Signs of Love and Deliverance

by Tracy Kay

  “Madeline, honey, look at me,” Damon commanded. When she did not respond, Damon shook her. “Madeline, look at me!” She did not seem to notice his harsh grip on her shoulders shaking her or his panicked voice. Damon realized she was trapped within herself and he had to find a way to bring her out of it. He began undressing her.

  “Madeline, come on back to me, honey. You are safe here. I will help you.” Damon struggled with the robe. She had such a tight grip on it and he didn’t want to hurt her. “Let go of the robe, sweetheart,” he coaxed, running his hands up and down her body which had ceased rocking and had begun to tremble. Damon took that as a good sign. Finally getting the robe off her, he stripped away the damp dress and under things she hadn’t bothered to remove. Her body was cold and damp, and he had to get her warm before she became ill. He quickly put her under the blankets, yanked off his boots and wet breeches, and slipped into the bed beside her, rubbing her body briskly before holding her close. “Come on, baby, you are safe,” Damon whispered in her ear, running his hands up and down her shivering body. When the lightening flashed and the thunder crashed, Madeline cried out and began struggling against him. “That is it, Madeline. Come back to me, baby.”

  “Damon!” Madeline cried out desperately.

  “I am here, baby, right here,” Damon replied, stroking her hair and back.

  Madeline sobbed into his neck. “I am so scared, Damon.”

  “I know, baby, I know,” he comforted while he continued to stroke her.

  Choking back her tears, Madeline mumbled, “I am sorry.”

  “For what, honey?”

  “For being weak,” she sniffled, biting her lower lip, feeling shy and vulnerable.

  “Honey, you are not weak,” he soothed, continuing his stroking. “You got scared. Everyone gets scared once in a while.”

  Madeline pushed away from him and sat up, trying to be brave and ignore her terror. Scrubbing the wetness off her cheeks, she cleared her throat. “Thank you, Damon, for helping me. I don’t usually get so frightened. I should explain. It doesn’t happen often.” Madeline tried to regain her composure, but failed when the thunder boomed in her ears and the memories came flooding back again. “Damon?” She sobbed.

  Guiding her back down to him, he held her close against him. “I am right here, baby.” Damon brushed her hair off her face and wiped the tears away. “You will tell me when you are ready.”

  Madeline swallowed back her fear and embarrassment, and looked up at his concerned face. Smoothing away the worried lines on his face with her fingertips, she told him her story. She told him how her governess had locked her in the attic closet and hadn’t bothered to free her. She told him about the spider that kept her company for a few hours, about the darkness, about the raging storm and the flashes of lightening she glimpsed between the cracks in the door, about the loneliness and fear that had overcome her. She told him how she cried and begged for someone to come get her, but no one had come, not until Nicholas had found her.

  Madeline stared past Damon at nothing in particular, before looking back at him. “Every once in a while, I get trapped in my memories, particularly when it is storming out or when I am frightened for some reason. It scares me, but it doesn’t last long and I have learned to live with it.”

  Damon was disturbed that she had such an experience, but there was nothing he could do other than help her get past the fear she had now. He was curious as to why Brandon hadn’t dealt with this fear earlier or at least had warned him about it. “Why didn’t Brandon tell me of these episodes?”

  Madeline looked at him imploringly. “He doesn’t know, Damon, and I don’t want you to tell him. It hasn’t happened in years and I don’t know why it did today. Maybe it was being in new surroundings or my fright on the rigging, or maybe it is all that has been happening. I don’t know.” She grasped his hand tightly and pleaded. “Please, don’t tell Brandon. It will only worry him and there is nothing he can do about it anyway.”

  “For the moment, I won’t tell him, baby.” Damon squeezed her hand when she nodded in relief. “But, if I feel the need to, or it happens again, I will.” He kissed her tenderly, caressing her cheek. He gathered her closer and deepened the kiss. Madeline put her arms around him, pressing herself tightly against him. Damon groaned and reluctantly pushed her away from him. “We shouldn’t, baby.” Her naked body felt so good against his, but he couldn’t allow himself to get caught up in his lust for her. She was an innocent and his best friend’s sister.

