Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel

by Samantha Grace

  “What are you doing?” Uncertainty made her voice high-pitched and loud.

  Drew knelt between her legs, slipped his hands under her buttocks, and tugged her to the edge of the bed. “I’m pleasuring you.”

  “But… but… Drew…” She lost all thought as his tongue ran along the ridges of her sex and flicked across her sensitive spot.

  Oh, dear Lord in heaven. Lana allowed him to hook her knees over his shoulders and lift her hips so her heat met his mouth.

  She became lost in a whirlwind of sensation unlike anything she had ever experienced. Her body tingled in every imaginable spot. She floated on a cloud of ecstasy higher and higher and higher until she thought she might leave her body entirely.

  His loving kisses to her most private place left her writhing against the counterpane. Threading her fingers through his gorgeous locks, she held him tight, fearful he might stop his exquisite torture. Her breath hitched and came harder, faster until she shattered into a million blissful pieces and cried out.

  As her muscles released and she dissolved into the bed, Drew’s head popped up. He grinned expectantly and she couldn’t help smiling back.

  “That was amazing,” she conceded.

  “That is just the beginning.” He stood over her, gazing with adoration.

  The dull ache between her legs started again as Drew unfastened his trousers and released his length. She examined him, her eyes rounding, and a shiver shook her limbs. The darkness of the carriage had kept him hidden from view their first time, but the soft glow from the fire in the grate hid nothing; not his chiseled stomach, solid thighs, nor the surprising sight of his enlarged member. Drew was beautiful, unlike anything she had been able to imagine with her limited knowledge of male anatomy.

  Standing between her legs, he bumped against her center before guiding himself inside. Lana sighed, her body welcoming the divine feel of him. He caressed her inner thighs, closing his eyes and drawing in a deep breath as he slid in and out with elongated strokes. Over and over, he coaxed sensual sounds from her like a talented musician gliding his bow across the strings of his instrument.

  The fiery lust in his eyes beckoned to her and even if she perished in the flames of their desire, she couldn’t resist her fate. Lana surrendered all of herself—her body, soul, and heart.

  “Take me,” she whispered.

  “Lana.” He grasped her hips and pulled her flush against him, plunging deeper.

  Lifting her hips, she met his every thrust. Drew grazed his thumb over her sweet spot while filling her, stoking her passion until she exploded, her body gripping his hardness and encouraging his own release. Drew threw his head back with a lustful moan and ground against her once, twice, three times.

  For a long time he gripped her hips, buried deep inside her, staying connected. When he finally withdrew, he climbed on the bed to lie beside her. Gathering her into his embrace, he brushed his lips against her forehead. “How could I want anyone but you, Lana?”

  Twenty-seven

  Lana’s lips engrossed Drew as he fed her a slice of pear while they lounged propped up against pillows holding hands. How she could be oblivious to her charms dumbfounded him, but he had learned over the years most women didn’t recognize their allure. They all had something beautiful about them, but rarely did they see themselves as he did when they gazed in the mirror.

  He hadn’t falsely flattered Lana when he’d worshiped her body. He had always preferred her body type, slender, long-legged, nice bum, but she possessed more than physical beauty. He loved her quick wit, sincerity, and lack of inhibitions. He loved all of Lana. Drew inclined his head and kissed her jaw before sliding his mouth down her gorgeous neck.

  She laughed and angled her head away, only providing better access. “Drew, I thought you wanted me to eat.”

  He hauled himself upright and leaned against the headboard. “You’re right, I do. I cannot have you fainting on me.”

  Lana smirked. “My, you do think highly of your skills, Andrew.”

  “I didn’t hear any complaints.”

  “No, I suppose you didn’t.” She squeezed his hand. “I’m not ready to return to London. Could we extend our trip another day?”

  He drew her close to lay her cheek against his chest. “Would you like to stay this way forever?”

  She nodded, making him smile.

  “I think we could arrange something, my sweet.”

