Grinning like a fool, Devlin turned his attention back to the young lady. “Um … I’m sorry how rude of me. What was your name again?”
Attempting to hide my giggle when the young girl seemed offended that Devlin had forgotten her name, I looked everywhere but at her.
“Beatrice.”
Nodding his head and saying, “Ahh, yes that is right. Beatrice, this is my very dear friend, Sophia.”
Glancing barely in my direction, she let her eyes linger on me. “Pleasure to meet you.”
Feeling like I was about to fall over from the death stare she was giving me, I spoke to her quickly, “The pleasure is all mine.” Turning to Devlin, “I’m feeling a headache coming on. I’m going to retire to my room if that is okay.”
Devlin’s smile faded. “Of course, it is.”
Excusing myself, I spun on my heels and made my way toward the giant white house that I’d been calling home for the last two months.
Making my way to the kitchen, I bribed the kitchen staff out of two biscuits, then found the bottle of wine that Devlin had stashed in the kitchen earlier that day in an attempt to hide it from me. Devlin expressed his concern of my newfound fondness of wine. I used the spirits to drown my sorrow away. If only it worked. My little sister Annie was here visiting me and she spent most of her time in Devlin’s kitchen. She had a passion for cooking. That warmed my heart and made me think of Danny’s plans to open a restaurant of his own.
Kissing Annie on the cheek, I whispered, “Don’t bother the staff and stay out of their way, sweetness. We are guests in Devlin’s house.”
Nodding her head, she smiled. “I will, Sophia.”
It didn’t take long before I was undressed and in a beautiful silk gown that Devlin had bought me on one of his trips into Savannah. I had hardly brought any clothes with me and I knew Devlin was having fun shopping for dresses as he built up my winter wardrobe. Most of the dresses had been black, but he bought me three beautiful dresses for when we attended parties. My favorite was a beautiful cornflower blue dress, with matching undergarments, and boots. I blushed when I opened it, knowing he had picked out such an intimate piece of clothing for me. It must have cost him a fortune, seeing as they were both made from the finest French fabrics and lace.
The green silk gown I wore hung straight and hugged my curves. It was lovely to be able to dress in something that showed off my body. Even if it was only I who saw how incredible my breasts looked in the gown. Danny would have loved this.
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I poured myself another glass of wine. I had to admit, for the first time in months, I felt like a woman again as I ran my hand down my dress. Sitting on my bed, a naughty thought occurred to me as I slipped my hand under my dress and touched my bare lips. It was brazen of me to go with nothing on, but I was alone in my room.
Giggling, I shook my head. I was alone, slightly tipsy from the wine, horny, and dressed in a beautiful sexy nightgown no one would ever see me in.
Pushing my fingers between my lips, I let out a gasp. Slowly moving them in and out, I bit down hard on my lower lip. I had not had an orgasm since the night before Danny left and my body was begging for the release.
Moving my fingers faster, I could feel the buildup. On the verge of an orgasm, someone knocked on my door. Cursing, I pulled my fingers out and swung my legs over the bed. I was going to give Annie a piece of my mind for interrupting me.
Pulling the door open, I expected to see Annie standing there, instead, I saw Devlin. His mouth dropped open as his eyes slowly moved over my body. My first instinct was to slam the door shut, until I remembered how worked up I gotten myself. I rather enjoyed his eyes cast upon my body like he could devour me any second. The wine was slowly helping me to forget the pain in my heart. Maybe Devlin could help push the rest of it away for one evening.
All I want is a small piece of your heart, Sophia.
Making a gulping sound as he swallowed, Devlin pushed his hand through his hair. “I’m so sorry for interrupting you but … I … um … I wanted you … I mean … I wanted to check on you. The headache and all.”
My insides melted as I watched Devlin stumble over his words. When he unintentionally said he wanted me, the pulsing desire between my legs shocked me. I had never experienced desire with anyone but Danny.
Danny.
Closing my eyes, I pushed thoughts of my love from my memory.
