by Sandy Loyd
What ate at him more? The duke’s threats had kept him from taking what he wanted while she’d been under his control. He’d not fully tasted her, yet but his desire had only grown to an all-consuming mass of want that ate away at him.
Still, he was thankful he’d not done anything that could be questioned. He’d taken great pains to ensure she came across as a spoiled, willful child with no appreciation of all he’d done, so no one would believe her. If Collingswood found her, it would be an earl’s word against hers, and the duke would have no choice but to return her. His ward had no proof of his abuse—only memories.
Soon, he’d have her and his wait would be over. The thought of using Collingswood to bring it about pleased him even more.
Turning, intent on making a swift return to London, Gerald walked briskly from the room.
Chapter 13
The next morning Penny woke before Parker. In the light of day, her nightmare had totally receded. A continent away, Lord Knightsbridge couldn’t touch her. Thoughts of Geoff filled her mind and guilt consumed her as memories of last night followed. She’d betrayed him in the heat of the moment. Worse, she’d do it again. She’d do anything to erase the bleak images of being a powerless and helpless victim. Last night she’d been anything but the victim, she had to admit. Nestled in Parker’s arms, she felt very safe, as she’d sensed she would, but she’d paid a hefty price for such safety. Well, she wouldn’t think of that now.
Penny untangled her leg from his and sat up to study his face. In sleep, the angular lines softened somewhat, making him appear boyish. He was ruggedly handsome, so much so that she wished there was something about him besides his autocratic nature that she could find fault with. It wouldn’t do to let him think he could control her. She’d had enough of controlling men.
With this in mind, she climbed out of the bed being careful not to wake him, and padded to her trunk. She opened it and took out the necessary items she needed to dress. Once done with washing and dressing, and too impatient to sit and wait for Parker to wake, she began tidying the items of clothing scattered about the floor in disarray. She placed his trousers neatly on a chair. They slid to the floor. When she reached inside the armoire and grabbed the jacket off the hanger to place the pants underneath, something fell out of the pocket. Bending to pick it up, she spied her locket on the floor and froze in horror.
He’d found her locket and hadn’t told her? Confusion clouded her mind. Glancing at the bed and watching him for a moment, she fought to understand. Maybe he didn’t realize how important the locket was to her, but what was he doing with it to begin with? How had he gotten it from the thieves? Or worse, maybe he’d hired the men to steal it from her to scare her into staying with him. Anger rushed up, distorting her thoughts.
Clutching the jacket, she went through all the pockets only to find everything she’d placed in her bag, including her wad of American money. Unable to control her rage, she marched over to the man sleeping so peacefully.
“How dare you!” she yelled, pushing him as hard as she could. “You planned it all, didn’t you?”
Groggily, Parker opened his eyes just in time to dodge her fist. Snatching her around the waist, he pulled her off balance, with her kicking and striking out the entire time. He rolled, positioning her underneath.
“What the hell are you doing?” he asked, clearly stunned. He pinned her down, seizing her wrists with a firm grip.
She squirmed and furiously worked to yank her arms free, her eyes snapping fire.
“What’s the matter? Didn’t get enough last night? I can remedy that,” he said, chuckling and nuzzling her neck while holding her hands above her head.
“Get off me,” she cried, feeling his erection nestled in the V of her lower body. She froze, alarmed at how quickly her anger dissipated, to be replaced with excitement and worse—desire.
“In a minute.” He unhurriedly spread kisses along her neck.
Goodness, he knew how to use that mouth. She melted into him, unable to withstand the pleasure it evoked on its magical journey to her ear. After he spent glorious moments kissing, sucking, biting, and tugging on it, his tongue plunged inside. Thankfully, he’d released her arms so she could touch his exquisite masculine torso.
“Do you know how lovely you are?” he whispered. “Can you feel my want?”
A low moan was her only answer.
Parker nuzzled his way to her breast that he’d somehow exposed. She arched, allowing him more access as sensations of pure bliss shot from her core ending in her soft moans, only to regenerate and begin anew.
Oh heavens, she wished he wasn’t so skilled a lover. She fought the heat building, the warmth spreading, and the yearning to have him inside her. It seemed a losing battle, especially when he added such practiced hands. One now lifted her dress to her waist, and did away with her underclothes as his fingers found her center, stroking and eliciting more sensations out of her, one after the other in wave after wave of pleasure. So much so that she thought she would die if he didn’t continue.
“God, you’re ready for me, and I haven’t even begun to make love with you,” he murmured, just before his lips found hers.
She shut her eyes tight, willing the need away. She didn’t want to be ready for him. She broke the kiss, said softly into his lips, “No,” and hated herself because she didn’t mean it. Her actions of last night were justified, but right now? How could she mate with him again when she loved Geoff? Self-loathing filled her.
Parker touched his hand to the side of her face and stroked her cheek.
“Penny?” His lips hovered inches above hers. “Look at me, sweetheart.”
She met his gaze, unable to disguise the passion roiling inside her, and noted the same mirrored in his expressive blue-gray depths.
“I don’t believe you. Tell me you don’t want this and I’ll stop.”
