Temptation: 3 (Timeless Series)

by Sandy Loyd

  “I can’t,” Parker answered in a voice full of anguish, doubling his efforts to bring her pleasure. His lips sought hers at the same time his hands roamed lower, one finding her breast and the other seeking the moist heat he’d tasted only seconds ago.

  “Please,” she moaned, tearing her mouth away moments later, panting, her flushed body writhing under his fingers telling him she was on the precipice of pleasure. “I want you,” she pleaded, her hands moving to release his manhood and stroking it boldly.

  Her actions inflamed him, sending his need out of control. Heaven help him! He was surely in hell. He had no will to resist her. Parker despised his lack of restraint. Despised the inability to hold her at arm’s length. He’d only meant to prove his point, to drive her insane with want and then walk away, sending her to her Geoff.

  He hadn’t intended to make love with her, yet he couldn’t seem to stop himself and the fact filled him with more self-loathing. This Lady Penelope Lytton or Miss Penny Layton, whoever she was, was in his blood and he needed to drive her out somehow. His most pressing thought was to have her, but he also had to use the mating to extricate her from his system once and for all.

  He pushed her back onto the ground, and in one fluid motion he slid inside her, plunging furiously as if his life depended on it. That she was as wild made him that much more feral, his actions more untamed, and their mating continued with both of them spiraling into the abyss together. Penny reached the precipice first, her yells proclaiming intense pleasure. Her unending contractions pulled Parker’s release from him. He exploded violently, unable to contain his loud groan as his seed spurted into her.

  Neither moved for the longest time.

  Once Parker could think again, he reached for the strength to lift up, but his arms seemed like jelly and he could only lie there for another few minutes, too spent to muster any energy. Slowly, he gained his wits and his strength returned, allowing him to push up on his elbows. His gaze touched Penny’s beautiful face. She had her eyes closed, looking more like an angel than he’d ever seen before and so help him, he still wanted her.

  Self-disgust filled him when he spoke. “So tell me now after you’ve lain with me how you’re still going to marry him?”

  Gazing into his eyes, her expression saying she saw the disgust he couldn’t hide, she sucked in her breath. “I can’t marry you,” she whispered, her fresh tears falling.

  Without speaking he nodded, rolled off her, and stood, righting his trousers. He moved to sit on the rock, keeping his gaze on the water below. Finally his tormented voice rang out, disturbing the silence. “I understand.”

  He glanced at her as she quickly redid her buttons.

  “No. You don’t,” she said, shaking her head, her words just as tormented. “You’ve made sure I could never be happy with Geoff, and marriage to you would be no better than marriage to Gerald Knightsbridge.” After speaking, she turned and walked back to her horse.

  Parker’s dumbfounded gaze followed her. “What do you mean by that? And who the hell is Gerald Knightsbridge?” he yelled, watching her take the reins. She’d mentioned the name before.

  Ignoring his questions, she mounted her horse. She then turned and leveled a hate-filled gaze at him. “Listen and listen well. If you ever touch me again, so help me as God is my witness, I’ll shoot you dead.”

  In a heartbeat, Penny flicked the reins and was gone, galloping toward the bend in the road.

  Chapter 20

  The ordeal of dinner couldn’t end fast enough for Penny. She had no clue how she’d survive the evening with the man seated at the head of the table, acting so unaffected, especially if he expected her to play a game of chess in the library afterward.

  Secretly, she watched him. And after imitating his impassivity, pretending as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened, she had to admit—he affected her.

  “I’m afraid I don’t have time tonight for our usual chess game. I need to work on some problems with the farm.” Shortly after eating, Parker rose, releasing her from further suffering. He offered a polite bow and said aloofly, “If you will excuse me?”

  Penny nodded, and pushed the pang of regret out of her mind. After all, he was honoring her wishes. Still, observing him turn to kiss his mother on the cheek, it stung to have him treat her so coldly, as if he’d spoken to a spot on the wall rather than someone he’d shared earlier intimacies.

  Shrugging off Parker’s behavior, Penny decided to keep to the tasks that had become routine during her short time in the household.

  The next morning, her mood lifted as she walked sedately down the stairs on her way to the garden.

  “Good morning, Penny,” Elizabeth said warmly when she stepped out into the sunshine.

  “Good morning.” She hurried to where Elizabeth was busy pruning, happy to note some things stayed consistent.

  When Penny plopped down next to her, she added, “You’re looking chipper this morning.”

  “I am. It’s a beautiful morning.” Penny’s smile broadened. At that moment she did feel chipper. Things had to work out, she thought, keeping her gaze on Elizabeth and listening with half an ear while she prattled on.

  “A little on the nippy side, but it’ll warm up when the sun hits. I love fall. I don’t even mind that winter follows because the weather is so crisp and clear.”