Piercing my eyes with his, Devlin whispered, “Sophia, you look stunning. There is a blush across your cheeks. I’m sorry to have embarrassed you.”
“You didn’t, I was … I mean …” Looking away, I couldn’t believe I was about to admit to Devlin that I was pleasuring myself and that was the cause of my blush. “I was pleasuring myself.”
His mouth dropped open. “Are you trying to kill me, Sophia? If so, you are succeeding.”
Laughing, I shook my head and held up my glass of wine. “I am not. I am feeling rather free right now, though, and I fear that keeps me from thinking before I speak.”
Lies. I knew by saying that to Devlin, it would turn him on.
I want to forget. For one evening, I want to forget.
His smile faded, when he looked at the wine. “I see. I’ll leave you alone then.”
“Devlin. Wait.”
Turning, Devlin captured my eyes. Something passed between us and I knew in that moment my feelings for Devlin were growing stronger then I wanted to admit.
“Devlin, I don’t know if I can promise you my heart, but I can promise you a piece of my heart.”
Tears began to build as Devlin took a step toward me. “I’m not Daniel, Sophia. I need you to understand that.”
Letting a sob escape between my lips, I nodded my head and whispered, “I know you are not.”
Placing both hands on my face, Devlin whispered, “I love you, Sophia and I want you more than anything right now. But before I make love to you, I want you to be my wife.”
“When?”
His eyes traveled down my body, then back up. “As much as I love this on you, get dressed, Sophia. I’ll make a few inquiries and we can be married this evening if you wish.”
Smiling, I nodded. My heart was torn. I never in my life thought I would be marrying another man, let alone be intimate with another man. My body and my heart would always belong to my one true love, but a part of me desired Devlin with such a passion, I was almost feeling giddy at the idea of sneaking out and having a secret wedding.
“What do you mean you’re getting married?” Annie asked me as she looked at me confused.
Pushing her soft brown curls from her face I barely said above a whisper, “Devlin and I are getting married, I want you to be present Annie.”
Shaking her head, she turned from me and whispered, “But you are in mourning, Sophia. Have you forgotten about Daniel?”
Sucking in a breath, I used my finger to make my sister Annie look me in the eyes. “I will forever mourn my loss of Danny.” Closing my eyes, I whispered, “Forever.”
“I don’t understand then.”
Opening my eyes, I saw the confusion in my younger sister’s eyes. “Why are you marrying, Devlin? Do you love him?”
Thinking about how to answer my younger sister’s question, I paused for a moment to reflect on my answer. “Before I ever met Danny, I knew Devlin, Annie. We were attracted to each other at one time in our lives, but it was nothing like the attraction I had for Danny. Danny will always own my heart and be my forever love. But he is gone and I’ve lost not only him, but our child. I’m lonely, scared, and to be honest, spending the last two months with Devlin, I find myself attracted to him again.”
“But not in love.”
Slowly shaking my head, I whispered, “I don’t know.”
Tilting her head, Annie pursed her lips. “Why marry him then, Sophia? I don’t understand.”
Brushing the back of my hand down the side of her Annie’s face, I gave her a weak smile. “You’re too young to understan
d, Annie. A part of me desires Devlin, very much. Do I love him? I’m not sure, but I think I deserve to have whatever little happiness there is for me in this life.”
Annie looked into my eyes and then searched my face as she attempted to understand my words.
“Will you grow to love him? Is that how love works?”
“No! That is not how love works at all, Annie. Never ever settle. My true love was Danny and this cruel world took him from me. Should I go on through my life being unhappy and wishing I was in Danny’s arms?”
Annie’s response was delayed as she thought about my question. “I wouldn’t think so. Daddy says life moves on after we lose someone. Daddy said that Daniel wouldn’t want to see you so unhappy like you have been.”
Smiling weakly, I took in the beautiful sight of my younger sister. Reaching over, I took one of her blonde curls and twisted it in my fingers. The memory of Danny doing the same to me filled my body with sadness.
Wiping a tear away, I agreed. “No, he wouldn’t.”
