by Sadie Bosque
Annalise frowned and tugged her hands out of his hold. “When I was in that dungeon, frightened and alone, I kept thinking, if I ever get out of this place, I shall give Blake a piece of my mind.” She laughed.
“I am in desperate need of your mind,” Blake said gently.
“The fact is, I think we have a lot to work through. But I do not think I am ready to never see you again.”
Blake let out a breath. “Does that mean you are not leaving me?”
Annalise bit her lip. “Perhaps? But I don’t want to start at the beginning; I don’t want to forget the past. I want to learn from it.”
Blake tugged on her arm until her lips were hair’s-breadth away from his. “Deal.”
He kissed her tenderly, sipping on her lips, devouring her taste. She ran her hand against his stubbly cheek, then lowered it, caressing his chin.
“Blake,” she breathed as she pulled away. “The doctor said you should rest.”
“I can’t imagine a better rest, darling.”
She kissed him again, running her sweet tongue over his lips, and he groaned. His breaths accelerated, making his chest burn even more, but he didn’t care. He wanted to marvel at her taste. He needed to feel her on him.
Blake fought to throw off the covers then reached to undo his underdrawers. Annalise helped him take them off.
Blake lay there naked, other than the wrap around his torso, his cock throbbing, begging for her touch, already fully erect. Annalise got off the bed, and Blake whimpered. She smiled and slowly, torturously drew her dressing gown off her shoulders, and it fell to the floor. Off went the nightgown, and she was completely naked before him.
Blake devoured her beautiful form with his eyes, his hands itching to touch her.
Annalise crawled on top of him, straddling his hips, and lowered her mouth to his. Blake kissed her while his hands worked to free her hair from the pins. When he was done, he ran his hands through her locks as they fell, creating a curtain around them.
“You are beautiful,” he croaked.
Annalise smiled and kissed him again. “Does it hurt?” she asked and ran a light hand over his torso.
“Not much. Only when I breathe.”
Annalise let out a muffled chuckle. “Perhaps then we shouldn’t.”
Blake grabbed her by her thighs. “Do not dare to tease me thus, wife,” he growled.
He kissed her again, deeply, while his hand traveled between her legs and played with the wet folds. He wanted to taste her, wanted to drink the evidence of her desire.
He plunged two fingers inside her warmth while his tongue dipped inside her sweet mouth. Annalise moaned as her hips started riding his fingers.
Blake couldn’t take it anymore. His cock was ready to burst from want. He withdrew his fingers and spread the wetness around her nipples. He took her by the waist, guided her higher, and took her breast into his mouth. The taste of her muddied his senses.
He took his cock in his hand and rubbed it. “I want you to sit on my cock, darling, and ride me hard.”
Annalise looked at him in worry. “I don’t want to accidentally hurt you.”
“You won’t.”
“I might touch your chest while in the throes of passion.”
Blake grinned wolfishly. He wanted her in the throes of passion. He wanted her wild. “Turn around,” he whispered.
Annalise raised her brow. She slowly turned around and straddled his thighs, her back to him, her beautiful bum cradling his cock.
He took her in his hands and kneaded her buttocks. Annalise moaned.
“Take my cock, darling. Please. I want to be inside you.”
Annalise took him in hand and caressed his length. She lifted her hips, guided him to her center, and rubbed her wet petals over him, making him groan. Then she slowly, torturously, started descending on his cock. Her muscles gripped him tight, making him growl in frustration and delight.
“Yes, my darling. Just like that. Now move your hips,” he said as she was seated, sheathed, on his cock.
She moved, and he threw his head back in bliss. Their moans turned into one as Annalise rode his cock enthusiastically. She rubbed herself against him, increasing her rhythm and whimpering in frustration.
“Slower, my dear, don’t push yourself.”
“I don’t—I can’t—” she whimpered again.
She was too inexperienced in her desires yet. She fought for her orgasm, chased it without success.
“Shh, darling,” he whispered. “Touch yourself.”
“What?”
“Touch yourself, darling. Where you most want it. Where you’re most frustrated.”
Annalise paused for a moment, breathing heavily. Then her hand dipped between her legs, and Blake closed his eyes, imagining her fingers playing with her nub, spreading her juices around.
Annalise moaned, and her hips resumed their rhythmic movement. Her juices trickled, bathing his cock in her hot liquid.
“Yes, my darling. Touch yourself there, good.”
“Blake, I…” She broke off on a moan.
“Don’t stop, dear. Chase that feeling. Imagine my lips on your sweet, sweet cunny.”
Annalise’s hips bucked, and she gave a high-pitched moan, pulsing from the inside. Blake growled as his release filled her and his hips jolted, ramming his cock deeper inside her. She started forward and caught herself with her hand, her breathing heavy.
Blake’s chest hurt with his every rapid breath, but he rejoiced on the inside.
Annalise raked her hand through her hair, collecting her silky locks at the back, then looked at him over her shoulder, a smile splitting her lips. Blake put his hands on her hips and slowly guided her off him.
Annalise lay down next to him, her breathing heavy. She looked at him with concern.
