The Spy Who Loved Her: Once Upon an Accident, Book 3

by Melissa Schroeder

  “How did it make you feel?”

  He sighed, sending another gust of breath over her skin.

  “Daniel?”

  “It made me want to do murder.” He snarled the words and something deep and dark inside of her started to unfurl and blossom. It raced through her body, sending out ribbons of heat lancing through her veins.

  She turned her head and kissed his temple.

  “Danny,” she whispered.

  For a moment, he stilled. The air between them grew heated as he turned to look at her. Her heart turned over the moment she saw his eyes. Her own desire was there, reflected back to her in the depths of his golden gaze. With a groan, he collapsed against her and then pulled her away from the wall. As if he were starved, he took her mouth, feasting on her. This was no tender kiss of a lover, but one of a man pushed to the brink. Heat flared, spiraled through her as he pulled her to the bed. He quickly turned them around so that the back of her legs were against the mattress. He stood there, slanting his mouth over hers, deepening the kiss, completely and absolutely destroying her.

  She wanted to tear herself away, wanted to stop the complete attack on her senses. It was as if she had no control over her body.

  He pulled away, cupping her face. “Stop me now. Don’t let me do this if you do not want it. This is your last chance.”

  Every word was ragged with need for her. For her. She had never had a man want her this way, just her, Anna. The fear dissolved. What he felt was there on his face, in his gaze. He didn’t care if she had a large dowry or if her brother was a powerful earl. She did not even think this had anything to do with protecting her. This was for her. In this one moment, all he wanted was Anna, and it was enough to brush away her other worries.

  Without breaking eye contact, she drew in a deep breath and raised her hands, wrapping them around his wrists. Everything she had ever wanted was here, right before her, in his eyes.

  “Take me, Danny.”

  Every barrier Daniel had erected tumbled down, demolished by the need he heard in her voice. With a groan, he tumbled them over onto the bed, her body soft and willing beneath his. Never in his life had his desire for a woman burned him up so, but this woman, this time, was different.

  He devoured her then, taking her lips in a bruising, almost painful kiss. Instead of shying away, Anna dove into the kiss with him, her tongue dancing along his as he thrust it between her lips. As before, the taste of her burst through him, sending another wave of heat shooting through his blood.

  Gone was the calculated lover who could talk any woman into bed, thrill her with a well-planned seduction. He slanted his mouth over hers, reveling in her response. Lord, she was amazing. But it was not enough. He needed more. He needed to feel her flesh against his.

  He pulled back enough to claw at her bodice. The flimsy material slipped down, her breasts spilling out.

  “Danny.” He could hear the embarrassment in her voice but he paid no heed. In the folly the night before, it had been dark and he could not see anything. Even what he glimpsed in the carriage had not prepared him for the sight now before him. In the dim flickering light of candles, he could see the beauty that was Anna.

  She had always been petite, but not too thin. Her breasts were not plentiful, but perfectly shaped, tipped with the most amazing rosebud nipples. With a shaking hand, he slipped his fingers up and over one nipple, loving the way it responded. He knew touching would not be enough. He bent his head and took the nipple into his mouth. Oh God, it was better than the night before. He could feel her heart racing as he slipped his other hand to her breast to tease it while he feasted. She speared her hands through his hair, her fingers molding to the back of his head. With every little gasp and moan she was driving him crazy. She shifted beneath him, rubbed against him, begged him. It was the most precious sound he had ever heard.

  There was no doubt in his mind that he wanted her, needed her in a way that he had never needed a woman. It was the reason he had tried to stay away, but there was no turning back now. Even as his mind told him it was wrong, his body knew perfection…and that was Anna.

  It did not take him long to get the rest of her clothes off. He tossed the gown behind him and looked down at the woman he had been in love with most of his adult life. Lord, she was a sight to see. Her alabaster skin glowed in the candlelight, her lips were rosy from his kisses, her hair a tangle of curls strewn across the bed.

  “Danny? What?”

  He looked at her, really looked at her, and realized she was embarrassed. Of course she was. No matter what went on the night before, she was still a virgin.

  “Nothing. I…Lord, you are beautiful.”

  She blushed, and he found the sight arresting. He wasn’t one for maidenly gestures, but he knew this was genuine.

  “You do not have to say these things. The fact that you want me is enough.”

  He had said so many things to women, called them beautiful and meant it at the time. But his tongue refused to cooperate with him now. He needed to explain to her so much…but found himself unable to say the words. In his heart, he knew he loved her, had for years. But that would not soothe her now, and she would not believe anything he said. The only thing for him to do was to show her.

  “Anna,” he said, but he knew his voice must have sounded odd to her. It did to him. She must have thought he was having second thoughts because she sat up and grabbed the front of his shirt.

  The ripping of the fabric was the most erotic sound he had heard. Her hand went to his breeches, fumbled against his as he tried to undo the buttons.

  She laughed, the sound of it low, sexy, happy. A fire shot straight to his cock.

