Chapter 38

It was very strange, even though Eden wanted to forget about it, but she needed to know. 

Above all, Eden didn't want to discover his grave by chance and show any emotion that might betray her.

It was Ian who came to his senses first.

“In our family vault, in the crypt of the church where we were married. You'll see it on Sunday, although the plaque, of course, isn't engraved yet.”

“Just a plaque? asked Eden, striving to speak with detachment.

So, while she was marrying Ian, Ivan’s chilled body lay just a few feet away? The thought was rather chilling. Good thing she hadn't known about it earlier.

“Yes, that's the custom. White marble, the family name, dates, titles and coat of arms.”

Eden saw that Ian was looking at her intently, and wondered if Lucas could have guessed that she had tender feelings for Ivan.

“But how could he? No statue of him, showing his best profile, with a group of mourning naiads at his feet? He would have loved that! laughed their cousin. Forgive me, Eden, that's not in the good taste... I'm leaving…”

Lucas smiled at her.

“I forgot that you were two lovebirds on your honeymoon... quite unusual, though, because talking about farming and cellars just a few days after the wedding is quite unusual…”

And Lucas bids them farewell, leaving them gnashing their teeth in unison.

“He's usually very tactful,” Ian said, settling down next to Eden on the sofa. “I'm sorry about that. Did it upset you?”

“Talking about Ivan’s grave? No, and after all, I'm the one who brought it up …stupidly, I admit. I didn't want to find out by surprise, and risk betraying myself. But I should have waited and asked you face to face. I just... thought out loud, and got carried away by my emotion. Do you think this is still a consequence of my condition?”

“I suppose so.”

Ian smiled at her again, and Eden felt her heart beat faster. Her husband was so good to her.

“Not that I really know, actually. In that respect, as I said, I'm more used to animals than human beings. I've also taken care of the dogs in our kennels... If you had a wet nose, a shiny coat and a wagging tail, I could probably make a better diagnosis…”

“Oh, Ian!”

Eden burst into a joyous, infectious laugh.

“And you would say: lay down?”

Ian took her in his arms and sat her on his knees.

“But absolutely! Down!

Ian looked at her for a moment.

“It's the first time I've seen you laugh. It suits you... You're so beautiful”

After he said that Eden’s laughter died in her throat and when Ian pulled her close. There were happy little wrinkles at the corners of his deep brown eyes. 

His arm held her tightly and Eden felt safe, one hand resting on her husband's vest. The other was resting on his thigh and she became aware with some trepidation that he was taut with desire.

“Ian?”

Eden bit her lip nervously as she realized that Ian was staring at her. A gaze that had the gift of panicking her to the core.

“-Eden…”

Ian leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers.

Everything tensed inside her, from the muscles of her arms to the evidence of her desire. 

Eden felt as if she could read his thoughts as Ian let himself lay against the sofa cushions, pulling her along, so that Eden now found herself lying on his chest, leading their kiss. 

Eden found this very exciting, even though her hands were wisely at rest.

"He's letting me take the initiative," she mused, and a feeling of power eclipsed all her other senses. Ian wanted her and Eden was calling the shots.

Eden knew that Ian enjoyed her kisses. Ivan, on the other hand, would never have agreed to let her have power. 

But Ian wasn't motivated by weakness; he simply trusted her.

Eden buried her fingers in her husband's hair, then on the nape of his neck, caressing tendons and muscles. 

This gave her the impression that she was calling the shots, that she could take his mouth and use it as she pleased.

Eden laughed to herself; deep down, she knew that Ian could flick her away. But it was a lovely fantasy, one that Eden savored as she gently slid her tongue over the crease of his lips. Yes, Eden was playing…

Her fingers, still in Ian’s hair, seemed to immobilize him, to demand obedience, and she introduced her tongue deep into his mouth.

This audacity was exciting and so was his submission. 

Ian opened up to him immediately

“You are absolutely delicious.” Ian said, catching his breath.

Eden was bold enough to cup her hand around Ian’s face as she explored, tasted and excited him. 

His mouth was hot, tasted like mint tea, and beneath that familiar flavor was something masculine, wild and a little dangerous.

Gasping, Eden straightened slightly. They were nose to nose.

“Make love to me,” Ian told her, his voice husky, his hands sliding over Eden’s hips. “Now, Please Eden”