A Wish for Noel by Deborah Simmons

Author:Deborah Simmons [Simmons, Deborah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488080296
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 1997-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIVE

Benedick stood in front of the hearth, alternately craving and despising its heat. He needed to be cold. Cold and composed if he was to face the truth, and do so he must, no matter how much it disgusted him. Groaning, Benedick ran a hand through his hair and admitted the unthinkable to himself.

He lusted after his ward.

The dreams had come again last night, vague erotic visions of Noel beneath him, naked and sweet, filling him with warmth even as he filled her with his seed. Muttering a foul oath, Benedick slammed his fist against the stones. He had awakened this morning, bathed in his sweat, his body rigid and ready, only to grasp nothing but his blankets.

And, if the dreams weren’t bad enough, he had only to recall the reality that had taken place under the mistletoe. Not once, but twice had he lost himself in the taste and feel of Noel, forgetting his position, his decisions and all else, like a randy fool.

Things were getting out of hand, of that he was certain. The lesson he had sought to teach her had gone awry. Instead of backing away from his embrace, Noel now pursued him with renewed fervor. Benedick flushed at the thought. By faith, he was but a man, and flattered by her purpose, but he could not encourage her vain quest for marriage.

Although he wanted to protect her from the harsh truth, Benedick could only go so far without sacrificing them both to another, grimmer, reality. He knew it was better that she take the blow now than later, for each day she seemed to grow bolder and more determined.

The time had come to talk seriously with her. And Benedick could not do it in the hall, surrounded by the very essence of her, with the greenery, the mistletoe and the reminder of her Christmas wish everywhere. Nor did he care for the presence of others, especially Alard, with his perpetual smirk.

So he had ordered her to meet him here, in the great chamber. This morning, when the remnants of his dream drove him to urgency, it had seemed the only solution, for the old keep had no solar. But now, as Benedick glanced behind him, he noticed that the bed took up an inordinate amount of space, taunting him with the memories of his visions.

Swearing, he leaned his arm against the stones and laid his forehead against it. Rest and quiet. That is what he had sought here. Instead, he was plagued with a hall full of noisy celebrants during the day and sleepless nights fraught with phantoms. Perhaps he would never find surcease, Benedick thought sourly, because he so little deserved it.

“Benedick?”

Startled, Benedick raised his head to see his ward standing just inside the doorway. He had not heard her arrival, but that was not what struck him so forcefully. It was her use of his name, breathless and intimate upon her lips, that spread heat throughout his body. She had always called

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.