by Dawn Brower
“Nonsense, I had a lovely time aboard your ship. I just haven’t had tea since the morning we left England,” Lilliana replied. “I’m quite looking forward to a nice cup of it. If it’s not too much trouble that is.”
“You should know Mrs. Collins...” Jamieson began to say.
“Lily, please,” she interrupted. “You’ve worked with my father. You can call me by my given name. My closest friends and family call me Lily. I insist you do as well.”
“Lily,” Jamieson began, “I received a letter from your father. I just got a chance to look over today’s post.”
Rand stopped eating and looked up as Jamieson spoke. It couldn’t be good news he had to impart. Viscount Torrington had to be out for blood since Lilliana ran away from home. He would be in his crosshairs for assisting her in her act of defiance. Something he was not looking forward to, but knew it would be a necessary evil if he wanted to make peace with the man.
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Lilliana said. “What did he say?”
“He is coming for a visit. He mentioned that you might show up before him and I needed to make sure you didn’t leave before he arrived.”
Lilliana laughed before saying, “Why ever would he think I’d leave? I told him in the letter I left for him and mother I planned on residing here.”
“Wait a minute you left them a letter? You didn’t tell me that,” Rand exclaimed.
“I didn’t?” Lilliana answered. “I swear I mentioned it.”
Rand rubbed his temples as he let her words wash over him. How could she have forgotten to mention that little tidbit to him? Didn’t she believe he had a right to know something so important? “No dear, I’d have remembered you telling me that you left your ex-pirate father a letter telling him you had run away from home. In fact, you said earlier that you intended to write them once you arrived at the plantation.”
“Hmmm...well I guess I do remember saying that. I didn’t know how you would take it. It’s not important really. I gave it to Gemma to give them once they realized I hadn’t gone to stay at her country estate.” Lilliana paused and looked him in the eye. “I had to do it, you know that.”
“Yes, I do. I’d have just preferred knowing that you had.” Rand sighed.
“Oh I see, you think I deliberately left you in the dark? Which I suppose you are right about. I had intended on letting you know at some point though. It slipped my mind. Whenever you are around me I tend to forget important matters, for more desirable ones. In my defense you never once asked for any details on what I had in the works.”
“You are right once again, I didn’t ask, because I really didn’t care at the time,” Rand agreed.
Lilliana flashed him a brilliant smile.
“I did say we would have to deal with your parents at some point.”
“Indeed you did,” Lilliana looked over and asked, “Jamieson, did my father give you any idea when they might arrive?”
“I’d give it a rough estimate of within a day of your arrival to a week depending on the weather for their crossing.”
A day? That wasn’t nearly enough time to prepare for the arrival of his wife’s parents. “So it’s a possibility for them to show up sometime tomorrow.” Rand sat back in his chair and awaited a response to his question.
“It is,” Jamieson agreed.
“We will just have to make sure we are ready for their arrival. I’m sure Torrington will want my head when he arrives,” Rand replied. He folded his hands under the table and began clenching and unclenching them. He didn’t want her parents to dislike him, but he didn’t regret marrying Lily.
“I’m not likely to let him kill you, lad,” Jamison replied.
“Nor I, as I rather like your head where it is,” Lilliana agreed. “I really don’t think you need to worry though, they will be happy I decided to get married. They have been pushing me towards matrimony for a while now.”
“I have to agree with you. I’m rather attached to my head myself.” Rand nodded at his wife. “I have to disagree with you though; we have plenty to be worried about. I know if my daughter married some random man I’d be out for blood. Just be prepared for the worst.”
“I’d rather not dwell on it to much. Let’s make plans for something fun instead.” Lilliana said changing the subject.
He didn’t want to cause Lily any stress so for her sake he would attempt to let it go. He knew she was being too nonchalant about it though.
“You could go horseback riding and learn the land you inherited,” Eliza suggested.
“That’s a lovely idea. Do you have horses here that we can ride tomorrow?” Lilliana asked.
“Yes, there are a few in the stable suitable for riding. I can help you when you are ready to leave,” Jamieson replied.
“After breakfast we can go for a ride. Does that work for you Rand?”
“I think it’s a fine idea.”
“Wonderful. It will be nice to be able to ride a horse again.”
“There you go picking on my ship again,” Rand said with a laugh.
Lilliana stuck her tongue out at him with a playful laugh in return.
“I have fond memories of your ship. I am not the one picking on it.”
“I know, dear. I’m just giving you a hard time.” Rand moved to get up. “If you will excuse me, I’m tired and going to go rest in my room.”
“I can come up with you,” Lilliana said.
Rand stiffened at her offer to join him, but he didn’t want her to come along with him just yet. He had plans for their special night. He would welcome her willingly later on, eagerly.
“No, finish your meal. Join me later. I’m not going anywhere, I promise.”
Rand left them in the dining room and bounced up the stairs to the room he shared with Lily. He had an idea on how to make their first night together as husband and wife unforgettable. He needed a few things and everything would be perfect. Lilliana deserved the best and he intended to make sure she had it.
