by Dee Jones
Julia went straight into the house and up the stairs, eager to avoid Daniel for as long as possible. Some of the things Margie had told her about enjoying a man’s touch had made her remember the way her husband touched her that very day, and she wasn’t eager for him to know how deeply she wished him to touch her like that again.
She went into her new room, depositing the many packages on the oversized bed. Margie helped her pick out several petticoats, chemises and silk stockings, as well as insisting she buy four very revealing nightgowns and an expensive bottle of cologne, to aid in the mood as she put it. She had three new dresses being made, and brought home two pair of shoes, neither of which was appropriate for the life she lived at the stables. She had a multitude of cloaks and wraps, hair combs and earrings, necklaces, corsets and dusting powder, all of which she quickly unpacked and once again examined.
Julia stored the items where they belonged, before choosing a rather risqué nightgown to wear and ordered Bridget to fill the tub for her. With that out of the way, she stripped down to her thin chemise and sat at her vanity to wait her bath. She looked up at the reflection staring back at her in the mirror and actually blushed. She couldn’t wait to try some of the cologne and dusting powder, and a small wicked twinkle in her eyes, warned her of what Daniel would say when he saw her; or what he would do.
A strange sensation came over her and she walked back to sit on the edge of her bed. Thought of driving Daniel crazy, as Margie had suggested, drifted easily into her mind. Her slender fingers sliding across the silky smoothness of her night clothes, and she couldn’t resist inspecting the diamond and gold ring twinkling up at her through the room’s lamp light. Perhaps it was just the ideas her new friend had given her that made her feel a degree braver, or perhaps it was the memories of being in his arms that mingled with those new ideas that made her feel daring. Either way, she felt an urgency to look appealing for her husband.
Her legs throbbed from her foot race with Margie, her feet ached from her toes to her knees and her head felt like a lead weight on her shoulders; but she felt strangely relaxed and happy. Shopping in Boston had never been this much fun, she thought as she rested her back against one of the large posts at the foot of the bed, and sighed deeply. She was tired and exhilarated, both at the same time.
Margie had made her evaluate her present circumstances in a different light. She began to remember Daniel as the man he was a few short weeks ago. He was erotic and sensuous and more handsome than any man had a right to be. She began to feel a strange tingle traveling across her lower limbs, which caused a tight knot to form inside her stomach. If she didn't know better, Julia accused herself; she'd swear she was beginning to fall in love with her own husband.
The door opened and Julia looked up to see Bridget and one of the other maids her mother had hired on after the funeral, bringing up the water for her bath. The door to the large luxurious wash closet opened and she jumped when Bridget screamed, dropping her water to the carpet. Julia ran to the door and gasped at the angry curses of a man’s deep voice echoed from inside the room. The girls turned and ran back into the bedroom, blushing profusely at the events that had just transpired.
Daniel sat in a tub filled barely half full with water, trying to cover his lower body from the maids and cursing up a blue streak at them. Julia glared at him for a brief minute trying to comprehend the meaning of the words he spit out, before she turned back to the two maids.
"It would appear my husband has already filled a tub," she interjected calmly, trying not to allow the amusement to show in either her voice or on her face.
"Leave what’s left of the water," she continued looking at the second maid who quickly sat the pail of water on the floor. The two girls bobbed a quick curtsey then left, allowing Julia to return her gaze back to Daniel.
"And how was your day, darling?" she asked, aware of his obvious embarrassment. The sight of the man naked in a tub of water brought the strange knot back to her stomach, as desire began to burn a path to her lower regions.
"What the hell do you think you're doing sending those two in here?" Daniel's embarrassment was vivid, his tone angry and his red face burning hot with his naked attire. He remained in the tub, but no longer found the need to try and hide his assets beneath the small rag.
