At his father’s insistence and amidst grudging approval from his mother, Aidan was finally sent to school in Dublin, which, in any case, provided him with a convenient means of escape from both his parents. He didn’t mind school. In fact, he enjoyed his studies, received the highest marks, and ranked in the top of his class. The best part of school turned out to be meeting boys his own age. Aidan made many good friends and was popular with the students and the teachers at school. For Aidan the only drawback to being away at school, was being apart from his best friend. He missed Vivienne terribly, but they stayed in touch by writing endless letters to each other.
When Aidan turned eighteen, he completed his last term at school and returned home to Galway after almost a solid year of being away. Instead of witnessing yet another ugly argument between his mother and father over how Aidan should spend his summer, Aidan snuck away that first afternoon home. Naturally he went straight to Vivienne’s house and knocked on her door, anxious to see her after so much time had passed. Disappointed when no one answered, he made his way lazily down to the shore.
As he always did, he sat on the rocks along an empty stretch of coastline, just watching the low waves roll in and looking across to the Aran Islands. The sky was covered with a dark blanket of low clouds and the ocean was a steely gray. He loved when the water looked like that, as if it couldn’t contain itself. Enveloped in the briny scent of the ocean and the salty sea spray, he breathed deeply, still longing for the day when he could escape both his parents and go off to sea on a ship of his own. Shaking his head ruefully, he knew his childish daydream was just that. He was a man now and would soon manage Cashelwood.
He glanced south and noticed the figure of a woman walking unhurriedly along the beach. Her self-assured and fluid movements caught his attention first. Possessing the graceful bearing of a queen, she paused and gazed out to sea, as if searching for something. She appeared deep in thought. Her build was slender and petite, and her thick, dark hair was swept up in a knot behind her head, exposing the tender curve of her neck. Something familiar called to him and his heart raced. And then he knew exactly who the woman was. She couldn’t be anyone but Vivienne Montgomery.
Continuing her stroll across the sand, she came closer to where he was sitting on the rocks. She didn’t notice him yet, nor was she even expecting him to be there. As far as he knew, she was unaware that he had returned from Dublin earlier than planned. So he took this opportunity to observe her at his leisure. It had been a year since he had last seen her, and he was astonished to realize that she was no longer a little girl.
Vivienne Montgomery had grown up while he was away at school! His daring little witch and his best friend had, quite simply, changed.
Not only had she grown a little taller, but the cut of her plain navy gown revealed a very shapely seventeen-year-old figure with the well-rounded breasts of a woman. Her dress billowed around her, exposing glimpses of lovely, stocking-clad legs. And then there was her face. He’d always thought her a pretty, spirited little thing, but now…now her beauty left him speechless.
Vivienne had always been the one person he could turn to when things at home were terrible. He never needed to explain to her, she just knew. Her presence comforted him, filled him with contentment. She made him laugh, with her flashing eyes and witty tongue. Vivienne was the first friend he ever had.
Seeing her now, he felt overwhelmed by a new emotion he had never associated with Vivienne before. Desire.
Perhaps sensing his presence, Vivienne glanced up and saw him looking at her, and her beautiful face lit up in delight. She smiled wholeheartedly and waved her hand, as she picked up her skirt and ran across the sand toward him.
“Aidan!” she called excitedly. “Aidan, you’re home!”
For Aidan, the earth turned upside down watching Vivienne run to him, so obviously happy to see him. This beautiful, warm, smart, and caring girl was running to him. He could barely breathe. Feelings he never realized he possessed crashed over him in a tumultuous wave. Desire, longing, tenderness, protectiveness, possessiveness, need. Love.
Vivienne belonged to him. She always had. She always would. He felt it in his heart, his soul, his blood. They just belonged together.
He rose to his feet as she reached him, and she was out of breath from her dash across the shore. Still smiling at him, she marveled, “It’s been so long since I’ve seen you, Aidan! When did you get back?”