  “Why not, Damon?” Madeline gazed at him with big, green eyes full of need and longing.

  “Your brother . . .” Damon started. He couldn’t keep kissing her because he wanted more than kissing. He wanted her, but he couldn’t have her. Brandon trusted him.

  Madeline was done waiting and done holding back her feelings. She wanted Damon. His body against hers felt right. His arms around her made her feel safe and his kisses made her feel desirable. All the nights he had held her while she slept only fueled the fire. She didn’t want to wait another moment, a moment that may never come again. “I want you to make love to me, Damon.”

  He gazed at her intently, catching her green eyes with his amber ones. “Madeline.” He groaned deep in his throat. Once he started, he wasn’t going to be able to stop. She didn’t know what she was asking of him.

  “I want you, Damon, please,” Madeline pleaded, holding his gaze. She wanted him to kiss her again and she wanted more than a kiss. She didn’t know exactly what she wanted, but she wanted him.

  Unable to resist her, Damon kissed her deeply for a long moment. He broke off the kiss and grasped her chin. “Are you sure? Once we do this, there is no going back.”

  She nodded, staring into his passion filled, amber eyes. She could drown in those seductive eyes.

  He crushed her to him, kissing her hard then slowly relaxing his grip, becoming gentle. God, he wanted her, fast and furious, then slow and sweet, but he held back, knowing she was innocent. It wasn’t easy holding back his hot passion for her. He had wanted her forever it seemed.

  He kissed her more gently as he ran his hand down her back, easing her beneath him. He gazed deeply into her eyes and caressed her cheek. She smiled up at him and he smiled back. He took her hand with his free one and entangled their fingers, drawing them up beside her head. He kissed her lips, then her chin, her nose, her cheeks, her eyebrows, and her forehead before taking her mouth deeply. He groaned as her tongue played with his and he felt her heartbeat quicken. He broke the kiss and traced her cheek with his fingers.

  She met his eyes with expectation, wanting more but not knowing what. She moved restlessly beneath him. “Damon?”

  He grinned, flashing her his dimples. “Patience, my love.”

  She grinned back at him, her green eyes sparkling.

  Damon watched her as he stroked her cheek, slowly moving his hand downward, placing feather light touches along her neck and collarbone. He drew a finger lightly down between her breasts and smiled when she gasped in reaction. He cupped one of her breasts and she blushed.

  She pouted. “They are too big.”

  “They are perfect.” He kissed her lips tenderly while lightly brushing his thumb across her nipple. She looked at him in surprise at the sensation. He chuckled. “You have no idea, do you, baby?”

  She shook her head in confusion, not sure what he meant.

  Damon chuckled again, overjoyed with her innocence and thrilled that he was the one to teach her. “There is more, sweetheart, much more.” He kissed her deeply, cupping her breast. He liked the weight of it and how it overflowed in his hand. He lightly stroked the soft, sensitive skin of her breast, savoring the feel of it. He slowly began kissing her ear, and with her sigh, he kissed her neck, then her shoulder. He untangled their fingers, lifted her arm and kissed the tender skin of her inner arm. She trembled and gasped with awe. At her reaction, he flashed his dimples at her and winked.

  His dimples left her tingling and blushing, a
nd a warmth unfurled inside her as she gazed at him. She smiled back and brushed his damp hair from his forehead. She loved his rich, dark hair and how it felt in her hand, soft and thick. She ran her hand through it, savoring the feel of the silky strands. “You are beautiful, Damon.”

  “And you are a dream, my love,” he kissed each of her fingers.

  “I am very real, Damon.” Wanting to touch more of him, she ran her hand over his shoulders and down his back. The feel of his skin on her fingertips made her quiver with a need she had never experienced before.

  “Thank god.” He groaned and buried his head between her breasts, unable to resist them any longer. “You are incredible,” he murmured as he took one nipple into his mouth and gently sucked and pulled while his hand squeezed and kneaded her other breast. He entwined his other hand in her hair, totally lost in the feel and scent of her.

  Madeline ran her hands up and down him, holding him close. She arched her back, unable to breathe from the intense feelings. She moved her legs restlessly, but Damon stopped her movements by tucking them between his own. She felt him hard against her stomach and blushed. She was thankful he was preoccupied with her breasts and didn’t notice.

