Raven headed for the bedroom, and William followed.
She sat on the bed and put her brace aside. Then she removed her colored contact lenses, discarding them onto a side table.
“Much better.” William took her hands in his. “The brave young woman with the great, green eyes. I knew the night I first saw you that you were one of the greatest goods of the world and I should do whatever it took to save you. See how blessed I am because of you?”
Raven tugged at his hand, and he sat next to her.
“What’s in the box Monsieur Marchand gave you?”
“The relics of my teacher.” William kissed her fingertips, one by one. “They were transferred with everything else. I can’t bear to be separated from them.”
“Monsieur keeps referring to you as my husband.”
“Along with the art transfer, I left instructions for the bank to welcome my beautiful wife. I wanted you to have a refuge.” William fumbled in the pocket of his trousers.
He withdrew his hand. Nestled in his palm were two plain gold bands.
“It was not the best of circumstances in which to make a vow, but do you recall the words we exchanged in the Duomo?”
Raven’s gaze lifted from the rings to his eyes. “Yes.”
“I pledged myself to you before God. You did the same.” He lifted the smaller ring, and his face held a question.
She held out her left hand, and he slipped the ring over her finger.
“No hesitation.” His expression grew thoughtful.
“I made up my mind a long time ago.” She plucked the larger ring from his palm and slipped it over his finger. “I would have married you before, if you’d asked.”
A deep sigh of relief escaped from his chest.
She placed her arm around his waist. “Did you doubt me?”
“No, I’m just grateful for this second life. I swear I will do all I can to love and protect you.”
“I swear the same.” She kissed him.
William made a hungry noise in the back of his throat and pulled her atop him. His hands caressed her back before sliding down to the fullness of her bottom and gripping it sensuously.
Raven pushed his shirt open and peppered his chest with kisses. She latched onto the side of his neck and drew the flesh into her mouth.
William groaned.
“This will be different,” she whispered, bringing her face within inches of his.
“Yes.” His gray eyes clouded.
“I promise I’ll be gentle.” She winked with a grin.
He kissed her nose.
“Thank you. Do you—” William’s unspoken question hung in the air.
She squeezed his shoulders. “Ask.”
“Will you miss it? The way it was, the way I was before?”
She cocked her head to one side. “Are you William?”
“Yes.”
“Do you love me?”
He squeezed her tightly. “Without question.”
“Then there’s nothing to miss. I was devastated when you died. I wondered if the pain would ever lessen. I’m not going to waste time coming up with silly pseudo-problems to keep us apart.”
She placed her hand against his face, marveling at the stubble that scratched her palm. “For some reason, the universe gave you back to me. I’m not going to question it, and I’m not going to criticize it. They could have brought you back broken or burned, and I would have taken you gladly and thanked God for you.
“This is our chance at happiness, and we shouldn’t waste a moment second-guessing it. Love me, William, as you have always loved me. And it will be everything.”
William switched their positions, carefully tending to her injured leg.
“I always liked this dress.” His hands worked between them, unwrapping her.
Raven pushed his shirt off his shoulders and unfastened his belt.
“Magnificent,” he murmured, gazing appreciatively at her body as he divested himself of the rest of his clothes.
He took his time removing her under things, his hands gliding across her skin.
“You haven’t been eating.” William appeared dismayed as he explored her curves, curves that were uncharacteristically modest.
“It’s difficult to enjoy food when you’re in sorrow.”
“I’m sorry.” He pressed his lips to each rib, kissing them repentantly.
Raven looped an arm around his neck, drawing him to her so their mouths could meet. She slid her hands down his spine, reveling in the warm smoothness of him and the small imperfections she encountered for the first time.
William tasted her breasts, nipping and sucking as his hips aligned with hers.
He was warm, so warm. And the heat between their bodies grew as they made contact.
“I need you.” Raven’s green eyes burned into his.
His thumb found her cheek, and he brushed it tenderly. Then, with his other hand at her hip, he entered her.
Raven shut her eyes. It was a fullness she had never expected to feel again. But he was there, above her, inside her, surrounding her with love and warmth.
William groaned, bracing his arms next to her shoulders.
She opened her eyes just as he thrust against a most delightful place.
“I don’t think I can—” William gritted his teeth, unable to complete his sentence.
“It’s okay. I’m close.” Her hands trailed down to his backside, urging him forward as she lifted her hips in time with his thrusts.
She moaned softly with his movements. And then, she felt it. The beginning of a glorious completion, like a note that hung in the air for several beats. The pleasure coursed through her body, igniting every nerve.