Julia leaned against the door frame, crossing her arms over her chest. She couldn't help finding the amusement in his predicament and openly smiled at his humiliation. He looked so funny as he cussed and screeched like a wild boar caught in a hunter's trap. He splashed water all over the floor of the bathroom as he called the girls names Julia had never heard before.
"I did not send them to you, Daniel. I asked them to fill the bath so I could bathe. I had no idea you would be in it."
"If you want a bath so damned bad, come along and take one. I'm not stopping you," Daniel's tone eased as he eyed the woman. The color was vivid in her cheeks, and his intent stare forced her to lower her lashes to him. Now it was Julia’s turn to be embarrassed at her attire, or lack thereof.
"I think I'll wait until you're finished." Daniel threw the wet rag at her, hitting the wall next to the door as Julia turned to leave, spraying her with water. She offered the man an angry glare as she picked the wet cloth up from where it lay on the carpet.
"Would you hand that to me, Princess?" he asked her, his tone so light and innocent she felt the urge to stuff the washcloth down his throat. Instead she stepped closer to the tub's edge and squeezed the water out of the rag; on top of his head. Water ran down his face and shoulders causing him to gasp with the shock of her actions. Julia smiled, hearing the low growl from the man then screeched as she felt her feet leave the floor. He wrapped his arm around her waist so quickly she had no chance to escape and tugged across the edge of the porcelain basin with a hard jerk.
Julia found herself sitting in a tub of warm water her chemise drenched and clinging to her wet body as transparent as cheesecloth. Actually the water was cool, she quickly surmised squirming against the man's grip, but the body beneath her was what made it seem warm.
"Daniel Browning what do you think you're doing?" she hissed, struggling to get off his lap.
"I owed you for that little stunt, Princess, not to mention embarrassing the living hell out of me in front of those children."
"I must not have embarrassed that much hell out of you, if you can pull me in here while I'm still dressed."
"If that's all that's bothering you I can remedy the problem fast enough," Daniel lowered his mouth on hers to silence her shocked reaction, as his fingers worked to remove her thin chemise. Julia squirmed against him, dislodging his fingers before they could complete their task. She wiggled frantically until Daniel released her and she climbed out of the tub, to stand sopping wet in front of him.
"What's the matter, darling?" he asked with a wicked smile, his tone still thick with the emotion burning unchecked inside him.
"You know very well what the matter is, Mr. Browning," she snapped, wrapping his towel around her dripping chemise. "We agreed this was to be a marriage in name only, or have you forgotten that arrangement?"
"I haven't forgotten a damned thing, Mrs. Browning, but apparently you have." His tone changed to a soft growl; their teasing ending in a shouting match.
"I most certainly have not!"
"Then why the hell did you come in here half naked? You know very well a man can only handle so much teasing until he accepts what's offered. If you don't want me taking you up on your invitations, then stop parading around here like a barroom harlot!" Daniel climbed out of the tub and stood in front of her in an angry confrontation.
"How dare you?" she growled, anger turning her delicate features a bright pink. "I did no such thing and you know it. I merely came in to see what Bridget was screaming her fool head over. If I had known you were in here I would never have come so much as...Good God! Daniel, put some clothes on this instant!" Julia's face deepened to a scarlet red realizing the man was standing befor
e her stark naked, dripping water all over the already wet floor. He was fully aroused from their brief encounter in the water and it was obvious it was still an intent memory in his mind.
"I didn't bring any clothes in here with me and you have the only towel," he defended himself. "If my lack of attire embarrasses you so much, than hand it over." Daniel reached his hand toward the towel wrapped protectively around Julia's torso.
"I have a better idea," she snapped, trying to divert her eyes from staring at him while she took a step backward. "I'll just leave you alone." She turned toward the door, but was pulled back as a quick hand grabbed hold of her slender waist. Daniel arms wrapped around her so tight she couldn't dislodge him, even if she tried. Her heart was racing, her mind was screaming, but being this close to him she couldn't seem to find the strength to resist. As though by some form of sixth sense Daniel felt her surrender and lowered his mouth, capturing her lips willingly.
