Temptation: 3 (Timeless Series)

by Sandy Loyd

  “Penny?” Elizabeth was glancing at her and Penny realized she had addressed her.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, offering an apologetic smile. “I was daydreaming and didn’t catch that.”

  “I said, since you’ll be in the library.” Elizabeth then directed her gaze toward Parker. “We’ll have our after-dinner drinks in there before everyone leaves.”

  “Sounds perfect.” Parker nodded before turning to Penny and offering another dangerous grin. “Though we won’t have time tomorrow, maybe we can take a ride to see your friend Miss Bowers on another day.” He added, glancing at the others, “Her sister’s farm isn’t but an hour’s ride.”

  In a heartbeat, Penny’s unease vanished and she bestowed on him her most enchanting smile. “Thank you, Parker! I would love to see Mindy.”

  “How solicitous of you, Parker,” Elizabeth said, still watching him intently.

  He cleared his throat. “Just being hospitable, Mother.”

  “You’ve always been too busy to go visiting before this.”

  “I’m still busy.” He shook his head and directed his next words more toward Penny. “And will be for the next week with business. Besides meeting with President Grant and Jonathan Morgan, my superior, I need to meet with my farm manager.”

  “I can wait. You can’t know how much it means to me to be able to see her. She’s my family.” Penny glanced around, realizing what she’d just said and added, “Not that you all aren’t like family, too. It’s just that I’ve known Mindy all my life.”

  “Of course, we understand how you feel.” Elizabeth reached for her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Her generous smile reached her eyes. “One cannot have enough family like your Mindy. Having someone to love makes the hard times we all face in the world easier to bear.”

  “I never thought of it like that before, but you’re absolutely right,” Penny replied, thinking it an accurate sentiment. “Mindy was there for me when I lost my parents. In fact, she and Geoff have always been there for me.”

  She chewed on a bite of creamed spinach as another thought struck. From the moment she’d boarded the ship, she’d felt safe and secure for the first time since her parents’ deaths. It was a good feeling. Safety and security had been something she hadn’t even realized she’d taken for granted in her young life, assuming it her due, owed to her because of her station. She’d never had to think about things like that before. Over the course of the last year, her eyes had been opened to the hardships in life, especially for women who were at the mercy of men. Sitting at the table now, she felt doubly lucky to have this family’s support.

  “It’s nice to know she’s close by,” Lucas said, interrupting Penny’s thoughts. “You two certainly kept things lively on our voyage. My men have never been so entertained, myself included.”

  Penny kept her smile in place and didn’t add any more to the conversation. Soon, talk revolved around the farm and all that had taken place since Parker’s last homecoming.

  ~~

  When dinner ended, Parker trailed behind the large group retiring to the library. The tall windows on either side of double doors were open, allowing the late summer breeze to freshen the room. His mother loved color, a detail exhibited in full view out the double doors opening to the large wraparound porch leading to a garden in full bloom, adding bursts of reds, pinks, blues, and yellows to the green bushes and trees in the background.

  Within minutes, he set up the chessboard and nodded to Penny. “You ready?”

  The smile she provided said, “Prepare to lose.”

  He smothered a laugh and sat, determined to do the opposite.

  The fierce battle they engaged in still continued an hour later when his two sisters, along with their spouses, stood and bid their good-byes.

  Once they left, Lucas rose. “It’s been a long day, plus I have to be up early to make my ship.” He gave Catherine a quick hug and a kiss before turning to his mother. He kissed Elizabeth’s forehead, pulling her into a bear hug. “I love you. If I don’t see you on the morrow, I’ll be back as quickly as possible.”

  “Sleep well,” she replied, hugging him back. “I’ll make sure I’m up to see you off.”

  “I’m leaving before dawn, Mother. No need for you to rise so early.”

  “Then have a safe journey,” Elizabeth said wistfully, sitting back down as Lucas turned to Penny.

