“I shouldn’t,” Ally said.
“Who says? If you don’t like it, I’ll stop.”
He rocked against her, the inside of his thighs rubbing against the outside of hers. His head ached almost as much as his balls. Caspar pressed himself against her, his cock making slow and gentle pushes as he willed her to let him in.
“Don’t try to relax,” Caspar said. “Do the opposite. Try and push me out.”
Ally groaned as Caspar’s cock slid into her. He gasped against her back, his breath tickling her spine as he stretched her, filled her and Ally couldn’t believe how good it felt.
“Jesus, Ally.”
“It didn’t work,” she grunted.
Caspar froze. “What?”
“I tried to push you out and you slid in, you sneaky bastard.”
He laughed and Ally let out a shuddering wail. “I felt that. You’re not allowed to laugh, cough, sneeze or move.”
“We’re going to stay like this forever?”
“It does feel nice.”
“Only nice?”
Caspar pulled his hips back and Ally went with him. “Arrgghh. You’re too big.”
“No I’m not.”
He pushed forward again, and Ally trembled as she felt him sink deeper inside her. Caspar took his fingers from her pussy and caught hold of her hand. Ally had to press her head to the bed to stop herself from collapsing.
“Feel me,” he whispered, and slid his finger into her pussy with hers.
“Oh God.” Ally could feel his cock moving inside her.
Caspar began to thrust more forcefully, and Ally felt as though every muscle in her body were clenching. Caspar forced the pace, fucked her harder, moved his finger faster and dragged her finger with his. His teeth nipped her shoulder, and Ally leapt off the high board into the blue. Wave after wave of pleasure rippled through her while Caspar shuddered into her back.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Ally gasped.
As the tremors died away and the world righted itself, Caspar tipped on his side and held her tight. His cock still buried inside her, he slid his hands to her breasts and leaned over to kiss her. A sweet, gentle, loving kiss that stole Ally’s breath.
“Did I hurt you?” Caspar whispered.
“No. Well, it hurt a little bit and then it didn’t.”
“What did if feel like?”
Ally sighed. “Intense. Different. Naughty. Oh God, you felt enormous.”
He looked deep into her eyes and whispered, “I love you.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ally had a sinking feeling in her stomach as Caspar took her hand and headed toward Wyndale Hall. Why hadn’t it occurred to her before this was where his parents lived? If only Caspar had told her the guy who’d almost shot her was his father, she wouldn’t have poured out her heart in the tree house.
“Sure I look okay?” Ally asked as Caspar tugged her past the broadcast vehicles lining the drive.
“You don’t look okay. You look fantastic.”
She grinned and Caspar groaned. “Lose that cock-erecting smile. In fact, avoid me altogether while we’re there, otherwise my mother is going to freak.”
“It’ll be fine. I won’t drink from the finger bowl or burp, I promise.”
“We don’t have to stay long. When we get back, I’ll call Adam and tell him yes.”
She squeezed his fingers. Her heart was doing cartwheels. Should she admit she and Leonard were on first-name terms? Oh God, why had she opened her mouth? Had she said anything about Caspar not getting on with his father? Ally’s mouth felt like she’d been caught in a sandstorm. Maybe she could take ill. Now. Before they got to the house.
“There it is,” Caspar said. “Too large for my parents, but they’ll never move.”
“Would you want them to?”
“No, I don’t suppose I would. It’s been in the family for generations.” He pulled on the old doorbell and a clang echoed inside the hall. “Remember. My father is an idiot. Ignore him. Don’t curtsey and don’t fart.”
“Hey, I never fart.”
The door opened on the last word, and a man glared down at them. Ally had never seen him before and she wanted to kiss him. So it hadn’t been Caspar’s father in the tree house. Thank you, God.
“Hello, Barnes,” Caspar said, and dashed Ally’s hopes.
“Good evening,” said the man in a way that made it sound anything but.
Caspar gestured for Ally to go in first and he followed. He helped her off with her coat and handed both of them to the butler. Cables and equipment lay all over the hall floor, but Ally’s jaw dropped at the magnificence of the place. Painted ceiling, curved staircase, fragile-looking furniture. Don’t sit down in case you break something.
“Your parents are in the small dining room,” Barnes said.
Caspar took Ally’s hand. “No need to announce us.”
“Small dining room?” she whispered.
“There are a lot of rooms in this house and I think the film crew has taken over most of them.”
They turned at the end of the corridor and Caspar hesitated at a closed door. Oh good, he’s changed his mind and we’re leaving.
He pulled her round to face him. “I know my mother will like you. It would be nice if my father did too, but don’t worry if he’s…abrupt. It won’t be you he’s objecting to but because you’re my choice.”
Want to bet?
Ally tensed as they walked into the room.
“Caspar,” said an elegant woman with Caspar’s dark hair.
When her eyes lit up at the sight of Caspar, Ally wanted to kiss her.
