The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2(336)

Blake moved Arabella from the inn into the Eltham townhouse in Bath at the end of another week, now certain that she had healed well, and was fit to resume a modified social round.



He wanted to go back to London, but the journey seemed too long, and he knew he would have to visit the Jeromes' house at some point.



But every time they intended to go, Blake would always come up with an excuse at the last minute, until even Arabella could see he was avoiding it for some inexplicable reason.



He admitted with a shaky sigh, "I know it will be my home eventually, and that we told them we wanted to settle there. But the truth is that it's the place where you had your accident, and all my hopes for us were blighted. I don't think I can face it. I don't want you to remember if it's going to be too painful."



"But isn't it also the place where we were happy?" she asked gently.



Blake nodded. "Yes, yes it was."



"Then all the more reason to visit. I might be able to recall that too."



He sighed. "Very well, we shall go in the morning."



Arabella asked with seeming nonchalance, "In that case, can I have a bath? And will you help me?"



"Certainly, my dear."



Soon the tub in the sumptuous bathing chamber was full to the brim, and Blake had scrubbed her back and helped her in the impersonal way he had done ever since she had been attacked.



He helped her wash her long hair, and wrapped it in a towel. He sat her in a chair by the fire as he brushed it out. When he was finished she stroked his cheek and began to plant soft kisses all over his face and throat.



"Arabella, really, maybe we shouldn't-"



"I want to. I want you, Blake."



"Do you remember any of this?" he whispered.



"It feels so familiar. I don't think I can recall a time when I wasn't in your arms like this."



Blake kissed her with complete abandon then, and lifted her and laid her down on the bed. She responded to him ardently, stroking her hands up and down his broad back and shoulders, the strong base of his neck, before curling her fingers into his hair to deepen the kiss.



"Arabella, it's too good," he groaned after a time. "We must stop. You're not yourself."



"Then who am I? I feel newly born, as though your kisses have brought me to life."



Blake knew he ought to stop, but he was so fascinated with her obvious pleasure in his kisses and caresses that he couldn't help himself. Her response was as warm as it had always been, nay, warmer, for there were no shadows of the months they had suffered without each other, the quarrels they had had. There was only the present, and it was unlike anything he had ever encountered.



"Look at me, Arabella," he whispered.



She opened her eyes and looked at him, stroking her small delicate fingers down his lightly bristled cheek, tracing his lips with her forefinger. "I am looking. I truth I have never seen such a splendid sight as you. You're everything a wife could dream of and more."



She kissed him then and moved under him so alluringly that Blake knew he was lost. "I'll be right back."



He went to his room to get his protectors, and then divested himself of his clothes with his back to her. He was already so hard it was best to tie one himself now rather than wait until later, but as he came back to the bed he warned her, "If it hurts at all, you tell me immediately. Do you understand?"



"You won't hurt me. We love each other."



"I don't want to hurt you. Just relax and let me love you."



He was so careful and tentative that she eventually grew impatient. "It feels lovely, darling, but I think there's something more you're not showing me."



"Oh, blast and darn." He took her hand and laid it on his thigh and her eyes widened. "I want you so badly, but I'm terrified."



She stared for a time. "I can sit on you, can't I? I seem to recall we both liked that."



Before he could stop her, he was on his back and she was astride him. He tensed as if he was expecting pain himself, but she slid down him with a contented sigh. "Ah, there it is. I could hardly forget this."



He had made sure she was more than wet and ready. Even with the condom, she set up a sinuous motion and after a few strokes she was smiling in delight.



He poured himself into her in an agony of desire and relief, and his release, when it came few moments later, was cataclysmic.



Blake was certain he had been struck by lightning. His orgasm went on and on, ripping through him, until at last she collapsed on top of him. He gasped out her name and lay still panting, completely unable to move.



Her arms went up around his shoulders, pulling him upwards into a sitting position so that he cradled his head upon her bosom and cried in relief.