Before He Was Mine (Before Series, Book 2)

Begin Again

Will watched as Emilia slept, her breathing steady and deep. Trying not to rouse her, he took the liberty of picking the pins from her hair. He could only imagine that they were digging into her scalp, and he didn't wish for her to be uncomfortable.

Emilia's comfort was the most important thing to Will now.

Once her golden hair was fanned out against the clean white linens, Will threw a pair of loose trousers on before laying on the bed next to her. He draped an arm around her waist, reveling in the feeling of her body next to his.

Will's eyelids were also threatening to close, but he didn't want to miss any moment of this perfection. He wasn't sure how many minutes or hours had passed when his wife began to stir.

Finally, she twisted beneath his arm, looking up at him beneath her lashes. She was unknowing in the ways she tempted Will with the glance.

"There is a bath readied in your bedchamber. Does that interest you, darling?" When Will had noticed the signs of her waking a few minutes ago, he had rung for a servant to prepare it.

Emilia nodded, and Will scooped her up again, blanket and all.

"I can walk, Will!" she protested, and for some reason, it made Will's heart swell.

"Just indulge me," Will murmured with a small smile. He pushed through the door that adjoined the two bedchambers and carried Emilia to the sparkling tub with its steaming water.

She slid into it, sighing with contentment. Glancing up at him beneath her long lashes once more, she asked, "Are you joining me?"

Will chuckled. "Do you want me to?"

"Of course, I do."

Will gladly disposed of his trousers, throwing them across the room. "Lean forward," he said softly to Emilia, and she obeyed, leaving just enough room for him to slide behind her. The warm water sloshed around them as his legs slipped around hers.

As Emilia's head tilted back to lean against his chest, Will honestly couldn't feel any more content.

"I still feel bad for leaving our guests," she sighed.

Will smiled and kissed the top of her head. "Well, I do not. I am pleased with myself for making it through our ceremony without dragging you away, let alone breakfast. It is merely Leo and Weston and all the others. I am certain they are carrying on without us. They will see us tomorrow."

The entirety of their wedding party was staying the night at Rosecrest Manor, and they would continue to stay for the better part of the week.

"I shall wear a different dress tomorrow," Emilia said slyly. He could almost see the way her lips smirked as she said it.

"You had better," Will replied firmly. "If I am to behave myself with you this week, you need to wear spinster attire."

Emilia shook her head, likely in exasperation, and said, "Thank you for not ripping my wedding gown like you did with my other one."

Will threw his head against the back of the tub and groaned. "You have no idea how hard it was for me to resist. But taking you while you wore it was not a bad second option."

It was the understatement of the year. Watching Emilia come undone before him in the mirror, her breasts falling from her gown, her hair sticking to the light sweat on her brow as he thrust into her repeatedly...Will would never forget it.

Emilia shivered a little at his words. Will ran his fingers over her bare shoulder, causing droplets of water to cascade onto the tops of her breasts and disappear into the water. She was quiet, and Will took advantage of the opportunity.