The Marquis' Mystical Witch (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (27 page)

When he pushed her flat and started to place his mouth on her most private spot, she pulled herself away, moving up on the bed. “No,” she said, her voice faint.

“Yes.” The sound of his warm voice stopped her backward motion.

He stood to take off his breeches, his only article of clothing. Never removing his eyes from her, he crawled onto the bed and moved toward her, covering her body with his.

His lips started at her forehead with tiny kisses, moved along her cheek and captured her mouth. His tongue caressed the seam of her closed lips. They opened, inviting him in by wrapping her tongue around his and letting herself explore his warm mouth. He tasted of sweet coffee and a hint of whiskey.

While he ravished her mouth, she realized on some level that his hands continued to move along the sides of her breasts. Then his lips followed the same path, kissing her nipples, then along her stomach until arriving at her core.

A raging fire consumed her. When his mouth brushed across her sensitive skin, she didn’t realize the moan she heard came from her mouth. He reached up, and his fingers brushed feather light across her nipples while his tongue licked at her wetness, faster and faster until she forgot where she was, only that her body became hungrier for something. The need and want were almost painful, before she let go and the world exploded. Sliding in one smooth movement, he came forward and began to enter her.

He was hot and hard. Instinctively, she started to pull away, but he held her in his grasp and plunged deeper inside. A quick short pain and he filled her completely.

Slowly, he moved forward and then back. “Let go, Thea.” He whispered the soft, compelling words into her ear. “Follow me.”

And she did, holding on and following his movements until she felt the same feelings building up again inside. She let herself go, her body pulsing with a beat of its own.

He stiffened, threw back his head and plunged one last time into her. Moving to her side, he still held her close. His hand brushed her damp hair off her face and his lips brushed hers. She sighed and sank into his warm, firm hold, before closing her eyes.

When she woke, he was gone. At first, she wondered if it was a dream, until she saw she was naked and her body still hungered for his touch. Heat flooded her cheeks. She put her hands to her face.

What happened? How did she allow him to come into her room and take charge? They hadn't talked about what she saw. She should have stopped him. She didn’t. Her body melted at his touch.

Because you love him
. No. She didn’t know what her feelings were since she discovered his secret.
You still love him in spite of everything.
The words rolled through her head.

She picked up her discarded gown and slid it over her head. Walking across the room, she sank into the nearest chair. There was so much she didn't understand about what she saw last night and yet...

She did love him
.

* * * *

Damn. Wulf threw himself into the chair by his bed. What the hell was he thinking? He hadn’t been, not after he saw her staring at him in wolf form. He growled to keep her at arm’s length, but they both took a step forward and she touched him. Hot molten heat filled every pore of his body He ached for her, but another part of him wanted to turn, bolting back to the woods to hide his secret. It was too late. He'd known when he saw her at the window and their eyes connected. She knew what he was.

When she found the place where he reentered the house, he’d known it was only a matter of time. He would have to face her and take the hate and anger he was certain he'd see in her face and hear in her voice.

He’d returned to his room, meaning to wait until morning before confronting her. Then, a wave of desire so strong he couldn‘t fight it, or maybe he simply didn’t want to, sent him to her.

The glow from the fire gave him a good view of her body through her thin night clothes. She didn’t move, although he knew she heard the sound of the door.

Desire beckoned him to her. When he reached out and took hold of her, he expected she would yank herself free. Instead, her softness settled against his frame. Her cold body warmed as her heart beat faster and faster. He caressed her wonderfully full breasts and breathed in the sweet smell of her.

All his longing, desire and love that he’d held back, forever it seemed, guided his movements, and he lost himself in her body. Her sweet fragrance filled his head, and her skin tasted of honey. Honestly, he wasn’t sure he could have stopped even if she’d resisted. Much of the wolf’s fire combined with his own hunger.

Once he saw she slept, he moved carefully out of bed, picked up his breeches and went back to his room where sleep evaded him. His mind couldn't stop picturing her curvaceous body lying open and vulnerable in front of him. Her skin had been soft as velvet, and he still tasted her special sweetness. The memory made him harden.

He was relieved to see the sun come up. He had to see her and have the talk he avoided last night. She had to accept him. He'd never let her go, and no one had better try to take her from him.

The only answer was to find a way to end the curse or he had to destroy the wolf, and consequently, himself. He was determined the curse would end with him, then he thought of last night and fear spiked through his heart. What if she was pregnant?

* * * *

Early morning sounds of chickens and cows, men calling to each other and a dog barking floated up to Thea's bedroom while she dressed for the day. Dottie helped her into a pink wool gown with lace trim around the high neck and long sleeves. Thea sat at her dressing table while Dottie ran a comb through her hair, twisting it into a bun and covering it with a lace cap as Thea had directed. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself for the difficult day ahead. After her maid left, Thea put the amulet in her reticule and went to breakfast.

Wulf sat alone at the table eating his meal and reading the paper, which he put down on her entrance. She went straight to the buffet and chose buttered eggs, ham and bread then sat across from him. Wulf nodded and returned to his reading.

The silence and unease was palatable. Thea’s appetite flew away. "Wulf, we need to talk. Here or in your office." Thea hoped she sounded determined.

Wulf took a sip of coffee before answering. “I need to meet with my manager this morning. I've asked the cook to prepare a picnic lunch. Please be ready at noon. It is best we talk in complete privacy.” He pushed back his chair and without another word strode out the door. His boots echoed down the corridor.