  “I’ll see you when I return. I’ll also let Geoff know you’re safe and where to find you, using discretion, of course,” Lucas offered, interrupting their play. Parker stood. The two men shook hands and gave each other a brief hug.

  When Penny stood, she was engulfed in Lucas’s embrace. “I’m glad you decided to stay, rather than travel by yourself,” he said. “You’ll be safe here.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled shyly. “I appreciate all you’ve done for me, and I’m sure Geoff will be happy to know I’m safe and sound.”

  Parker’s irritation rose. The name of her intended, spouted so earnestly from her lips, chafed like a hair shirt. Though she’d done nothing to indicate otherwise, he couldn’t believe she actually meant to follow through on her plans. She was a stubborn one, he’d give her that. He just needed some time alone with her to help her see the error of her ways.

  He glanced up and caught his mother’s knowing grin. Parker straightened and placed an answering smile on his face, effectively disguising his rising annoyance.

  “Come, let’s get this game over with,” he said a little too abruptly, so only Penny could hear.

  Nervously biting her bottom lip, Penny’s focus flew to his face and she spent a few moments searching his expression. “We can finish at another time, if you’d like,” she finally murmured.

  Noting her subdued demeanor, he sighed and added a little more politely, “I’d prefer now, if you don’t mind.”

  Penny nodded. Both returned to their seats.

  The two played for another fifteen minutes before Elizabeth stretched. “Well, I’d love nothing better than to watch you two play all night, but I have correspondence to catch up on.” She rose from her perch a few feet away and added, “I need your help, Catherine.”

  “My help?” Catherine frowned. “What can I do? Mother, you’re not making any sense.”

  “Trust me, my dear. I need your help.” Elizabeth’s tone allowed no argument.

  “If you say so.” Catherine shrugged and stood. “Good night.” She nodded to Parker. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  He waved her off and watched her follow her mother, closing the door behind her and leaving the two alone for the first time since their arrival.

  Penny took her time, her attention more focused on the board than on the two departing women. Once she moved her rook, she looked about, her gaze all but shouting the realization. She’d lost her chaperones.

  He ignored another surge of irritation and stood. “Would you care for more sherry? I’m having a second drink.” He headed for the bar located at the end of the room. “I need reinforcements. You have me stumped.”

  She eyed him for a lengthy moment, indecision sliding over her expression. Parker had to bite his cheek to keep from laughing outright when she nodded, taking him up on his implied challenge. “I’d love another.”

  “Perhaps you’d care for something stronger?” He flashed a disarming grin in an attempt to twist the lady’s mischievous streak to his advantage.

  “You’re not teasing?” Just as he’d intended, his suggestion intrigued her. “You’d really allow me to drink what you’re drinking?” At his nod, she giggled. “I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this, but I’d love one,” she said, throwing caution to the wind, exactly as he’d hoped.

  The woman was nothing if not daring.

  “You’ll appreciate a smooth Kentucky bourbon. There’s nothing quite like it.” Parker poured two drinks before sauntering back to her with his smile in place. He handed her one of the glasses. Resuming his seat across the table, he held his glass o
ver the board and nodded. “Cheers.”

  Another burst of laughter bubbled out of Penny. Boldly, she clinked her glass with his, apparently enjoying the moment. She then swigged a hefty drink and almost choked, coughing and sputtering.

  “There’s a bit of a kick if you’re not used to strong spirits. It’s better if you sip it,” Parker advised, chuckling.

  “So why are you allowing me to drink this?” she asked, without containing her grin once her coughing fit ended. “You have to know it isn’t done.”

  He laughed. That clipped, aristocratic English accent of hers never ceased to entertain him.

  Parker sat back and kept an amused gaze on her. “No, I don’t suppose it is in England. Let’s just say I think the British are a little stuffy. Here on my farm, things are different. Both my mother and my sister imbibe once in a while and I’ve learned it doesn’t really matter. Besides,” he teased with a wink, “I need all the help I can get with this game.”

  “Ah, I see. Ulterior motives. You’re a sneaky devil, Mr. Davis.” She bestowed on him a sly smile and took another sip.

