Her Wicked Proposal novel Chapter 37

The last of the guests finally left sometime after four in the afternoon. Anne and Cedric collapsed in exhaustion in the parlor. Anne's head itched terribly from the veil and wreath, and at last she allowed herself to take it off. As she plucked pins out of her coiffure, she watched Cedric settle back against the couch next to her.

"I say, we did a bang-up job, my heart. What do you think?"

"Excluding the unpleasantness of Lady Dalrumple, I would certainly agree." She eased the wreath from her hair and set it down on the floor. Next came the veil, and Anne let the lace float to the floor before she sighed with relief. Its weight no longer burdened her head, and the beginnings of a nasty headache faded before they could take root.

"Everything all right?" Cedric asked.

"Yes. I finally got rid of that veil and wreath."

"Come here," Cedric said.

"Why?" Anne was too tired to fight him off if he decided to finally ravish her.

"Please, come here."

He opened his arms, and the gesture struck her as sweet. It made her feel needed, and not just in the ways of the flesh. She hesitated for only a moment. The second she was close enough, Cedric gripped her waist and pulled her onto his lap. He adjusted his body so he lounged back along the length of the couch. He pulled Anne's body to lie on top of his, her back to his chest. Anne rested her hands on his thighs and moved softly as his hands settled on her shoulders, rubbing the tension out and kneading the stressful spots away.

"Let your head fall back."

Anne obeyed willingly, her head finding a perfect place on his shoulder to rest.

"That feels like heaven." Anne felt like a purring cat, content to let her master stroke and massage her forever.

"Who knew my wife would be so easily seduced?" Cedric chuckled, his warm breath fanning her right ear in a pleasant sort of way.

Anne's eyelids felt heavy. "Today was lovely, wasn't it?" She fought to stay awake, but she failed.

"I'm just relieved it was not a disaster," he said.

She slipped into sleep, letting his touch envelop her with warmth.

Once Anne went limp in his arms, Cedric knew she was completely at his mercy. Rather than take advantage of this as the old Cedric would have, he felt compelled to protect her instead. Cedric continued his gentle ministrations until Anne's breathing deepened into the slow, soft pattern of sleep. He wanted to stay there with her body wrapped in his, but their position wasn't ideal for his comfort if he wished to rest as well.