Page 39 of Reforming the Rakish Marquess

He laid on his side next to her and she shifted so that she faced him.

“You seem to have enjoyed that, my lady,” he said.

“Indeed, my lord.” It was even better that time. She hadn’t experienced enough to pick a favorite position, but she already believed it would be that one. If anything else could feel any better, it might kill her.

He grinned at her, and the simple act melted her heart. His eyes slowly closed, and she laid there and watched him. She waited for him to open his eyes and tell her how he must depart, the same as he did every evening. If she were honest with herself, she might admit that she longed for him to stay.

His breathing became deep and even. She watched as his chest rose and fell with each breath, and gently placed her hand atop him. Juliana knew she should wake him, but she couldn’t bring herself to do so. She removed her hand and reached for the blankets, pulling them over both of them. She settled back onto her pillow, watching him for several moments longer before she also drifted into a peaceful sleep.

*

“No, please,” Jude cried under his breath. The heartbreaking tone of his voice startled Juliana. Her eyes shot open, and she watched as he struggled and fought underneath the covers.

“Papa, stop.” He thrashed again. “Don’t hit me.”

Juliana’s hand flew over her mouth, and tears formed in her eyes. The moonlight enabled her to see the tortured expression on his face, and it broke her heart.

She scooted closer to him and embraced him, shifting his head to rest on her chest.

“You are safe. No one will hurt you,” she whispered, stroking his hair. “You will never be hurt again.”

The tears streamed down her face. She did not know what he might have suffered at the hands of his father, but she had every reason to believe that he was reliving some of his worst memories. She recalled how he mentioned he didn’t sleep well, and in that moment she understood. Her heart broke for him all over again, thinking about how he faced such terrors on his own.

He trembled in her arms, and she held him as tightly as she could. She stroked his back, and after a few moments he settled and his breathing was even, with his head still resting on her chest.

She leaned forward and kissed his brow. “You never have to face this alone,” she whispered, knowing he didn’t hear her.

She closed her eyes and accepted the truth she had been fighting since their first encounter. Not only was she in love with Jude, the most notorious rake of the ton who had sworn never to marry, but her heart would be his forever.

Chapter Eleven

Jude opened his eyes. A woman’s breast lay before him, and he realized his cheek rested against the other one. Juliana. She was fast asleep and was even more beautiful, with such a peaceful expression on her sleeping visage.

The urge to kiss her and taste her lips was stronger than it had ever been. His cock stirred and pressed hard against her naked leg, causing him to utter a low growl.

He glanced over at the window and noted the sun was high in the sky. Somehow, he had slept through the night. He had never spent the night with a woman before.

Sighing, he was relieved that he didn’t have any night terrors. He should never have allowed himself to fall asleep in her bed. Subjecting her to his problems was not something he could ever allow. Besides, enjoying their mutual fucking was one thing, but finding sleep together in her bed was something that could not be repeated. No matter how warm and comforting it was to be in her arms.

Jude shook off the warring thoughts. He’d have to figure out how to leave her home without being seen. Servants were sure to be bustling about. It had to be at least nine or ten o’clock. At least he had locked the door to her chamber, safeguarding their inexplicable encounter from being discovered by her maid.

Forcing himself to sit up and move away, he looked back at her. She stirred, and her beautiful eyes blinked open.

“Jude.”

“I’m sorry I fell asleep. That wasn’t part of our arrangement.” Nor was it a risk he should have allowed himself to take. To protect his secrets, as well as both of their hearts.

She smiled at him, flipping his heart. “I didn’t mind at all,” she said.

“I should dress,” he said. “It is going to pose an interesting challenge getting out of here unseen.”

As soon as his feet hit the floor, he tried to keep her from seeing the erection he sported. He shouldn’t have taken her twice last night when it was her first time, but she was becoming more and more irresistible. He was steadily losing control over what little remained of his good sense. Not that he would allow himself to ponder a deeper notion than just his mere lust for her. Of course he wanted her. He would always want her.

He grabbed his breeches and pulled them up over his hips with his back to her, tucking himself inside before buttoning his falls.

“Jude?” she called out to him.

He grabbed his shirt and started working the buttons. “Hmm?”