In Rapture (Destined) (16 page)

When
Grant stopped the movement of his fingers and removed them from her, she
rebelled against their absence. She ground her hips into his legs, so far gone
with her passion that she had no grasp over time or place. Grant lifted her
from his lap and helped her to stand. Malinda looked at him with a tortured
look on her face. He had never teased her before; he had always made sure that
he finished what he started, but today something about his demeanor was
different. He helped her dress into her gown and she refused to meet his gaze.

When
she turned to face him she saw that he was not as unaffected as she thought he
had been. She went to kiss him, but he pulled away. “All in due time, my dear.”

“Why?”

“Because
I can.”

Malinda
felt his wicked grin follow her as she walked away from the curtains. She had
no idea what he had planned, but while she was irritated at him for frustrating
her, she was intrigued by the situation. She would allow him to continue on
this course until she could no longer tolerate the depth of emotions that
swarmed through her body. If he took it too far she would have to take things
into her own hands.

After
they left the dressmakers they went for a stroll in the park across from the
church. Malinda was still struggling to control the pink flush that covered
half of her body. When no one was looking Grant pulled her into a long kiss
that sent her senses reeling. She hit him on the shoulder when he let her go,
but his grin told her that he was playing a game with her. She decided that two
could play that game. When he kissed her again she brought her knee up to his
groin and rubbed up against him. She could feel his hardness through the
fabric, and while his clothing hid his desire well from the world it was no
longer a secret to her. She continued to run her knee against him and smiled
sweetly up at him when he let her go. “Is there a problem, husband?”

“I
think it’s time to eat.” It excited him that his wife had decided to play
along. They would both get great satisfaction in the end.

Malinda
smirked at him in answer and let him grab her hand to lead her back to the
Regency. When they sat down to eat Malinda felt his hand reach her lap under
the table. She eyed him suspiciously. He had already teased her within an inch
of release. Now what was he up to? When she felt the ruffles of her dress
moving she looked down at his hand. “What are you doing?”

“Shhh.
You don’t want to draw attention to yourself.” Grant continued to move his
hands up her thighs to where her legs met her most intimate places.

“I’m
not the one…oh.” A small moan caught on the tip of her tongue as his fingers
had once again found that one spot that sent electricity through her body. She
looked up at him and his eyes almost darkened when she licked the bottom of her
lip with her tongue.

He
continued to work his magic until she was almost ready to climax, then removed
his hand. “Ah, ah. Not yet.” The dark angry glare that she sent at him almost
had him chuckling, but to make fun of her state would probably not bode well.

Malinda
felt the fierce pounding in her loins and closed her legs tightly against the
dull throbbing. She closed her eyes and let her mind agonize over the longing
that was racing through her body. Thankfully the food had arrived, so she put
her concentration into enjoying the food before them, but while she had an
appetite her desire was distracting her from it. Malinda ate everything that
was put in front of her, but could not remember what it was she ate, or even
what it had tasted like. She sniffed with irritation when Grant’s hand made its
way back up her skirt. She clamped her legs shut hoping to keep his fingers
away from her, but he was quite artful in his persuasion. Again he stoked fires
that had just started to still within her. Malinda tried to keep up with the
sound of people talking around her, tried to distract herself from the liquid
heat that was pouring out from her, and she only hoped that her dress would not
show the pool of wetness that was sure to be covering her. Grant attempted to
move his fingers away before she finished, but her legs held him in place.

“Not
a sound.” His command echoed in the space between them. He continued to move
his fingers. The excitement in her eyes made him spring even harder.

A
loud moan threatened to break free from Malinda, and when she was about to find
her release a waitress came to the table. “Do you all need anything else?”
Malinda was so startled by the interruption that her legs released his hands
enough for him to pull slowly away.

“I
think we’re finished here.” Grant extracted his napkin from the table and wiped
his hand before placing it lightly onto the table. “Are you ready, my dear?”

Malinda
looked up at him with wary eyes. Her legs could not be trusted to move for her,
much less help her stand without falling over. Grant helped her rise from the
table and she held fast to his arm, but her eyes refused to meet his. No words
could describe her feelings right now. Inside she was screaming at him for
making her want him so fiercely. Malinda ached to take him deep within her and
let her body suck him, and she wanted to do it right here, even with all the
people who were staring curiously at them. Walking away from him and letting him
deal with the hardness that lined the front of his trousers would be a great
revenge, but as they climbed the stairs to their room, Malinda knew she would
let him do whatever he wanted to her body as long as he finished what he had
started.

When
they entered the room Grant slammed the door behind them. He walked her over to
the bed and pushed her onto it. Malinda barely had time to catch herself before
her face planted into the mattress. Malinda turned her head toward him as she
felt her dress being lifted up from behind her. She saw that he had freed
himself from his breeches and she had never seen him so hard.

“Turn
around.” Grant forced her head to face forward. He wanted nothing more than to
bury his heat within her, but he did not want it to be over too fast.

Malinda
was like a puppet, her strings were being manipulated by the unknown force that
ran between them. A delectable energy jerked the strings that carried them both
through their passions. She felt his hand on her behind, the sliding of fabric
as the silk stockings and lacy panties were slid slowly down her legs. She felt
him move her so that her knees were just at the edge of the bed before he
pulled her up so that she was on her hands and knees. He then parted her legs
and brought himself closer to her body. Before she knew it his length delved
into her slowly. Malinda sucked in her breath when he rubbed up against her
core, for his length went so much further than before as he hit some secret
part of her that seemed to have been hidden up until this moment.

