Chapter 69
Blake’s POV:
1 knocked gently on Claire’s door, concerned about her condition after the attack near the theater.
\“Claire, are you okay?”
She answered immediately, her voice brightening. “Blakey! You came to check on me!”
I pushed the door open to find her propped up against hef pillows, looking far too alert for this hour. “Why aren’t you asleep yet? Is your leg still hurting?”
“A little…” She reached her hand out toward me. “But it’s much better now that you’re here. Can you stay with me for a while?
I sat on the edge of er bed, careful not to disturb her injured leg. “Not too long. You need to rest
Claire took my hand and pressed it against her cheek. Her skin was warm, almost feverish. “I had a nightmare. I dreamed I could never dance again…”
I saw the vulnerability in her eyes, the flicker of fear, and felt a familiar rush of protectiveness wash over me.
She leaned against my shoulder, her body trembling slightly. I couldn’t help but comfort her, even as my mind drifted back to moments earlier with Anna, the way she had yielded to me in the guest room, how different she’d been tonight.
“I’ll have a doctor come check on you tomorrow,” I promised, gently extracting myself from Claire’s grip. “But now you need sleep.”
“Just a little longer,” she pleaded, but I stood firm this time.
“Tomorrow,” I said, closing her door behind me.
My feet carried me to the garden, where the night air was crisp and clear.
And there she was–Anna, standing alone in the center of the garden gazing up at the moon. She wore only a thin coat over her nightgown.
The moonlight bathed her silhouette, catching the gold in her hair.
Has she been out here waiting for me? Couldn’t she sleep knowing I went to Claire?
“Waiting for me?” I called out. “We just parted.”
She turned, her smile slightly accusatory. “Blake, isn’t the moon beautiful tonight? We’ve never stargazed together. You always leave right after.”
I hadn’t expected that. “It’s fine. Let’s go back to bed.”
I noticed the anticipation in her eyes, the unspoken desire.
I’d satisfied her physically earlier, but I’d missed the emotional connection she craved. Something about moonlight stirred something in me I thought I’d butied.
She walked over and slipped her arm through mine, pressing against me for warmth.
anding there in the
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Chapter 69
“You’re so warm, she murmured, her voice soft against my war
How long have you been freezing out here? My voice came on der than i intreded
Anna pressed closer. “A long time. I’m really cold, so hold me tightes
I found my arms wrapping around her body, feeling her tremble age me, “Reiter never
Her neck curved gracefully as she leaned into me, and I found myself wating my head, inkding the mbria seat of her posture
I lifted her into my arms, intending to carry her back inside, but she whispered against my car, “Will yon ay di me siger He breath was warm against my skin.
Thesitated, and she must have felt it because she suddenly struzzled in my arms until I had to set her down
Before I could speak; she rose on tiptoes and kissed me again, her lips surprisingly demanding
She’s become so forward lately. The contrast is disarming… Maybe Lillian’s death has left her craving security, molding her more lepsien
on me… Not that I mind.
“Let’s go to bed,” I said, my voice tight with restraint.
She wrapped her arms around my neck. “Will you sleep with me?
When I didn’t answer, she jumped down from my arms. “Then I’m not going back
“What did you say?” I raised an eyebrow, surprised by her defiance.
“I’m staying right here! I’ll sleep in the garden!” Her stubborn declaration was childish, but strangely alluring
Her smile held a seductive quality I’d rarely seen from her before. She stepped closer, her fingers trailing up my chest, and I felt my pulse quicken beneath her touch.
“Mrs. Wright, so bold?” I managed to say as her fingers deftly unbuttoned my collar.
She licked her lower lip, her eyes never leaving mine. “You haven’t seen bold yet.”
Her lips found my neck, teeth grazing my skin, and her hands moved lower, unfastening my belt. I sucked in a sharp breath, my body tensing with anticipation.
In one swift motion, I grabbed her wrists and backed her against the stone table near the rose pavilion. My mouth claimed hers, my tongue insistent. My hands slipped inside her coat, finding warm skin beneath.
“Blake…” she gasped as my lips traveled to her collarbone. “We’re outside…”
I whispered in her ear, my breath hot against her skin. “Worried someone will see?”
Her nails dug into my back through my shirt. “No… I’m worried you’ll stop…”
“Tell me what you want,” I demanded, my voice rough with desire.
She looked up at me, eyes shining with challenge. I want you. All of you. Right here.”
lifted her onto the table, pushing between her thighs as her legs wrapped around my waist.
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Her hands tore at my shirt, buttons flying. My palms explored the smooth skin of her inner thighs, feeling her shiver at roy touch
Our clothes fell away, forgotten on the garden grass. Under the moonlight, Anna’s skin glowed like pearl, her curves entrancing as she arched toward me.
i
When I finally entered her, she bit her lip to stifle a moan. “God…”
“Look at me, Anna,” I commanded, my voice strained.
As we moved together, I lost myself in her–the scent of roses mingling with her perfume, the taste of wine on her lips, the sound of her breathless whispers in my ear.
My heartbeat thundered, drowning out everything but the sensation of her body against mine.
Her legs tightened around me, pulling me deeper. “Don’t stop… Blake… please…”
In that moment, all my complicated thoughts vanished. There was only Anna, her body trembling beneath mine, her head thrown back as she gazed at the moon. I could only stare at her enraptured expression, her eyes reflecting the stars above.
We reached our peak together, Anna’s mouth opening in a silent cry, her neck forming a beautiful arch. I buried ray face in her neck, feeling our bodies shudder in unison, like a private storm finally subsiding.
For that brief, perfect moment, the world consisted of nothing but us
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