“I am sure I won’t need any help,” Dominic replied sardonically as darkness descended once again. He turned ruefully to the woman lying beside him and shook his head. He knew he was sunk but felt he had to at least put up a token protest. God, he loved her. Even though he knew right now he wanted to strangle her for her own waywardness, he couldn’t bring himself to be angry. In truth, he was delighted she was here and they could have a few more precious moments together. If only he was strong enough to parcel her up and send her on her merry way untouched. He certainly couldn’t afford to deflower her before leaving for several months. He had his friendship with Peter to consider after all. There wasn’t enough time now to rush through a hasty marriage. He was leaving early morning, and knew the mission he was going on would take some months - even if it ran smoothly.
“Isobel, we shouldn’t do this,” Dominic said, mentally accepting the inevitable as his body responded lustily.
“But I want you,” Isobel said softly as she cupped his stubborn jaw, smiling as the soft bristles tickled her palm.
“I want you too,” Dominic replied knowing it to be the truth, and cursed quietly as her soft lips placed gentle kisses along his jaw-line.
His lips captured hers, and Isobel knew she had won this particular skirmish. The shimmering tension left his body, and he relaxed against her. Isobel thrilled at the weight of his chest as he eased her backward, onto the soft straw, until he was looming over her. Her doubts calmed by the insistent but gentle pressure of his lips upon hers, and the warmth of his tender embrace.
“Tell me to stop,” Dominic demanded imploringly in a last desperate attempt to get her to realise the import of her actions.
“Don’t stop Dominic,” Isobel demanded, arching her back wantonly in mute appeal.
“God, you’re a stubborn wench,” Dominic muttered easing her exploring hands off his shoulders and raising them above her head where they would do little damage. Unfortunately, whilst it brought him the brief respite he needed to retain control, it also pushed the soft mound of her breasts upright against his chest. His manhood throbbed behind the placket of his breeches, and he wondered briefly if he was mad to even contemplate what he was about to do.
Hoping to at least give her a few moments to consider the wisdom of what she was asking, Dominic eased her thighs apart, lying carefully between them. He only just managed to stop his low groan at the delicious sensation of her lithe thighs encasing his hips. The rigid length of his erection lay against her femininity barely hidden behind the soft folds of her skirts as she lay beneath him. He knew she had frozen beneath him and wondered if she would call a halt. He watched carefully as she shook her head after a few thoughtful moments, and wriggled her hips before her hands on his chest began to explore the ridges of muscle.
Dominic knew he couldn’t hold out much longer, and tried hard not to succumb to the passion that swirled around them. With a groan, he set about giving her everything she had so insistently demanded.
Isobel became oblivious to everything other than the sensations his tender ministrations were creating within her. Sometime over the last few moments, he had divested her of her undergarments and lowered the neckline of her dress enough to bare her breasts to his hungry gaze.
With a wantonness she didn’t know she possessed, she lay open to him, bathed in moonlight. She could deny him nothing. A burning hunger grew deep within her belly as she squirmed impatiently. She needed something. Only she didn’t know what. Suddenly, she didn’t want to lie there and wait. She astonished herself as she sat upwards and reversed their positions, smiling at his low moan as she sat astride him.
His hands held her hips firmly against him until she could feel the rigid length of his manhood against the growing moisture between her thighs. She moved hesitantly against him, delighted as his hips thrust upwards in response.
She almost screamed as the heat from his mouth suddenly captured a budding nipple, gently teasing it with his tongue. Hot spears of sensation shot low in her belly each suckle of his mouth as instinctively Isobel began to rock her hips.
“Enough,” Dominic demanded, reversing their positions until she was again lying beneath him. Within moments, she could feel the cold air against the warmth between her legs and shivered at the delicious sensations it created. “I am sorry my darling, but I have to do this.”