  Enchanted, Parker watched her. He ignored the knot tightening in his gut because her jesting held too much truth. Her edginess disappeared as the effects of the drink took hold. Just as he’d hoped. He wanted her pliant and accepting, not nervous and panicky as he sensed she was when his mother and sister had left.

  She glanced at him, her soft smile in place, assessing him with half-lidded eyes. Heat from her gaze shot straight to his groin.

  Ignoring her blatant message, he managed, “Drink up. As long as we play chess in the evenings together, you can do whatever you want in this room and no one else will know. I’d even let you’d smoke a pipe like Lucas if it would make you happy.”

  “Really?” Her eyes wide as saucers, Penny’s grin spread, her joy completely taking over her face.

  “It will be our secret,” he whispered seductively.

  Penny nodded, breaking eye contact, her mien suddenly not so confident. Still, he’d noted the spark of awareness in those liquid pools of blue as the air crackled with renewed energy neither could miss. She took another long drink that went down easier. And ignoring the urge to flee that he’d also caught in her expressive eyes, the rigidity left her shoulders, clearly a result of her bourbon-enhanced courage. A heady laugh pushed out her last bit of wariness. “I know I shouldn’t trust you, but for some reason, I can’t quite remember why.”

  “Maybe you shouldn’t drink any more then,” Parker said, unable to resist grinning. “After all, if I win this game, I don’t want you crying foul.”

  “I would never.” She straightened in indignation. “But you won’t win. I’ve boxed you in but good. It will take a clever mind to get out of my trap, an even more than clever mind to win the game.”

  Glancing at the board, Parker shook his head. “You have done a pretty good job of it, but I’ve figured a way out.”

  “If you can find a way out, you’ll earn my utmost respect,” she replied confidently, lounging back and sporting a smug smile.

  “I’d rather earn a kiss,” he said playfully, watching her face closely.

  “Shush.” She placed a forefinger to her lips, giggling. “You mustn’t say such things.”

  “Why? It’s true.” He enjoyed the sound of her light laughter. “I would rather have a kiss than your respect.”

  More laughter bubbled up. Suddenly, her teasing expression vanished and her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked a little too breathlessly.

  “Like what?” he asked, increasing the intensity of his gaze.

  “Like you want to gobble me up.”

  He chuckled. “Maybe that’s because I’d like to.” His attention went back to the chessboard. After making his move, he inquired softly, “So are you going to make it worth my while to win this game?”

  She took another sip of bourbon and studied the board, following his move. Her smile reached her bright blue eyes when she peered up and said, “Why, sir, I have to tell you. You are resourceful, but alas not resourceful enough.” Her focus then returned to the board, and she spent a long moment thinking. “And because you haven’t got a prayer, I will take you up on your request and make it worth your while.” Her secure tone all but shouted that she fully believed he had no way of winning. “It should be over in a matter of a few moves, so go ahead and try, because if you win, it will be worth a kiss to see such skill.”

  For the next thirty minutes neither spoke while the game went on in earnest. When it was time for Penny to make another move, her face said it all. Any confidence at winning the game had completely shattered.

  “I think I need another one of these.” She lifted her empty glass in the air. “I don’t see how you wiggled your way out of my trap.”

  Parker stood to do her bidding. The dismay in her strained voice was hard to miss. “It’s only a kiss,” he stated nonchalantly while pouring.

  “Oh no. It’s much more than that and you know it.”

  “Oh?” His eyebrows rose and he glanced back at her. “How so?”

  “Well, you say it’s for a mere kiss, but you’re playing as if there is more at stake—as if this means something. My mind’s a little befuddled right now, so I can’t quite figure it out. You’re the only person I’ve ever played who has beaten me, once I had him in the position you were in not twenty minutes ago.”

  Parker’s eyes flashed amusement and his grin spread, showing all of his teeth. Picking up the drinks, he started back toward the table. “You have a point, which should tell you how potent your kisses are.”