“So, because you are attracted to, Devlin, you’re going to marry him and hope that you fall in love. Is he good to you, Sophia?”
Smiling, I nodded my head. “Oh, yes, Annie. Devlin has been there for me and has been so patient. I know if I asked him to wait another year, or even two years, he would wait.” Looking away from her inquisitive eyes, I took in a shaky breath. “He loves me very much. I see it in his eyes and feel it in his touch.”
“Then that’s a good thing. Maybe he will love you so much that it will be enough for both of you!”
Turning back to her, I nodded my head.
“Will you have sex with him, Sophia?”
Pulling my head back, I was shocked by how brazen my sister was. “Annie, that is a very personal question.”
“Earlier, at the party, I heard two older women talking, Sophia. They said that Devlin gazed upon you with lust in his eyes. They said with you being so young, it wouldn’t be long before you gave in to the sexual desire. The one girl even said she heard rumors of you and Devlin fucking in his guesthouse so the servants wouldn’t know.”
Covering my mouth, I attempted to hold back my laughter. Biting on the inside of my cheek, I gave Annie a stern look. “Annie, do not ever fall prey to gossiping. Ever. Now, do not ever use such language again.”
“I was just repeating what they said. Is it true, Sophia? Have you had sex with Devlin?”
My heart began racing and I swore sweat was beading along my brow. “No, I have never been with anyone but Danny. Now finish getting dressed or you’ll make me late for my own wedding.”
Helping Annie slip her dress on, we were ready in no time. Making our way down to the front door my breath caught when I saw Devlin. He was dressed in his finest and his smile lit up the whole room.
“You’re wearing the blue dress.”
Glancing down, I ran my hand over the new blue dress that Devlin had bought last week. “I am. Do you like it?”
“You look like a princess, Sophia.”
My heart skipped a beat as Annie and I made our way toward Devlin. I was so confused. A part of me was screaming, telling me what I was doing was wrong. The other part of me was telling me I needed to move on.
Life moves on.
The wedding ceremony was faster than I thought it would be. Devlin’s kiss was soft and sweet when the preacher Devlin had tracked down, and paid handsomely to marry us, announced us as husband and wife.
The carriage ride back to Devlin’s plantation was filled with sexual attraction and frustration. I knew Devlin was trying to be a gentleman, and I wasn’t helping any by repeatedly biting on my lip and licking them slowly. Annie was fast asleep with her head on my lap as Devlin and I continued to stare at each other.
“Did you like the nightgown, Sophia?”
Smiling, I tilted my head. “The question is, do you like the nightgown, Devlin?”
Swallowing hard, he nodded his head. “It’s beautiful and seems to be on the edge of being fashionably expectable. The dress shop owner said it was from France.”
Tossing my head back, I laughed. It felt good to laugh, almost therapeutic in a sense. “The damn French. Nothing but a bunch horny men and women designing naughty things for women to wear.”
Lifting the left corner of his mouth, Devlin whispered, “Where shall I take you for our honeymoon, Sophia?”
My smile dropped as a memory of Danny and I running on the beach during our honeymoon popped into my head.
Devlin noticed my reaction. “Or we can stay in Georgia. It’s up to you.”
This man sitting across from me was unlike anyone I had met before. The love in his eyes for me made my heart beat loudly in my chest. “You love me, Devlin, even knowing my heart will always belong to another man. Why is this? Do you only wish to bed me, then move on?”
Devlin seemed taken aback by my questions. Glancing down before looking back into my eyes, Devlin answered me honestly. “Let me address your second question. No, I do not intend to bed you and then have affairs. I am not my father.”
Sucking in a breath of air, I slowly nodded.
Clearing his throat, Devlin continued on. “Since I can remember, I’ve loved you, Sophia. I love the look in your eyes when you’re being playful. Your soft luscious lips when you laugh have always caused my cock to jump. Many a night I dreamed of your lips wrapped around my cock bringing me to pleasure.”
Desire slowly began to build in the pit of my stomach as Devlin spoke. “Your total disregard to rules of any kind I think is your sexiest attribute.”