Sweat beaded on Isobel’s brow as she lay quivering beneath him. She could feel the hot shaft of his manhood against her. It seemed huge. She tried to peer down at it through the gloom but couldn’t see anything through the darkness. Instead, she slid a soft hand down his side and around until she captured and held the turgid length. Fully aware of Dominic’s hissing breath, Isobel slowly explored his shaft from tip to base.
“I’m sorry but this is going to hurt a bit. I will be as gentle as I can,” Dominic said, placing tender kisses randomly over her delicate features as he carefully eased his throbbing erection out of her hand and positioned it at the tip of her feminine warmth. As gently as his screaming senses allowed, he eased inwards, groaning as her tight sheath encased him.
Isobel lay perfectly still as he invaded her body. This was what she wanted wasn’t it? She didn’t know what she had expected, but she hadn’t expected to lie upon her back with her legs held wide, his solid weight between her thighs as he slowly pushed his way inside her. She was so full she was certain she was going to burst. Gasping with surprise, she waited as he seemed to pause before slowly withdrawing from her before sliding into her once again. Despite her innocence, Isobel knew there was something more. She was aware of a certain sense of unsatisfied frustration as he thrust into her once or twice before pushing his lips down upon hers, his tongue thrusting deep into the moist recesses of her mouth as his hips rose from her withdrawing his manhood from her once again before thrusting more heavily into her.
His lips stifled her scream as he suddenly surged forwards slamming to a halt inside her. Pain lanced briefly deep within her belly as she lay there panting with surprise. He had undoubtedly taken her maidenhead as he was inside her far deeper than he had been before and his sudden intrusion within her body hurt a lot more. She longed to slide her lips free but couldn’t twist her head to one side. Her body was tense as she prepared herself for his withdrawal once again. She knew it would hurt.
“Now you’re mine!” Dominic raised himself onto his elbows above her, placing tender kisses upon her quivering lips. “You are a woman. My woman.” Dominic growled as he kissed her lips, slowly withdrawing his erection from her before sliding into her welcoming heat. “You are mine.” He slid out of her again before the rhythmic demands of his body took hold.
He was vaguely aware of her gasps of delight beneath him and the upward thrust of her questing hips. Determined to bring her release at her first time with him, he willed his body to slow down enough to allow her time to catch up. She was so very wet. So very welcoming he had to grit his teeth to hold back his release. The more he thrust into her, the tighter she became. Every sense he possessed was locked firmly upon the woman beneath him as she jerked and jarred to his heavy thrusts. He couldn’t prevent the pounding through his veins as he desperately tried to hold back his release, and that made his thrusts heavier.
“Take it,” he growled huskily into her ear as he felt her tightening around his erection. “I’m here my darling. Take it.” He thrust into her once, twice. Her breasts shone in the moonlight, her hair a silken cascade around her shoulders. She was a siren sent from the Gods to tempt him, of that he was certain. Suddenly, the needs of his own flesh took over, and he increased the tempo of his thrusts. The heavy haze of passion suffused his senses until he was lost to everything other than the welcoming warmth of the woman beneath him, clamping around him in feminine glory.
Her scream of release was abruptly dampened by the moistness of his mouth as his lips slammed upon hers. His groan lost in their questing lips as her feminine sheath clamped rhythmically around him until he couldn’t stand the torme
nt any longer and lost himself within her with a moan of satisfaction.
Isobel had never felt anything like it. Stars blossomed within as she gave herself over to the wonderful sensations buffeting her senses. Everything within her was focused entirely upon the man buried deep inside her. Vaguely she felt the fluid warmth of his release deep within and wondered briefly what it meant for them. She didn’t know much about the human body, but knew that such matters could most certainly get her with child. At that moment though, she couldn’t find it within her to care much.
Slowly as the haze of passion subsided, she became increasingly aware of his weight upon her as the rhythmic twitching inside her gradually eased until he slipped from her body with a deep sigh.
Some considerable time later he reluctantly eased his arms from around her and with a sigh of regret, gently shook her awake.