  Lana placed her hands on his biceps and pushed away. “Oh, I don’t think that is possible, Drew. My family would eventually notice I’m missing.”

  Jake Hillary would be furious once he learned of Drew’s courtship of his sister, but damn the man if he thought to get in his way.

  He rubbed his hands together in mock delight. “I never considered how riled your brother will be over everything. Even more reason to be happy.”

  “You cannot say anything to Jake. He can never know.”

  “Won’t he be suspicious? Granted, Hillary can be a bit slow, but even he has to know husbands tumble their wives.”

  Her eyes grew big and she licked her lips. “Oh, yes… Well, are we back there again?”

  “Hmm, I thought I had made that part clear before I had you writhing on the bed with pleasure.”

  “The first or second time?”

  The wicked twinkle in her eye had him tossing his head back with laughter. He definitely loved this woman.

  “Apparently, I didn’t make it as clear as I imagined.” He swung his legs over the side of the bed and walked to her side then tugged her into a seated position. “I have to admit I never pictured doing this, and if I did, I am fairly certain I wasn’t buck naked.” His smile widened. “However, this somewhat resembles a few nightmares I have had, but I can assure you today is more like a favorite fantasy—”

  “Will you get to the point?”

  Drew dropped to one knee. “Lana Hillary, I would be honored if you would become my wife.”

  “Drew—”

  “Before you say no again, at least hear me out. We are perfect together, as I believe we have demonstrated the last few hours.”

  Lana wrinkled her nose, but a smile tugged at her lips.

  “I want us to raise our child together.” He placed his hand over her abdomen. Could she truly be carrying his offspring? His chest grew tight. “I want you in my bed every night. I—”

  “Drew—”

  He held up his hand. “Wait. And I—”

  “If you would be quiet, I could tell you I accept.”

  He blinked in surprise. “Truly?”

  “Truly.”

  “But I had sound arguments prepared.” He shrugged and lifted her from the bed. She wrapped her legs around his middle and clung to him, while his hands cupped her bottom. “Rather disappointing you didn’t allow me to present them.”

  “No arguments are required. I considered your proposal, and marriage presents the best solution. If I’m with child, it is unfair to expect the babe to be raised without a father.”

  He kissed her as he walked her backwards to press her back against the wall. “I had hoped for a less practical reason,” he murmured, feeling himself becoming aroused again, “but if you promise to wrap these gorgeous legs around me every day, I will overlook your lack of romantic sentiment.”

  “I give you my promise, sir.”

  “I’m having that added to the vows,” he warned before plundering her mouth.

  ***

  Lana rubbed her gritty eyes as she climbed into the carriage for the last leg of their journey. She couldn’t stop gazing toward Drew and smiling, despite the amusement she detected on his brother’s face.

  Before, she would have been horrified if anyone even suspected what they had been doing all night, but Drew had worked some kind of magic on her. His spirit pumped through her blood, and he filled her thoughts. Their lovemaking entwined her with Drew forever. She had no hope of ever breaking away, but no desire either.

  Her worries were not gone, however
. What if he changed his mind once they returned to London and never offered for her? Lady Audley had warned of his ability to make a woman believe she was special, only to crush her hopes in the end. Lana bit her lower lip and glanced at his profile. Had Drew ever suggested marriage to Lady Audley?

  Perhaps sensing she stared, Drew met her intense gaze. His face softened and his eyes lit. She smiled tentatively and he beamed in return. No, he loved her. She could see it in that one glance.

  Her anxiety turned to her family, in particular Jake’s reaction. Lana didn’t relish telling her brother she had fallen in love with Drew, not when it might bring Jake pain simply being in his presence. At a minimum, everything would be awkward, at least for a while. How could it not be when her brother held a torch for Drew’s former lover?

  She swallowed over the lump forming in her throat. Drew had a lover before her. In fact, he’d had many. It might be awkward wherever they went. Did she really wish to cope with facing the other women?

