A Return of the Wicked Earl

by Sadie Bosque

  “Wait, darling,” he whispered. “Let me get you good and naked first.”

  Annalise bit on his ear and heard him groan. “I don’t want to wait,” she whispered back and started working on the buttons of his breeches.

  Blake chuckled. “Impatient wench.”

  He helped her undo the buttons and quickly stripped off his breeches and drawers. He tore the shirt off his shoulders, then got rid of her skirts. Annalise shivered before him in her chemise and stockings.

  Blake took her into his arms and gently laid her on the bed. He climbed up on top of her and kissed her on the mouth, plunging his tongue inside, sending tingles through her body. Blake raised his head and studied her with a tender look in his eyes.

  Annalise gazed back at him as he slowly twined their fingers on either side of her head. The gesture was so intimate and sweet that Annalise wanted to weep. Her eyes watered. Blake slowly lowered his head to hers and took her mouth in a sensual kiss. It was soft and wet and incredibly delicious. Annalise whimpered in frustration, wanting more of him, more of this closeness. She raised her hips and rubbed her pelvis against his hard, hot shaft.

  With a groan, Blake drew away and sat up. He sat on his knees, panting and watching Annalise as a predator watched his prey. He ran a hand through his hair and scrambled from the bed.

  Annalise sat up. “What are you doing?”

  “I want to see you more clearly. To remember every detail of your face.” He lit a few more candles. “I want to see every little reaction on your beautiful face as I make you come.”

  Annalise clenched her thighs together, her entire being pulsing in anticipation. Hot liquid pooled between her legs. She wanted to squirm, feeling uncomfortable in her own skin. More than that, she wanted Blake’s hands on her again, his mouth devouring her. And she wanted to devour him in turn. She crawled closer to him, and… froze. Now in the light of many candles, she could see his back clearly. It was covered with thick white scars.

  Blake turned back to her and beheld her shocked face. He winced but quickly hid behind an inscrutable mask.

  “What… What are those marks?” she asked, terrified.

  “You shouldn’t have seen that,” he said in a stricken voice. “I forgot they were there since I don’t see my back too often.” He stood and walked toward his shirt.

  Annalise scrambled off the bed and followed him. She took the shirt from his slack fingers and put it away. When she turned to him, he stood rigid, his entire body trembling.

  Annalise reached out her hand, but he stepped back.

  “Did that happen when you were taken?”

  “Yes.”

  Annalise swallowed. So when he talked about the past being painful, perhaps he meant literally. “Do you want to talk about it?” she asked.

  Blake raised his head then, his gaze blank. “No. I’d rather not.”

  “Is that… Does it hurt?”

  Blake shook his head. “Not anymore.”

  His gaze was still distant, and he stood there, his hands fisted at his sides, his shoulders hunched. Like an animal ready for an attack or to flee. Annalise wanted nothing more than for him to confide in her, to trust her with his woes, to share his fears. She wished she could convince him that she could help him lift the burden. That he needn’t do it alone.

  He wasn’t ready for that. He was not ready to let her in, and perhaps he never would be. But from the look of those scars, he went through something incredibly traumatic. She wouldn’t be able to heal his scars, she knew. But for tonight, she could at least comfort him.

  She stepped closer to him and reached out a hand, slowly as not to spook him. He watched her hand warily, but in the end, he put his hand in hers, and she tugged him closer.

  Annalise enveloped him in a tight embrace the moment he stepped close enough and ran her hands up and down his back in soothing motions. She kissed his chest, then stood on her tiptoes and kissed the hollow below his throat. He chuckled, a low sound that reverberated through his chest, and Annalise smiled. Well, she’d gotten him out of his surly mood. She reached up again and swirled her tongue against his skin.

  Blake eased her away and looked at her with laughing eyes.

  Annalise raised her brow. “Is anything not to your liking, my dear husband?”

  “On the contrary, my dear wife, I like it all too much,” he whispered and took her mouth in a scorching kiss.

