Storm on the Horizon (Fated For Love) (22 page)

“
Only around you.” She let out a breathy sigh as he entered her with one finger.

“
I like it.” He reached for the buttons on his breeches and undid them. His erection sprang to life, eager to sink inside her slick haven. He positioned himself at her opening and urged her down by her hips. He went slow, letting her stretch and adjust, as she needed. He let out his own sigh when he was fully seated and grabbed her hips.

“
You have more control than I right now, so do what pleases you.”

“
Really?” Olivia said gleefully. She experimented with moving her hips and it felt wonderful. She could control how deep he was and how much friction was on her most sensitive area. She played with him some more, enjoyed the grunts he made and then settled on a rhythm. The rocking of the coach helped her. She rocked her hips against him, alternating between grinds, and lifting herself to slide up and down on his shaft. It was exhilarating and empowering. All he could do was hold onto her hips and moan in pleasure. She paid attention to what he liked, but then became lost in her own pleasure.

Her body grew
tense, her legs working to keep the motion while inside, she hungered for completion. She could feel the bite of his fingers on her hips and it felt good. She pushed harder against him, riding him roughly, as she drew closer to climax. She squeezed her eyes closed and buried her face in his neck. She couldn’t control the moans escaping her, sensation sparked through her body, glorious jolts of pleasure ricocheting inside her until she arched her back and cried out.

Colton quickly covered her mouth
with his hand. She tensed, still in the throes of release and then collapsed against him. He wrapped his arms around her and took over the momentum. She was hot and wet, her muscles still contracting and flexing from climax. He held her tightly, pumping and grinding until he shuddered inside her and found the shattering heaven she had reached. He went weak beneath her, suddenly breathless and exhausted. He could only rest a moment before rousing her. They righted their clothing as the carriage pulled up to the stable.

He kissed her deeply again before pulling back.
“I love you, but no more interludes until were married. We’ve pushed our luck pretty far already.”

She nodded sleepily.
“I love you. Sweet dreams.”

“
All my dreams already came true.” He kissed her again, and then they climbed out of the carriage. He escorted her to the side door of the manor and waited until she went inside and locked the door. He climbed hack in his carriage and signaled the driver to head home.

Once home
, Colton wearily climbed the stairs, and he was almost to his room when he heard the shatter of glass. He spun around, listening for anymore sounds to indicate the direction from whence it came. Guided by instincts, he went to Devon’s room and opened the door.

Devon was leaning against the tall boy in nothing but breeches. Glass covered the floor along with what he could smell as brandy.

“Bloody hell, Devon, you’re not supposed to be drinking,” Colton reprimanded from the doorway.

“
Go to hell, Colton. I can do whatever the bloody hell I want.” He stumbled away from the tallboy and fell into a chair.

“
You’re a mess,” Colton said as he pulled the bell cord. His servants deserved extra pay for this night.

“
Get out. I don’t need you, I don’t need anyone,” Devon slurred.

“
You need a whipping.”

Devon lurched to his feet and put up his fists. He walked bare foot right into the glass.

“Oh, for God’s sake,” Colton came forward, but Devon didn’t seem to feel the cuts on his feet and tried to circle him as if they were in a boxing ring.

“
You’re bleeding, you fool.”

“
Don’t care. Fight me...
or
are you a coward.”

Colton shook his head and shrugged out of his jacket.
“Just remember, you asked for this.” He rolled up his sleeve and put up his fists.

Devon was still staggering through glass, barely able to find balance. He swung wildly at Colton missing him altogether
. Colton swung once, clipping him under the chin, and effectively knocking him out. He caught him as he started to fall back and dragged him to the bed.

A footman entered and was startled by the scene.

“I need salve and bandages and for this mess to be cleaned up,” Colton ordered.

“
Yes, Mr. Darling.” The footman hurried away.

Colton dragged Devon onto the bed and examined his feet. He had small cuts all over the bottoms, but it didn’t look like any of them had glass stuck in them. Devon came awake slowly. He blinked open his eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling.

“Did I knock some sense into you yet?” Colton said dryly.

“
No,” Devon said darkly.

“
You’ve cut up your feet pretty bad.”

“
I can’t feel it. I can’t feel anything.”

The footman returned with the salve and bandages. Colton and Devon said nothing as he cleaned up the glass and left.

It was Devon who finally broke the silence. “Between the two of us, who is the bigger fool?”

Colton sighed.
“I beg your pardon?”

“
I loved a woman, and she burned me to ash. You’re getting married to my sister, who you have loved for longer than I even know. Who is the bigger fool?”

Colton was silent as he continued to clean the cuts and contemplate the question. Leave it to Devon to be soused, bleeding, and philosophical.

“Last week it would have been I,” He finally answered.

Devon lifted his head to give him a dubious look. He groaned and put a hand to his jaw.

“I suppose that answers the question about whether or not you can feel.”

“
Go fuck a pig, you mangy dog, but first, explain your answer.”

Colton laughed but then grew serious as he thought about his answer.
“I was determined to carry my love for your sister to the grave. I thought I wasn’t good enough, that a ship captain was not fit to marry her. I assumed your father felt the same way, so I kept my distance, pretended I felt nothing more than a platonic admiration. I was a fool. But Olivia didn’t care for any of my reasons. Once she saw that I did care for her, she made it impossible to ignore it any longer.”