Seeing her sapphire blue eyes alight with happiness at the sight of him, he stepped toward her, cupped her exquisite face with both of his hands and kissed her full, tender lips. Almost as if she had expected him to do that very thing, she did not resist, but returned his kiss with an openness that touched his soul. He parted her lips and his tongue met hers and their kiss deepened. Aidan lost himself in her, thoroughly consumed by the warm feel of her skin, the sweet sea-misted scent of her. He breathed her in, wanting her in a manner that shook him to the core of his being. His world now centered on one person, one woman. One incredibly beautiful woman.
Completely unprepared for the intensity of kissing Vivienne, he could have willingly drowned in her sweetness, warmth, and passion. He should have guessed it would be that way with her. His heart flipped over and a potent desire for her spread unchecked through his throbbing body. He wanted her.
Slowly Vivienne pulled back from him, her beautiful face serious, and looked directly into his eyes. “So that’s the way of it, then?”
“Yes,” he whispered hoarsely, overcome with emotion. “That’s the way of it.”
He kissed her again to emphasize his point. There was no need for words or explanations. It was as if they had just come home. To each other. They were connected as one being in that moment, locked in a breathtaking, soul-searching kiss that left them both reeling with the knowledge that their friendship had irrevocably changed.
Still shaking with desire, his arms moved around her shoulders and he pulled her closer against him. She rested her head against his chest and a soft sigh escaped her. He pressed a kiss to the top of her silky hair, breathing in the floral scent of her perfume that mingled with the fragrance of the sea. She smelled heavenly. He wanted to hold her close to his heart that way forever.
“Aidan,” she whispered against his chest, when she was able to catch her breath.
“Yes?”
“There is something you should know.”
“What is it?” His heart began to pound. She was going to tell him something he didn’t want to hear. That she was in love with another boy. That she didn’t want him. He could not bear it. He looked into her sapphire blue eyes and became lost, for she gazed up at him with such honesty and tenderness, he was thunderstruck.
“I love you, Aidan.” Her lilting voice caught a little, but she continued. “I think I always have.”
Aidan held her to him again, flooded in relief and happiness, relishing the feel of her small body next to his. Leave it to Vivienne to be brave enough to state what she felt in her heart first. Her sweet confession completely undid him. “Ah, my beautiful Irish witch, I think I loved you from the moment I met you.”
His mouth sought hers and they kissed each other again, his arms holding her tightly to him.
Rain began to fall. Big fat drops plopped onto their faces as the gray sky turned stormy. Vivienne giggled but kissed him harder while his hands ran the length of her back. Her kisses tasted of the rain and salty air, and their tongues intertwined in heated eagerness in spite of the cold dampness that enveloped them. The rain fell and within minutes they were both drenched. He gazed reverently at her, as her long, black hair clung to her face, her soft cheeks glistening with raindrops.
Smiling lazily, Vivienne disengaged from his embrace. “Hurry!” she called out, reaching for him as the shower intensified. Hand in hand, they ran through the downpour back to her house.
Once safely inside and out of the storm, they found the house unusually cold and dark, and they were completely soaked to the skin.<
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“We need to get ourselves out of these wet clothes,” Vivienne stated in a soft voice as they both stood dripping on the wooden floor.
“Where is Aggie?” he asked hoarsely, glancing around the room.
Vivienne looked into his eyes and again he felt his heart race. “She went up to Tuam to visit her brother. She won’t be back until sometime tomorrow.”
The clock ticked loudly on the mantel, echoing in the empty little house. He knew immediately what that meant. So did Vivienne. The implication hung unspoken in the air as their wet clothes dripped on the floor and the clocked ticked by the minutes.
His brave girl was suddenly shy, eyes downcast. “I’ll get some towels,” she murmured. She turned and fled the darkened room.
Aidan threw some peat turf into the fire to warm up the place. As the familiar smoky scent filled the room, his heart beat triple-time and his mind raced with possibilities. He also wrestled with his conscience. He and Vivienne were alone together in this house for the night…A million thoughts sped through his head.