Chapter Fifteen
Lilliana sat as long as she could with Jamieson and Eliza, trying her best to enjoy the food before her. It all tasted like grains of sand. What she wanted was to join her husband in their room. The food did nothing to quench her needs. Only Rand would be able to accomplish that. She had no idea what Rand was up to, but she intended to find out.
“If you will excuse me, it’s time I retired. It has been a long day.” Her patience had its limitations and she found herself at the edge of them as she looked over her supper companions.
“Of course, have a good night. We’ll see you at breakfast,” Eliza said.
Lilliana nodded at both of them as she got up from the table. She walked out of the room and with a slow gait strolled up the stairs. The staircase was wide and open with plush red velvet cascading down each step. The baluster and newels were burnt mahogany, polished to a perfect shine. The hallway wove down an intricate path that led to several bedrooms. She remembered where hers was because she loved it so much. It was located at the end of the hall on the left. The room was decorated in a mint green and browns. It reminded her of a decadent forest.
When she reached her destination she opened the door and gasped in surprise. The illumination from all of the candles bathed the room with a soft glow. Lilliana looked up and saw her husband’s desire filled gaze. He had removed some of his clothing and sauntered to her side in his bare feet. Lilliana stared into his eyes as he reached up and caressed her face with one of his hand. His other arm wound around her waist and pulled her toward him.
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
“I’m here now,” she said as she licked her lips. “If you had given me a clue I’d have been here sooner.”
“I don’t mind. The best things are worth waiting for.”
“You say the sweetest things,” she whispered.
“I don’t. I say what I mean.” He placed a small kiss on her neck. “I feel like I’ve been waiting for you my whole life.”
&
nbsp; “You don’t need to wait anymore. I’m here, take everything you want.”
“I intend to. Now that I have you exactly where I want you, I am going to take my time...and savor every inch of you.”
He leaned down and pressed his lips over hers in a light kiss. Lilliana released a small breath filled with anticipation; Rand pressed his lips more firmly to hers. He tasted wonderful, like honey and cinnamon. She let her tongue duel with his for control. Their passion escalated the longer they kissed. Lilliana raised her arms and wrapped them around his neck and pulled him closer to her.
He pulled away and looked down at her. Lilliana bit down on her swollen lip and moaned. If he didn’t start giving her what she needed she had no problem forcing him to her way of thinking.
“Take it easy, love,” he whispered as his lips caressed her ear. “We have all night to explore each other.”
“I need so much...”
“So do I, but it will be so much better if we take our time.”
“I don’t want to. Please Rand.”
She ran her hands through his hair and pulled his head towards hers. Their passion ignited full force. Lips, tongues, and teeth battled to get the upper hand. He turned her around and pressed her against the wall; Rand unlatched every hook of her dress and pulled it down. She didn’t wear a corset so she stood before him in only her chemise and pantalettes. She could feel his body towering over her as his hands roamed her body. He continued to place little kisses along her neck and shoulders.
“I’m going to take every last stitch of clothing off of you now, Lily.” His breath hot on her ears as he whispered, “Then I’m going to taste you everywhere.”
She felt herself grow wet between her legs at his words. His words evoked so many different tumultuous emotions inside of her. Her skin was sensitive to his touch; every place his hands roamed she grew hotter, needier, and more desperate to see what he would do next. Rand peeled the rest of her clothing of as fast as possible and turned her back around to face him. He took a step back and let his gaze roam over her nude body. Lilliana’s body heated to a scorching flame under his direct scrutiny. Looking boldly into his eyes she reached up and cupped both of her breasts in her own hands and pinched her nipples. She saw him gasp with a sharp intake of breath and slowly release it. Her desire escalated the longer he watched her.
She wanted to reach out and touch him; more importantly she wanted him to remove the rest of his clothing so she could look at his gorgeous body.
“You are stunning and you’re mine.”
He took a step closer to her and reached out to touch her naked body. His hands roamed over her naked breasts and plumped her nipples between his fingers. They became stiff from his ministrations, and he drew one of the nipples inside of his mouth. His tongue roamed over it and brought a long drawn out moan from her mouth.
“Please Rand, I need you.”
“And I will give it to you, love. Together we will do and feel so much tonight.”
He pulled her with him to the bed and laid her down with gentleness on the soft mattress. His gaze caressed her again before he lay down next to her on the bed. His hands trailed over her belly and brushed over the curls between her legs. His nimble fingers found her center as they rubbed her tender flesh. Lilliana ached so much and needed him to be inside of her. She didn’t understand why he didn’t make her his. He seemed to be moving too slow for her and, she had no clue how to make him go any faster. She didn’t know what to expect having never made love to man before, but Rand made her want and need everything he did with her. Every sensation trailing over her body made her ache for him in so many ways.
He changed positions and crawled over top of her. He lowered his face between her legs and pushed her legs further apart. She didn’t know what he intended until his lips kissed the nub between her legs. She would have squeezed his head with her legs if he hadn’t been holding them in place. His tongue rolled over her sensitive flesh and she screamed.
“So beautiful,” he said before he lowered his head again and started to lick her core.
