Flame Thrower (17 page)

“I’m looking forward to experiencing it again tomorrow morning. I will let you know if it was as good as today’s meal.” Tillian’s voice was confident and demanding, so unlike the fearful woman from earlier.

“I can cook,” Ryan defended. “You will see.” Ryan’s voice drew a raised brow from June’s face however. His ‘I can’ earned a laugh or two.

Tillian added in playful challenge, “Prove it.”

He dipped his head in a reply, “Your wish is my command. I will cook you the best breakfast you have ever eaten. Even if I put my life in danger because I’ve angered Gretta.”

June watched this interaction and felt like doing a little jig. She had waited so long for Ryan to fall in love and he really couldn’t have chosen a more suitable woman. She was stunning, radiant and the love that burned in her eyes was enough to make June want to cry. More importantly, she needed him. Her heart was an open wound and Ryan’s love was just what she needed. That and time.

* * * *

Ryan enjoyed himself tremendously and felt utter happiness with Tillian sitting at his side. Halfway through dinner, he looked over and noticed Tillian had barely touched her food. That prompted him to lean over close to her ear. “Is something wrong with the food?”

She dipped her head and then tilted it slight in his direction. “No, just no appetite at the moment.”

“Well, you might later after I get done with you,” he added with a sexual undertone added in. He meant it as a tease, but he saw the fear flash at the mention of intimacy.

“We’ll see,” she replied.

Tillian picked at her plate pushing the food around just to appease Ryan but didn’t eat much more. Instead she focused on the friendly company and did her best not to think of the night ahead. Yet when she did, she couldn’t help the warm flush that spread between her legs, and that conflicted with her fear of disappointing him. It didn’t help that each time he brushed her leg or caressed her hand it only inflamed her desires further. Part of her couldn’t wait for their two guests to depart and part of her wished they would remain all night.

Dinner complete, June felt it was time to depart. “Wallace, dear, I think we should be going for it’s rather late,” June finally blurted out. She could see the two wanted to be alone and felt now was a good time to leave. Tillian appeared much more relaxed and Ryan twitched with annoyance, which told June they had over-stayed their welcome.

“I want a night cap.” Her husband could be so clueless at times.

“Well, have one at home. I’m tired.” She smiled apologetically Ryan and then stood to force the issue. Wallace had no choice but to follow.

Grudgingly, Wallace stood as well as the others. He approached Tillian without seeing any signs of aversion. “I do hope you visit. June is eccentric but could be a great friend while you are here. Just don’t let her force her mumbo jumbo on you. She’s a bit pushy when it comes to her craft,” he teased as he kissed Tillian’s hand.

Completely at ease now around Wallace, Tillian accepted the kiss and smiled. “I will and I promise to not fall victim to her beliefs.”

“Excellent, I hope to see you soon then, Princess,” Wallace replied. He was relieved she didn’t flinch from his presence. “Now, let me get my wild wife home.”

“I’m not wild, different, but not wild,” she tossed back then hugged Tillian intimately. “Please don’t wait too long for tea. My house is lonely while Wallace plays Captain, so I need that friend as much as you.”

“All right.”

“Good evening to you both.” She winked when she caught Ryan’s eye. Her look expressed her approval before she dragged Wallace from the room with a flourish.

The silence that followed their departure fell heavy in the room. Tillian felt the panic that had eluded her all night rush back. She knew what was going to happen next and the thought of being alone with Ryan both excited her and scared her to death. She knew as well as anyone that he’d want to be intimate, yet her insecurities of that terrified her.

Tillian fidgeted and stood up, moving towards the fire. She stood before the flames while her heart beat erratically in her chest. This was it.

Ryan frowned at her sudden withdrawal and followed. When Tillian flinched, he was thrown back into being worried about her well being. Was she now afraid of him? “Tillian?”

