Summers, Jordan (12 page)

He continued to lave and suckle, feeding on her ripe
breasts. Even through the night rail he could taste her sweet skin, smell the
rose water perfume that clung to her skin, feel the crinkles as her nipples
puckered beneath his tongue. He was in heaven. Richard pulled away and Lily
arched up as if seeking his mouth, a soft moan escaping her lips. He smiled, he
couldn’t help himself.

Soon Lily would experience the need that nearly drove
him to his knees every time he was around her. He wanted her burning with the
same desire that scalded his insides. Once she realized they were made for each
other she’d easily make her decision to accept his offer. He hoped.

Richard lifted the night rail to expose a fraction of
her leg. Long white limbs shifted beneath his gaze. The room’s temperature
seemed to increase tenfold. Need slammed into him centering on the throbbing
cock beneath his breeches. He lifted the material until the crisp curls at her
apex were visible. They were golden like he had known they would be. Richard
swallowed hard. His fangs ached, not from hunger, but need. This remarkable
woman held him in thrall and she wasn’t even aware of it.

He leaned forward inhaling her unique scent, one he
vowed he’d never get enough of, nor forget. The urge to taste her, skin on skin
was too great. He dropped the material of her night rail. It floated to her
body, settling on her nicely rounded stomach. Richard sat down on the side of
the bed, then ran his fingers up the length of one leg, gently separating her
thighs. His hands trembled as incendiary heat spread throughout his body
consuming him.

Lily mewed, drawing Richard’s attention to her face.
Her eyes flicked open, capturing his gaze. For a moment Richard forgot to
breathe or even think. He waited, frozen in time, for her reaction. Instead of
the scream he expected, she surprised him with a soft smile, then spread her
legs wide in flagrant invitation.

“Richard, hmm… “ she murmured. “What a delicious dream.”

It took him a moment to respond, for Lily believed she
imagined him. Part of Richard was disappointed, but her belief certainly helped
his current tack. “Good evening, Lily. How can I make your dream more
enjoyable?”

For a moment Lily frowned, then as if finally
understanding the question she smiled again. “You could touch me.” She lifted a
hand, but then let it drop as if it were too heavy.

Richard grinned, shifting his weight, so he could easily
reach her. “I’d be delighted.” He moved her night rail out of the way until her
nipples were bared to his touch. “Are you sure?” He caught her gaze again.

Lily nodded.

He didn’t wait to be asked twice. Richard’s mouth
closed around one nipple, sucking it between his lips, circling it with his
tongue. Lily moaned. She reached out, her fingers sinking into his hair.
Richard closed his eyes as she gripped his head, his mouth continuing to
torture her peak. Lily writhed beneath him. He switched to her other nipple and
playfully nipped the rigid crest. She shrieked. Richard released her, his lips
found hers in a crushing kiss, silencing her cries. Their tongues dueled,
diving and dipping before withdrawing to do it all over again. It took Richard
a moment to realize Lily kissed him back.

He pulled away, his breath coming out in panting gasps.

“No,” she pursed. “I want… I need… ugh.” Her brows
knitted as she tried to explain what she wanted. Finally she pointed to the
juncture between her thighs. “I ache, here.”

Richard knew without her asking what she longed for. He
also knew she had no idea what she asked of him. Sure, he’d wanted to taste her
earlier, but she hadn’t been participating at that time. How was he supposed to
pull back, keep himself from sinking his cock deep inside her virgin pussy?
Richard didn’t know if he’d have the strength to do so once he tasted her.

His body trembled as he fought the urge to take. As
much as he wanted to believe she was asking him to fuck her, he knew better.
For all that transpired, Lily still believed she dreamt the whole situation.

His breath came out in a hiss as he forced himself to
stand and look away. By touch, he reached up to pull her night rail down, his
fingers had just grasped the soft material when her hand caught his, stilling
his movements. Richard told himself to shake her off, walk away while he still
could, but he didn’t—and couldn’t.

Although her grip was light, it might as well have been
a shackle. He looked into her face. Her blue eyes sparkled in the sliver of
moonlight that spilled into her room from the open window. Warmth emanating
from her skin radiated from her in waves, rolling over him. Her lips were
swollen from his kisses and her nipples stabbed out like raspberries ready for
the picking.