  Of course, as soon as Jake learned of their engagement, he would probably assume Drew compromised her. Surely, her brother wouldn’t challenge Drew. Lana linked her fingers and tapped her hands against her bottom lip. Jake’s leg wouldn’t have healed yet, and he wouldn’t stand a chance in a duel with Drew.

  Her heart constricted. Even if he could best Drew, she would lose her love. No, she must find a way to prepare Jake for the inevitable. She would be Andrew Forest’s bride, and her brother would have to live with it. Dying wasn’t an option for either man in her life.

  Drew leaned forward slightly and raised a questioning eyebrow. Lana likely presented a worried picture and dropped her hands to her lap, offering a reassuring smile. He drooped against the squabs again.

  When they stopped a couple of hours later, Drew offered his arm and took her away from everyone where they could speak in privacy. “What’s going through your mind, Lana?”

  “You are sounding more and more like a woman,” she teased and noticed a flush creep up his neck. “I’m thinking about home.”

  “Let’s go to your father as soon as we arrive. If my father procures a special license, we can marry immediately.”

  Tightness squeezed her chest and her head spun. “I-I think we should wait, just a little while.”

  Drew’s lips parted slightly as if contemplating her answer.

  “Please, I need time to prepare my brother,” she added. “I’m sure Papa will be delighted with the match, but I fear Jake’s reaction.”

  His chin jutted forward and he wrapped her in his embrace “Your brother can go to hell. I can’t be away from you. I want you now.”

  Lana’s eyes darted around the area to reassure herself they were alone. “You are behaving like a spoilt child.”

  “Don’t toy with me, peach.” His voice held a subtle warning. “If you’re having second thoughts, tell me.”

  She met his riveting gaze. When immersed in his adoration, her concerns receded, though they weren’t gone. “I’m… I’m not. I want to be with you, too.”

  “Then it’s settled.” His seductive smile left her breathless before he lowered his lips to hers.

  Lana lost any remaining willpower the moment his mouth claimed hers. She returned his kiss with passion. Every thought vanished except for how much she loved the man holding her. When Drew released her at last, her head slowly cleared again.

  Drew’s body had grown lax under her hands, and his frown had disappeared. “I apologize, Lana. I shouldn’t speak that way about your family. Jake is an honorable chap, but I won’t allow his sense of duty to keep us apart.”

  “You… You cannot keep doing that,” she said. “It is unfair to use kisses to muddle my thinking.”

  He rewarded her statement with a dimpled grin. “Peach, love and war are all one.”

  ***

  Lana had insisted the first stop be at the Forests’ town home. Her friend had raised an argument, but her lack of energy translated into a brief debate. Once Lana and Drew were alone, he pulled the drapes then hauled her onto his lap to nuzzle her neck.

  “Let’s take a detour,” he suggested.

  “And go where?”

  He frowned, irritated with his lack of foresight. He had no place to take her aside from his rented rooms, but they were unfit for a lady. He would have to employ men to make repairs to the town house Overton had left him.

  “I’m not ready to give you up yet,” he admitted, “but I have nowhere to take you.”

  Lana kissed the tip of his nose. “I need to return anyway, Drew.”

  He hugged her against him. What if he absconded with her? Closing his eyes, he breathed in her familiar scent. Parting would be a struggle, but he couldn’t ruin her name. There would be damage enough if anyone spotted them together, and he didn’t wish to harm her. He could as easily begin a life with her while following the proper steps, despite the agony of wanting her beside him each night.

  Lana cradled his head and met his gaze. “We must speak before we arrive at Hillary House. Please listen and understand.”

  Drew frowned, unhappy with her tone, but he wouldn’t deny her if she had need of anything.

  “You cannot interrupt or distract me, because this is important.”

  He sighed. “Out with it, peach. I’ll wait until you have finished speaking before responding.”

  “I love you, Drew,” she said, sincerity shining in her eyes. “And I want to be your wife.”

