The Bartered Bride by Mary Jo Putney

Author:Mary Jo Putney [Putney, Mary Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: Historical Romance, Erotic, Action Adventure Mystery & Detective, Adult
ISBN: 9780449003169
Google: 2pfzqYPihScC
Amazon: 0449003167
Goodreads: 692960
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published: 2002-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

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was too early, but I wanted to believe otherwise, so I certainly share some of the blame for tonight’s disaster.” His voice was rueful. “It’s easy to delude oneself where desire is involved, and I desire you greatly.”

Darkness made it possible to say, “I’m glad to know that I don’t disgust you. That you can still desire me despite the hell I’m putting you through.”

“The greatest prizes are the hardest won.”

“If difficulty creates worth, this should be a very valuable marriage.” She tried to make her voice light, without much success. “More than time, we need for me to separate desire from anxiety. I … I don’t know how to do that. But at least I have some idea where to start.”

She didn’t want to end the night with them so separated, so she made herself cross to where he sat. “Thank you, Gavin.” She took his hand and pressed it to her cheek, hoping she could absorb his strength and compassion. “You give me hope.”

His hand tensed noticeably, but he squeezed her fingers before gently disengaging. “For now, let us concentrate on living. Meeting each other’s friends, finding a house, creating a life together. The rest will come.”

She nodded agreement in the darkness. For now, that must be enough.

C H ALP TER 20

ventually Gavin’s weariness drove him to his bed, though not to sleep. He was haunted by visions of Alex being bru—

1x tally ravished. How could any man do such things to a woman? Though he’d known his share of callous, violent men, he still found such behavior incomprehensible.

He was, to his shame, still painfully aroused. If Alex had been able to finish what they’d begun, perhaps the worst would be behind them. Now he wasn’t sure he’d be able to bring himself to initiate physical intimacy again, since her rejection had been as harrowing emotionally as it was physically. It was up to her to make the next move when she was ready-if she ever was. Though he’d talked confidently, now that he knew the full scope of what she had endured, he recognized bleakly that she might never recover enough to be the joyful lover he longed for.

He reminded himself that despite their problems, they had the foundation of a good marriage: commitment, mutual desire, and the ability to talk honestly to each other. Enough to counterbalance what they didn’t have.

For now, he could allay the pain of arousal, though he found no real satisfaction in doing so. But at least his whirling mind finally slowed enough to rest. -

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