  She was wrong; he had noticed. He looked at her and smiled softly. He ran his thumb tenderly over her brow. “It is all so new, isn’t it?”

  She nodded and blushed deeper, grateful for the semi-darkness.

  “It is all right if you are frightened, baby. There might be a little pain at first, but after that, I promise there won’t be.” He kissed her softly and held her close. He caressed her body with a sweep of his hand, running his fingers across her breasts and down her belly, and nudged her thighs open with his knee. He placed his hand lightly between her legs, letting her get accustomed to his touch there.

  She gasped and her belly quivered.

  “Ssh, it is all right, my love,” Damon reassured her as he gently nudged his finger between the delicate skin, finding the little bud that would give her pleasure. He slowly stroked her and Madeline moaned at the sensation. Damon slid one long finger inside her, then added a second finger, preparing her for him and letting her get accustomed to the feel of him. With a light, easy touch, he rubbed his thumb back and forth over the bundle of nerves that had her purring in response.

  “Damon,” Madeline breathed out a sigh.

  He smiled at her, flashing his dimples and catching her gaze. “I know, baby.”

  She moved beneath him, wanting more, but not knowing what. “Damon?”

  “Slowly, love, slowly.” Damon ran his free hand down her arm. He kissed her deeply, taking her hand in his and placing it next to her head once again. She moaned and arched up against him. He felt her wetness coat his fingers and her breathing quicken. He removed his fingers and she groaned in protest. He kissed her gently as he spread her legs wide, lifted her hips up to him, and settled between her thighs, coating himself with her wet dew. Damon slowly entered her, felt the slight barrier, and broke it quickly.

  Madeline gasped in discomfort and mild pain.

  “Ssh, it is all right, my love,” he said again reassuringly and kissed her softly. He rested inside of her, letting her become used to his invasion and his size.

  Madeline liked the feel of him inside of her despite the newness and discomfort of it. She responded to his kiss by kissing him back deeply and clutching the back of his neck. She felt him slowly begin to move within her, pulling out and pushing back in, and the sensation was exquisite. “Damon,” she moaned and moved against him. She followed his guidance, moving with him as he quickened his pace.

  He massaged her breast, pinching her nipple between his fingers, which sent a thrill of sensation through her. She groaned and arched into him, wanting more, needing more. Damon slid his hand between their bodies and rolled her small bud between his fingers. When she gasped and her breathing shortened, he increased his thrusts within her, plunging deep and hard.

  “Yes, Madeline, honey. Let go for me,” Damon commanded in her ear when he felt her tense.

  She felt this wonderful fullness inside of her building and building, and she tried to hold onto it, but she couldn’t. The feeling burst and she cried out as waves of pleasure took her. “Damon!” She gasped as she was overwhelmed with sensation.

  Damon smiled with male satisfaction and buried his face in her neck, holding her close as he followed her with his own release. He relaxed against her for a moment before moving off her, rolling onto his back. He drew her close to him and placed her head on his chest, lightly petting her hair. “Are you all right, baby?”

  Madeline smiled up at him and snuggled close. “I am wonderful. I feel like I am floating on a cloud.”

  Damon chuckled. “I know the feeling.”

  “Thank you, Damon. This was beautiful.” She sighed with contentment. She never wanted to leave his arms.

  Damon smiled, enjoying the euphoria between them. “Yes, it was, wasn’t it. And thank you, Madeline,” he added, tweaking her nose. He rubbed her back and breathed in her sweet scent. She snuggled closer to him, and he hugged her tight, kissing the top of her head. “You have been through a lot the past few weeks, honey, and I know you are exhausted. You hardly sleep at all, and when you do, it is restless.”

  “I can’t stop thinking about Joselyn or Farrington.” She frowned. She wondered why he was bringing this up. She wanted to enjoy this time in his arms, not talk.

  “I wish I could make it better, but I can’t.” Damon ran his hand through her silky hair.

  “No one can turn back time, but it is hard.” Madeline shifted against him. She didn’t want to talk about it and she hoped he took the hint to drop the subject.