  He liked the direction of the conversation thus far.

  “But…”

  His heart stopped beating for a split second before taking off at a gallop. Why must there be a caveat? “Continue.”

  “I’m worried for Jake.” She held up her hand to stop his retort. “I realize he can go to the devil as far as you’re concerned, but he is my brother, and I cannot dismiss him as easily.”

  “What cause would there be for upset? I intend to court you properly and offer for your hand.” Jake should concentrate on his life. He obviously pined over someone, though Drew didn’t know her identity. The last few times he had been around Jake, the man had become maudlin under the influence of spirits, which generally meant a gent experienced troubles of the heart.

  “Jake is serious about his responsibility to me. He views himself as my protector, and… he warned me away from you after the Eldridge ball. He said I would get hurt if I allowed myself to get involved…”

  Drew caressed her soft cheek with his knuckles. Her perfume filled him with longing. “Do you believe I want to hurt you?”

  She turned her face into his palm. “I know you don’t want to hurt me, although I am afraid it could happen in the end.”

  He embraced her and placed a kiss on her hair. “Lana, I’m a different man than I was before Northumberland.”

  She giggled. “Oh, come now, you haven’t changed overmuch. Your appetite for lusty pursuits remains unabated.”

  “You would ask a leopard to change his spots?” he teased. “If anything, peach, my appetite has increased with you, but you are all I crave. You have nothing to worry about in that realm or any other.”

  “Either way, Jake won’t believe in your transformation without proof, which brings me back to my request. Will you please postpone the audience with my father until I have spoken with Jake? I’m terrified he will call you out if he guesses what has transpired between us.” Her voice broke and tears welled in her eyes. “I cannot abide losing either of you.”

  No matter how irksome he found Jake, Drew had no cause to harm the man, and he had no doubts Hillary would be on the losing side. But to glimpse the damage that would come to the woman he loved if he injured her brother… How could he deny her request? “Convince him soon, Lana. I won’t wait forever.”

  She threw her arms around his neck and hugged fiercely. “Thank you.”

  “We shouldn’t wait too long. If there is a baby on the way, we don’t want to be fodder for the gossips.”

  Her face transformed with a somber expression
. “Indeed.”

  Hating to see her dejected, he infused some cheer into his voice. “Enough speculation. Tell me. When will I see you again?”

  She licked her lips. “I must resume my usual activities unless I wish to rouse suspicion. You wouldn’t want to begin attending dinner parties and such, would you?”

  Drew groaned, loath to rejoin polite society and the mindless conversations that flowed too freely at these gatherings. Yet, if attending such affairs meant seeing Lana, he would brave it. “How will I know which events you plan to attend?”

  “My lady’s maid will carry messages between us. But, Drew, you cannot be too familiar when we cross paths. It won’t be like up north. Jake watches me much closer than Mama.”

  The carriage pulled up to Hillary House, and Drew took a deep breath. “If I am forbidden from stealing kisses, then you had best give me my fill.” She complied with his request, but he would never get his fill of Lana.

  Before she climbed from the carriage, a worry line creased her brow. “Drew, you won’t… You don’t plan to return to everything again, do you?”

  He would have teased her about not wanting to rouse suspicions, but he feared she might believe him. “I’ll be too busy scheming ways to get you alone, my sweet. I won’t have time for frivolous pursuits.”

  Lana’s countenance lit with a beatific smile more valuable than any winnings at the hazard table.

  “Send word to me soon, Lana.”

  Twenty-eight

  Lana experienced mixed emotions as she entered Hillary House. She had always possessed a lighter spirit upon her return when she’d been away a long while. This time, however, loneliness swept over her.

  The butler stepped forward to accept her bonnet. “Welcome home, miss.”

  “Thank you, Hogan. Where might I find my brother?”

  “I believe he has retired to his chambers.”

  She offered a wan smile before plodding up the marble staircase. At Jake’s door, she knocked once before barging inside.