Malinda
pushed her body against him when he thrust inside her again, but he stilled the
movements of her hips and tortured her as he changed momentums on her, changed
the angles, changed the very depth of his probing. It was as if he had decided
that no matter how much they both ached to find completion he would master it
all, and master it he did, as their pent up energy forced them way past their
breaking point, way past sanity, way past the point of no return. When they
both finished they came so hard and fast that the room seemed to tilt and
Malinda’s head spun like a dizzy top. She collapsed onto the bed and her
breaths came in shallow ragged bursts. She saw bright spots of light dancing
around the room as she tried to regain the focus of her eyes. She felt gentle
hands washing away their lovemaking, and when Grant rolled her over onto her
back she smiled up at him. He gathered her in his arms and stroked her head
until she fell asleep.

Chapter 21

When
they returned to Wickford Manor Malinda was surprised to find that it was
brimming with visitors who had arrived the evening before, and that a darkness
had fallen over her husband’s face. They had spent the last few days exploring
Tir Marquette. It had been such a grand adventure and Grant had loosened up a
little while they were out, but now that they were back she could see the
tension working its way up his shoulders. She longed to put her hand on his
face and bring the Grant she knew back to the present, but she dared not touch
his face. His jaw was clenched and his face was fiercely determined as he
walked to the study.

She
followed after him as swiftly as her feet would carry her. “Grant?”

“Not
now, Malinda. Please leave it be.” He opened the door enough to enter, then
closed it firmly behind him.

Malinda
could not help but stand close to the door. She heard two separate voices greet
her husband, but neither of them seemed to strike up a friendly banter with
him. She heard one voice talking about the Lair and its party of bandits, as
they had slithered across the countryside of Glendale. The Lair? The very
thought sent a chill up her spine. Her grandfather had told her tales of a band
of men who shifted into beasts so easily that they seemed to be more animal
than man most of the time. Tinley Faire had never known the devastation of the
Lair, for they had never reached across the borders that separated them.

She
put her ear as close to the door as she could and heard her husband’s voice
just barely entering the conversation. She heard Maria’s name called out and a
hush settled across the room. Then the men started talking about when they
would be leaving Wickford’s gates to continue their fight. The door opened
unexpectedly and Malinda almost fell through it. A strong hand reached out to
steady her and she looked up apologetically into green eyes that looked
hauntingly familiar. The man before her had short grey hair that waved around
his tired face. His green eyes looked at her curiously, and looked back to
Grant. Malinda tried to pull her hand free, but for some reason he did not
release it.

“Excuse
me, gentlemen. May I introduce my wife, Malinda Timberlin.” His eyes were cool
when he looked at her.

Malinda
almost shrank under his gaze. “The pleasure is mine, gentlemen.” Malinda
performed a curtsy before the men, trying not to flush with embarrassment. “Please
forgive my intrusion. I have not met any of my husband’s acquaintances and I
found myself dying of curiosity.”

“Aiden
Quinn, my lady. Pleased to make your acquaintance.” The man to Grant’s left
bowed politely before her. He had hazel eyes and short brown hair that curled
around his forehead. His face was lit with amusement. “I daresay my wife,
Lysandra, would have been standing outside the door too, Grant. Perhaps we
should get them together some time.”

“That
would be lovely!” Malinda could not remember the last time she had visited with
another woman besides the women who worked tirelessly at Wickford Manor. She
had also spoken with the women in Wickford Village, but none of these women
would feel comfortable calling Malinda a friend, not with her being the lady of
the manor. It would be nice to talk to someone else for a change, to make a
friend that with whom her husband would be acquainted.

“I
am Marshal Madigan.” The older gentleman bowed before her. “Excuse me for
saying this, but I feel as if I know you from somewhere.”

Malinda
was at a loss for words. She had never met the man before, but he was right
when he said she felt familiar. There was something eerily familiar about his
face, and she could not put a finger on it. “The feeling is mutual, good sir,
but alas, I do not think I have been fortunate enough to make your acquaintance
before this evening.”

“Mayhap,
I have met your father?”

“It’s
possible, but then you would have been the first one I know who has met him. I’m
afraid my mother died before she could inform him of my birth.” Malinda noticed
the curiosity in her husband’s eyes at her admission. They really had not
talked about her life before Wickford so he really had no idea what her past
was like.

“And
your good mother?”

“Died
a few days after my birth, I’m afraid.” His questions were starting to make her
uncomfortable.

“Pray
indulge me. What was her name?”

“Andraya.”
Malinda did not miss the flash of pain that entered his eyes when the name left
her mouth. He stumbled a little before her and she caught his hand in hers. “I’m
sorry my lord, are you all right?” The men helped him to a chair to his left
and Malinda looked on in concern.

“Dear
child, I thought I had seen a ghost when you walked in the room. You are the
spitting image of your dear departed mother, yet your eyes are nothing like
hers.”

Malinda
looked down at the older man; his green eyes were wet with moisture that seemed
so out of character for a man. She turned her head and looked closer at his
face. She suddenly understood why the man had quite a shock. “Are you…did you…I
mean to say, were you involved with my mother?”

“Yes.
I do believe that you might, in fact, be the product of such involvement.”

Malinda’s
face flushed hotly. She had always wondered what had happened to her father,
but could not seem to formulate words for what she was feeling. Instead, she
turned and walked swiftly from the room, before her emotions got the better of
her. Malinda did not hear Grant’s footsteps behind her as she exited the manor.
When Malinda left the building, she bolted as fast as her legs would carry her
and made it to the apple orchard before falling to her knees. Tears of rage and
remorse shook her to the core. When Grant’s hands pulled her into a calming
embrace, she put her head on his shoulders and wept until no more tears would
fall. Only shallow sobs remained to echo into the silence around them.