Dedicated to Call_Me_Strange & BloodyMaireJeanne Thank you!!!!

Warning: Mature Sexual Content. 18+

Revised, Published Version

Jade took a deep breath, smoothed down her gown, and knocked on the door. Already feeling anxious, it startled her when the door cracked open. William's valet placed a finger on his lips. "Shhh. His Lordship has just become comfortable and is now sleeping." The valet lifted his brows, challenging Jade with bloodshot eyes. Exhaustion was clear on the young man's face, as he stood blocking the entrance and Jade's view of the sleeping earl.

"I will not disturb the earl, but I am not leaving without checking on him. Please leave us." Jade returned his stony glare.

"Leave you?" He reared his head back, eyes wide as plates. "Alone?" He gave a quick shake of his head. "'Tis most inappropriate, miss."

Jade scoffed. "I do not care what's appropriate. Besides, you look as if you could use a break. And you may leave the door ajar." Jade pushed the door open wide and slipped past the stunned valet.

"Very well, I shall return soon." With a quick bow and a slight frown, he left his post.

Well, that was much easier than I expected. Jade smiled, satisfied.

However, what she saw before her was unexpected, and emotion clogged her throat, as tears sprang to her eyes. It was a sight she wouldn't forget, seeing William so vulnerable. He appeared small and frail in the massive four-poster bed; the confident, self-assured man had vanished. Jade wiped her tears away and approached his sickbed, sitting beside him. She sent up a silent prayer, expressing her immense gratitude for the safety of her loved ones.

When her eyes adjusted to the darkness, Jade took in the man's beauty. She couldn't stop staring at his chiseled face, long dark lashes, and plump, sensual lips. The slight stubble of hair growth gave him a rugged and manly look.

Jade longed to reach out and caress him, but clasped her hands together on her lap. I could stare at him forever, but I want to touch him. No one has ever evoked such a feeling in me, and never will. The fates are against us, but I will carve my destiny because I shall never feel complete without you. Jade's emotional musings frightened her. The enormity of the truth seemed to live in her heart while settling in her bones.

Movement from the bed and a soft grunt caused Jade to abandon her woolgathering. She knew William needed his rest but hoped he would wake up, if only for a moment. Yes, it was a selfish desire. But she needed to tell him about Alexander Winferd and explain everything before rumors reached his ears. Jade couldn't fathom losing William over a misunderstanding or Alexander's pathetic lies.

A soft flutter of his lashes gave Jade a glimmer of hope. "William, I'm here. It's Jade. Are you awake, my lord?"

"Hello, love." William's voice sounded cracked and dry, and he tried to lift his battered body. A grimace and moan escaped his lips, and he laid back down.

"Easy now. Just lay still. I was worried, yet I didn't seek to disturb you. I fear your valet will be very put out with me. He was adamant that I not wake you, and he will be back soon. However, now that you are awake, I must speak with you about a sensitive and urgent matter." Jade's eyes darkened as anxiety rolled in the pit of her stomach.

"Why so serious, my beautiful girl? I know just the thing to make you forget your worries..." A lascivious grin lifted one side of his plump lips.

"Still insufferable, I see." Jade slanted her eyes and let out a huff.

"Come a little closer, love. 'Tis a secret, and I shan't take no for an answer."

"Insufferable and demanding rogue! You are in no shape to demand anything, my lord." Jade folded her arms across her chest. Yet, trying to appear unaffected by his charms was more challenging than she expected. "I'm running out of time and must speak to you. So, please stop with your silly games." Jade tried to be stern but found it difficult not to smile.

"Come closer, kitten. Give me but a moment, and I promise you my full, undivided attention." William wagged his brows up and down. The smile tugging at the corner of her mouth was all the encouragement he needed. "Have you no sympathy for a wounded man?" William pouted, pleading with his best impression of puppy dog eyes.

"Odious man!" Jade shook her head in defeat. "Fine, tell me your little secret, then you must give me your uninterrupted attention."

