Lynette Vinet

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Lynette Vinet Page 12

by Wild Eden Wicked


  Her hands twisted within his grasp. She writhed when his lips began a downward descent to her breasts. Automatically she arched toward his mouth, yielding herself to him. She was more than willing to feel his mouth tugging upon her nipples, to be driven almost insane with her own desire as he suckled. And when she finally felt his warm lips upon her, she moaned with supreme pleasure.

  Past thought, past caring what he might think, she whispered to him to undress. He moved away from her and began to remove his wet clothes. Her mouth grew dry as each piece of his clothing hit the floor. In the golden haze of the summer afternoon, he stood naked before her. She couldn’t stop staring at him, convinced he was the most beautiful man in the entire world, incredibly and powerfully formed. His shoulders were broad, his arms and chest composed of corded muscles, his legs were long and strongly built. And then there was that part of his anatomy at which she took more than a cursory glance. It was large, hard and swollen with need. She shivered from fear but also with her own raw need.

  “Damon.” He came to her when she whispered to him, but she wasn’t certain what she wanted to say.

  But he didn’t expect her to talk. Bending over her, he silently went about taking off her shoes and stockings, quickly followed by the remaining skirt and chemise.

  Then their bodies came together like magnets. Something hot and liquid stirred through her. With each caress, each tantalizing sweep of his hands across her body, Eden matched him. She loved touching him, discovering what gave him pleasure. When he guided her hand to his pulsing shaft, she didn’t draw away as she feared she’d do when the time came. In fact, she wanted to touch him there, to hear him moan when she stroked him. It was important to her to know intimately this part of him, this powerful, primitive part that was going to enter her body.

  And Damon enjoyed her exploration, she could tell. But he grabbed her hand and smiled at her, “My turn now, my lovely.”

  He lowered her onto the bed until she was completely beneath him. His hand slid to the sensitive spot between her thighs. She was wet and slick and aroused. His fingers stroked her and then filled her. Eden gasped at the sweet, inundating fire, unprepared for the waves of pleasure which lapped at her. The women at LaRue’s had never mentioned how wonderful it felt to be fondled like this. In fact, they never mentioned pleasure at all. Maybe they’d never experienced this side of lovemaking—not love like this. And she loved Damon, loved him with her whole heart and soul. If only he could love her some, if only…

  “Eden.” His breath was a ragged whisper against her mouth. “Open your legs for me.” He stroked the inside of her thighs until she willingly and wantonly parted them for him. She was mesmerized by his handsome face, a ruggedly beautiful face, she thought. His desire was reflected in his eyes, and knowing he desired her caused Eden to feel more alive than she’d ever felt in her entire life. She watched his face when he lifted himself over her and poised to enter. She wanted to see his reaction when he discovered the truth for himself.

  Eden flinched when Damon pushed into her, unprepared for the pressure. Her hands clung to his strong upper arms; her fingers dug into his flesh because she knew there was going to be pain and she steeled herself for it. He thrust again, this time more warily, and it was this emotion that flashed in his eyes as he came into contact with her maidenhead. “What in hell is this?” he burst out.

  She nearly laughed aloud at his shock, but she wasn’t about to let him withdraw from her. “Don’t stop. It’s all right. Please, please don’t leave me.” She kissed him with longing, with love, and Damon was lost.

  “Hold tightly to me, Eden. I don’t want to hurt you, I don’t, but—”

  “I know, Damon.” Her body was on fire for him, and though she feared the pain, she was more afraid he might actually reconsider his intention. To make it easier for him, she wrapped her legs tightly around his buttocks and gripped his arms. Then with a quick intake of breath, she arched toward him, impaling herself upon his shaft so the thrust tore the fragile membrane. She couldn’t help groaning and stiffening, almost willing herself to pull away. But Damon moved his hands to her buttocks, holding her close against him.

  “It’s all right,” he murmured softly into her ear.

  “But it hurts so. I never expected becoming a woman would be so painful.”

