She cried out Octavian’s name.
Goodness, she loved his name.
It suited him so perfectly.
She cried out for him, repeating his name with ache and wonder.
“I have you, love,” he whispered, stroking her body with exquisite gentleness as she soared and then soared even higher.
She held onto him when he wrapped his arms around her to hold her in his protective embrace. She held on as she tumbled over the edge of reason into the deep waters of indescribably passionate sensations.
All the while, Octavian soothed her and told her she was beautiful. “You are, Syd. So beautiful,” he said and kissed her with searing heat and tender possession.
He made her feel cherished while he soothed her and held her until this storm of new sensations passed and she calmed.
She was still breathing heavily when he rolled onto his back and brought her along with him so that she was comfortably settled atop him.
“Syd,” he said softly, “how do you feel?”
She wanted to cry because she felt so happy, but did not want to end this moment with tears, even if they were good tears. Instead, she smiled back at him and gazed into his gorgeous, gray eyes that still held the heat of smoldering embers. “I feel wonderful,” she admitted. “And scared by these feelings you stirred in me. They are so potent, Octavian. Does this happen with all the women you take into your bed?”
“Do not compare yourself to anyone. Nor could I tell you truly how anyone else felt, for they never meant anything to me and I meant little to them. I know it sounds harsh, but it was reciprocal apathy. Those women were using me as much as I was using them. They could have been faking, for all I know.”
“With you? No.” She shook her head emphatically. “I do not think any woman could resist you.”
He kissed her gently on the cheek. “That is because you genuinely like me. Indeed, you like me more than you are willing to admit. But these others ladies? I have no idea. Nor do I particularly care. Perhaps that does not speak well of me. I never sought out women of sterling character to satisfy my urges. The ones I bedded would lie to me through their teeth if they thoughtthere was advantage to be had. Not you, though. You would always be honest with me.”
“Even if I lied, you would see through me.” Indeed, he would see straight into her heart because he understood her so well, her every gesture, her every nuance. Even if she were stone-faced, he could still tell what she was thinking.
“Syd, you do not have it in you to ever lie to me. Defy me, yes. Irritate me, constantly.”
“Octavian!” She had remained atop him, warmed in the circle of his arms and the heat of his skin. But she laughed because this is what she was– defiant and stubborn– and there was no denying it. “You are a beast to say such things to me.”
He gave a low growl and kissed her. “And you are also beautiful, smart, passionate, and my heart fills with elation whenever I am around you.”
“I feel the same around you…and yet, I am still so scared it will all come undone. The Harcourt curse. I don’t want to end up miserable like my parents.”
“You won’t, sweetheart. You are nothing like your parents.Weare not going to repeat their mistakes.”
She nodded against his chest. “I hope you are right. But I cannot shake this awful feeling that something will arise to put a rift between us.”
He ran his fingers lightly through her hair. “You will be of age in less than nine months, Syd. If no disasters strike, will you make our marriage permanent? Do this for us, won’t you? Give us a chance.”
“Octavian, by the time I come of age, you will be eager to get rid of me.”
He frowned. “I am not getting rid of you. Put it out of your mind and stop wishing for it to happen.”
“Wishing for it?” She shook her head and let out a mirthless laugh. “I am desperately hoping it does not happen. Please, nomore speaking of this tonight. Let us enjoy the moment. I’d rather fall asleep with a smile on my face.”
“Fine,” he said, obviously wondering how to deal with her dread. It was going to hang over her head like the sword of Damocles unless she learned to simply accept they could be happy together.
She was trying, but it was still so hard for her to do. “Can we try this again, Octavian? Soon?”
“Thisbeing my hands and lips all over you?”
She nodded. “I like the way you touch me.”
“Yes, Syd. As often as you desire.”