“
Did she seduce you?” Devon lifted his head again, slowly this time.

“
How can you even ask such a question of me?” Colton shook his head.

“
I’d believe it. She is so strong willed when she wants something. She’d be the only damn virgin in the world to seduce a man into marriage.”

“
That’s enough, Devon,” Colton said firmly.

“
I think I’m a fool, too,” Devon said quietly.

There was a lot of emotion in his tone
—pain, sadness, bleakness. Colton couldn’t bear to hear it. This was so unlike the friend he knew for so long. “You’re no fool, Devon. You were braver than I. It’s Lydia who is the fool. You stood before her and told her you loved her, offered her more than she deserved. What was foolish was leaving England. You devastated your family by doing that, but you are not a fool for falling in love.” He finished bandaging his feet and stood.

Devon said nothing and did not look at him. Colton was afraid to leave him alone when he was in such a state. He looked so miserable. He went to start a fire in the hearth. Once he had a small
flame, he looked back at Devon. He had his hand over his eyes and his chest was jerking in an odd fashion. Colton realized he was crying.

“
Devon.” He stood and walked closer. He pulled a chair close and sat down. He took the hand at Devon’s side and simply held it. “You have to let go of her. If she didn’t find you worthy, then she is the one that lost.”

“
But she did,” Devon growled. “She said she loved me. She gave herself to me, so she could have that one memory to sustain her.”

“
Then I pity her and you should, too. Let her go. I know it’s not easy now, but it will get easier.”

Devon clenched his fists in the blanket. It looked
as though he was about to erupt in anger, but then he calmed.

“Do you love my sister?”

“
Yes.”

“
Did she say she loves you?”

“
Yes.”

“
Good. At least someone will be happy.”

“
Will you come to the wedding?” Colton asked.

“No. I’d feel like a poison. I’m considerate enough to contain my misery.” Devon pulled his hand from his and rolled over to his side.

Colton pulled the blanket over him and sat back in the chair. They were silent for a while. When Colton stood to peer at Devon’s
face, he found that he was sound asleep with a purpling bruise on his jaw. He settled back in the chair and closed his eyes.

The days passed and finally Olivia woke on the day that was her wedding day. It was planned for late afternoon. They would have a celebratory dinner
, and then she would leave her childhood home to join her husband. She couldn’t wait. She woke with the sun. Her excitement buzzed inside like happy bee’s in a meadow full of flowers. She tried to remain in her room and read until the house awoke, but her nerves got the better of her, so she put on her riding habit and headed for the stables.

This mist still hung low in the fields. Birds dove in and out of
bushes as she passed and when she entered the stables, she was met by cheery nickers and a yawn from the stable boy.

“
Congratulations, Lady Olivia,” he said sleepily. “It’s a bit early for a ride.”

“
I’m too excited to remain indoors this morning. Please saddle Marigold for me.”

“
As you wish, m’lady.” The boy cantered off.

Olivia waited in the sunshine until her horse was brought out. Nick helped her mount
, and then she trotted down the drive as the sun chased away the final curls of mist and the rooster began to crow.

“
You’re late, Reginald!” She sang merrily. She nudged her mare into a gallop as she hit the lane and raced towards the coast. Trees and shrubs flew by in blur; the crisp morning air stung her cheeks, and turned them a rosy hue, but she didn’t care. She took a small trail off the lane that led down to the beach. Reaching the sand, she pushed Marigold into a gallop again and whooped as they charged the surf. She rode through the wet sand and surf, arcing around groups of boulders, and laughing into the wind. She slowed her mare as the groupings drew closer together and more tricky to navigate. Reining to a walk, she approached a jagged area of rock that was dotted with pools. She could see two children hoping along the rocks and peering into the pools of water. She reined Marigold to a stop and slid down from the saddle. When the tide was out, the pools of water left behind held many treasures of shells and interesting creatures.

She bent down to inspect a pool and saw a fish darting around frantically.
The water was crystal clear and filled with squishy medusa like plants that, when touched, fold in on themselves. She gleefully poked one and quickly pulled back her hand. “Ew, I don’t remember that feeling quite so disgusting.”

“
They’re me favorite,” a little boy’s voice said behind her.

Olivia turned and smiled.
“They are?”

“
They snatch little fish in their arms and pull them in like The Kraken.” He said with relish.

Olivia couldn’t help but laugh.
“I was just on a voyage; I didn’t see The Kraken or anything like it.”

“
You were lucky, then. Many men have gone to the briny deep in the arms of The Kraken.”

Olivia laughed harder. Each time he said it, he grew more dramatic.
“I shall be very fearful if I have to take another voyage again. I am betrothed to a sea captain. I will be sure to tell him to be careful then.”

“
Aye,” The boy said with all the gusto of a seasoned sailor. “I have to go now, me ma will have breakfast ready now.”

Olivia nodded.
“I’m glad I ran into you, now I know about The Kraken.”

“
Me names Gregory, I live just up the hill.” He squinted at her with all the charm of a little boy.

“
My name is Olivia. It was a pleasure to meet you, Gregory.”

He smiled and trotted off
, and Olivia waved when he turned back to look at her. She couldn’t wait to tell Colton about her little interlude with the precocious Gregory and to beware of The Kraken. She smiled to herself as she used a rock to mount Marigold and turned back towards the lane. She took her time returning home, luxuriating in the warming sunshine, and the fresh sea air. She loved living near the sea.