Simon bridgerton smile8/18/2023 Good God, she was going to have to stop thinking in such melodramatic terms. If Simon had been correct in his estimation of their traveling time-and she had the feeling that he was frequently correct about such things people who liked mathematics usually were-then they should be almost at the halfway point of their journey. The sun sat orange and fat on the western horizon, about one-third of it already resting below the edge of the earth. With one last yawn-a loud one, just to watch his eyes snap to attention under his eyelids-she turned to the carriage window, drawing the heavy velvet curtain back so she could peer outside. Far be it from her to ruin such a marvelous performance. If he wanted to feign sleep, she decided in a rare fit of magnanimity, she might as well let him. She'd never lasted past twenty minutes herself. There was something to admire, however, in the fact that he'd managed to keep up the charade for over two hours. And when she yawned, making a low, sleepy, moaning noise, she saw his eyes move under his closed lids. It was barely perceptible, but it was there. His chest was rising and falling in an admirably even manner, and his breath contained just the right amount of whoosh and wheeze to sound like he was almost but not quite snoring.Įvery time she moved, made a rustling sound, or breathed just a little too loudly, his chin moved. With seven siblings, she knew every trick in the book, and Simon was definitely not asleep. Then he closed his eyes and faked sleep for the better part of three hours.ĭaphne stared at him. “I'm quite good at falling asleep whenever I wish to. Finally, she asked, “Are you truly going to be able to fall asleep here in the moving carriage? Don't you find the ride a bit bumpy?” “Indeed.” She watched him curiously as he shifted in his seat, looking for the most comfortable position. “I do seem to be repeating myself, but I did, as you so thoughtfully reminded me, say it had been a long day.” Her dark eyes widened, and her entire face actually bobbed forward as she asked, “Right now?” She blinked, once, before pointing out, “You said that.” Simon couldn't blame her, but it was either discuss the travel plans to death or grab her and take her right there in the carriage. “Yes,” she said, starting to look puzzled at his current obsession with their newly scheduled stop at the inn. “The roads really aren't safe these day after dark,” he added, trying not to remind himself that he'd originally planned on pushing straight through to Clyvedon. She shot him a slightly startled look at the sudden change of subject. This was her one and only wedding night, and he would make it perfect for her. But he was damned if he was going to take her in some roadside inn, no matter how clean and tidy it might be.ĭaphne deserved better. A full day of wanting, needing, of his body screaming for release. All it did was remind him that he'd put off his wedding night by a full day. “We should be at the inn by nightfall,” he said crisply, as if a businesslike mien would relieve his tension. It was starting to grow quite painful, that. He quirked a brow, which caused her to grumble to herself, which of course caused him to want to kiss her. “I suspect you see a great deal,” she muttered, “and ignore at least half of it.” “I see,” he murmured, with all the solemnity he could muster. “I said I enjoyed it.” When he still didn't speak, she let out a little snort and added, “Perhaps this will all seem more clear if I point out that I implied the words ‘yes’ and ‘but’ as in ‘Yeeeessss, but I enjoyed it.” “You said it had been a long day,” she said yet again. Her face screwed up with such enchanting frustration that Simon felt a smile tugging at his lips. It sent jolts of desire straight to his midsection, and it was all he could do to concentrate on her words as she said, “You said it had been a long day. It was a sight to behold, something warm and teasing and just a little bit mischievous. “I beg your pardon?”Ī shadow of a smile touched her lips. He blinked and turned to her with a blank expression. Being a good and faithful husband seemed the least he could do in return. Even knowing that she would never have children, she had chosen him.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |