Page 123 of The Language of Love

“Won’t you tell me what happened? Please? I can feel the tension between the three of you, it is like—”

“It would take me days—weeks—to explain what happened to me in this house, Annis.”

“But we have to live with them, surely—”

“I will see to the Dower House as soon as possible and get her out from under our roof. As for Edmund, he has a home of his own, but he’s leased the place or he’d be gone tomorrow.” He resumed his pacing; his powerful shoulders so tense she could feel it in her own body.

“Won’t you come to bed, Henry?”

“I’m not ready for bed, Annis. I’d just keep you awake.”

“I don’t mind. In fact, I sleep better when you are near. You won’t dist—”

“I’m going down to the library. I doubt I’ll be ready for sleep anytime soon.” He spoke sharply, but then frowned, coming toward the bed. “I’m sorry,” he said for the third or fourth time. His eyes flickered over her disheveled person. She was still above the covers, her nightgown rucked up to her thighs. His eyelids lowered. “Let me give you something to help you sleep,” he murmured.

He ignored her—admittedly weak—protests and spread her thighs wide before lowering his mouth over her sex, his lips and tongue working their magic.

Annis groaned. “Don’t think I’m not aware that you are distracting me.”

His lips curved into a smile against her sensitive folds.

“I shan’t forget this convers—Ah!” A shudder rocked her body as he sucked her aching bud into his hot mouth.

“We need to talk,” she mumbled, sounding unconvincing to her own ears. “After,” she added.

His answer was to shove her legs wider, plunge two thick fingers into her, and drive her toward bliss.