  When his manhood sprang free, she did not act the gentle virgin that he knew she was. Instead, she wrapped her hand around it, her fingers slipping over his sensitive flesh. Lord, she was a good study, and dangerous. Very dangerous. She leaned forward and all he could see was her golden head, that erotic mouth edging closer to his cock. He knew now he could not wait, he could not go slowly like he had the night before. And even if he wanted to, his Anna was not going to allow it to happen. He could not allow her to pleasure him in such a way, it just would not work. He would lose himself the moment he slipped between those pink lips.

  With a harsh groan, he pulled her back and followed her down on the bed again. With little finesse, he stationed his member at her entrance and entered her.

  He watched her face, waited for her to tell him to stop. Daniel should have known better. Her eyes closed, her mouth curved into a secret smile and she arched back, exposing her throat.

  “Anna.”

  Her eyes fluttered then slowly opened.

  He had been frustrated these past few years by the fact she had hidden her feelings from him. Now though, everything she felt showed in her gaze. Passion deepened the blue color, and something else, something primal. She wanted him on a level that he knew she did not understand even if he did. Seeing it there sent a shot of lust roaring through him, and he pulled back then pushed through her maiden head.

  The tiny gasp told him he had hurt her and he leaned down, setting his forehead against hers.

  “Anna, I am sorry I hurt you.”

  He waited for tears, waited for her to tell him to stop. But he should have known better. His Anna would never act like a virginal miss would be expected to.

  The smile she gave him was filled with satisfaction and tenderness.

  “No worries, Danny.”

  Testing, he pulled out and then slowly slipped back into her tight sheath. Her muscles clung to him as he pushed all the way back in. In response, her eyes closed as she moaned, a sound that vibrated out of her throat. She arched against him again, her body fluid beneath him, moving with him. He bent his head and took a perfect rosy nipple into his mouth as she moaned his name, her pleasure washing over him, sending need racing over his nerve endings. Everything he wanted to say, everything he wanted to show her slipped away. Blatant primal need replaced it.
With everything he had, he tried to hold back, but she planted her feet on the bed and pushed against him, her passage clinging to him. The moment before he lost it, he reached down and pressed against the tiny bundle of nerves.

  “Danny!”

  She came apart beneath him, her body convulsing, her muscles pulling his cock further inside of her. He could not keep himself in check any longer. Before he could even think, his release was upon him. He shouted her name, the pain of holding back from her all these years exploded as he lost himself. He poured his seed into her, his orgasm seemingly going on forever.

  Long moments later, he dropped beside her on the bed, his body slick with exertion. Without hesitation, she moved to him, curling against him, her hand slipping over his chest and resting on his heart.

  Again he found himself unable to say anything, unable to tell her exactly what was in his heart. Damn, the woman had him in tangles. What was new about that? Nothing. From the moment she had arrived in London looking for a husband at the fresh age of ten and eight, she had held him captive. And now she had truly ensnared him. They needed to make plans…and quickly. While he had not wanted to do it this way, he did not think they had any time to waste. She needed the protection of his name…and fast. Sebastian would not be happy about it, but there could be no helping it. He had not done the honorable thing and stayed away. Hell, he had not even taken precautions. There could even be a babe growing in her belly right now. No, there was no time to waste.

  “Anna?”

  Her even breathing told him that she had fallen asleep. He wanted to wake her up and demand her acceptance of his suit. But he knew that she was tired. She had not slept well the night before, and today had been a trying day for both of them. The moment she woke up, he would definitely get her acceptance.

  It was the last thought he had before he drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Anna came awake with a start, terror pounding in her veins, screaming in her head. She had been having the most disturbing dream that involved dark alleys and Daniel bleeding. Her heart beat against her chest, her body shivering with the fear she felt for him. With a sigh, she lay back down and came up hard against a very solid male form. Panic surged, her terror of the dream melting into the present, but it only took her a moment to remember she did not sleep alone by choice.

  Daniel.

  She rose again and looked at him. Even in sleep he looked a bit dangerous…or was that her perception of him now. She had always seen him as the playmate, the easygoing one. But this was not the man she knew. There was something so dangerous about him, something that frightened her. Deep down though, there was something else, something that corresponded to this side of him. This man took what he wanted, damned the consequences. Anna had to admit that she loved him as much as the Daniel she had known before.

  Loved.

  God, she did still love him. Or maybe she was just falling in love with him. How could she have been in love with a man she apparently did not know that well? But this Daniel—Danny—he was someone she could love. She knew she still didn’t know all of him. There was a bit of him he still kept hidden from her, but she could wait. And while she did, she could definitely make use of the body in front of her.

  He had always been fit, but she did not know exactly how beautiful he would be. He turned to his side and she sighed. Sinewy muscles bunched as he reached for her. He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. It was then she felt the flesh against her, and even after everything, she could feel herself blush.

  “What are you thinking about?”

  His chest vibrated against her back and she shivered.

  “I was thinking I did not know just how pretty you would be without any clothes.”

