Free Unleashed by Abby Gordon Page B

inside. I wanted to hold you like I am now, Beloved. I wanted to comfort you. But while Bettina was shocked into silence, I thought it the best time to help your father regain control of his marriage.”
    Amanda nodded, a hesitant look on her face.
    “What about last night?” she whispered, shaking her head. “My nightgown was torn and…” A furious blush rose in her cheeks. “There were marks on my legs…”
    Astonished, he stared at her. Shamed that she had actually said anything, she tried to get off his lap. His arms tightened around her and he buried his face against her neck. She felt him tremble and her arms went instinctively around him.
    “What is it? Did I say or do something wrong?”
    His head came up and she could see the stunned joy in his eyes.
    “No, Beloved,” he told her tenderly. “That’s how powerful our shared dream was.” He held her close, nearly crushing her against his chest as his body rocked her. “My grandfather told me it took four years and two children for my grandparents to have a bond that strong. I don’t think my parents ever did and they were as devoted to each other as my father’s parents.” He looked at her. “It was really torn?”
    “And well away from the bed on the floor, as if it had been thrown,” she replied, astonishment on her face. “Dreams can do that? Did you know I was awake this morning?”
    “I was listening for your mind and felt you waking. I closed my eyes and imagined that I was with you, waking you up by pleasuring you. I wanted to feel the softness of your mound.” His hand covered her breast and her breath hitched in her throat. “I wanted to hear that sound in reaction to my touch. Feel your hands in my hair as my mouth feasted on your sweet nectar.” A slightly chiding look came into his expression. “You were trying to stop me, which stunned me at first but…”
    “It certainly didn’t stop you,” she managed to retort weakly, her voice shaking.
    He chuckled, kissing her forehead.
    “Remember that, Beloved. If I want you, I will have you,” he murmured. “It wasn’t until last night when you told me of your dreams that I knew for certain. It may not have been the best time to ask you to marry me, or the best way…” His voice trailed off and he shrugged. “But I thought it might help you deal with your dreams.”
    “Help me?” she asked softly. All the fear and shame of the past three days rushed to her mind. “Help me.” Her voice had risen. Unable to leave his lap, she turned to face him. “I thought I was becoming the most wanton maid. Dreaming of a man in my bed when I’d just met him hours before. And then the next night having that man make me feel the most incredible sensations I’ve ever felt. And last night—” She gasped for air. “I…there aren’t words to describe how you made me feel last night and this morning. I was terrified that if I told you about my dreams you would think me too shameful and throw me out.” Small fists drummed on his chest. “Don’t do that to me again. Do you understand me? If you want to touch me, then touch me. If you want to kiss me…”
    His mouth covered hers, effectively obeying her unfinished sentence. His fingers pulled her skirts up and quickly stroked her thighs. He felt her anger change to passion as she melted against him. When she moaned into his mouth, he raised his head.
    “I’m sorry,” he whispered softly, “for the shame you thought you had to feel. There is no shame in what we have between us. It is something rare and beautiful.”
    She put two fingers over his lips and he fell silent. Amanda relaxed her mind and the images flashed before her. Tears filled her eyes as she realized that she truly was with the one man who could understand and protect her gift. And she would share it with him.
    “Trust me?” she breathed.
    “Absolutely,” he said fervently.
    Gold eyes met blue as she placed her hands on either side of his face. She saw his eyes narrow