“Please,” she uttered the word so softly he barely
caught it. Her lids dropped.

Richard squared his shoulders, growling out a curse
under his breath. She let go of his hand. He released her night rail and walked
to the end of the bed. He pulled off his coat, shirt, and cravat. Lily watched.
She appeared mesmerized by his movements. He knew beyond a doubt she’d never
seen a gentleman in this state of undress. The thought pleased him, despite the
tension taking up residence between his shoulder blades. He stood, letting her
look her fill at his bare chest. Richard decided against removing his breeches
or boots. He needed as much protection between them as possible.

Crawling on all fours, Richard prowled up the bed until
he seated himself between Lily’s thighs. She stared down at his face, her eyes
widening as he neared her pussy.

“Open for me, my lady,” he rasped.

Lily did as he bid and spread her legs wider. Richard
lifted first one thigh and then the other, placing her long legs over his
shoulders until he was flush with her pussy.

“What are you doing?” Lily whimpered, her hips
beginning to move of their own volition.

“I’m going to pleasure you.” Richard clenched his jaw
to the point of pain, fighting the sudden guilt rising in his mind, as thoughts
of ravishing her swept through him. The innocence of her question raked furrows
across his heart leaving gaping holes behind. “Tell me to stop and I’ll find
the strength to do so.” His voice quavered.

She paused for a moment and then shook her head. “No,”
she whispered, “I want

to see where this dream leads.”

Richard blew warm air upon her curls. Lily mewed. It
was too late. He couldn’t turn back now. One finger snaked out as he ran it
along her moist folds. He listened to the sounds of her body, gauging her need
accordingly. Her dew gathered upon his fingertips glimmering in the darkness,
like the morning dampness clings to a blade of grass. Richard shuddered, and
then parted her folds. Lily groaned. His gaze shot up to her face.

“If we are to do this, my lady, you are going to have
to try to be quiet. You wouldn’t want your dream waking the entire household.”

“No, of course not.” She nodded in agreement.

The last thing he needed was her maid entering the
chamber while his face was buried in her mistress’s cunt. Richard stroked her
again, then replaced his finger with his tongue. His control snapped as her
taste wreathed through his mind, filling his mouth with her juices, engaging
his senses.

He lapped at her folds, seeking the hidden bud beneath.
When he found her clit, Richard buried his face deep, feasting on her swollen
bounty. Lily’s body trembled beneath him as she drew nearer to release. Richard
slipped one finger inside her tight sheath, her velvet muscles gripped him. He
pulled it out again, then slid it back home.

He looked up long enough to see Lily’s head thrashing
from side to side. She bit one knuckle to keep from crying out. He smiled, then
dove back in licking and swirling, sucking and nibbling at her jutting pearl
like it would be his last time between a woman’s thighs. Lily came on a muted
cry, her body lifting beneath him. Richard held her down and continued to lave
her, rapaciously lapping up her release, before sweeping his tongue one final
time along her slit.

Her breath came out in shuddery gasps, as her whole
body throbbed beneath his touch. He tentatively reached for her thoughts,
needing the closeness, the intimacy. Her mind was a whirl of colors. She
blinked as if to clear her vision and he withdrew. He didn’t think sensations
like these were even possible, until now. She caught her breath, then reached
out and touched his lips. He kissed her questing fingertips. Lily’s eyelids
grew heavy once more as the draught and satiation set in.

Richard pressed his lips to her hand then pulled her
night rail down and covered her up. He dressed quickly and then forced himself
to walk to the window. Every fiber of his being called out to claim what was
rightfully his.

He cursed under his breath. It was one thing to pretend
to be a dream. It was quite another to take her virginity under less than
honorable circumstances. He wanted that gift given to him freely, along with
her hand in marriage.

Until then, he’d just have to try to persuade her any
way he saw fit. Richard knew he wasn’t playing fair, but he was too desperate
to do otherwise. He needed this woman, practically salivated at the thought of
tasting her again. Richard wanted this woman. And damn it, he was going to have
her.