  “Trust me, love. It gets better.” Damon kissed her and kneaded her buttocks until Eden soon forgot her pain. Something else was happening to her, and whatever it was, it was wonderful. Slowly, ever so slowly, Damon began to slide his length in and out of her, building a rhythmic rhapsody of pleasure so intense that Eden felt her own desire flare like wildfire within the core of her femininity.

  She emitted tiny, mewling sounds, writhing beneath him and urging him to take her more deeply by gripping him tightly with her legs. His lust matched her own as he plunged into her again and again, ravishing her with his body and his eyes.

  She didn’t know how much longer she could stand this sensual torment, not certain what would happen at the end. It seemed they couldn’t stop touching, kissing. Her movements grew more bold and daring as the seconds passed, his more intense, but gentle at the same time. It was when her body seemed to dissolve into molten lava, growing hotter with his every thrust, that the moment came, taking her unawares and sweeping her away into a star-filled universe.

  Eden dug her fingernails into his arms, holding onto him when the ecstasy washed over her. The very center of her body throbbed with her total release. She buried her face on Damon’s shoulder to muffle a lusty cry. He pulled her head up, entwining his hands within the depths of her hair, and gazed down at her. His eyes were such a bright burning blue, they resembled the tips of flames, but then they turned almost navy when he kissed her and groaned into her mouth. Damon shuddered atop her, and she felt the quick hot surge of his seed.

  For what seemed like hours, Eden lay beneath him. She didn’t move and couldn’t get up the courage to speak. What could she say to him? Thank you for a very pleasant deflowering, but now I must run? And what must he think of her now that he knew the truth? He must have questions, so why didn’t he just ask her instead of lying so quietly atop her?

  Finally he turned on his side, not breaking their joining. Eden’s face went crimson to realize he was still somewhat erect. Hadn’t she been woman enough for him?

  Damon tipped her chin up and looked at her in such a heart-stirring way, the breath nearly died in her throat. “So, I’m your first,” he remarked, and there was wonder in his tone.

  “Yes,” was all she could say, overcome by their lovemaking.

  “I think you’d better explain about LaRue’s and Shamus. My uncle was getting on in years, but he was a lusty fellow.”

  Eden sighed. “Oh, Damon, he was sicker than you realized. The last few months of his life he got weaker and weaker until he could barely lift his head off the pillow.”

  “Did you marry him knowing he was so sick?”

  “Yes,” she admitted sadly. “Shamus met me at LaRue’s where I’d been working as a bookkeeper. He was so kind to me and we were both lonely. We grew to care about each other. When he asked me to marry him, he knew he was dying and needed someone he trusted to care for him. I wasn’t certain I could do that, you know, marry someone I didn’t love. But he said he needed me, though he made it clear that he couldn’t be a husband to me. Our marriage was a sort of business arrangement at first.” Tears gathered in her eyes. “He promised to leave me his money and a share in the mine if I’d marry him and take care of him. I agreed because I was fond of him and I needed security. You have no idea how frightened and lonely I’ve been since my parents died—since the Yankees…” Her voice broke.

  Damon stroked her hair. “Life was hard for you.”

  Eden nodded. “But then I married Shamus and I began to love him. He was so good to me, so considerate even when he was in pain. He loved you very much, Damon. His greatest disappointment was not being able to see you again.”

  “
Ah, Shamus, Shamus.” Damon kissed the top of her head. “So it was Shamus who wanted you to come to New Zealand.”

  “He insisted I come. Sometimes I think he meant to bring us together.” Eden touched the hard wall of his chest and gazed up at him with dreamy eyes. “And I know I’m happy to be here.”

  “Then you won’t be going away?”

  “Not if you don’t want me to leave.”

  “I’ve been a foolish man, Eden. I misjudged you and I’m sorry. I meant to get rid of you, to use you. Forgive me, please. And stay with me.”

  “Here, at Castlegate?”

  “Aye, this is your home now.”

  He meant what he said, she could tell. For the first time since the war’s end, she felt she belonged to a place, to someone who loved her. Damon hadn’t said the words, but she knew he did love her. He had to love her, otherwise he wouldn’t want her to stay with him in his home. She felt certain he’d soon confide in her about Tessa, that he’d proclaim his love and ask her to marry him.

