Page 61 of A Raven Repents

Christina had tried to wait up for Giles, but sleep eventually won out. Nevertheless, the pleasure he brought her upon his return was well worth being woken up for. By the time they finished, darkness was beginning to relent to the whispers of daylight.

She donned her nightgown and climbed back into bed. Without so much as a word, he pulled her into his embrace as though she’d never left it. Surely, by now, the behavior was raising some sort of suspicion. But he still didn’t confront her about it. Didn’t complain or question her. She snuggled more tightly against him. This man, who trusted her enough to allow her the freedom to hide herself from him. It was time to show him the truth. Tomorrow. She would do it when he came home from The Raven’s Den.

It was the only thing she could think about all day, and it even kept her awake until she finally heard him come through the front door.

She sat on the edge of his bed in her nightgown, all of the lamps in the room lit.

“Are you alright?” he asked when he walked in and saw her there.

She nodded, curling the fingers of one hand into the other and squeezing them tight. “I waited up for you.”

A hungry smile grew on his lips, and he crossed the room to her. She enjoyed a brief kiss, but stopped him before she lost herself to desire. Before she lost her nerve.

“Will you change into your pajamas?”

He looked into her eyes for a moment, his brow furrowed with uncertainty. But he didn’t question her. “Of course.” He pressed a soft kiss against her forehead and walked into his dressing room. He was so gentle and trusting. She hated what she was about to do. But she had to show him. He deserved the truth.

“Better?” he asked when he returned a few minutes later, turning in a circle for her inspection.

She walked to him and took his hand. “There’s something I need to show you.” She led him to the bed and he sat.

Her heartbeat was frenzied as she stepped back, and tears welled in her eyes.

“Sweetheart.” He reached for her, but she held up a hand to stop him.

“I have to do this, Giles. And I’m sorry.”

She gathered her nightgown in her fists and pulled it over her head.

She watched him, expecting him to recoil from the hideous blemish. But he didn’t. His gaze wandered over every inch of her body, not lingering on the birthmark for more than a second or two.

“My God. You are even more beautiful than I imagined.”

“Stop it.” Two tears slid down her cheeks.

He gripped her waist with both hands and pulled her closer. “Is this what you’ve been hiding from me?”

She nodded. “It’s ugly, and I was afraid you’d hate me for not telling you before we wed.”

“It is not ugly. It’s a part of you, and therefore, is also beautiful.” He pressed a kiss against the edge of the mark between her breasts. “And I already know it tastes just as delectable as every other part of you.” His tongue glided over it until he drew her nipple into his mouth.

She whimpered. “Are you sure you’ll still want me?”

He stood, took her wrist gently, and pressed her palm against the front of his trousers. “That only happens because I want you.”

She’d never felt it with her hand before. It was firm, and pushed against her. “May I see it?”

He raised his brow. “Do I need to leave and come back in again?”

Laughter rushed through her lips, easing her heart. She grabbed his shirt and pulled him down to her. She claimed his mouth. He was hers, and he wanted her, even after seeing everything. While her tongue swept into his mouth, she reached between them to open the buttons of his pajama top. His chest was warm and inviting as he pulled her against him, his hands reaching down to grip her bottom.

She needed him inside her body. Needed to be joined with him. She wrenched her lips away from his. “Show me how much you want me by how quickly you get those off.” She pointed at his trousers.

He yanked on the drawstring and pushed them to the floor. She stared at him for a moment, and nearly asked if she could touch him, but she knew what he’d say. Instead, she wrapped her hand around him. His groan confirmed his approval.

“I want you inside me, Giles. Right now.”

He spun them around, and dropped her onto her back on the bed. Lifting her feet to rest on his shoulders, he drove himself into her, taking her breath away. She didn’t realize it could be done that way, with him still standing beside the bed. But then he plunged into her again.