  He chuckled as those talented hands moved over her stomach then up to her breasts. He caressed the underside of her breast then moved to her nipple. Heat built, liquid poured through her veins. She couldn’t think when he did that, when he touched her like this.

  “I have never been called pretty before.”

  “What?”

  Her brain was a blank slate against the pleasure he was giving her. His hand slid down her body, his fingers slipping inside her. She was already damp, needy.

  “Danny.”

  As if he could no longer hold back, he pulled up and rolled her over onto her back. He covered her body with his as he balanced his weight on his hands. She looked up to the man who had just taken her on a journey she would never forget, her body already humming for the next trip. His hair was a mess, his sleepy eyes dark with need, and she wanted him. There was no way around it, she had to have him, needed him in a way that she surely would end up regretting. But at the moment, she didn’t care. Her heart was stuttering, her breasts ached, her body yearned. How could this be possible? All he had to do was touch her and she lost all thought. It was not something she was happy about. She did not lose control, not to anyone.

  “Anna.”

  She was not sure if she heard her name, but she saw his lips move. The serious expression on his face scared her. Oh God, she did not think she would be able to let him go, but she knew she would have to. He did not love her and she refused to marry without love. She reached up and cupped his cheek.

  “Please, Danny.”

  Without closing his eyes, he lowered his head and kissed her gently. This was not the demanding, consuming kiss from earlier. This was soft as a rose petal, but something else was there, something that scared her. He moved his mouth over hers and she felt her name spoken with such a reverence tears burned the back of her eyes.

  “I could not be in the same room and not want you.”

  She wanted the heady, fast passion of earlier, but Daniel had other ideas. He cupped her face as he continued to kiss her. She allowed her eyes to shut as he slowly deepened the kiss. It wasn’t crazy as earlier, but this was much more dangerous. She was melting, literally melting. Her body, her mind, her body…her heart. She could not hold back from the simple kiss. It was impossible.

  She could feel his manhood harden against her and her body respond on instinct. He rolled over, pulling her along, and she found herself atop him.

  “Daniel, what are you doing?”

  The smile he flashed was filled with masculine devilment. “We are going to try this a different way.”

  She looked down at him and her eyes widened. “Really?”

  He nodded. “Lift up on your knees and take me inside of you.”

  She hesitated and then did as he said. It was a different feeling. She was sore from earlier, but the amazing sensation of being connected to him this way helped her ignore the discomfort. It did not take her long to find her rhythm as she moved up and down, enjoyed being the one in control. He lifted up and took a nipple into his mouth, his expert tongue moving over the tip, then pulling it into his mouth.

  Soon that familiar tension built within her. Her body tightened and, try as she might, she could not seem to get to that pinnacle. Daniel reached between their bodies and pushed her over into the free fall of release. Even as she was convulsing with it, he rolled them back over. He came to his knees and lifted her hips. He thrust in and out of her. Her body, just recovering from her last orgasm, was pushed into another. She shattered as he shouted her name again.

  Anna watched Daniel pull his trousers up and sighed with regret. It really was a shame he could not come back to bed. She did not think she had enough of him in bed.

  “I heard that,” he said, amusement threading his voice. “I cannot chance anyone seeing me leave your room.”

  She pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs.

  “I do not see the reason why. House parties are notorious for assignations.”

  He glanced at her. “Not for virgins with good reputations.”

  She shrugged, not caring much about her reputation. There was enough of her mother in her to know that she should care, but what had it gotten her? Nothing.

/>   “Now,” he said as he sat in the chair beside her bed and started to don his boots. “I will talk to your mother, but we will have to wait with a formal announcement until after I have spoken to Sebastian.”

  And just like that, the slow, easy feeling the night before had given her vanished. Panic replaced it, her stomach muscles clenching in sudden tension.

  “Why ever would you worry about them?”

  Without looking up, he said, “I have to get their approval for our marriage.”

  For a moment, she held the words close to her heart. How many times had she dreamed of this, wished on the first star to hear those words come out of his mouth? She had wanted this more than anything else in the world.

  “I did not agree to marry you.”

  He looked at her, his face unreadable. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean that I never said I would marry you.”

  Irritation stole over his expression now. “What was last night about?”

  “Do you marry every woman you take to bed?”

  “Do not answer my question with a question. What did you think going to bed with me meant?”

  She shrugged, hoping it looked more nonchalant than she felt. Inside, her heart was pounding, her stomach roiling. The one thing she had ever wanted was here for her. It was as if her fantasy and nightmare had been rolled into one big mess. He did not love her. He wanted her, maybe he needed her. But she knew one day he would leave her. He would grow bored and move on to find a paramour outside of their marriage. And she would die.

  She shook her head, trying to show her confusion. “I thought that it was just a night of pleasure.”

  Anger leapt into his eyes, turning them a fascinating shade of red. From behind clenched teeth, he said, “I do not think for a moment you really thought that I would take my best friend’s sister to bed without knowing the consequences.”

  A knife to the heart would have been less painful. She did not show the pain he had caused. She would deal with that later. Instead, she smiled.