The carriage stopped and the door opened. Jonathon, Devlin’s butler, cleared his throat making his presence known. Devlin slowly turned to his butler. “Jonathon, be so kind as to take Miss Annie back up to her room.”
Devlin reached for a sleeping Annie and handed her to Jonathon. “Sir, which room should I prepare for you and Mrs. Covington?”
Devlin’s eyes lit up with passion. “Mine. We shall be there in a moment,” he whispered as he shut the carriage door.
Smiling, I tipped my head down and batted my eyelashes as I spoke to Devlin. “Mr. Covington, are you not ready to be with your new bride?”
“I’m not finished telling you why I love you, Sophia.”
My stomach dropped and I involuntarily let out a moan. Devlin certainly knew how to turn me on.
“The first time you ever batted your eyes at me and licked your lips I knew I wanted you. I feel in love with you that very moment.” Devlin said as he moved to the front of me. Dropping to his knees, he placed his hands under my dress and moved them slowly up my legs. My breathing had increased tenfold. Placing his hands on my knees, he slowly pushed my legs open. My mouth parted and I imagined what his lips on me would be like.
“My name off your lips … I think is one of my favorite things. I want to hear you whisper my name in the heat of passion, Sophia. I don’t want to make you forget, I want to make you desire something new.” His hand moved up my inner thigh and I was practically panting with need.
“Sophia, look into my eyes, sweetheart.”
My eyes locked with his. “Tell me you want me and I’ll bring you up to my room and make love to you all night.”
Danny. The guilt was beginning to take root. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and slowly blew it out.
Life moves on.
Opening my eyes, I gazed into Devlin’s. My breathing was shaky and I struggled to find my voice. A part of me felt like I was about to make the biggest mistake of my life, the other part told me I was doing the right thing.
“Devlin, I want you.”
ROLLING OVER, I opened my eyes and squinted as the bright morning light poured through the windows. It took me a few seconds to remember where I was. Sitting up, I pulled the sheet up to cover my exposed breasts.
Devlin’s room.
Dropping back down onto the pillow, I closed my eyes. Devlin had been amazing last night. The way he made love to me was as if I was a rare preci
ous piece of art. He was slow and attentive. His hands seemed to move over my body like he was memorizing every inch of me.
The things he whispered into my ear were heartfelt and full of love and passion.
I’ve waited forever for this moment, Sophia, I intend on making it last.
My hand slid down between my legs as I remembered Devlin’s mouth bringing my first orgasm of the night.
Smiling, I stretched and felt my muscles strain under my movement. I was going to feel Devlin’s presence for the next few days.
Slipping out of bed, I wrapped the sheet around my body walked to the window. The sun was shining so bright. I heard laughter and saw Annie running away as Devlin chased her. Smiling, I brought my fingertips up to my lips.
Let me love you, Sophia.
Whispered promises of a future with Devlin brought hope alive in me. Being with Devlin would never be like how it was with Danny. There was something magical when Danny and I were together. My heart felt as if it would burst with every touch, every kiss, and every intimate moment we had spent together.
Tears began to build in my eyes as I closed them. “I will love you forever, Daniel Stowe. My heart will forever belong to you.”
Opening my eyes, I wiped away my tears as I watched Devlin continue to chase after my sister. He was so patient with me last night, and the one time I broke down crying he held me until it passed. It was more than my heart could take. I wasn’t sure how I had been blessed to have two amazing men in my life love me so much. And for Devlin to love me, knowing that my heart would forever belong to Danny, moved me beyond words.
I vowed to do everything I could to make him happy. To make our marriage, the marriage he had dreamed of, the marriage he deserved.
Stepping out of the carriage, I stood in front of Irene and Chester’s house. I’d been married to Devlin for almost two months now and we were making our first social outing as husband and wife. This was the first time I’d been back to Savannah since I lost the baby. Devlin had stayed back at his house to allow me to have this visit with Danny’s parents alone.
Predestined Hearts Page 24