"I shall give you all my attention. Now come closer." His voice came across as a growl, causing Jade's heartbeat to quicken, and she felt hot.

Jade leaned her head close to William's lips, and his warm breath against her ear caused goosebumps to rise on her arms and neck. The intimacy of his nearness created a surge of awareness throughout her whole body. An excitement that was new to her stirred within Jade. The reaction, while foreign, was delicious and breathtaking. When he didn't speak, she turned to face him, curious.

Before she could utter a word, William's hand caressed her neck, and his touch—shocking and sensual—sent a jolt of sultry heat straight to her loins. He tugged her face to his, and Jade gazed into William's lust-filled eyes.

With William's warm breath tantalizing her lips, breathing became problematic for Jade. Although she was sitting down, Jade thought she might swoon. Is that even possible? All thought abandoned her with the crush of his lips against hers. She matched his fevered passion, felt her nipples pebble, and deepened the kiss. I need more, she thought.

William broke the kiss without removing his lips from hers, interrupting her wanton thoughts. At Jade's mewl of protest, he whispered into the side of her mouth, "I could take you right here, love. You are only safe because I'm wounded."

His voice caused Jade to groan, and she dragged his mouth back to her throbbing lips. There was something very different about this kiss. The kiss, while aggressive and unbridled, held the promise of things to come. It felt reckless, primitive, and forbidden, and Jade longed to satisfy the unfamiliar sensation throbbing between her thighs. Moisture pooled at her apex, and she thought she might expire from wanting him so much.

***

"Please, William. I need more," Jade demanded in a raw whisper. To swallow her cries, he consumed her lips again and ran his hand over her breast, tweaking the small, firm bud. Jade's moaning pushed William past his limit. He yanked his lips from hers, lavishing his attention on her neck with his hot, moist tongue, and nibbled his way down.

With her head thrown back, Jade shivered in ecstasy. William ran his tongue over the muslin of her gown, taking her nipple in his mouth, lapping at the small hardened bud until the fabric was soaked and hot.

Desire overtook Jade, and William silenced her with a kiss. He fumbled with the hem of her gown, finding her smooth, bare legs underneath. As he pushed the dress higher, it pleased William that she wore no undergarments. He reared back from the kiss, moved his hand to her slick, secret garden, and stared up at her closed eyes.

"Open your eyes and look at me, love. I want to see you come undone," William demanded in a low growl.

Jade opened her dark, half-lidded eyes, obeying him. "Please... I feel I might die. I need you. Please don't stop."

Moving his fingers between her hot, wet folds, he circled her hard nub and caressed her in slow circles. His fingers teased and played while Jade demanded more by thrusting her pelvis closer until his finger entered her. William feared he might explode as he watched Jade rock back and forth with closed eyes. Her face held determination and sensuality while matching his rhythm, making him yearn for more.

***

"Look at me, darling," William demanded in his husky baritone voice.

She opened her eyes, peering into his without breaking their perfect tempo. Her body moved of its own accord, causing a strange hunger within her. Not understanding the sensations taking over her mind, body, and soul, Jade gripped William by the shoulders as she cried out.

Jade had felt nothing so awe-inspiring and divine in all her life! Without thought, she moaned his name, as a frenzied feeling she couldn't describe crashed like waves throughout her body. She collapsed against him, grinning, and tried to catch her breath.

William stroked her back and kissed her cheek. "Did you enjoy that, my little minx?"

"Yes, oh, yes!" Jade uttered, out of breath. She pulled back to look at him, a blush covering her face. "What about you? I mean, I'm no expert..."

"Don't worry about me. Pleasing you, pleased me." William reassured her by placing a soft, yet hot kiss upon her plump, pink lips.

The kiss was enough to bring the slow burn back between her thighs. Mystified by this, Jade moved her hands beneath the sheet, still covering them. She found his hard, hot manhood and ran her hand up and down his pulsing shaft.

William grabbed her hand and whispered, "You don't have to do this, love."