  He presented an unreadable expression as Penny watched him. All of a sudden, the room seemed to shrink and a flush of color spread up her face.

  “I think it’s time I concede defeat,” she said much too quickly, looking entirely panicked at the thought of kissing him again.

  Parker handed her the glass of amber liquid and stood next to her. Eyeing her intently, he took a long drink. When she stood, avoiding eye contact, he said in a soothing voice, “Penny, look at me.”

  Reluctantly, her tormented gaze slowly made its way to his. He placed his drink on the table, then reached for hers and did the same. Gripping her shoulders, he gently pulled her closer.

  “It’s just a kiss,” he whispered, before his head lowered.

  Like that night on board ship, he kept his pace unhurried and leisurely, using skillful lips to slowly draw her response, despite the fact that want and need exploded inside him the second their mouths connected. The maddening urge to give in to the impulse, to let go, to allow his lips to consume her drove him to the brink of an all-consuming desire. With an iron will, he tamped down yearning and continued as her innocent kisses and mewling cries propelled him completely out of his mind. Though he could control his mouth, he couldn’t control his hands. One wrapped around her neck, bringing her closer. The other found her perfect breast, gently squeezing and touching and rubbing, and luxuriating in the feel of her response.

  ~~

  No, Penny thought, lost in a sea of sensation. It wasn’t just a kiss. It would never be just a simple kiss with this man, she realized too late. Once his lips touched hers, Penny knew she fought her own craving much more than she fought his. She hated herself because at the moment, she never wanted his kiss to end—in fact, yearned to feel him inside her again.

  All of her senses were magnified. She tasted the bourbon still lingering on his lips, could smell the male scent of him, and the sensations playing behind her closed eyes were enough to make her knees weak. Heat surged through her system when his hand stroked her breast and she couldn’t stop herself from giving him more access or responding to his incredible touch. His hands, now roaming freely over her body, felt too glorious. With full knowledge she should end things and run away because Geoff deserved her fidelity, she gave in to the driving, coursing pleasure. Wrapping her arms around him, stepping closer to his warmth, she touched him as she wa
s dying to do.

  “God in heaven, I can’t stop,” he whispered, slowly pulling her down on the thick carpet with him as the kiss careened completely out of hand, his mouth and tongue growing more urgent, demanding more from her. Once on the floor, his hands worked to release her breasts fully, before one moved to lift her skirt and petticoats, pulling them around her waist. He then found her warmth, where the heat from her body had to have singed his hand as he began readying her for receiving him, stroking in and out. He was so good at drawing the waves of sensation as they swamped her, coming faster and faster before she shuddered to completion beneath his hand.

  “I’m at the point of no return,” he murmured, kissing his way along her neck, nibbling and biting as he went, before whispering urgently into her ear, “I need to know you want this as much as I do.” When she didn’t answer, couldn’t answer, he pressed, saying savagely, “Do you?”

  She nodded her reply, giving him a low moan while moving her hands over his manhood as all rational thought fled. At that moment, she met him head-to-head, her need matching his.

  He quickly undid his trousers, pushed them down, and kicked them off. Then he buried himself inside her. The entire time he moved in and out, Penny held on, knowing she’d pulled the tail of the tiger too hard. His prediction after their first kiss on board ship had come true. She was receiving the ride of her life.

  Penny’s violent groan burst free as pleasure she’d never realized existed engulfed her, washing over her in wave after wave like the sea lapped at the beach until it slowly ebbed.

  When the feeling had totally faded, reality rushed in. Mortified that she’d lain with him once more, self-derision filled her. Tears welled up. She had no one to blame but herself. She’d allowed him to continue, even though she’d sworn earlier in the day this would never happen again.

  Eventually Parker lifted up on his elbows, searching her face. “Shush, love. Please don’t cry.”

  His endearment brought on more tears. Parker rolled over, disengaging from her, and pulled her into his warmth. He lay there for several minutes, gently stroking up and down her arm while she quietly sobbed.