He tugged her bottom lip gently between his teeth, teasing it with the tip of his tongue, stoking the fire that had been smoldering inside her all day. His mouth fell across hers in a quick act that left her feeling slightly dizzy, as her arms slid up around his neck; his tongue thrust into her mouth, sparring an erratic battle with her senses until she joined in. It was easy to mimic his actions when he was such an excellent instructor and she found the courage to taste him as much as he played with her. It was an act that had her body arching closer to him, silently begging him for more.
"Tell me you don't want me now," he demanded against her mouth as they broke apart for air. His lips moved across her cheek to her neck, where he began to nip the delicate skin until she moaned.
Daniel smiled to himself as he slowly led a path of heat down her throat, branding her with hot wet kisses. She leaned back slightly in his arms, her chin tipping up to giving him full access to her slender throat. She barely registered the towel being slipped free from around her, dropping in a damp heap on the floor. Julia shivered slightly when the cool evening air filtered through her wet chemise, but his large hands offered her the warmth she needed and she sighed with the mixture of sensations.
He knew it was only a matter of time until she came to her senses and he wasn't going to waste one second of it. Pulling her up in his embrace he wrapped her in the heat of his body as he divested her of the thin, wet cloth that clung to her slender body. He lifted her higher, pressing her against the wall behind the door and wrapping her legs around his waist. He had never known desire as hot as this; he needed her more than he needed oxygen to breathe. His lips continued to brand her until she moaned again, encouraging him to go further. Leaning down across her torso, he began to play with her hard nipple, licking it with the tip of his tongue as his teeth slowly grazed it, offering just enough pressure to cause her to gasp.
With a deep breath, he slowly began to suckle the soft skin of her breast. Daniel scolded himself mentally; she was a virgin and needed time to adjust to the feelings he was bringing to life inside her. In time he would be able to play with her the way he enjoyed, but until then he had to go slowly. Rushing her would only help increase that wall that stood between them and he was having quite a lucky streak crumbling the mortar that held it up.
Julia couldn't think, she tried to consider her position, but every time some light of reality flickered in her mind, Daniel would drive it out with the urgency of his touch. His lips were piercing her breasts with a trail of heat, moving from one to the other and back again as his fingers began playing with the triangle of curls between her legs. She moaned again as his fingers moved slowly inside her, his mouth moving up across hers, silencing her surprised gasps. This was insane, she warned herself, but the feeling was so intense she could do nothing more than wrap her fingers around his broad shoulders, holding him closer to her.
Daniel heard Julia's soft moans, making the need to bury his hard, quivering arousal into her tight body all the more urgent, but he knew she wasn’t ready. As much as she was enjoying the strange new sensations he was showing her, she was not completely at ease with him. He had to give her time and that was not going to be easy; she was his wife, desirable, beautiful and sexier than anyone he had ever known before.
He slid her legs higher around his waist was his tongue branded her delicate flesh with his lust. Daniel continued to play inside her wet body pressing the soft pad of flesh at the front of her vagina; he drew a deep breath, feeling the tender satin of her inner thighs as they held him tightly. God, she was incredible and he was eager to join her He had tasted her release once that day as he sent her over the edge of ecstasy, but it was nothing compared to the heat she would feel when they reached their climax together.
Without warning or thought of consequences, Daniel removed his finger and carried her to the bed, laying her against the soft covers. Before she could think to object, he was kissing her face, his fingers inside her as his mouth moved down her sternum, over her tummy and into the soft curls. It was an array of incredible sensations that she could no longer think. She closed her eyes tightly allowing him to feel his way across her body. When his tongue began caressing her clitoris, she moaned, but when he began to suckle it she cried out. He told her this wasn’t sex, but whatever it was, she liked it.