As Aidan knelt before the fire trying to warm up, he heard Vivienne return. First he noticed her bare feet against the polished wood floor. He blinked at the pretty pink toes in front of him. She must have taken off her shoes and stockings. He was still low to the ground, but his eyes moved upward from the sight of her slender ankles to her shapely calves. The bare expanse of legs became covered as her thighs were draped with an embroidered quilt. He looked up at her face. Her gaze was steady, but vulnerable, and her sapphire eyes spoke volumes. The soft blanket draped around her body tantalizingly exposed the flawless skin of her shoulders, arms, and legs. His heart slammed into his chest with such force he couldn’t breathe for a moment. Nor could he move a muscle.
Vivienne was naked beneath that blanket.
With her long, dark wet hair, and wearing nothing but a blanket, she was stunning.
“You can wrap this around you while your clothes dry.” She held up another blanket for him, suggesting he do the same.
He slowly rose to his feet. He stood before the fire and, while Vivienne watched him, he unhurriedly removed his shoes, soaking shirt, trousers, and underclothes. Her eyes were riveted at the sight of his naked body, and wordlessly she handed him the blanket to cover himself. Instead of taking it, he dropped the blanket to the floor. He extended his hand to her.
Vivienne gazed at him, knowing what he asked of her. He saw the brief look of hesitation in her eyes, and the sudden lift in her chin. Slowly, slowly she let her blanket slip to the floor revealing herself to him as he had. She stepped toward him and took his hand. Tightly Aidan held her small hand in his, never wanting to let her go. He could not breathe at the sight of her.
They both knew where this path led, and Vivienne nodded her head in silent assent. Overwhelmed by her gift, her beauty, her sheer perfection, his heart pounded and his blood rushed in his head. He loved her.
“You are a fine figure of a man, Aidan Kavanaugh.” Her voice was the barest whisper.
“You, Vivienne,” he murmured, “are more than beautiful.”
In the firelight her skin shone like fine alabaster. Perfectly proportioned, her petite body curved lushly in all the right places. He pulled her to him, their damp naked bodies pressing against each other, instantly creating a smoldering heat between them. He kissed the hollow of her throat and her head tilted backward. He moved lower to the swell of her breasts.
“Oh, Aidan, is this really happening?” she breathed, her voice low and filled with passion. Her hands slid over his upper arms, across his chest and his cool skin warmed beneath her tender caress.
He kissed her rosy lips softly as an answer, for he was too overcome with passion to speak. Her body felt exquisite, warm, incredible in his arms.
“Make me yours, Aidan.”
“You were always mine,” he murmured possessively, his body throbbing with an intense need and desire for her.
He lowered her to the floor onto the two soft blankets that they had dropped in front of the fire instead of wrapping around themselves. Astonished that he was not more terrified, for he had no idea what he was doing, he covered her delicate body with his. He brought his lips to hers once more, devouring her. His tongue swirled with hers and she gave of herself with utter abandon. Her small hands pressed into his back, her fingers caressing his skin, inflaming his already heightened desire. He wanted her more than he ever wanted anything in his life.
They melted into one another, their intense love for each other overcoming their complete lack of experience. In their little cocoon of firelight and soft blankets, they explored each other’s bodies and hearts, amidst whispered words of love and fervent kisses. Hesitant touches gave way to passionate caresses, shyness gave way to boldness as they learned how to please one another.
His lips kissed a path to her fully rounded breasts and he licked and suckled her nipples until she writhed beneath him. Aidan caressed across the flat plain of her stomach, while his hand moved lower, stroking her shapely hips and creamy thighs. Gently his fingers glided between her legs, pressing into her soft flesh. Vivienne held her breath while he touched her, and she arched against his hand, wanting more.
