Dare to Love (23 page)

Dare stretched over her, his skin hot and feverish. The solidness of his bones and muscles crushed against her, pushing her deeper into the mattress, and she reveled in his divine maleness.

Overcome with the urge to touch him, she tugged against the restraints to no avail. Her eyes popped open and she found Dare smirking at her. His eyes dark and glazed with desire, his mouth firm and his jaw clenched.“You are mine.”

Then he swooped down and engulfed her mouth with his. Unable to do more, she writhed against him. He moaned and ran his hands over her hips.

“You are so responsive,” he breathed, “I can’t wait to bury myself inside you again. Are you ready?”

She was so ready, she couldn’t breathe.

He didn’t wait for an answer. Just as she had hoped, he slid his hand across her stomach and between her thighs. She pulsed upward, and swallowed a scream of desire.

He looked into her eyes and gave her a smile more sultry than she had ever imagined. He raised himself over her and slid his hardened shaft between her legs. He began a slow steady pace, pulsing within her. Nivea breathed in the smell of him, overwhelmed by the mixture of love and lust. This was how it should be. This is what she had dreamed of. This and more.

She kissed him desperately, frustrated by the bonds at her wrists. How she wanted to hold him close to her, caress him, comfort him, draw him nearer. All she could do was rock her hips as he plunged into her. He lifted up her breast and suckled it, causing her to explode once again. She could feel her inner walls quivering. Tipping him over the edge, he gasped, and with several powerful strokes, shuddered before jerking himself free. Warm wetness spilled over her legs as he collapsed to the side.

It was a few moments before either of them spoke. Once their breathing had started to return to normal, he rolled towards her and said with a smug expression, “That is how I concealed it.”

As her body was still warmed by the lingering tingles of pleasure, she let out a sated chuckle. “Mmm, I can see that would be quite effective.”

He smirked and tapped her on the nose, before reaching up to loosen the knots at her wrist.

Rubbing her arms, Nivea laid there for a moment, mulling over all the things he’d told her. Another thought popped into her head. She knew she shouldn’t ask, as the answer would no doubt be painful, but she had to know. Hesitantly she whispered, “What would you have told your…wife?”

He didn’t respond.

“Would you…” she started, “would you have explained things before you were married?”

He sighed heavily and turned away. “No.”

“But…”

With a resigned tone, he answered, “She would be a country girl, sweet, untutored. I would set her up in a country house and take her quickly and infrequently, just enough to ensure an heir. She would never be the wiser. Once she had done her duty, I could leave them buried in the country and return to town to continue as always.”

He didn’t mention Constance’s name, but Nivea could see she would have fit into his plan. How horrible for her to marry Dare, only to be cast aside. She was glad that hadn’t occurred. For all of their sakes.

She turned toward the man beside her, her heart swollen with love and desire. “I’m glad you don’t have to hide them from me. I look forward to touching every inch of you next time,” she murmured, snuggling against his chest.

Dare froze.

Next time?
There most certainly would not be a “next time.” This absolutely, positively had to stop. Surely, he had gotten her out of his system.

But as he lay there, stroking her skin as she curled against him, he began to consider his future. What
would
happen between them? Would they have any sort of relationship after this? After all, men like him did not have women friends. It didn’t happen. And it was not as though she could be his mistress. He could hardly set her up in a house, awaiting his nightly visits. She wasn’t that sort of woman.

Nor could he marry her. That thought was even more ludicrous. He had no desire to be tied down to one woman. Not to mention, his future marchioness would need to be beautiful, elegant, the perfect hostess. Nivea, on the other hand was…not.

So, what did that leave? Nothing.

That thought made him more anxious than he would have imagined. Just a fortnight ago, he had dreaded spending a few days in the carriage with her, yet now, he was unsettled at the thought of not having her around.

With a sigh, he closed his eyes. He was tired and satisfied and did not wish to think on it further. They would just continue as they were and work it out when the time came. Dropping a soft kiss on Nivea’s head, he drifted off to sleep.

Dare bolted awake. A nightmare had set his heart pounding and even now the images were horrifyingly clear.

