The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2(173)

She shivered again at the almost sensual contact as they glided along her flesh and came to rest on her wrists as though embracing them.



The bracelets were made of four thick loops of gold, with one reddish in hue, one paler, almost white, one dark and brown, and the other pure yellow gold. The four strands were interwoven into a complicated abstract knotted pattern, with two small animal heads at either end.



"They look like birds and serpents on this one, and a lion turning into a shaggy man on this."



He nodded. "I know something of the ancient myths. So far as I can tell from what I found in some old books, the pictures are supposed to signify the process of transformation, the old to the new, in a never-ending circle," Will explained.



She smiled up at him. "Eternity?"



"Yes. Like our love, which will last forever, if we just take things one day at a time. Share everything we can."



The gold bracelets around her wrists seemed to vibrate with a hidden flame. Her palms almost ached for the feel of him, and she reached out to embrace him, touching his left shoulder.



He flew back against the sofa, almost toppling right over it until she caught him by the arm and pulled him to her.



She stared at him in alarm. "What is it?"



"I don't know," he said with a shaky laugh. "I think it's my shoulder. It pains me a great deal sometimes. The shell fragment is buried so deeply within they thought it best to leave it. I suppose it just spasmed again."



He took a shaky breath and smiled at her concerned expression. "Whilst we're on the subject, can I just warn you now that I'm not a pretty picture like Parks or Stewart without my clothes on. I made my way up the ranks from Private, and took my fair share of punishment from a vicious sergeant."



She blushed and looked away. "I understand. It doesn't matter. I love the man you are, all of you, no matter what's happened in the past."



His heart soared at her words. He knew he ought to tell her about his first wife, his past, but the blood pounding in his veins demanding some sort of solace impelled him onwards.



"I think our ten minutes is almost up, so if you don't mind not talking for a few minutes…"



"Of course not. I need to thank you for the lovely gifts." She handed the ring box back to him for safe-keeping and flashed him a warm smile. "And I think it only fair to warn you now I've left off my stockings and drawers."



Will nearly swooned as she raised her skirts to show him and pressed herself into his arms. Their desire was like a shower of white hot sparks swirling around them.



Their hands roved everywhere, their caresses even more thrillingly intimate than in the cave. Will thrilled her with his fingers deep inside her. It took every ounce of his willpower to hold back from completing himself within her lush body.



His desire was raging so badly he simply had to get some relief. He grasped her hand and squeezed it over the top of him. She stroked the velvety head eagerly as they both shuddered to climax.



He had enough presence of mind to mop their palms with his handkerchief and stuff it back in his pocket as they heard footsteps approaching.



But when she raised his hand to her mouth to lick and suckle both of their still-damp fingers he lost his sanity completely.



Parks had to almost pull them apart when he entered a short time later, alarmed that he had not got an answer to his repeated taps at the door.



"I say! Steady on, you two!" He covered his eyes before he saw more of his friends than he wanted. "One more day, I promise. No, stop that."



Will released her at last, shook his head, and looked at Elizabeth in confusion.



He had no idea what demon gripped him when he so much as touched her, but it drove him mercilessly.



Elizabeth had felt a new sense of her own power as she'd kissed hard him, and was most disappointed when her innermost desires were once more thwarted.



Finally they managed to get themselves into some sort of order and calm. But just to be on the safe side, Parks kept them at arm's length all night before the rest of the household was treated to such an ardent display.



She tried to behave, but her flesh crackled with desire. "The cave, tonight," she whispered as Will was leaving. "At eight. Just for a little while."



"No, love, no," he murmured urgently. "We must wait. I'm not having my wedding night there. Not for your first time. Please darling, forget about the cave."



"On the beach then."



"No, darling. One more night is all I'm asking. Please."



She pouted, but once he kissed her, she nodded. "I shall see you tomorrow morning, then."