“This is Alexandria Everton. Ally to her friends. Ally, this is my mother, Lady Lynham.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Ally said. She stumbled as she walked forward, and Caspar grabbed her. “I wasn’t going to curtsy,” she blurted.
His mother smiled. “Delighted to meet you, Alexandria.”
Ally shook her hand. She had long, delicate fingers and wore beautiful rings. Maybe Ally could just stay here and—
“My father, Lord Lynham.”
Ally waited for him to say they’d met. She lifted her head as she shook his hand.
“Pleased to meet you. Again,” he said.
Caspar raised his eyebrows. “Oh yes, you nearly killed her.”
His mother gasped.
“Nowhere near,” said his father. “I’m much too good a shot.”
“Hey, why didn’t you tell me it was your father?” Ally asked Caspar. Then she blushed, remembering what she’d called his father.
“We’ve been hearing all about you,” said his mother, and Ally’s heart stopped. Now Caspar was going to hate her again for blabbing.
“Have they caught the man who tried to kill you?” his mother asked.
And Ally exhaled. She saw Leonard wink at her and knew in that instant what had been said in the tree house would stay there.
“Yes,” Ally said. “This afternoon. Geoff tried to strangle me, and Caspar grabbed his b— Caspar floored him.”
Caspar pulled out Ally’s chair and patted her shoulder before he sat next to her.
“I thought you were thrown down an old mine shaft?” His mother raised her eyebrows when she caught Caspar’s wide-eyed expression. “Martha knows everything that happens in the village. This week has been more entertaining than the television.”
“The bastard also pushed Ally in front of a train,” Caspar said. “That was why she came up to Derbyshire.”
“Oh my goodness.” His mother gaped at her.
“I think I must be the luckiest person in the world.” Ally turned to face Caspar. “In fact, I know I am.”
Caspar slid his hand on her knee under the table and squeezed.
“Talking of luck,” said his father. “Boris was asking after you, Caspar. Seems to think he might have a job you could do.”
“Boris Talbot?” Caspar snarled the name, and Ally flinched. “The head of the economics division of the For
eign Office? The same Boris Talbot who left me to rot in jail?”
“Said to ask you to give him a call,” his father said. “Something about a post in Washington. He said not to worry about Richard Hanley.”
Ally heard Caspar’s sharp intake of breath.
“That would be quite a step up,” Leonard said. “The British Embassy in Washington—nothing higher I’d think.”
Ally felt like a sandcastle being washed away by the sea. She was going to lose him. Everything she’d built was falling apart. He wouldn’t want her tagging along, and in any case, she could only stay in the States for a couple of months at a time. He was being offered his life back, which was what she wanted, but it meant giving him up.
“That’s brilliant, Caspar,” she heard herself say.
“You think?”
Oh God, he sounds wrong. Too cold, too calm.
“Why would Boris Talbot call you?” Caspar asked.
His father shifted on his chair. “I called him.”
The air thickened. Ally knew trouble was brewing but had no idea how to stop it.
“Why would you do that?” Caspar’s voice was icy.
“Because Boris is no friend of Mantel and this has gone on long enough. Boris pointed out to me that Mantel lost Deanna, his daughter, too, and I know all too well how far a parent will go to protect even the memory of his child. I should have seen it before. Calling Boris seemed one way to say I’m sorry. I should have given you the benefit of the doubt and I didn’t. I was too blinded by grief and…fury to listen to what my heart tried to tell me. I know Jemima would have seen no evil in anyone. No one could watch her every second of every day.” Leonard took his wife’s hand and held it. “We’re both sorry.”
“We didn’t realize how you were struggling, going hungry,” said his mother. “You looked pale and thin, but I thought…” She floundered under Caspar's gaze and glanced at her husband.
“When you didn’t ask for more money, we guessed you’d sold your grandfather’s medal and I seethed quietly because you were too proud to ask for help.” His father’s jaw twitched. “We let you down.”
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. Ally didn’t dare look at Caspar.
He took his hand from her knee and she gulped.
“I wish you’d felt able to talk to us,” said Leonard.
“It seems someone has been doing the talking for me,” Caspar snapped.
Ally could feel herself shrinking like the proverbial Alice. The room grew larger while she grew smaller and smaller. She wished there was a rabbit hole to shoot down.
“Don’t you dare, Caspar,” whispered his father. “Don’t you dare ruin this.”
Ally stood while she still could and faced Caspar. “Sorry. I only ever wanted to make your life happier, to make you smile. I wanted people to like you. I wanted you to be the man I saw and not the one you pretended to be. I’m sorry if you got hurt again, but I thought it would be better for you if I took the risk and failed than never to have tried.” She looked across the table. “Sorry for spoiling your dinner.”
Ally bolted for the door, but Caspar got there first. “Running again?” He grabbed her hand and turned to face his parents. “Ally and I have been offered jobs working as assistants for Adam Kesey.”
“The man who runs Mirofax, the anti-fraud company?” Leonard asked.
Ally sagged. She hadn’t even asked Adam what he did, but she’d heard of Mirofax. It was huge.