  Eden wrapped her arms around his neck. “I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.”

  He shot her a devilish grin, but there was pain in his eyes when he said, “Even High Winds?”

  “Aye,” she parroted his Irish accent. “There’s no one like you at High Winds.”

  His sudden and earth-shattering kiss stirred up the vestiges of their earlier passion. His manhood sprang to life within her, igniting the flames once more. When he began thrusting, she was more than eager for him.

  Later, right before she fell asleep in Damon’s arms, she knew without a doubt that there was no one like Damon Alexander at High Winds or on the face of the earth. He was special, and he was hers.

  And no one would take him from her, not even the ghost of a long-dead wife.

  Chapter 10

  Damon swallowed his pride and galloped across High Winds. Only a few more weeks were left until the water rights had to be renegotiated. He cursed under his breath. Sutherland hadn’t approached him yet, and he surmised the man was playing a waiting game. He, too, could play games if he chose to do so, but what was the point? The rights to that branch of the Shotover were too important to him and the men he employed. Without Sutherland’s agreement, Thunder Mine was doomed and the men out of their jobs. Damon couldn’t let that happen. Whatever his personal feelings concerning Jock Sutherland, he had to appease him today, or at least give the impression of appeasement.

  He’d been to the house, and Marjorie had told him he could find Jock on the range helping to muster the sheep, and that’s exactly where Damon found him. Jock sat on his horse, in the midst of hundreds of sheep, and directed the stationhands in their work. When he noticed Damon approaching, he became perfectly still.

  “I’d appreciate a word with you, Sutherland.”

  “As you can see, I’m occupied. I’m certain whatever it is can wait until another time.”

  “No, it can’t,” Damon persisted. “I need to speak to you about the water rights.”

  “Is that up for renewal again?” Jock asked innocently, a malevolent twinkle dancing in his eyes. “How quickly the time passes.” Jock smirked and turned his horse away from the mustering activity. Damon followed, and soon they stopped at a quieter spot. Both men dismounted.

  “What’s your decision concerning the water rights?” Damon asked, deciding it wouldn’t do any good to beat around the bush with polite conversation.

  Jock stroked his chin. “I haven’t reached a decision yet, but I’ll certainly tell you when the time arrives.”

  “There’s barely a month left. I have men with families working for me. They’re anxious to know what’s going to happen.”

  “We all have families,” Jock reminded him. “I really haven’t given your situation much thought right now, not with planning my sister’s wedding to Bert Carruthers. But when the hubbub is over and the time draws nearer, I’ll start mulling over this water-rights problem.”

  “Come on, Sutherland, you know damn well what you plan to do. Every two years we play this cat-and-mouse game, and always we negotiate at the last minute. Just sign the bloody papers so I can tell my men Thunder Mine is safe.”

  Jock grinned a bit too broadly for Damon’s liking. Damn Sutherland! The arrogant bastard always forced him to lose his temper while Sutherland himself never raised his voice.

  “You must learn not to be so volatile,” Jock advised, touching his scarred cheek. “I really do owe you something for this.”

  “Then settle accounts some other way, not with my men’s livelihoods.”

  “Exactly what I intend, Alexander.”

  Damon breathed deeply, his hatred for Sutherland all too visible on his face. “I’m to assume your sister’s marriage to my neighbor has something to do with evening the score.”

  Jock inclined his head. “Maybe, maybe not. You’ll just have to wait and find out. I do so like keeping you on your toes.” He lifted himself into his saddle. “How is Eden?”

  “Fine.”

  “I’m glad. We spent an enjoyable time that night she was unable to return home. She’s a true lady, unlike some women I could name.”

  Damon grimaced and heaved himself onto his horse. “Don’t be getting ideas about her, Sutherland. Eden belongs to me.”

  “Does she now? Then I assume a marriage is in the offing. After all, you’ve been a widower for quite some time.”

  “Leave Eden alone,” Damon warned. “She belongs to me,” he reiterated.