The dream had started out quite stimulating. Dare had been in his family home at Raynsforth, wrapped in a passionate embrace with an entrancing woman. She had been soft and willing, and he had been taking great delight in nibbling his way down her neck and into the delicate lace of her bodice. Aroused and content, he had suddenly heard a most distracting sound.

He had found himself surrounded by a handful of children, a mass of black, tangled hair and large pleading eyes, tugging on his coat. As he tried to block them out, he had heard them calling to him, “Father, watch me. Father, see what I can do? Can you teach me to ride? Come here, father.”

He had fixed them with a killing glare, designed to drive them into retreat, but it had no effect. They had continued to pull at him, entreating him to pay them heed. As a result of the interruption, his curvaceous companion had stepped away. His temper flared, and he had raised his hand to issue a slap to the closest child.

The woman screeched at him, “How dare you threaten our children! I knew you would be just like your father.” It was Nivea. With a swirl of her skirts, Raynsforth family sapphires twinkling from her neck, she had darted toward the door. When she reached the hall, she had called out, “I’m ready, dearest Winnie!”

Dare had tried to chase after her, but was trapped in place by the children, clinging to his arms. Pinned, he had been forced to watch as a smiling, rotund fellow had minced over to Nivea’s side and had placed a kiss on her cheek. Arm in arm, they’d walked to his curricle and had headed down the drive.

The anger that had exploded in his chest nearly killed him.

Betrayed!

The emotion had been so raw, it snapped him out of the dream, leaving a crushing weight on his chest. When he tried to sit up, he realized the weight was actually Nivea. Her head was resting on him, a contented smile curling her lips.

The reality of the situation hit him like a blow. If he wasn’t careful, he’d find himself trapped into marriage with her. And there was no doubt at some time his temper would get the best of him, and she would leave. Once she fully saw him for the monster he was, she would turn on him without a second thought. Just like everyone else.

By God, he would not let that happen.

Dare needed her gone. Now.

He nudged her rather harshly. When she rolled over, he withdrew his arm and swung his legs from the bed.

“Nivea. It is late. You should go to your room, before your absence is noticed.”

She awoke and sat up against the pillow. As she did, the covers dropped to her waist and Dare was treated to a glimpse of her soft, curvy torso. This time, it was not enough to distract him.

“Let’s go, Nivea. You fell asleep. You cannot be found here.”

Suddenly, realizing where she was, her eyes flew open in a panic. “Oh, yes. I must go.” She yanked the covers up to her neck in embarrassment. “Can you hand me my gown?”

Only too happy to speed things along, Dare gathered her clothing and deposited it on the bed. Paying her no mind, he crossed to the dressing area and pulled on his robe. He turned back to see her struggling with the gown.

“Here, let me help,” he snapped, yanking down the fabric, and then buttoning it in place. As she turned to thank him, the look on his face must have troubled her.

“Dare? Are you all right?” She raised a hand as if to stroke his cheek. He caught it and squeezed her hand in his. Dredging up as much sincerity as he could muster, he said, “I’m only worried about you, dear. Now hurry before your reputation is destroyed.” Then he kissed her wrist and hustled her towards the door.

She shot him a look of concern, but nodded in acceptance before peering out the door. Finding the hallway empty, she dashed out toward her room. It was only then that Dare let out a sizeable breath.

There. She was gone.

He closed the door.

Expecting to feel relief, he was instead struck by a looming emptiness. His room had lost all manner of life.

That had never happened before. He always had been perfectly content in his own company. Preferred it, in fact. But now, for the first time in decades, he was…lonely.

God damn Nivea Horsham and everyone else on this bloody planet.
Why couldn’t they all leave him alone? Crossing to the table by his bed, Dare raised the bottle of brandy to his lips and proceeded to drink himself senseless.

Nivea slowly opened her eyes, giving a long luxurious stretch. Sunlight streamed in the windows and fluffy, white clouds floated across a brilliant blue sky.

Had there ever been a more perfect day? Nivea gave another stretch, unable to temper the smile that lit up her face. Not only had last night been incredibly enjoyable on a physical level, but Nivea was sure it had been a turning point emotionally as well.