He gave her a choice, yet she had no choice, the temptation too strong. “I can’t,” she answered truthfully.
His mouth lowered. As if they had a mind of their own, her arms wrapped around his muscular back to pull him closer.
When he entered her, she met him stroke for stroke, touch for touch, until she found her release. Pure ecstasy spread throughout her every pore. The force of the release tormented her further with Parker not far behind, spending his seed as he shuddered violently above her.
When the sensations ebbed, emotion overwhelmed Penny, evoking tears of shame. How had she so brazenly wanted to lie with him when she knew Geoff loved her and she loved Geoff? And God in heaven, how was she ever going to be free of Parker if he could control her so easily with passion?
Parker lifted up onto his elbows and noticed her tears. “Shush,” he murmured, pulling out of her, rolling onto his side and bringing her with him. “Please don’t cry,” he whispered fervently, kissing her closed eyes. “You have to know I mean to marry you. I’ll take care of you.”
When the significance of his words set in, she sat up abruptly and jerked out of his grasp. Wiping her tears away, she said, “Heaven forbid. I can’t marry you.” She sprung from the bed and righted her clothing.
“And why not?” he demanded, his voice taking on a hard edge.
His autocratic tone could easily belong to a peer of the realm—a controlling peer, much like the duke or worse—the earl. Her spine stiffened. “Because I told you. I’m already engaged to be married. Nothing has changed.”
Parker glanced at her, his expression a mask of disbelief. “You can’t really think that after last night. After what just happened?”
Penny bit her lip nervously, not quite sure how to handle him. It was hard to ignore the blatant sexuality of the man, especially when he all but lounged in naked splendor, not seeming to care whether she stared or not. She took a deep breath to still her racing heart. Lord knew she couldn’t deny that she liked looking at him.
She looked away and reached deep for resolve. No! He was twisting this around. Nothing had changed. Yes, she fou
nd him attractive. But that was only because she missed Geoff.
Her golden prince entered her mind just then, changing her focus to what she’d done. The unthinkable, but he’d never know it. She’d go to her grave keeping her attraction to Parker a secret. Penny pushed the draperies aside to stare out the window, also pushing aside her shameful behavior. Other thoughts replaced those she banished, like those of her locket and how Parker happened to have her property.
Anger rose up once again and using it as a crutch, she turned on him. “Did you plan it? Did you have those men rob me to keep me with you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“My bag. My stolen property. How is it that you happen to have the contents of my bag in your jacket?” she demanded, picking up her locket and shoving out her hand, the piece centered in her palm.
The guilty look crossing his face confirmed her worst fear. He was somehow involved.
“You did plan it. Heavens, you’re no better than Knightsbridge.”
“No, I didn’t plan it. You’re damn lucky I was there to circumvent a tragedy.” He hesitated a heartbeat. “Who’s Knightsbridge?”
“That’s none of your business,” she shouted. “I don’t recall asking for your help.”
“Then who the hell was in my arms crying her eyes out?” he yelled back. “You’re driving me to distraction with this damned independence.”
“I had the means to leave.” She pointed at him accusingly. “You held me here against my wishes.”
“Sweet Lord. Give me restraint.” He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the headboard. “I did nothing of the kind,” he said with a sigh a moment later.
“If that’s so, then how did you happen to have my things in your pockets? How am I to trust you had nothing to do with those men taking them?”
“I don’t believe this. You’re questioning my motives?” he asked, his face reddening in anger. He rose from the bed, stormed toward her, and loomed above her. “I was following you to make sure you were safe and just happen to see the entire scene unfold. I’m a trained investigator and know when someone’s being stalked, and you, dear lady,” he said, pointing a finger at her chest, “were being stalked. I just waited until they made their move and then went after them. No way was I going to give back your things to let you go on your merry way only to have a reoccurrence. You’re just too damn trusting and naive. You need to be taken care of, and I’m the one who’s going to do it. You got that?”
“No.” She stomped her foot. “You do not own me, Mr. Davis. I told you the first night we met. I’m dependent on no man and I meant it. Nothing has happened to make me change my mind. I’ve made my choice for my husband, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
“So last night and this morning meant nothing?”
Sensing hurt in his voice, she looked closely at his features, trying to understand what he was saying. Maybe she’d read him wrong and he did have feelings for her—that he wasn’t only enamored of their mating. It seemed as if that was all Gerald was after. If Parker could love her, then it would mean she could trust him as she did Geoff. “Are you saying I mean something to you? That you could love me?” she tentatively asked.
“You mean something, but love’s a silly notion,” Parker scoffed, waving a hand and reaching for his trousers. Stepping into them, he added, “I’m not the loving type, sweetheart, but I will do my duty by you and see that you are protected and taken care of.”
His statement, spoken in such an aloof manner, sent a wave of disillusionment through her. No, of course he couldn’t love her. At that moment, he seemed no better than the earl, using marriage as a means of achieving what he wanted. “That eases my mind,” she retorted, hiding her disappointment in a flippant demeanor. “And who’s to protect me from you?”
Parker placed his hands on his hips and practically leered at her. “I didn’t hear any complaints earlier. In fact, you started it, lady. I’m just finishing it, as usual.” He grabbed his shirt and shook out the wrinkles.