“I need to get you home.” Dawn was starting to lighten the sky warning the stable lads would soon be joining them. The staff at Willowbrook would be up and about to start the day. Isobel needed to be inside the safety of her own room, tucked into bed before anyone became wise to her nocturnal activities.
He fought a groan as she smiled sleepily at him before stretching languorously beneath the soft folds of his cloak. He already knew he would be a very lucky man indeed when they were married, and he got to wake up beside her daily! Until then, it was imperative he preserved her reputation. Despite the delectations on view to his hungry gaze, he had already taken enough risks with her body throughout the night, without taking more. Placing a tender kiss upon her lips he carefully pushed away and turned his attention to their scattered clothing.
An hour later they wandered together through the early-morning mist towards the kitchen doors of Willowbrook Hall. Isobel was adamant nobody would have locked the door she had used to make her escape last night. It was that same door they stood at briefly and let the silence settle around them.
“I will call by later before I leave, if I may,” Dominic suggested quietly, eyeing the dark shadows under her eyes with concern. “You must go in and try to rest for a while. You look tired.” The pads of his thumbs gently stroked the tender flesh beneath her eyes.
Isobel smiled shyly and tried not to blush as memories of the past few hours flooded her mind. “I shall get some rest and would be delighted if you had the time to call before you left,” she replied, unwilling to break the closeness that had settled between them.
“Even if Peter is generous towards us and allows us a few moments alone, this will most probably be the last time we shall have the opportunity to really be alone together,” Dominic slid his arms around her, and tugged her closer until she was flush against him. He had wanted to hold her like it for weeks, and it felt wonderful to have the freedom to do so now. Placing a tender kiss upon her lips, he gently eased a loose tendril of hair away from her face before slowly trailed a blunt fingertip down her soft cheek. “I am sorry for taking such liberties with you last night. You deserve better.”
Isobel shook her head slowly. “I came to you remember?” Leaning into his embrace, she placed a tender kiss upon his stubbled jaw, mindful of the liberties she was taking. “I have no regrets over anything we did last night.” Indeed, she would do it all over again given the opportunity.
“I would have preferred a nice soft bed instead,” Dominic replied ruefully gently tugging a piece of straw out of her hair before showing it to her with a teasing smile.
Isobel blushed and lowered her gaze. One blunt fingertip gently tipped her chin upwards until her gaze met his once more. “I promise I shall be back as soon as I possibly can.”
“Promise me that you will remain safe,” Isobel demanded with a sudden rush of emotion so strong, she had to blink tears from her eyes.
“I shall be fine. I have Peter at my back, so do not fear. When I do return we need to talk about the future, my dear. I have already taken liberties with you that I shouldn’t have, especially knowing I depart today.” His voice was sterner than he would have liked, but Dominic couldn’t stop now. “Although there is no time to make anything official, I do expect you to remain mindful of what happened between us last night. I do not expect you to remain at home each night. However I will not countenance you encouraging the suit of another.” His gaze was possessive as his eyes met hers.
“I promise you Dominic,” Isobel replied softly, “I shall wait for you for as long as need be.”
Isobel sighed fondly at the memory of the simple, almost innocent joy of their first time together.
If only the rest of her life since had been so easy. Everything went wrong that following morning.
Dominic arrived as promised shortly after breakfast. Dressed in riding breeches, his clothing had been chosen to blend in with locals. His fine cotton shirt had been replaced by a coarser, duller version. His highly polished boots exchanged for work roughened ones. Even Brutus, his trusted mount, had been banished to the pasture, replaced by one Isobel had never seen before.
Eagerly she swept down the large oak staircase at Willowbrook, holding the precious memories against her heart with a feminine pride and delight that practically shone from her gently flushed face. With unladylike speed she burst into the library to find the object of her affections standing deep in quiet conversation with Peter. The smile that had suffused her face slowly disappeared as she took in his stern countenance. He didn’t return her smile. No joy or emotion showed on his features at all as he studied her.