The more he licked the tighter her body got in anticipation. Rand’s gaze held hers for a moment as he watched something wonderful build within of her, a pressure so deep that at any moment an explosion would occur. She couldn’t help being frightened by the intensity while secretly hoping for something more. He continued his relentless strokes of his tongue on her hypersensitive center. She didn’t know what happened inside of her but she knew if he didn’t stop she’d burst from all of the sensations. Her intuition proved right as she ruptured from the inside out. Her body quaked with uncontrollable spasms, and she screamed with each new ripple of pleasure outpouring from her body. Nothing had ever compared to what he just made her feel. She wanted to feel it again.
She looked up through hazy eyes as he undressed. Finally she would be able to see his beautiful body. Once all of his clothes were removed, he joined her on the bed again. His shoulders, chest, and arms were rippling with well-defined muscle. Light patches of hair dusted his chest and trailed down to his stomach. She looked at his thick manhood and wanted to wrap her hands around it. She couldn’t help but wonder how it would fit inside of her. Every inch of him appeared too large, and she feared her body wouldn’t be able to accommodate him. She really wanted to try though because she had a need building up inside of her. One she knew only he could fill.
“I think you are ready for me now,” he said.
“I’ve always been ready for you.”
“I know and we’re going to do things a little differently,” he whispered. “Do you trust me?”
“Always.”
He rolled her on her side with her derriere facing him. He lifted her leg, pulled it over his hip and with slow thrusts started to enter her from behind. Her tight channel didn’t want to let him in, but she desperately needed to feel all of him inside of her. She leaned back as he slid himself inside of her one slow inch at a time. When he reached her barrier he stopped for a moment to allow her body time to adjust, and then pushed fully inside of her. Lily’s heart filled with so much love to have him joined with her. Even the brief sting of pain was worth it to know how it would feel to have him deep inside of her. She never thought she could feel so much emotion welling up inside of her. A small tear formed in the corner of her eye as her own happiness overwhelmed her. Rand waited for as she became accustomed to being filled by him, and once the ache left she started to move against him. Having him inside of her was beyond her wildest imagination. The completeness made her feel whole and part of him.
“Easy love. There is no need to rush.”
“Please, Rand. Love me.”
“I do, I am.”
He continued to push himself in to her until he filled her completely. The completeness of his filling her had been amazing, but it didn’t compare to his strokes caressing her channel. The different feelings he caused as he thrust himself in an out of her couldn’t be explained. As he rocked himself inside of her, he also caressed her with his hands and lips. He pinched her nipples and rubbed them with the palm of his hands. A thousand tiny sensations roared through her body, and she knew she would explode at any minute. Just before her body detonated he leaned down and absorbed her scream with his mouth. Her core squeezed him, and she felt his seed burst within her. He wrapped his arms around her and groaned as he kissed her wild abandon.
“Lily, you undo me,” he said as he trailed light kisses over her forehead and cheek.
“No more than you do me.”
He slowly pulled himself out of her. Emptiness overcame her at the loss of him. She wanted more and as soon as possible. The reality of loving him had far surpassed anything in her wildest dreams. Rand got out of bed and blew out any candles still lit then crawled back in bed tugging the covers over top of them. He left a lantern lit on the bedside table to extinguish itself as the fuel burned out. He pulled Lily into his arms and held onto her as if his life depended on it.
Lilliana coul
dn’t sleep. Emotions filled her to the brim in a turbulent fashion. She had trouble stilling them long enough to relax and fall to sleep. She could hear Rand’s even breaths as he slept beside her. She wondered how he could remain so calm as her own emotions jumped all over the place. Lilliana needed him to know how much he meant to her.
“Rand, are you asleep?” she asked quietly.
No answer came from him. She found it incredulous he could sleep at a time like this.
“I guess you are,” she said as she snuggled closer to him. “If you were awake I’d tell you how much you mean to me. I’d let you know that you changed me. I know that you don’t love me yet, but I can love you enough for the both of us. In time I know you will love me too. You just need to allow yourself to feel it. I can wait for you.”
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“I can wait because you are worth waiting for. I just wish you stayed awake to allow me to say this all to you. I’m going to do it again when you will actually hear me.” She caressed his cheeks lightly with the tip of her fingers. “I don’t mind telling you I love you a million times.”
With a smile on her lips she opened her eyes to gaze at his handsome face. Yes, she could and would do whatever it took to make him feel how much she loved him. For now she would lose herself in some much needed sleep. The morning would arrive soon enough and she could tell him that fact over breakfast if needed.
Chapter Sixteen
Rand held Lilliana tight. He heard every word she said the night before. He just hadn’t known how to respond to them. Rand no longer had a lonely feeling roaming through his soul. Lilliana’s confession had meant so much to him. She had given him a gift he didn’t think he could ever return. He didn’t feel worthy of her love, but he was selfish and would not refuse it. He needed her and would never let her go. Lilliana fit into his life perfectly—in a way he never knew he needed. She gave him a new purpose, and he intended to make sure she never regretted gifting him with her love. After she fell asleep, he watched her all night. A more beautiful sight didn’t exist for him. His wife had sneaked into his heart and seized it when he let his guard down. She owned his soul.