Read Pleasure and Purpose for Free Online Page B

rinsing it with clear warm water and combing it with her fingers to lay straight about his shoulders. She washed his body as well, as he relaxed with closed eyes.
    "Sir, are you falling asleep?"
    He cracked one eye open. "Aye, I fear I am."
    "Then instead of the bath, you shall go to bed if that's where your body is telling you it desires to go."
    His low chuckle warmed her as much as the praise. "Far be it from me to argue with my body or a woman, for I know I might be able to suppress my body but I can never win against a woman whose mind is settled."
    The teasing tone made her smile and she held the fluffy towel for him as he stood. While he dried himself, she turned down the covers. Edward entered the room and looked toward the large bed with its four posts reaching to the ceiling.
    "Would you join me? I'd like to have some warmth beside me." She nodded and stripped quickly, as comfortable in her own skin as she was in any garment. She'd been scrutinized so often in her nakedness she'd have thought no gaze could move her, yet his did.
    Edward's eyes trailed over her face and down the slope of her neck, her shoulder, down one arm to her fingertips, over her hip, her thigh, across her belly. It touched briefly at her sex, her knees, her toes, then back up to capture her gaze. He smiled.
    "The first time I saw you, I thought you were nondescript," Edward said. "I unwisely thought you bland and symmetrical and dull. Neither hideous nor beautiful." His words would likely have insulted another woman, but Nessa only nodded. "And how do you find me now?"
    "You're not symmetrical. Your body curves and moves in a way that sets you apart from others." He touched the small crimson speck on her left hipbone, a spot the midwives called Kedalya's Kiss. "Your flaws make you unique."
    "A flower is made more beautiful by its thorns." Nessa's voice dipped hoarse. "And to be fair, sir, you'd met me for but five moments before running off. Hardly enough time to discern anything about me."
    He chuckled. "True. Let's get into bed, for I'm weary."
    She nodded and dimmed the gaslights. He reached for her, spooning her against him. Nessa settled into Edward's arms, his breath warm on the back of her neck. He said nothing, so she remained silent. His breathing slowed. His hand rested on her belly. Her eyes drifted closed.
    "I wasn't prepared for you, Stillness." She half turned but his hand pressed her still. "I studied the letters of information the Order of Solace sent, I reviewed the contract; to me all seemed in order. I knew what I was to provide and what I was to receive in return. And yet, I wasn't prepared."
    She put her hand over his, her thumb stroking his skin. "Because I wasn't plain and nondescript?"
    "Because I didn't truly believe you'd be able to help me." Nessa timed her breath to the rise and fall of his chest against her back. "And now?" He stayed silent for so long she thought perhaps he'd fallen asleep. When at last he spoke, his voice curled over her as deep and dark as the night itself. Like smoke. His words stroked her.
    "Now I've become convinced I should at least allow you to try." This made her smile and she nestled further against him. "I relish the challenge." Edward chuckled again. "Say you that to please me or because it's true?"
    "I think lying would displease you. So I don't lie."
    "Have you had to make a habit of lying to your patrons in the past?"
    "Lies, no matter how pretty the picture they paint, more often lead to grief than joy. So, no, I've not found it necessary to lie."
    "But you have? If it pleases them?"
    Nessa thought a moment, curling her fingers through his. "In the matter of whether or not a shade of rouge or cut of coat is flattering or not, I have perhaps been less than blunt in my answer. But if questioned as to whether a patron is right or wrong in some matter of manners or decision, though it might please them briefly to be told they are right if they're not, in the end it would only bring them