“Does it hurt?” she asked.
“Yes,” he croaked. “But I don’t regret it even for a moment.”
* * *
Annalise woke up the next day in Blake’s bed. She turned and saw him, sitting propped by the pillows, watching her. He smiled, and she covered her face with her hands.
“Do not tell me you have been watching me sleep. I don’t have my nightcap. My hair probably looks like a bird’s nest.”
“You’re beautiful,” he said. “And that nightcap was an abomination.”
Annalise chuckled, snuggled up closer to him, and kissed him on his arm.
“This is the first time I am waking up next to you,” she said.
Blake looked at her curiously. “Is it, truly?”
“Mm.” Annalise closed her eyes and pressed herself closer to his arm, careful not to touch his torso.
His finger started playing in her hair. “I’ve had trouble sleeping in a bed because it’s too soft. I used to sleep on hard wooden or even stone floors. The mattress is… uncomfortable. But the real trouble is the dark. I wake up in the middle of the night and think I am back again, either in the dungeon or on a ship. The fright doesn’t let me fall asleep again.”
“That’s why you always went to your study at night?”
“I thought working would take my mind off the horrible memories. Didn’t always work. Waking up next to you was the favorite part of my day, though.”
“Was it?” She smiled cheekily, and Blake laughed.
He grimaced as the pain must have hit him again. “Second favorite.”
“Do you still find the bed uncomfortable, then?”
“Less so now. I think I shall persevere.” He grinned.
“Well, we can ask the maids to reduce the padding on your mattress and add a wooden base to the frame if you want.”
Blake shook his head. “No, it’s all right. I shall get used to it, eventually. I don’t want you lying on hard surfaces. and I am planning to spend every night beside you.”
“What about the dark?”
“Waking up and seeing your face eases the pain. It will start bothering me less, too, especially when our captors get what they deserve.
Speaking of which, I am going to Newgate prison today.”
“Pardon? Why would you go there?”
“I want to know why me,” Blake rasped.
“But you’re not back to your full strength.”
“I can walk, and I hope it will make me feel more secure to know why. But please, do not leave this house before I come back.”
“Blake, are you certain this is the best course of action?”
Blake raised her fingers to his lips. “Yes, darling. This is something I have to do.”
He stood slowly and walked to his clothes. Annalise scrambled after him.
“Let me help you dress,” she said as she hastily put on her night shift.
Blake looked mournfully at her naked limbs, rapidly getting covered by the skirt of her shift. “I would have preferred you do it naked.”
Annalise smiled and walked over to him with a shirt in her hands. She helped him put on his breeches, and he went to perform his morning ablutions.
Annalise put on her dressing gown and collected all her hairpins when Blake peeked out of his dressing room.
“A thought crossed my mind just now. We have never had a wedding trip.”
Annalise turned to him. “No, we have not.”
He walked toward her and took her hands in his. “What do you say we take this summer to travel to the continent?”
Annalise blinked. “I think it’s a splendid idea.”
Blake ran his thumbs over her knuckles. “I shall ask my solicitor to prepare an itinerary for us. We can tour your favorite, Italy.”
Annalise grinned. “I love you.”
Blake placed a soft kiss on her mouth. “I love you.”
* * *
Jarvis met Blake near the Newgate prison. He wore a sling around his arm but otherwise seemed healthy. Ford was in worse shape and was still bedridden after their adventures, so he couldn’t accompany them to question the thugs.
Ford’s associates came, though, and they were the ones who arranged for a private meeting between Blake, Jarvis, and the bandits.
They entered the room and looked around. The thugs were the ones chained to their chairs now, while Blake stood tall over them. The door closed, leaving them in privacy.
Blake looked over at his former captors in disgust. “You know that I was abused by the both of you for weeks. But what I went through in your hands doesn’t compare to how I was tortured on that slave ship you sold me to. So trust me when I say this, I shall enjoy returning the favor.” The bandits visibly shrunk. “Unless you tell us who sent you after me.”
“We don’t know. We never knew his name.”
Blake didn’t believe it for a moment.
“Blake, do you mind calling one of the gaolers here?” Jarvis asked.
“Why would you want them here?”
“Just, please, do it.”
Blake slowly turned, unable to move too fast. When he reached the door, however, an agonizing cry pierced his ears. He flinched and turned back. Jarvis stood still by one of the thugs. The poor chap was writhing in agony.
“What the—”
“I swear,” the other man cried, his wide eyes frightened. “We never even saw his face. He wore a dark kerchief over half of his face and a mask.”
Blake looked at Jarvis. His face was marred in confusion.
“He was a toff,” the other bandit groaned in pain. “One of your own.”
Blake made his way closer to the bandits. “Why? Did he at least tell you why he kept me prisoner?”
“We made a mistake… It wasn’t you he wanted.”
“What?” Blake’s eyes widened like saucers. All the torture, all the pain, was for naught? For someone else. “Who did he want?”
There was a pause before both thugs looked at Jarvis. “Him.”