“We’re taking the jobs,” Caspar said.
“What about—” Leonard closed his mouth when his wife looked at him.
“Congratulations to both of you. Leonard, we’ll have champagne.”
Ally let herself be pulled back to the table. When Caspar stroked her palm with his thumb, she dared to hope everything would be all right.
Caspar sat and ate—he had no idea what—with Ally’s words ringing in his head. “I wanted you to be the man I saw and not the one you pretended to be.” How could she change his life so much in less than a week? He didn’t deserve her. He didn’t deserve her loyalty, friendship, kindness or her love, but he wanted them. Oh Christ, how he wanted them.
She sat there, making his parents laugh and smile, and it was as if he were watching photographs come to life in developing fluid. They were the parents he remembered. A father who’d taught him and his sister how to ride and how to swim. A mother who’d played hide and seek and given them her clothes to dress up in. They looked younger, healthier, full of—color.
Things had been said that had been better left unsaid. Five years wasted except for the lesson in humility Caspar had learned. But Ally was right. He shouldn’t ruin the future by thinking about the past. His father hugged him as they left, and Caspar felt his heart swell. Now all he needed was to hear three words from Ally.
He held her hand tight in his as they walked down the drive. The night was cold and crisp. The stars were out.
“You know why there are stars in the sky?” she asked.
“Why?”
“To show you how high you can dream. You know why there are so many stars?”
He shook his head.
“So there’s enough for us all to dream big. Do you want the job in Washington?” Ally whispered.
Caspar pulled his phone from his pocket and called Adam. He swung Ally round so she could hear and wrapped an arm around her.
“Caspar,” Adam said.
“We’d like the job. We’d love the job.”
Adam laughed. “Tickets to New Zealand on their way. I fancy the idea of seeing where they filmed Lord of the Rings. Sort that out, Ally?”
“Yippee, I love you,” Ally shouted into the phone.
“You haven’t seen me first thing in the morning. I’m like a bear with a chainsaw.” Adam ended the call.
Caspar put his phone back in his pocket. He knew she didn’t love Adam, but he didn’t like that she’d said it to him. Christ. He didn’t want her to see Adam first thing in the morning. He walked faster.
“Don’t worry,” Ally said. “I’m going to find him a wife.”
Caspar laughed.
Ally banged her hip into his. “Hey, it’s not going to be easy. He’s rich, successful and good-looking. Women are going to want him for the wrong reason.”
“So why do you want me?”
“For the right reason.”
“Which is?” Caspar asked.
Ally took his hands and spun around him. “Because I love you.”
Caspar thought his heart would explode. He yanked her into his arms and kissed her. Ally slid her hand between them and laid it over the hard ridge in his pants. “This is another reason,” she whispered.
“You want me for my body?” Caspar tugged her faster down the drive.
“If that’s all right with you.”
“I daresay I can cope.”
“I love everything about you,” she whispered. “I love the way your fingertips feel on my skin. I love the salty taste of your cock. I love the way you tremble when I run my hands down your back to the dip at the base of your spine. I love how when your eyes open and you see me, a huge smile spreads over your face. I love that you can tell right from left.”
Caspar chuckled. “I love everything about you too. I love watching your face when you come. I love kissing the soft skin of your inner thigh. I love the way your arm tightens around me even when you’re asleep. I love that you can’t tell left from right.”
Ally gasped and pointed up into the sky. “Oh my God, a shooting star. Maybe it’s the one you bought for me.” She winced. “Oops. Sorry. Change your password. But first make a wish.”
Caspar looked up and laughed. It was a plane. Ally lifted her arm and pretended to catch the star. She kissed her fist and gave it to Caspar to kiss.
“Have you made a wish?” She threw her hand into the air and opened her fingers.
Caspar stared into her eyes and smiled. His star had risen. That star was Ally.
“Don’t need to,” he sa
id. “My wish has already come true.”
About the Author
Barbara Elsborg lives in West Yorkshire in the north of England. She always wanted to be a spy, but having confessed to everyone without them even resorting to torture, she decided it was not for her. Vulcanology scorched her feet. A morbid fear of sharks put paid to marine biology. So instead, she spent several years successfully selling cyanide.
After dragging up two rotten, ungrateful children and frustrating her sexy, devoted, wonderful husband (who can now stop twisting her arm), she finally has time to conduct an affair with an electrifying, plugged-in male—her laptop.
Her books feature quirky heroines and bad boys, and she hopes they are as much fun to read as they are to write.
Barbara welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
Tell Us What You Think
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Also by Barbara Elsborg
Anna in the Middle
Doing the Right Thing
Finding the Right One
Lucy in the Sky
Perfect Timing
Power of Love
Saying Yes
Something About Polly
Snow Play
Strangers
Susie’s Choice
The Bad Widow
The Small Print
Print books by Barbara Elsborg
Anna in the Middle
Perfect Timing
Something about Polly
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer ebooks or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.
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