"I want to touch you." William groaned and placed his hand back over hers. While he guided her, she relished in the feel of him—hard, hot, and soft like silk. Jade continued and watched in fascination as William lowered himself back onto the bed. He thrust his pelvis to match her strokes, and Jade watched, mesmerized. She continued enjoying the moment until his climax erupted, and he cried out.

They sat in silence before William pulled himself up to face her. Without a word, they peered into each other's eyes, and at that moment, nothing else mattered, and a commitment was born.

"I saw stars," Jade whispered.

"So did I, love." William grinned and wiped his sweaty forehead.

A loud shriek pulled the lovers from their trance, and Jade staggered from the bed. Pulling her dress down, she turned and saw Abagail standing inside the bedchamber, hands covering her eyes.

"Oh, Abby!" Jade slapped a hand over her mouth.

"The door was... ajar." Abagail stood with hands over her eyes. "I'm so sorry."

"'Tis not your fault. I forgot about the door and lost my senses." Jade smiled at William to avoid giving him the impression that she regretted what had happened between them. She let her gaze linger on him and felt her cheeks flame again.

"The only fault lies with me. I'm to blame, not Jade. I should have restrained myself."

"Abby, can you give Lord Anson and me a moment alone? I shan't be but a moment."

"Yes, of course, but I have urgent news for you." Abagail opened her eyes, throwing Jade a stern look, and left.

"My love, can you ever forgive me?" William's tortured eyes seemed to plead with her.

"There is nothing to forgive. I wanted you just as much as you wanted me." Jade moved back toward the bed.

"While I'm more than pleased to hear you say that, I lost control. You are a lady and deserve so much more from me." William frowned and raked a hand through his tousled hair.

Jade sat beside William and fingered the hair out of his eyes. "I deserve more from you, and I want more..." Jade gave William a sensual smile, followed by a wink.

"Why, you little vixen! I've created a monster." William chuckled, but pain crossed his features as he held his ribs.

"I've hurt you!" Jade exclaimed in horror. "I know you are in pain because so am I. I'll fetch the doctor so he can administer some laudanum. Don't move. I'll be right back." Jade jumped up, but William caught her wrist.

"Sweetheart, thank you, but there is something more pressing at the moment." William stared at Jade and raised the coverlet. He looked underneath and then back up at her, hoping she understood.

"Oh, yes. How very remiss of me." Jade giggled and watched William's face turn scarlet red.

"Please, darling, I need to... err... clean myself up."

"The Earl of Lichfield... blushing. That is something I never thought I would see." Jade smiled and skipped to the water basin.

"Do you perhaps need my help? I would be glad to support you in your time of need," Jade purred.

"'Tis unnecessary, my love. I fear it would cause a repeat of our amorous activities." William smiled and lifted a brow for emphasis. "Besides, it shall only take an instant."

Jade took the wet cloth and handed William a dry one. When he finished, she washed herself at the basin and returned to the smiling man. She leaned down and kissed his lips soundly before quitting the room. Jade turned and blew him a kiss before opening the door to see Abagail pacing the hall.

"Thank you, Abby." Embarrassment again heated her cheeks. "Now, what is this urgent news?" Jade asked, even though she already knew what Abagail would say.

"You must come at once. Alexander is waiting in the downstairs drawing room." A frown furrowed Abagail's brow.

"Yes, I must get this over with, but is anyone with him?" Jade bit her bottom lip.

"There wasn't, but I'm not sure now. We must go to Alexander at once." Abagail's unease was apparent.

"Wait just a minute. Who, pray tell, is Alexander, and why is he waiting for Jade in the drawing room?" William seemed to bristle with jealousy as he fired off his questions.

"There is no time now to explain. I came to tell you about Mr. Alexander Winferd, but we were... preoccupied. I will send the doctor up and explain soon." With that, Jade shut his door and left.

"Who in the bloody hell is Alexander, and what does he want with Jade?" William bellowed aloud to the empty room.  

***

Wow, things got a bit steamy! Please remember to vote and comment!
Much Love, 

Lady Lisa 💜 💜 💜

September 2023 revision