhardy in the extreme to continue any sort of liaison with him, she wanted nothing more. If he could bring her body to such heights of ecstasy with just a few flicks of his fingers, she couldn’t help but imagine what else he might be able to do.
She shook her head and pushed away from the door.Isaac and Ianwould be arriving with her bathwater shortly, so she began to gatherthethings she would need, items that Claudia normally set out for her. It was something that her maid did for her each day without complaint, and it made Isabella even more cognizant ofhow much Claudia was dedicated to her service.
When there was a knock at the door, Isabella opened it to let the brothers from the village into the room. They poured the buckets of steaming water into the copper tub.
Oncetheyweregone, Isabellapeeled off her gown and undergarments.She was thankful that Claudia had packed some of her favorite rose-scented oil, for a few drops in the water perfumed the air with its sweet scent.It was exactly what she needed as she sank into the tub with a sigh.Combined with the steam of the water, she closed her eyes and let the heat envelop herin its comforting warmth.
The gentle ripples washed over her breasts,and she sucked in a breath, imagining that Ridge was there with her.And although she didn’t want to think ofhim, she allowed herself this one stolen moment to dream of his touch.
Her pulse began to flutter madly as she dared to run her hands down the sidesof her breasts,and then along the hardened peaks, pinching her nipples as she fell deeper into the fantasy. She moaned as her right hand trailed past her stomach and delved between her legs, while her otherreached out to gripthe side of the tub. Her back arched as her fingers found thatsamesensitive bud and began a steady rhythmthat mimicked what Ridge had done to her. Her breathstartedcoming in steady pants,and sheknewthat the building sensation that she was creating would soon crest.
And she wanted it. Oh, God, how shecravedit.
With thevision of Ridgestillin her mind,she imaginedthat his mouth was on her body,kissing and teasing her, untilwith a low cry, she soon found her release andcalledout his name.
Sheopened her eyes, tremblingin the aftermath of her desire, but the pleasure she’d felt was fleeting, for she was still empty and unfulfilled. Although shemight have found temporary abandon on her own,her body still yearned forhistouch.
With a frustrated sob, she climbed out of the tub andshoved her arms inher dressing robe. She crossed the room and sank down in a chairin front of the fire.
Isabellahad to find away ofexorcisingthe demon of Ridge Claymoorebeforeit was too late andhe consumed her completely.Even so, she kept replaying his parting words from the night before—”If the timeevercomes when we do copulate, I intend to take my time and not take the risk of being disturbed, because it won’t be over in a few minutes.”
And yet,they had both been in agreement this afternoonthatwhat had happened between them wouldn’t be repeatedor go any further than it had.
She laid her head back against the chair and shut her eyes. Why couldn’t life be simple? She couldn’t have Ridge and Simon had never wanted her, while theonething she’d everdesiredin life was apparently too much to ask for.