  “I know, honey,” Damon said sympathetically, pulling her tighter against him and stroking her back soothingly. He knew she didn’t want to talk about what was troubling her, but she needed to let it out so she could move on, and safe in his arms, was the best way to do it.

  Madeline stifled a yawn and began playing with the soft hair that dusted Damon’s chest, twirling it around between her fingers. “I am sorry for falling apart earlier. I have never completely gotten over being in that closet to my immense shame.”

  Damon lifted her chin to meet her eyes with his, aware she had deliberately changed the topic. For the moment, he would allow it. “There is no reason for you to feel any shame, Madeline. The shame is not yours, but the governess’. You lived through a terrifying event, and it made you resilient and more compassionate to others.” He grinned at her. “I bet your experiences with this governess and being locked in a closet is what makes you want to help people despite the dangers to yourself. Am I right?”

  “Yes.” Madeline nodded at his perception and rubbed at her tired eyes. They were silent for a long moment as she ran her fingers across his chest. “What influenced you to be so understanding?” She asked curiously.

  “Raven and Conrad, mostly. I am lucky to have them in my life.”

  “Anything else, like a traumatic event?” She hedged, hoping he would open up to her.

  “Hmm, I think you already know.” He tweaked her nose again.

  “But I want to hear it from you,” Madeline pressed.

  Damon got up abruptly, took brandy out of the cabinet, poured it into a glass, and took a long drink before handing her the glass. “Drink the rest.”

  Madeline swallowed it down and grimaced at him. “Your story.”

  Damon took the glass from her, placing it back into the cabinet. Perhaps if he relayed his past, she would open up to him in turn. He laid back down and pulled her close to him once more. “I was a young boy when I ran away from my drunken father to join the Flying Manna’s crew as a cabin boy.” As he related his experience on the Flying Manna and Conrad and Raven’s rescue, leaving out the sordid details, Damon fondled and caressed her body. Upon completing his story, he shifted their position onto their sides, tucking her closer to him.

  Madeline watched him intently through heavy-lidded eyes. “I
s that where you got your scars?” She gently ran her hand down his back, lightly touching each of the faded scars Captain Flint’s whip caused.

  “Yes,” he answered, lightly kissing her neck.

  “He sounds like an evil man,” she mumbled, distracted by Damon’s kisses and her growing sleepiness. She snuggled closer into his embrace, feeling drowsy and protected in his arms.

  “He is, sweet,” Damon replied, smoothing his hand over her hip in soothing strokes. “But lucky for me, Conrad and Raven found me at a tavern, realized how abused I was, and took me onto their ship. They delivered me from a terrible fate. They gave me a new life, educated me, and taught me how to be a man. Those two men and their crew have helped a lot of people through some tough times. Conrad and Raven never turn away anyone unless they have no choice, especially children. Raven can’t stand to see a child or a woman abused and will do all he can to help. Conrad and Raven are my family, as they are for Brandon and many others. I go to them when I need help and I am there for them when they need mine.” He did not like talking about his past. He didn’t have fond memories of his childhood. When Conrad and Raven found him, he had been desperate, and he was lucky they had been there to change his life and help him build memories he wanted to remember. Damon rolled onto his back and tucked her against his side.

  “Conrad and Raven must be very special people.” She stifled another yawn and rested her head on his chest. Madeline knew they were important to Brandon, and they treated her like a member of their family, but she hadn’t realized they had helped so many others.

  “They are, baby, they are.” He stroked her hair and kissed her brow. “Now go to sleep, my love.” As she drifted off to sleep, Damon allowed the memories of those days to flood his mind. He hadn’t thought of Flint in some time, not since a few years ago when he had encountered him briefly in New Orleans. It had been an ugly scene with Flint taunting and threatening him, but Damon simply ignored Flint and left port. He wanted Flint out of business. There was no question of that, but Damon wasn’t going to go out of his way to do it. However, if the opportunity presented itself, he would see it done, but he had no real ambition to get revenge on the man. Conrad had given him a new life, and Flint was a passing memory, which is where he intended on leaving him. It seemed more like a dream than his past. He put away his memories, yawned, snuggled close to Madeline and drifted off to sleep.