When she didn’t turn around, he forced the issue by grabbing her shoulders and spinning her to face him. He used a gentle touch to tilt her face towards his, searching her eyes. The motion brought their bodies closer and he inadvertently pulled her closer, using an arm he wrapped around her waist. “What is wrong?”

She turned her head to the side and looked everywhere but at him. She couldn’t handle seeing his concern right now.

“Tillian? Tell me what is wrong? Dinner was amazing and the company easy. What brought on this new fear?” There was an uncomfortable knot forming in his stomach.

“Ryan—” Her whisper was so quiet that he nearly missed it. He now understood she feared his advances but he didn’t move. All through dinner, watching her laugh with June, it tormented him. In addition she rarely let go of his hand. The memory of her skin haunted him and now he desperately wanted to feel more than the palm against his body.

“Why are you fighting this? I’m bewitched by your charm and find absolutely nothing repulsive about you.” He then laughed. “Quite the opposite to be exact. I can’t keep my hands off you.”

“I don’t understand you. I’m ruined, Ryan. I’m not suitable for your partner and don’t understand why you are remotely interested.”

That had him frowning. “Are you referring to the fact you’re no longer a virgin?” When she nodded he understood. She knew what he wanted and it was sending her into another tailspin.

“Tillian, I could care less if you are a virgin or not. We don’t value such things in Yorath. From the moment we are of age, courtesans are hired to teach us in the ways of sex. We all come to our wedding beds ‘ruined’ as you put it. So you see, my dear, I could care less.” He lowered his face and kissed her. One hand moved along her neck and collar bone dropping lower to caress to swell of her breasts. This caused her to moan loudly into his mouth and arch her chest into his touch.

Finding her last strand of resistance, she pushed him gently and he relented. “Ryan, please,” she sighed in exasperation. “I’m –”

“You are what?” he demanded insistently, teasing her with his lips. He didn’t want to be talking at the moment.

Tears silently slid down her cheeks while she looked into his warm brown eyes. It made him feel like a monster that he pushed her to this point, so he pulled back a little and looked down. He slowly wiped the tears from her cheek giving her a chance to calm down. “I’m scared,” she said in a very tortured and quiet whisper.

Hanging his head, Ryan realized he had pushed her too fast. “I’m so sorry. I’ll stop.” He tried to pull away but felt her hand on his lower back pulling his body back towards her, a motion that ground his very hard shaft into her waist.

“That’s not what I meant,” she said quietly with a hint of seduction. Passion flared in her eyes when she met his searing, hopeful stare.

“Oh?” he asked with optimism and leaned into her with his weight. He looked down at her with one raised eyebrow anticipating her response.

“I’m scared, because I’m not trained and all I’ve ever known is rough abuse. I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you.”

His mind raced with the opportunities. “Then let me teach you. Let me show you what it means to really be loved,” he spoke softly into her ear. His hips pressed his case too and earned a soft exhale in response.

She shuddered at his words but didn’t push him away this time. Encouraged by this, he lowered his head to her neck and began to kiss from her ear down her collar bone and used his lips and tongue as a tool.

Tillian melted under his attention. She tilted her head back to allow him more access, which elicited a groan that she felt vibrations from deep in Ryan’s throat as he devoured her. It felt good to please someone like this. Tillian tumbled into the sensations and gave in to the wild feelings. They were similar to what she felt last night when he loved her for the first time, and she desperately wanted to feel that again. Where she was conflicted was with her fear-fear of wanting his love and fear of allowing it to happen at all. He wasn’t giving her much option to turn away, inflaming her arousal to a fever pitch. His tongue licked at the junction of her neck and shoulder, causing Tillian’s resolve to crumble. She was his to do with as he wished.

He enjoyed the moment and kissed her into submission. He wasn’t expecting her to participate right away and jumped when he felt her hand snake up to caress his chest. It was too much for him. If she continued to caress him like that, he’d rip that gown off her body and take her right here. That was not what he wanted, and he collected both her wrists in one of his large hands and pinned them over her head, pushing her back against the wall.