Daniel allowed her to feel the overpowering heat of her release before he tempted fate again. He slowly moved above her, kissing her lips hard and urgent. Holding himself back was becoming unbearable and he knew if she didn’t try to stop him soon, he would be sheathed inside her, bathing her with the flames of his own desire.
Julia slowly opened her eyes as he positioned against her, the tip of his erection hot and firm. Oh God, she did want him, she wanted to know what love was and she wanted him to teach her, but then she remembered what had brought them together in the first place. The realization was back, sobering the effects of his love making in a flood of confusion. How could she have permitted him to go this far again? She had to stop him before things got any further out of hand.
"Daniel," she interjected; her throat dry and her words barely above a horse whisper.
"I know love," he told her, aware that reality had finally caught up to her. "Oh dear God, Julia, I want you."
"No Daniel you don't." That wasn't exactly what she meant to say, but she couldn't stop the words once they began. "You don't want me, you want my land."
"What?" Daniel leaned up on his elbow, looking down into her wide eyes; tears filled the beautiful green depths with sorrow and regret.
"Daniel please, get off me," she pleaded, feeling a rush of embarrassment invading her. "This is wrong it shouldn't be happening like this."
"Wrong?" he asked with a frown. “How is this wrong? You’re my wife, I’m your husband; there has never been anything more right before. I know you want me to finish as much as I do, so why are you fighting me?”
"I don't want this...or you."
"Liar," he accused her with a dark scowl. “After the way you just came, you can’t possibly expect me to believe you don’t want me?” Daniel lowered his mouth to hers again, capturing her trembling lips beneath his as he moved her hands above her head, holding them in his gentle grasp.
Julia tried to squirm against his hold without success; her mind reeling, her heart pounding a desperate rhythm of passion and fear. She did want him, but he didn’t want her, no matter how much he claimed otherwise. It was that thought that made her finally break free of his mouth, turning her head to hide the tears as they slid down her cheeks.
"Damn," she heard Daniel curse, as he stood abruptly off her and turned away. He couldn't do this, no matter how much he wanted to hurt her at that very minute; he couldn't force her to be his wife - or his lover. He wanted her, the evidence still throbbed painfully, demanding release, but he just couldn't allow this to continue. He heard the soft rustle of fabric behind him and turned slightly to see Julia climb out of the opposite side of the bed, her slender frame hidden beneath the bed’s comforter.
“I’m sorry,” he be
gan, watching her turn her face away from him.
"Get out of here Daniel," she demanded through the tears that stole her voice and tore at her heart.
“Julia, please…” he began, leaning against the mattress, watching her back away until she ran into the dresser.
"I said get the hell out of here," she shouted. “I don’t want you near me again.”
Daniel looked at her through eyes clouded with emotion. He knew he had gone too far…again. He should have given her time, he knew that and still he continued. With a heavy sigh, he turned and left the room, using the adjoining door that went into the spare room.
He was a fool; he cursed himself as he sat on the edge of the double sized bed. No matter how many times he reminded himself over the course of the day that she was a virgin, he still tried to get her to accept him before she was ready. His need for her was growing with each passing moment; she needed time and he could not push her, though staying clear of his wife was going to be murder on his libido.
Chapter Eleven
Good God; was she crazy, Julia thought watching her husband walk into the next room, completely naked and fully aroused. She was the one who had ordered him to leave and yet there she was, longing for his touch again. She ran to her bed and threw herself on it sobbing into the pillows. She loved Daniel, she knew it and no matter how much she tried, she couldn't deny it any longer; but he didn't love her. He only wanted her for her father's land. He wanted Turner Stables and all that came with it...everything except her.
The pain was real, the hurt too consuming to forget. She could still feel his lips against her body, his touch branded her like an iron. She was convenient, that was all she was, she told herself. He would have married Bridget if were Victor’s heir; but then the flirtatious blonde would have loved that. She wouldn’t have kicked Daniel out of her room, Julia thought as she lifted her head off the pillow, wiping the tears from her cheeks.