Slowly Aidan adjusted his weight over her, rising up on his arms. Instinctively he eased himself inside her, feeling her virgin body stretch to accommodate his size. She gasped with her eyes closed tight. He stilled and her eyes fluttered open, glistening with teardrops, but she smiled reassuringly, kissing his mouth. He began to move within her gently, engulfed by the exquisite sensations she provided. His motions became more urgent, more demanding, more fervent. He could not get enough of her, did not know if he ever would. He loved Vivienne and she loved him. She was a part of him; she was his life. Unaware of where he ended and she began, he heard her cry out his name in pleasure. Suddenly complete bliss flooded his entire being and he collapsed next to her.
He held her lovingly in his arms, their legs intertwined. They were so interconnected he did not think he could live without her. He wanted to keep her with him that way forever. He knew it was time for him to put away his childish dreams of going off to sea. They were silly dreams, really. One day he would inherit Cashelwood and become Lord Kavanaugh. He would manage the estate and lands as his father had. And he wanted nothing more than to have Vivienne share that life with him.
“Marry me, Vivienne,” he whispered fervently to her.
“You really want to marry me?” she asked in wonderment.
“More than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life.”
“Oh, Aidan, who would I be, if not your wife?” she asked with a smile that lit up her beautiful face.
Chapter 11
The Masked Ball
England
Spring 1870
“Come with me, Vivvy. Here comes Lord Huntington and he looks about ready to devour you,” Gregory Cardwell said as he took Vivienne’s hand and led her from the crowded and noisy ballroom. “Let’s get some fresh air.”
Grateful for the respite he had offered, for she had been dancing non-stop for the past hour, Vivienne followed her cousin outside. The Duchess of Bingham’s masked ball was reaching its peak and the night had been a veritable whirlwind of activity. Wearing a daringly low-cut and stylish gown of sapphire blue shot through with silver thread and a peacock feather mask over her face, Vivienne had barely had a moment to herself all evening.
Out on the portico, the cool night air carried a light breeze.
“So, explain why you don’t want me to dance with Lord Huntington,” Vivienne said, wondering at Gregory’s reasons for finding a potential suitor lacking. “He’s seems a perfectly nice gentleman.”
“Oh, he is. It’s just that I’ve heard he has certain…uh, predilections, shall we say?” he answered with a sly wink through his black mask. His reddish hair lent a look of boyish charm to his already handsome face, while his sky blue eyes seemed to be always alight with laughter.
“Such as…” she encouraged.
“Gambling and wearing women’s undergarments.”
“Greg, honestly!” she protested, but couldn’t help laughing at his falsely innocent expression. “That’s a terrible thing to say about a man. Besides, how could you possibly know such an intimate detail? About the undergarments, I mean.”
He turned and leaned lazily against the balustrade, folding his arms across his chest. “I heard it from a most reliable source at my club.”
“Well, I don’t believe you!” Vivienne grinned in spite of herself, but she found herself observing Lord Huntington a little more closely. “Enough about him already. I don’t wish to hear anymore. Let’s look at ladies for you, shall we?”
“I’m not ready to settle down yet. You know that.”
“Nonsense! At twenty-eight years old, of course you are! Look over there. How about that one?” Vivienne suggested gamely, tilting her head toward a sweet, dimple-cheeked brunette in a blue gown walking by the open French doors. “Now, she’s very pretty.”
“But as dumb as a post. I couldn’t abide a stupid wife, Vivienne.” He smiled charmingly at her.
“No, I don’t suppose you could.”
“And no offense to you, of course, but I prefer blondes.”
Vivienne arched an eyebrow in his direction. “Someone more along the lines of Helene Winston perhaps?”
Gregory responded with a pained look below his mask, his teasing smile gone, his voice low. “Is it so obvious then?”
“No,” Vivienne said kindly. “I think not. Maybe I’m just very observant. But Helene is in love with Aidan Kavanaugh, you know.”
“She just believes she ought to be in love with him,” Gregory stated with a sense of forcefulness. “Their parents wish for them to marry eventually, but nothing is definite.”
One Sinful Night Page 14