He had concluded his business in Leeds quickly. Returning before he was expected, a sleepy groom met him to attend his horse. The house was dark as everyone was asleep at this hour. He dismissed Lowell, already in his night garb. As he approached his chamber he saw a light flickering under the door. He entered to find his alluring new wife asleep on his bed. His body came alive at the mere sight of her sleeping form, which would have been fine, but it was more than just lust. He had to build a wall between her and his heart. He could not allow her to inch her way in by entering every part of his life. He needed a space that was his and his alone. A space where he could escape her pull, a place to deny her entry.
“What are you doing in here?” He startled her from her sleep.
She gazed up at him with confused, sleepy eyes.
“Eva, wake up, why are you in my chamber, my bed?”
He could see the moment she registered his anger.
“I am sorry, I missed you, I did not realize you would be returning tonight.”
“You have no right to be in my chamber!” His ire rose and his mind became befuddled with all the emotions he felt for his beautiful wife.
She became fully awake.
“I am your wife, I did not think your bed of all places would be forbidden!”
“My chamber is forbidden unless you have my permission to enter it.”
“Fine.”
She climbed from his bed and turned to him just before she entered her own chamber.
“My chamber is forbidden to you as well, without my permission.”
He had her in his grip before she could cross the threshold.
“No! Your chamber and your body are never forbidden to me, ever!”
His mouth came down quickly to possess hers.
As he claimed his dominance over her senses he backed her into her own room. Soon she found herself pushed back onto her bed. She attempted to rise, but he pressed her back down onto the bed with the weight of his body. She pushed at his chest, but it was futile, she could not budge him, so she redirected her anger. She returned his kiss brutally. Neither of them would come out unscathed. She gripped him so forcefully her nails dug into the skin of his back.
Hours later, Eva lie awake after Eric left her room. He had been so angry finding her in his bed. She had no intention of him even knowing she had been in his chamber. His arrival had been a surprise. A part of her was angry he had reacted as he did, but the rest of her wondered what kind of life he must have had to be so adamant about keeping a distance between them, he was protecting himself from her. Their first coupling had been angry. She as livid as he, just for different reasons, but after their anger had eased into something else entirely they came together again. Then he left her alone in her bed without saying another word. At this rate she would be carrying his child soon, if she was not already. Maybe the unconditional love of a child would help to ease his fear. She realized she would have to pull back from him, he was not ready for such a close relationship. He had warned her. Hopefully, it would not take him long.
Tags: Historical, Love, Marriage, Romance