A frown marred her brow as she carefully approached the men, casting a quick glance at her brother. Whatever they had been discussing was serious as he looked as stern as Dominic. Had he told him?
“Hello, Dominic. Can I offer you tea before you go?” Inwardly she screamed questions at him she couldn’t put a voice to.
“Sorry Isobel, we don’t have the time. We need to go within a few minutes.” Peter replied donning his rough workman’s coat.
It hadn’t struck Isobel exactly what they were going to until now. With a sinking heart she tried to capture Dominic’s gaze but he refused to look at her, instead watching Peter with studious intent.
Did he regret what had happened? Certainly she had provoked him, but he had certainly been willing despite his initial reluctance. Why was he being so vague now? Had what they shared meant nothing to him?
Her heart leapt in her throat as Dominic turned towards her, only for it to be deflated again at his steady, almost emotionless regard.
“While Peter is away, I fully understand you will be under the protection of Elspeth. I would like your promise that should anything untoward happen while I am away, you must contact my man of business at Havistock Hall without delay. He has been instructed to assist you in any way possible should you contact him. Will you?” Dominic’s gaze was almost brotherly as it studied her carefully.
Isobel felt tears sting her eyes as sudden doubts about last night began to bubble and swirl inside her.
Unable to speak past the huge lump of hurt pride in her throat, Isobel mutely nodded and moved towards the fireplace, reluctant to allow him to see just how much his coldness was hurting her. Pride demanded that she keep her emotions in check and wave them off with a smile, the tears would come later.
Taking a few moments to compose herself as soon as the men had moved into the hall, Isobel swiped the moisture from her eyes, and with the bravado of a general marching to battle, entered the hall with a shaky smile on her face.
She was unsurprised when instead of pressing a cool kiss to the back of her hand, he bowed politely as though she was nothing more than a mere acquaintance and departed through the front door. Peter swept her into a bear hug, assuring her that they would return as soon as they could. Pressing a kiss to her cheek he too departed leaving Isobel to stand alone and bereft in the hall.
Isobel had watched the men ride down the driveway and out of her life before letting the tears flow.
Putting aside the bittersweet memories, Isobel swiped the tears from her
cheeks. She didn’t hear the door to the bedroom open, or see Dominic enter the bedroom quietly.
“What upsets you so?” he asked, moving to stand beside her. He hated to see women cry at the best of times, but Isobel’s tears practically unmanned him. They made him feel uncertain and helpless, and he didn’t like it.
Shaken by the raw emotion memories of that last morning, Isobel knew that if they were to have any future together, she needed to understand. Reluctantly she turned sideways in the window seat to face him, accepting the handkerchief he held out to her with a small smile. Quietly he sat on the bed to face her, fully aware of the shimmering tension between them.
“Do you have any regrets about our first time together?” Isobel asked, watching his face carefully.
Dominic considered the floor by his feet for a moment. He knew this was one of the main reasons for her reluctance to marry him, and his answer could have a significant impact upon his future happiness.
“I regret that our first time together was in the barn. It should have been in a nice soft bed. Somewhere warm,” Dominic replied honestly. “Where I didn’t have to walk you through the cold morning air and leave you on the doorstep before dawn.”
“Why were you so distant with me later that morning when you came to say good-bye?” The question was out before Isobel could hold it back. The hurt in her voice was clear to Dominic and he knew this was the reason behind her tears.
“I wasn’t angry.” He paused briefly, and frowned. “I was worried.”
“Worried?” Her voice rose in query.
“Worried,” Dominic replied deciding not to spare her blushes. He recalled the reluctance that had plagued him that last morning, and the sheer effort it had taken to bid her farewell without touching her. “I had taken your virginity only hours before.” He watched the faint blush stain her cheeks. “I hated leaving you so soon afterward. It was a time for lovers to be together. I should never have touched you knowing I was leaving so soon.” He moved to stand before her, dropping to his haunches as his eyes met and held hers. “Tell me darling, can you remember much about that night?”
If You Were Mine Page 12