Free Just One Kiss by Stephanie Sterling

before Edward realize d he had been dreaming, and then several more before he realize d that the scream hadn’t ceased- that it had been very real.
     
    Edward pulled himself up so that he was sitting with his back resting against the headboard of the bed.  A terrifying rush of guilt swamped his senses as he wondered what on earth he had done.  His manhood was throbbing painfully beneath his breeches, but it was Daphne lying next to him, whimpering, that held Edward’s full attention.
     
    “Daphne, I didn’t mean-” he began, but he wasn’t exactly sure what he was apologizing for; he wasn’t exactly sure what he’d done to her.  A guilty heat burned through Edward’s flesh when he thought about what he wanted to do to her though…  “Daphne?” he reached out and touched her, surprised, but relieved, when she didn’t immediately pull away.
     
    “I didn’t mean to!  I’m sorry!  Please don’t go!”
     
    “Daphne?” Edward frowned.  He caught her gently but firmly by the shoulders and twisted her back to face him.  Her eyes were clamped shut and she was shaking her head, muttering frantically under her breath.  Edward felt awful because of the fact, but his first reaction was one of relief.  Daphne was having another nightmare.  She hadn’t been screaming because of him.
     
    Edward’s relief was short lived.  His wife was clearly in a state of some considerable distress.  He shook her lightly, trying to wake her, but to no avail.  He couldn’t rouse her.  The worry and panic flooding his veins at least took the edge of his rampant need.  He lay down behind her and curled his arms around her body.
     
    “Daphne?” he murmured her name again, stroking his fingers through her hair.  “Daphne, it’s all right.  I’m here,” he whispered, amazed as the subtle trembling of her body slowly eased as he continued to talk to her. 
     
    Eventually Daphne relaxed completely, and her breathing took on the deep, steady rhythm of peaceful slumber.  Edward couldn’t let himself sleep too deeply; he didn’t trust himself for a s tart, but it was more than that.
     
    H e needed to watch over his wife.

 
    Chapter 10
     
     
    When Daphne woke it was to a strange feeling of disorientation; everything looked a little back to front.  She yawned and stretched, and jumped, when her leg knocked against… someone else’s leg?  With a sharp gasp, Daphne twisted around, and found herself face to face with Edward.  His pale green eyes were open, and they were staring quite calmly into the smoky grey depths of her own eyes.
     
    “Lord Coventry!” Daphne choked.  She watched Edward’s mouth twitch.
     
    “You needn’t sound quite so surprised to find me here,” he chuckled.  “This is my bedroom after all.”
     
    “It is?” Daphne squeaked, searching her memories for an answer to the question of why she was waking up in the Earl’s chamber- in the Earl’s bed no less.  She rubbed her eyes and struggled to remember what had happened the previous night.
     
    “You had a rough night,” Edward yawned, as if he’d read her thoughts, which was really rather disconcerting, and his voice was husky with something that Daphne was afraid to believe might be concern.  “I found you downstairs playing the piano in the dark, so I brought you back here to keep an eye on you.”
     
    “Oh,” Daphne mumbled, her features flushed with embarrassment.  What must Edward think of her?  That she was slightly unhinged no doubt!  It was hard to keep her mind on that upsetting notion however, with Edward sprawled out on the mattress beside her. 
     
    He seemed to be wearing his clothes from the day before- well, some of his clothes, not very many of his clothes to be honest.  His shirt was all that Daphne could see, and that was gaping at the neck, revealing a generous portion of muscular chest.  Daphne had never seen a man’s chest before, and she couldn’t help but stare at what was on view.