“Humph.” He sounded so like the duke, Geoff’s older brother. Seemed all men wanted to do was control women. “Just because we mated doesn’t give you the right to control me.” She brushed past him, stilling an urge to slug him. “I’m keeping to my plans to marry Geoff and that’s final.”
“You’re marrying the duke’s brother?” Parker asked incredulously, stopping in the middle of donning his shirt. “He’s your betrothed?”
“Yes,” she admitted, none too happy he’d goaded her into revealing her secret. But having done so, she’d use it to keep him at a distance.
“Then why isn’t he here? Why would he let you sail halfway around the world alone?”
“Geoff doesn’t let me do anything. I do it on my own. That’s what I’m trying to tell you,” she yelled. How obtuse could a man be?
“You mean the duke’s brother is so enamored that he let you go off on your own?”
She clenched a fist, squelching another urge to wipe his amusement away as Parker laughed uncontrollably, holding his stomach.
“Good God, lady. You need a keeper. Does Lucas know that his business partner’s brother is your intended?”
“Argh!” She threw up her hands. “This has nothing to do with the duke or your brother. Geoff and I are going to be married just as soon as he reaches his majority and comes into his inheritance.”
“Ah, I see. So the duke’s family disapproves of you because of status?”
Penny remained silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. The less he knew of her situation, the better off she’d be.
Parker’s grin didn’t die, in fact spread. “And you’ll marry your Geoff, even though you don’t love him?”
“I love him. I’ve always loved him,” she stated, jutting her chin out, daring him to contradict her. Even though she somehow suspected Geoffrey’s love might be a bit more ardent than hers. But she wouldn’t think about that now. She did love him and she’d make him a good wife.
“And marriage to me is unthinkable because I care enough about you not to let you go gallivanting around the countryside unescorted?”
Keeping her defiant stance, she nodded.
“All right. Fine,” he relented, tucking in his shirt. He strode toward the wash closet. “You don’t want to marry me. I can accept that, but you’re coming home with me.”
She breathed in a sigh of relief. Thankfully, she could hide on his farm until Geoff came for her. Somehow she’d make it up to her beloved for no longer being a virgin. The thought gave her cause to ponder. What would he think when he learned the truth? The enormity of her actions the night before suddenly hit with the jarring force of a slap to the face. Dear Lord in heaven. Her head fell back against the wall as tears welled in her eyes. What had she done?
~~
After shaving, Parker perused his face, looking for flaws in the mirrored glass, contemplating his conversation with Penny. What was wrong with him? He’d bet he had everything her Geoff had. Plus, the lady wasn’t immune to his kisses. How could she so easily dismiss his gallant offer of marriage, especially when the duke’s brother might not want her now that he’d ruined her? The nobility he’d met were a mite touchy about things like that.
Parker closed his eyes, stilling the desire to march back out there, tell her she had no options, and show the recalcitrant lady just how well they did suit.
No! That wouldn’t work.
Her stubborn stance when imparting her news of Geoff being her betrothed, along with her undying love, told him she believed her words. Only he didn’t. If she loved the man as she claimed, there was no way she’d give so much to him while in his arms.
Oh, hell. Why not admit the truth?
Her refusal twisted his gut in knots. He hadn’t liked the feelings of unease her heated outburst evoked, nor did he understand the sense of loss he felt right now.
Why should he care?
He snorted mentally.
He shouldn’t.
The bit of baggage was trouble. Pure trouble.
If he were smart, he’d just let it go and not let it bother him. Hell, he should just let her go on her way to California. Except he knew damn well he’d never allow her to go off on her own. And as for marriage? Once the idea formed last night, he hadn’t been able to shake it. He still wanted her. Despite being willful and hoydenish, she’d do very well as his wife.
Oh yes, Parker thought, rubbing his hands together. Very well indeed.
Penny definitely needed a keeper, and since his angel was going home with him, he had months to sway her to his way of thinking.
He smiled as another thought struck. She might be carrying his babe at this moment. If not, he’d get her with child. Then she’d have no option but to marry him. Wiping his face and grinning back at his reflection, he turned to face the challenge of seducing the beguiling minx into marriage.
Parker entered the room and, noting Penny staring at the street below appearing distraught, his good mood dimmed.
“Why so glum, angel?” he asked more jovially than he felt, walking toward her.
“What have I done?” she whispered, peering at him with such unhappiness shimmering in those periwinkle eyes. “He won’t want to marry me now.” She turned her gaze back to the street below. Ribbons of water flowed along the ivory perfection of her face, marring her beauty with grief.
An uncomfortable sensation flitted through him. He stepped behind her, embracing her stiff shoulders. “Please don’t cry. I hate it when you cry.”
“What a fool I was to let a moment’s pleasure change my course.”
“Shush. It can’t be that bad.” Instead of easing her hurt as intended, her tears increased. All the while, he couldn’t stop his own hurt from forming once he grasped the full impact of her words. “It’ll work out,” he whispered, kissing her cheek. “If he loves you, it shouldn’t matter.”