* * * * *

Richard arrived home moments later. He didn’t stop in
the library, which was his usual oasis. Instead, he raced up the stairs for his
chamber, and upon entering shut the door behind him, throwing the latch. A fire
lay built and waiting. The sun would be up in an hour, yet he felt as if rest
would elude him. His skin itched, his cock ached, and his fangs throbbed. He
paced in front of the fireplace, allowing the flames to warm him. Richard knew
he wouldn’t be able to last another three weeks or so to have Lily, yet that
was precisely the amount of time needed for the call of the banns.

He could always go to the Archbishop of Canterbury or
one of his representatives to obtain a special license, enabling him to marry
Lily at any convenient time or place. Of course that wouldn’t take care of his
biggest obstacle, Lily herself. How could he convince her in a few days that
his intentions were true, if not exactly honorable?

Guilt lanced through him as he considered the reality
of what he asked her to do. He knew it wasn’t fair to her. He knew he should
let her go before it was too late. But in his heart of hearts, Richard knew
something more, that despite his good intentions, his selfishness, and
ultimately the repercussions—he’d never give her up. At least not willingly…

With a sigh, he walked across the room, drew the drapes
back from his bed. Richard removed his clothes and lay down naked upon the cool
linens. Blood thumped through his veins, calling out to the beast within. He
wouldn’t rest in his current state. He gritted his teeth and took himself in
hand. Satiny steel slid through his palm. He hadn’t bothered seeking pleasure
like this in a long while because he hadn’t needed to. There had been enough
willing matrons around to be good bed sport and when he tired of them there was
always Rose.

He stroked his cock as he thought of Lily’s tight pussy
squeezing his finger, replaying her soft mewls in his mind. She’d been
everything he’d imagined. Richard’s breath came out on a hiss. His hand gripped
his girth and he increased his up and down movements as he imagined her ruby
lips slipping over his shaft, taking him deep inside her wet mouth.

He could almost feel the light suction on his cock.
Richard inhaled deeply. The smell of her musk was still upon his face, the
scent finer than any perfume. Every muscle in his body tensed and his sac drew
up. He bit back a groan, coming hard.

His orgasm exploded in his mind like the royal
fireworks and left him gasping for breath. If merely thinking of Lily made it
this intense, what would fucking her be like? And how would he wait to find
out?

He’d only taken the edge off his need. He hadn’t sated
it.

He blew out a frustrated breath, then closed his eyes
in preparation for the day. Rest called out to his weary body. He’d need every
bit of willpower he had to keep his hands off of Lily at Lady Gordon’s ball.

* * * * *

By the time Richard entered the ballroom the next night
the crowd had started to disburse. He’d sent his carriage as promised to escort
Lily and her family to the ball. He’d managed to keep himself away, thinking
that was the best way to avoid temptation, after tasting her last night. When
he glanced around the room and spotted Lily looking around, he realized how
wrong he’d been.

She wore a long cobalt blue gown of delicate silk, the
color of her eyes. Her hair had been swept up and back, pressing golden curls
tight to her head, framing her heart-shaped face. Her lips were pale rouge, but
Richard could tell she’d applied no dye. Lily’s skin seemed almost translucent
in the candlelight, where she stood chatting with Lord Thomas Wells, along with
a few others.

Martins stood across the room glaring in Lily’s
direction, his thoughts coiled around revenge. Rage flared inside of Richard at
the threatening stance the young dandy had taken. He would not allow him to
harm his bloodmate. Richard glanced back at Lily while his mind once again
sought Lord Martins’s. When he was sure he had contact, Richard began sending
Martins vivid pictures of fangs and claws ripping him to pieces. He planted
extreme pain inside the man’s mind. He heard a gasp. Without looking Richard
felt the tension rise within Martins followed by chilling tentacles of fear as
it grasped his skull and slithered down his spine.

You will stay away from Lady Lily from this night
forth. If any harm shall befall her, the pictures you see now will become
reality. Richard slammed the words in Martins’s mind. Then and only then did he
turn to face the man. Martins had gone deathly pale, his eyes were wide with
fright. Richard smiled, his incisors flashing. Now leave this place.