“My turn. You relax and let me love you, Tillian,” he cooed. He then devoured her all over again, kissing her lips, her neck, her ear. He made sure she was a quivering mess before relented.

“Ryan...” She wasn’t allowed to finish. He picked her up and carried her from the study door and through a private passageway into his bedroom, where he gently laid her on the massive four poster bed. The room was elaborately decorated with masculine furniture and bold colors that ranged from deep reds to midnight blues. Tillian didn’t notice it though; all she could focus on was Ryan looming over her as she sank into the feathered mattress.

“Tillian, you’ve stolen my heart completely. I don’t care about your past and I only care about your future, which I hope is with me.” He kissed her deeply while she accepted what was about to happen. He didn’t want her to panic or feel any shame for what he was about to do with her.

After some time and much petting, he had enough and had her stand next to the bed. He thoroughly enjoyed the look she held as she stood there, for she was slightly dazed and had eyes glazed with lust. By now, she wanted this as much as he did, but he could still see a little apprehension in her eyes. Seeing her mostly to the point where he wanted her, he wasn’t going to wait another minute for her to change her mind.

“I’m in love with you, Tillian,” he said, while he quickly untied her corset, which thankfully laced up the front. Once the tie was removed with a dramatic pull of the string, he began to peel her from the device, exposing her body to his starving eyes. She was every bit as perfect as last night and it was erotic undressing the woman you were about to devour.

Tillian trembled badly from both anticipation and nervousness. She couldn’t watch his face while he undressed her, it was too much. Instead, she closed her eyes and felt his loving hands peel the fabric from her body layer by layer. Eventually, she felt the last and final tug of the corset and the entire dress slid to the floor in a heap.

Tillian cracked her eyes and found him looking at her, staring was a better word and the hunger in his eyes unmistakable. Before she could react to this scrutiny, he picked her up, detangling her from the heap at her feet and placed her on the bed. Subconsciously she tried to hide her body with her hands, and brought them up to at least cover her breasts.

“Please, stop. You have nothing to hide from me,” Ryan whispered while he admired the woman before him. Ryan took her hands and pulled them above her head again, stretching her out long and tight and forcing her to suck in a breath.

“You’re beautiful Princess,” Ryan moaned before his mouth captured one of her erect nipples in his mouth, while he continued to hold her hands in place.

Rolling his tongue over the flesh was incredible. He marveled at the fact that her skin tasted every bit as delicious as last night. Tonight, there was a slight honey flavor from the oils she’d used earlier but, other than that, she was just as intoxicating. He lightly bit the flesh, receiving a squeal from her which only urged him on.

Tonight was about showing her how to be loved properly. With exquisite care, he suckled her breast, showing her that touching could be sweet, not violent, and received another moan in response. He wanted to check she was doing all right and broke his attention to look up into her face. He thought he’d die of happiness when he saw her flushed cheeks. She was biting her lower lip trying to keep from moaning and there was something so innocent in that it sent a flash of need through his blood. She felt the pause, cracking an eye to look at him. He couldn’t resist the smile that split his face. “Is this all right?” he inquired smugly, knowing full well that she was enjoying it based on her reactions, but he asked anyway.

“Yes,” she sighed.

For a moment, there was apprehension in her answer. He knew she still felt conflicted and wanted to burn that from her mind. “I love you,” he added. The conflict he read a moment before faded. “I only wanted to ensure you were enjoying yourself.” His words had a profound effect. The fact he asked obviously meant a great deal for her eyes rimmed with moisture that snaked down her cheek.

Using his free hand, he stroked the tears away while he lovingly watched her. “My goal is not to make you cry—ever. Would you like me to stop?” It was a tender question filled with concern. When she shook her head he inched his face closer to her skin and exhaled in relief. He wasn’t sure what he would do if she said ‘yes’. He wanted her very badly right now and if he couldn’t complete this he would go mad.