“I will be ready." She called out as he went out of sight. She planned to plant the herbs given to her by her grandmamma. The gardener would help, but doing some of the work herself would clear her mind and give her time to think. She'd have time to change before meeting with Wulf.

Nothing had prepared her for this morning. How to act, what to say. She feared he might see her love for him. He obviously wasn't as affected by last night as she. He'd left without a backward glance.

Thea touched the amulet inside her small bag. Heat seared her palm, and she jerked her hand away. Her head spun with questions, and her body ached both physically and emotionally from the occurrences last night. At least he had promised to talk with her later. Leaving most of her breakfast untouched, she headed outside. Work, fresh air and sunlight was what she needed most.

The sun shone down on her warming her body. She'd knelt on the ground to do her planting and the black dirt clung to her hands as she packed it around the tiny herbs. Beside her, the old gardener talked about the usefulness of the plants. Some were new to him. She let his voice hum in the background while she considered her options.

This was the time to tell Wulf all her secrets. Everything must come out into the open for them to succeed. If he hated her and sent her and Elvie away, she would deal with it. Her heart gave a heavy thump. He'd not be easy to forget nor would last night.

She raised her face to the sunlight, craving its warmth and the strength the sun generated inside her.
Do not doubt yourself. Go with your instincts.
Grandmamma had repeated those words many times during their brief stay.

In the distance, she spotted two men walking toward the house. She knew Wulf's gait, a certain loose, graceful movement, smooth and sure. He saw her and came to her side.

“What are you planting?”

“Healing herbs. Grandmamma gave me a good selection.”

“You should wear a hat.” He removed his and placed it on her head. “Your pale skin will burn.”

“The sun has healing properties if taken in small doses.”

He glanced at the sun directly overhead. "Go change and I will get the curricle and our basket of food.”

"All right." She rose, brushed the dirt off her hands and handed him his hat. "I'll be quick."

* * * *

Wulf waited, impatient now to get this thing done, to say what needed to be said and accept her reaction. Worry held his body stiff, muscles taut, as he watched the stairs to his front door. He wiped his brow, where a sheen of sweat had collected. Where was Thea? He wanted to get this over. His first wife had not been as curious as Thea. She had not found out his secret.

He'd realized Thea was more inquisitive than Clarisse, and that it would be much more difficult to hide anything from her. The increasing need to change more frequently hadn’t helped. He was losing the battle to his other side, as he became more comfortable in wolf form, thinking like the wolf and roaming the woods at night. The ruthlessness would follow. He’d seen it happen with his grandfather and father.

Thea might be pregnant after last night. If he had a son, the curse would continue, on and on, caused by his lapse, his weakness. Wulf paced in front of the house.

She came out just when he glared at the door. She stopped for a second on seeing his frown. He waved her forward, picking up her special scent before she reached him. He lifted her onto the seat of the curricle and swung himself up beside her. His stable boy handed him the reins. He'd take her to his favorite spot, and there they would talk in private, at last.

She didn’t look at him as they rode along. He turned off the well-worn dirt road and went down a narrower path lined with aspen trees. The ground was strewn with white down from the fallen flowers. When they came out into the clearing, she gasped with pleasure.

“What a beautiful spot.”

“My place to come and think and enjoy the view.” Wulf leapt to the ground and went around to her side. Placing his hands at her waist, he swung her down.

Wide open meadows led down to a small lake. Wulf carried the picnic basket toward a grove of willow trees bending over the far side of the water. Thea followed. Sweet fragrances from near-by blooming flowers filled the air.

Wulf placed the basket on the ground and removed a blanket to spread on the grass. He began to empty the other contents—chicken wrapped in white napkins, the freshest apples and oranges, several types of cheese, and dainty cakes. A bottle of wine and two glasses came out last. Wulf motioned to Thea to sit. He filled a plate with a bit of everything and handed it to her, then did his own.

They nibbled on chicken and took bites of the sweet fruit, juice running down their chins. Thea grabbed a napkin and rubbed it across Wulf’s jaw. He caught her hand in his, and the air seemed to sizzle around them. Wulf put space between them and reached to open the wine bottle. He poured sparkling white wine into two crystal glasses and handed one to Thea, then raised his glass in a salute and drank.

* * * *

Thea sipped on her wine and glanced around. Fresh air, wildflowers waving in the breeze and cool shade from the willow trees that hung over them created a sense of privacy. When she looked back at Wulf, he sat studying her. A smoldering fire lit his eyes and heat curled in Thea's stomach. Her appetite was gone except for her hunger for him. She moistened her lips and saw his eyes glow, causing her to shudder with need. He touched her cheek, and his fingers slid down her neck. The air thickened, and Thea took a deep breath, her breasts rising against the décolletage of her gown.

Wulf dropped his hand and took a piece of cheese. With that in one hand and his glass in the other, he leaned back away from her.

“I can not in good conscience put off telling you the truth. The truth I’m sure you already realize. It’s a long story, but I will start at the beginning.”

“It began with a curse.” Thea did not realize she’d said the words out loud until she saw the change in his face. His eyes pinched tight and his face paled.

“How did you know? No one knows but me and my direct descendents.”

“The woman and her direct descendents know.”

A whippoorwill sang in the trees and ducks on the lake quacked. There was not a sound or movement between them.

“Your family placed the curse on mine?” His shock shown in the paleness of his face.

“I only found out this past week from Grandmamma. I was not told what the curse entailed.”

He studied her intently. Uncomfortable with his scrutiny, she stood and walked to the edge of the water.

“The year of my sixteenth birthday, I shifted into a werewolf for the first time."