  Annalise didn’t know how long the kiss lasted. But when Blake finally raised his head, they were both out of breath. Blake took her by the hand and led her back to bed. He laid her gently on her back and crawled on top of her. Then his mouth was on her again, robbing her of breath, robbing her mind of thought.

  He moved lower, tracing his tongue along her skin, scorching her with his kisses. Then his mouth settled on her breast through the fabric of her shift. Annalise closed her eyes and covered his head with her hands. He suckled on her nipple unhurriedly, playing with it with his tongue, grazing her with his teeth. All Annalise could do was moan and arch into him, the wet material of her chemise heightening her senses.

  He repeated the same ministrations to her other breast, then moved lower. He raised the skirt of her chemise over her waist, then dipped his tongue into her belly button, and Annalise squirmed.

  Blake chuckled against her skin as he moved lower. He growled as he encountered her most private place. He raised his head and looked at her, his eyes glinting. Slowly, with infinite gentleness, he widened her legs and settled between them.

  Annalise’s hand instantly flew to cover her center. Blake took her fingers and kissed each one in turn. He then took her index finger and sucked on it. A strangled moan escaped Annalise’s lips, and she tugged her hand away.

  Blake turned his head and bit on her thigh, gently sucking on it to ease the pain.

  He lowered his head and kissed her right between her legs. Annalise gasped and attempted to sit up, but Blake put a hand on her abdomen. “Lie still, my countess,” he said, his voice hoarse. “It’s my turn to play.”

  He lowered his head and licked between her feminine lips, then swirled his tongue around her sensitive, swollen nub. Annalise raised her hips, and he grunted in approval before placing his lips firmly on her and sucking hard.

  “Do you like that?” he asked as he raised his head.

  Annalise couldn’t form a coherent thought. She just whimpered in answer.

  “Show me what you like,” he whispered and licked her feminine lips.

  Blake lowered his head and feasted on her center, drinking in her juices, playing with her folds. All Annalise could do was move her hips in rhythm with his mouth and moan.

  She placed her hand on his head and guided him where she wanted him. He licked the circle around her swollen nub, and a tiny scream escaped her lips. He did it again, and Annalise shut her eyelids while her hands fisted in his hair.

  “Lower… yes, more!”

  Blake moved per her instruction and placed his tongue flat just below her sensitive nub before wiggling his tongue.

  With a scream, Annalise fell back, bright sparks shooting behind her eyelids. Blake continued licking and sucking on her, drawing the last pulses of her bliss.

  Annalise lay panting, her limbs numb, sweat covering her body. Blake fell onto the bed next to her with a groan. He was tense, and his muscles bunched with his every breath; his erect length stood proud among the curls of intimate hair. He was thick and straining as if ready to burst. He took himself in hand and let out an agonized groan.

  Annalise rolled onto her side and covered his hand with hers. Blake sucked in his breath.

  “Annalise.” Her name was a prayer.

  Annalise carefully pried his fingers off his erect length and covered it with her hand. Blake’s hips moved, thrusting his length into her hand.

  “God, Annalise. How I dreamed of your touch,” he whispered reverently.

  Annalise tightened her fist, marveling at the steely hardness beneath her fingers, and soft silk o
f his skin. It jolted in her hand, and Annalise relaxed her hold. She raised her eyes to Blake. He had a grimace of pain on his face.

  “Does it hurt?”

  “No,” he pushed past his throat. “It’s… it’s too good.”

  Annalise smiled. She took him in hand again and experimentally ran her hand up and down his length. She raised her eyes to his again. “What do I do?”

  He took a deep breath, then covered her hand with his and guided her along his length, squeezing her hand, running it up and down. A drop of liquid seeped out from the slit on top. Annalise ran her thumb over it, and Blake groaned. She instantly pulled her hand away.

  “Do it again,” Blake said on a hiss.

  Annalise slowly reached out her hand and ran a thumb over the head of his shaft. Blake moaned and thrust his length into her hand again. His eyes were closed, his face a grimace of agony. Curious, Annalise leaned down and licked him. Blake swore.