  “I truly wonder about that. She doesn’t strike me as the sort of woman who would want a man who wasn’t well educated. Certainly she’d never consider marrying beneath her station. She’s not like our beloved, departed Tessa who could barely sign her name and knew nothing of proper behavior. So, where does that leave you, Alexander?” Jock proudly lifted his head, and every bit of his aristocratic lineage showed in his bearing. “Marjorie and I are inviting Eden to High Winds for the wedding. You, too, of course. I believe that once Eden sees me in my element as master of High Winds, she’ll make the proper choice between us. Now I must get back to my sheep. Good day, Alexander.”

  How Damon hated him! He longed to fling the arrogant son of a bitch from his horse and pummel his patrician face to a bloody mess. He hated Sutherland for all the opportunities he’d had—the fine education, the aristocratic background, the way people jumped to serve him. But he hated him more because he was right. If given the choice between the two of them, he worried Eden would choose Jock.

  Eden. Eden. Eden. His heart thumped out her name.

  He’d never known a woman like her. His blood fired to think of the way he’d left her that morning. She’d been asleep in his bed with the covers twisted around her uncovered voluptuous body. He’d wanted to make love to her again, but he feared he had worn her out the night before. They hadn’t fallen asleep until dawn streaked the sky.

  He couldn’t wait to return to Thunder Mine and claim her as his. Just imagining her kisses and her beautiful, smiling face were enough to spur him home again. Thinking about her waiting for him lightened his dark mood. She’d totally surprised him by being a virgin. He loved that he’d been her first man—and her last, if he had anything to do with the decision. But he feared he didn’t…

  There was Jock Sutherland in the background. He had wanted Tessa years ago, but Damon had fought him and won her as his bride. And now there was Eden, a woman unlike Tessa in every way, but a woman who was used to life’s finer amenities. She longed for respectability and security. Things which Sutherland could give her. Things which Damon couldn’t.

  “Damn it all to hell!” he swore, galloping swiftly across the countryside. He was worrying for nothing. Eden was in his bed, not Sutherland’s. And when he got home, he’d love her until she was so completely satiated that she’d never give Jock Sutherland an extra look. Damon knew he excelled in the bedroom. Sex had nothing to do with fancy schools and manners or respectability. When naked, they were simply a man and a woman tak
ing pleasure in each other’s bodies. He would make sure his prowess would keep her with him. It was all he had to offer her.

  ~~~

  “Is something troubling you, Marjorie?” Jock sipped a brandy while Marjorie drank her tea.

  She looked at him from where she sat on the porch. The fading light shadowed her face. “I had guests for tea this afternoon. You remember I told you that Mrs. Kensington and her niece were stopping by.”

  Jock remembered them. They were both prune-faced busy bodies. “Yes, you mentioned that to me yesterday.”

  “I’m rather worried about what they told me. Shocked, too, though I can’t believe this gossip about Eden is true.”

  “What did they say about Eden?” Jock was on the alert, his body stiffened.

  Marjorie hesitated a moment and then waved a dismissing hand in the air. “Oh, they’re spreading this dreadful gossip about Eden and Mr. Alexander. One of the servants at Thunder Mine is a cousin to Mrs. Kensington’s butler, and the rumor is that Eden is living openly with Mr. Alexander—not just inhabiting the house as a guest, but goodness knows I can’t believe she’s sharing the man’s bed, too.”

  Jock’s blood ran cold. He hadn’t expected news of this nature. Oh, he knew Damon wanted Eden, and perhaps guessed that she was attracted to the brawny ape, but to be sleeping with him? If that were the case, then things were clearly progressing too quickly for his liking. “It’s just servants gossiping, Marjorie. Don’t take it all so seriously,” he told her, pretending he found the rumor to be absurd. But it stung a great deal to believe Eden preferred Damon over himself. He’d been through this dilemma once before and was growing damned tired of Alexander besting him.

  “But, Jock,” Marjorie continued, her eyes shining, “Eden must be warned about what people are saying. I should tell her.”

  “No, you mustn’t do that. You shouldn’t get involved. Remember, my dear, we have a reputation to uphold in this community. Besides, I doubt the rumor is true, and it would never do to tell Eden what’s being said behind her back. She’d be truly hurt if you told her and might not consider you her friend.”

 

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