Dare had spared those boys a punishment and helped their lives for the better. It was wonderful to think she had a positive impact on him. And he had told her about his wonderful tricks. He trusted her as he had no other. Surely, that was a first step to building a relationship.

Never a fool, she knew full well he would not consciously acknowledge it yet. But she imagined slight changes to his behavior, a knowing smile, a touch of his hand, occasional moments of shared intimacy that would tie them together. Until the day he realized that they were meant to be together. Forever.

Maybe not today, but soon.

She couldn’t wait. Nivea leapt from her bed and rang for her maid.

Bustling in a few minutes later, Emma exclaimed, “You slept in this morning, miss. Breakfast is almost over. Would you like me to bring up a tray?”

“No, thank you. I’d like to go down and see—” She caught herself from blurting out his name. No point in feeding the servant’s gossip mill too blatantly. “And see if there are any outings planned for the day,” she finished. “I know we have the dance at Lord Morrill’s this evening, but perhaps Amelia has scheduled something for the afternoon.”

Emma reached into the wardrobe and pulled out a dress of grey muslin. “Would you like to wear this today?”

Nivea wrinkled her nose. “No, I think I would like the green gown with the sprigs of flowers on the sash.”

“Oh, that’s a pretty one, for sure. Hurry and we’ll have you ready in time to eat.”

As Emma adjusted her gown and arranged her hair, Nivea could not help staring at her reflection. Her eyes bright with excitement and her cheeks flushed with pleasure. Surely, everyone would sense the difference in her today.

As if on cue, Emma murmured, “You look enchanting today, miss.”

Nivea thanked her before dancing from the room.

When she entered the dining room, she was disappointed to find only William remaining. Especially once he began skewering her with questions. “What’s this I hear about you letting Lord Landis give you riding lessons?”

Nivea sighed. She supposed it was too much to ask for Dare to keep her secret, although hiding
that
part of their relationship was the least of her concerns.

Giving her brother a shrug, she answered in a measured tone, “Well, once I was forced to ride, I discovered horses aren’t so horrid. I wanted to become more proficient.”

He waved his fork in the air, not assuaged in the slightest. “But why didn’t you tell us? Or ask us for help? Why go to Landis of all people?”

She nibbled at a slice of toast. “I didn’t want any of you to know. I wanted it to be a surprise!”

“But Landis? Really Niv, he’s one of my closest friends, but that doesn’t mean I trust him. He’s a complete scoundrel.”

That made her angry. What right did he have to talk to her like this? “Are you implying I’m too naive to handle my own affairs? Your poor, desperate little sister can’t take care of herself? She’ll simply fall at the feet of any man who speaks to her? Is that it?” Her voice had risen to a wholly unnatural octave, but she couldn’t help it.

Nonplussed by her reaction, William just blinked at her. “No, Niv, you know it’s not that. I…I just want you to be careful. Dare can’t be trusted around any woman. They are just playthings to him. He can’t help himself.”

Nivea knew she was acting irrationally, but William had tapped into her greatest fear. Suppose Dare was just toying with her?

No
, she shook her head. She was different. They shared a deeper connection. He trusted her. She was sure of it. But until the time came that Dare was willing to acknowledge their relationship, they would have to be very discreet.

“I’m sorry, Wills. I know you’re just looking out for me. Don’t worry. Lord Landis has been a member of this household for a long time and I well know what to expect from him.”

At least she hoped she did.

Needing to reassure herself, she finished her meal and slipped outside in search of Dare.

An incessant banging forced Dare to open his eyes. With a groan, he peeked through gritty eyelids and glared at the culprit.

Just as he thought. Jackson was stumbling around the room, slamming pitchers of water on his dressing table and boots into his wardrobe. He drew in a deep breath, preparing to bellow at the hapless servant, but that simple movement caused more pain than he could have imagined. He settled for a deep groan.

“Ah, milord, you are awake.” Jackson crossed to Dare’s bed. “From the smell of it, I’d say you spent the better part of the evening swilling brandy. Is your wound troubling you?”