Epilogue
Summer 1741
Annalise entered Lavinia’s sitting room, a basket in her hands.
“Annalise, dear, come, sit.” Lavinia hovered over her and helped her into a settee.
“Olivia, darling, I haven’t seen you in so long!” Annalise exclaimed as she noticed her friend.
“Yes, I’ve been… indisposed.”
“What happened?” Annalise asked as she placed a basket next to her and opened the lid. Miss Gale jumped out of it and started sniffing around.
“How do you do, Miss Gale?” Lavinia asked cheerfully.
“Well, the gowns you made me buy that day at the modiste are uncomfortable, to say the least,” Olivia said with a pout. “I can’t walk in them, and I can barely breathe. I made a fool of myself during one of the balls and recovered at home for the rest of the season.”
“They are of the latest fashion,” Annalise protested.
“They itch.”
Annalise gave a soft smile. She knew Olivia would find the gowns uncomfortable. They all did, even Olivia. “You need to get used to them if you want to catch a gentleman’s attention. Unless you’ve changed your mind?”
Olivia shook her head. “No.” She picked at the skin around her fingers.
“And you need to cease doing that,” Annalise observed with a smile.
Olivia balled her hands into a fist. “All those etiquette lessons are not what I need. There are plenty of women versed in the art of etiquette and yet unmarried, or married unhappily.”
At Lavinia’s grimace, Olivia bit her lip. “I… Apologies. I didn’t mean you.”
“Well, if you did, you wouldn’t be wrong,” Lavinia said.
Miss Gale walked over to Lavinia’s chair at that time and was sniffing her skirts. She then jumped up and started settling on her lap with loud purring.
“She likes you,” Olivia said.
“We shall have a grand time, shan’t we, Galinthias?” Lavinia addressed the cat.
“Speaking of your grand time. She is very picky about the food,” Annalise said. “She prefers fish and milk most of all. And if you give her bread, it is better to dip it into the milk first.”
Lavinia laughed. “Do not worry about your cat. I shall take good care of her.”
Annalise smiled. “She is fierce. She will not let anyone harm you. I am glad my favorite ladies will be looking out for each other while I am gone.”
“Do not worry about us and have an incredible wedding journey,” Olivia said.
“I am so glad everything is well with you and Blake,” Lavinia chimed in.
“I couldn’t be happier,” Annalise said. “Perhaps Miss Gale can spread some of the luck with men your way too.”
Lavinia grimaced.
Olivia narrowed her eyes. “You are right!”
Annalise blinked. “What did I say?”
“Her mind made the jump again,” Lavinia said with a chuckle.
“Why bother asking for advice from ladies about what gentlemen find enticing when I can ask—”
“A cat?” Annalise raised a brow.
“A gentleman.”
Lavinia and Annalise exchanged a look.
Annalise pursed her lips. “I said no such thing.”
“I told you, she made a leap.”
Olivia wasn’t listening to them anymore, however. She stood and collected her gloves. “Thank you for a delightful conversation. Have a wonderful trip.” She gave Annalise a hug and stormed out of the sitting room.
Annalise and Lavinia just stared in her wake.
* * *
Annalise settled into a carriage a few minutes later. Blake sat there, scribbling something in his journal.
“Oh, thank God. I thought I lost you and was about to come and fetch you myself.”
Annalise settled next to him and leaned against his shoulder. He thumped on the roof, and the carriage lurched into motion.
“It was difficult saying goodbye to Miss Gale,” Annalise breathed.
“I am certain she will be well.”
“Oh, she will. I think she forgot all about me the moment she jumped out of the basket. It is I who shall be missing her.”
B
lake tipped her chin with his fingers, forcing her to look up at him. He dipped his head and pressed his lips against hers. “I shall make every effort to divert your mind,” he whispered against her lips, then lowered his head and captured her mouth in a scorching kiss.
* * *
In the meantime…
Jarvis sat in a chair in his study, rubbing his shoulder with a pungent ointment. He detested the smell. He detested even more that he had to endure it twice a day. But if it meant his shoulder would stop hurting, and he would get his full range of motion back, he would endure it. He needed to make a full recovery, and soon.
The thief-takers were already on his tail every time he went on a mission, but as he’d learned a few months ago, apparently, there was someone else looking for him, too. He couldn’t fathom who that might be, but he needed to find out.
A light rap sounded on his door, and at his command to enter, the butler came inside.
“A missive for you, sir.”
Jarvis outstretched his hand. The butler handed him the envelope and disappeared.
Jarvis opened a missive and read a few lines in a familiar scrawl.
Need your assistance at your earliest convenience. The matter of utmost urgency.
O.
The End.
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Did Jarvis catch your eye? Read his story in book 2 of The Shadows series: “Secrets of the Wicked Viscount” on KOBO:
https://www.kobo.com/ww/en/ebook/secrets-of-the-wicked-viscount
If you love villains and anti-heroes, get book 3 of The Shadows series: “A curse of the Wicked Scoundrel” on a KOBO:
https://www.kobo.com/ww/en/ebook/a-curse-of-the-wicked-scoundrel