  Annalise smiled and licked her lips. The taste of him lingered on her tongue. Salty and with a bit of musk. She wanted more, so she enveloped the head of his shaft into the warmth of her mouth and sucked on him.

  With a violent curse, Blake shot off the bed. The entire world whirled around, and the next thing she knew, Annalise was down on her back, with Blake straddling her hips, his face only an inch away from hers.

  “You are done playing, love,” he growled.

  Annalise blinked, her breaths coming in pants, her breasts rubbing against his chest. She wasn’t scared of him. She wasn’t scared of what was coming next. Her body tingled in anticipation instead. She smiled and placed her hand softly against his cheek. “Now what?” she whispered.

  His gaze turned gentle in an instant. He looked at her as if staring straight into her soul.

  “Now,” he said and kissed her gently on her lips. “Now I get to finally have my wife.”

  Annalise felt Blake’s hot, hard shaft against her center, and her head fell back with a low moan. Blake took her face between his palms and kissed her hard, thrusting his tongue inside and taking what she freely offered. When he was done, he stared into her eyes.

  “Don’t close your eyes,” he whispered. “I want to see you come.”

  Annalise grabbed his shoulders and wrapped her legs around his hips. Blake dropped his forehead to hers and whispered her name.

  In one quick thrust, he was inside her. Hot, hard, thick, and oh, so delicious.

  Annalise raised her hips to take more of him until he was inside her to the hilt. The feeling of her nub rubbing against him made her moan. Blake withdrew a little and then thrust back in. Annalise moaned and grabbed at his shoulders harder. She burrowed her head into the crook of his neck, but he nudged her lightly.

  “No, I want to see your face,” he said as he looked at her. Then without taking his eyes off her, he withdrew and thrust in again.

  Annalise’s eyes closed on impact, but she opened them again, and Blake grinned. “Yes, darling. Just like that.”

  And he thrust again. Annalise moaned with every thrust of his hips, her own pelvis rising to meet his. She fought to keep her eyes open, watching as Blake’s eyes shone with hunger. He lowered his mouth to give her a wet, hard kiss. Annalise bit on his lips, then let go of his mouth, unable to keep her own closed, moans tearing out of her with every thrust of his hips.

  Annalise’s entire attention was concentrated upon the spot where Blake was joined with her. Rubbing against her center, sending frills of sensation throughout her body.

  Finally, Blake placed a finger against her nub and rubbed it in circular motions. This was enough to send her reeling down the spiral of bliss.

  Her breaths mingled with Blake’s, and their moans turned into one as the bright white sparks filled her vision and the feeling of absolute bliss filled her body and soul.

  Annalise felt hot liquid fill her as Blake found his release before he collapsed on top of her with a groan.

  * * *

  Blake woke up in a cold sweat. He shot up, his hands outstretched. It was pitch black darkness. His breathing was labored, and his gaze searched the room, trying to find a line of light, anywhere.

  Where was he? Was he still in the dungeon? Was his return home, all the time he had spent with Annalise, just another torturous dream?

  He turned his head and saw his wife, lying on her side, the even rise and fall of her chest indicating she was in a deep slumber.

  Blake’s breathing slowly returned to normal. He was back home. It was just a dream.

  He lay on his side, facing his wife, and watched her sleep.

  She looked serene, one hand under the pillow, another beside her. Her hair covered half of her face. She was warm and rosy-cheeked. His little savior.

  His face split into a gentle smile. She was tired after their love-making and was dreaming peacefully. He wished he could join her in deep slumber, but the dreams he had were not the peaceful type.

  Ever since his return home, in his nightmares, he either saw himself back in the torture dungeon or on the deck of the slave ship witnessing the depravities.

  Blake shifted uncomfortably. His wife had no idea what he was running from. His mind was full of torturous visions, and he couldn’t dispel them, no matter what.

  He knew only one thing. He needed to find the thugs who’d captured him and soon. Before they found him instead.

  Chapter 15

  Annalise woke up as a line of sun peeked into her room from behind the curtains. She squirmed, not willing to wake up yet. Then she turned, lying half across the bed. Her hair got into her face, and she blew on it to move it away, with no luck. She finally turned on her back and scrubbed her hair away from her face. That was one of the reasons she always wore a nightcap to bed.

  Not last night, though. A blush crept up her neck from the memory. She opened her eyes and looked around. Blake was nowhere to be found. She didn’t expect to find him in her bed, although she hoped she would.

  On the other hand, she was glad she had time to compose herself and to think through the events of the night before.

  She squirmed, remembering how she behaved. She had been like an animal, licking and biting him, fighting for her release. Her cheeks heated even more, and she closed her eyes. She had been completely naked and open before him, unashamedly so. She should have been scandalized when he put his lips on her feminine folds, but she’d pushed her hips into his face instead.

  Annalise took a pillow and covered her face with it. The cool material calmed her mind. What would Blake think of her now? He didn’t seem repulsed by her; on the contrary, he’d urged her on, encouraging her wanton behavior.

  She stretched in bed, her muscles aching like after a day of hard work. She put the pillows against the headboard and leaned against them. She felt rested, but at the same time, she had an uncharacteristic urge to lie in bed all day. She looked around the room. Blake’s clothing was still strewn around the floor, the same as hers.

  She and Blake had made quite a bit of a mess last night, she thought with a muffled chuckle. She bit on her lip. Where was he? Why wasn’t he in bed with her?

  She sat up, clutching the quilt to her naked form. Her dressing gown didn’t lay on the chair, as it always did. Right, Ruth hadn’t come into her room last night to undress her. That honor belonged to her husband. Annalise took a deep breath and slid from the bed. She sauntered into the dressing room completely naked, the cool air wafting around her naked form. She felt exposed. More so than she did the night before, even though she was completely alone in the room. Even though she walked straight into the dressing room and wasn’t lying open before Blake.

  Annalise shivered just thinking of last night.

  Was that what marital duty was supposed to be like? If so, where had it all gone wrong before?

  Why couldn’t it have been like that from the beginning? When she was still young and naïve and believed that Blake was her prince. When she could still dream of exploring the world with him, when she believed he wou
ld allow her into his soul.

  Blake had been in one state of inebriation or another for most of their married life. Perhaps that was the reason their previous acts of love were lacking. Or maybe the fault lay with her. She had been too rigid, too frightened. Annalise heaved a sigh.

  There was no reason to overthink this. This—last night—was the only thing working delightfully well in their marriage. Perhaps, she would be with child too. She placed a hand on her abdomen. It only took once the last time.

  Annalise took a dressing gown and put it on, covering her body and storing the memories of the night before deep inside. She performed her morning ablutions, dressed, and went to look for her husband.

  Annalise ventured straight into his study, since that’s where he spent most of his days. It turned out she was right. She opened the door, peeked inside, and saw him sleeping, his forehead resting on his arm. He still wore his banyan, so he wasn’t waiting for visitors. Annalise frowned. Why had he left her bed only to go to his study and fall asleep? She silently shuffled toward him.

  Blake still had a quill in his hand and an open journal under his arms.

  Annalise perched herself on the desk before him and ran her hand softly through his hair.

  Blake sat up with a start, startling her.

  “What are—” He frowned at her, then looked around and cleared his throat. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “Obviously,” Annalise said with a light smile. Blake looked disturbed, out of sorts.

  “This hasn’t happened in a while,” he said hoarsely.

  “What hasn’t happened?”

  Blake’s gaze settled on her, and he took her hand in his. He lightly played with her fingers, all the while studying her form. “You must have tired me out last night.”

  Annalise felt herself blush. “Was it all right? What I did… What we did.” She looked away, unable to hold his gaze.

  Blake brought her fingers to his lips and kissed each one with slow deliberation. “It was… exceptional.”

  Annalise fought to conceal her smile. “Why did you leave then?”