  Penny spent the next few hours with nothing more serious on her mind than pruning and weeding.

  For days after that, Penny rarely got a glimpse of Parker. Except for the few minutes at dinner, he completely avoided her, no longer available for their daily rides. He was gone from the house before she arose and left the dinner table the moment he finished eating, saying he had work to do, always apologizing to Penny for not partaking in their usual chess game. Penny suspected his polite gestures were given more out of courtesy for his mother than for her.

  Parker kissed Elizabeth, having just imparted another such apology more than a week after their heated session on the bluff. Watching him hurry from the room, Penny’s thoughts returned to an incident earlier that morning when she happened to meet him by chance in the stables.

  “You must be busy,” she’d said, greeting him and smiling warmly, unable to keep the joy out of voice. “We rarely see you anymore.”

  He’d shrugged and had peered at a point past her shoulder. “I am busy. There’s a lot to be done.” He’d walked away, saying, “If you will excuse me.”

  “Penny, I’m recruiting you to help with our ball.” Elisabeth smiled kindly and placed a warm hand over hers, yanking her attention back to the dinner table.

  Nodding, she discreetly turned her eyes away from the doorway. His cold indifference, no better than his treatment of a complete stranger, hurt. She couldn’t stop the surge of disappointment as sadness engulfed her.

  Elizabeth, who never missed much, had noted his behavior. The compassion she bestowed on her whenever she caught Penny staring after him, only added to her torment. Tonight her sympathy was simply too much to endure. To sit at the table night after night, pretending nothing had happened when everything inside felt broken, became a nightmare.

  “Catherine loves the planning, but she’s not so good when it comes to the actual decorating. We’ve only two weeks left. I’m only too glad you’re here to help.”

  Penny opened her mouth to decline, hoping to escape to avoid any more pain, but Elizabeth gripped her hand harder.

  “You will not hide in your room as if you’ve done something wrong. Do you hear me, child?”

  Stunned, Penny looked up at her.

  “I’m very aware of the rift between you and Parker.” She snorted as irritation mingled with impatience in her expression. Elizabeth glanced at the empty doorway Parker disappeared from not five minutes ago. She sighed. “I’ll never understand that boy. You both seem too stubborn to see what I see, but you will not allow him to dampen your spirit,” she added, turning her attention back to Penny.

  “Parker’s only abiding by my
wishes.” After all, she did threaten to shoot him dead.

  “Even better.” Elizabeth clapped her hands and presented a pleased laugh that ended in a grin. “Parker has to control every aspect of his life or he’s not happy. He tends to be a tad overbearing, especially with those he cares about. Obviously whatever you are doing is having some impact, and all the more reason not to let him run roughshod over you.”

  “You don’t understand. He despises me. Despises what I am and represent,” Penny said in an attempt to enlighten her. It wasn’t Parker’s fault, but hers for not being honest, and there was no way she could have been honest with him.

  “Oh?” Elizabeth eyed Penny thoughtfully, then shook her head. “Most likely he’s having difficulty accepting your breeding. You’ve obviously come from money.”

  Penny stared, her mouth dropping open. “What do you mean?”

  “Come now, child.” Elizabeth waved a hand. “Surely you didn’t think you could hide what you are? It’s as clear as the nose on your face. I figure you’re probably one of those stuffy aristocrats Parker hates so much, and that’s what’s eating him. Trust me, if he wasn’t interested, he wouldn’t ignore you. He’d stick around, accepting your presence with his veiled amusement, mainly because he knows it would get my goat. Just let Parker stew. He’ll get over it eventually.”

  Nodding, Penny had her doubts. Elizabeth hadn’t seen the hate and anger emanating from her son right after they’d made love that day on the bluff. Nor had Elizabeth heard his denial about giving his heart to her. She believed every word. Penny meant hers too. She couldn’t marry him. After escaping her horrible destiny, she’d never willingly marry such a controlling man who didn’t love her.

  Suddenly her mood lifted. Though she missed the times spent with Parker, their shared rides during the day and their chess games in the evenings, she accepted the truth. He’d never love her. So what if her world hung upside down and her plans for marrying Geoff totally ruined. The situation wasn’t hopeless. She was a continent away from the Earl of Kentworth and another month closer to reaching her majority. She’d finagle something. Thoughts of still making her way to California flitted through her mind just then.

  Elizabeth rose from the table, placed a hand on her shoulder, and squeezed gently. “Come and help Catherine and me with the ball.”

  Her smile broke free as the idea took a firmer hold. Penny didn’t see how she could in all good conscience marry Geoff, not when she loved another and had behaved so badly, but maybe he’d accompany her to her destination. Then maybe between the two of them they could figure a way to wrest her money and holdings from her guardian’s control.

  As she followed Elizabeth out of the room, her confidence returned. She couldn’t wait to see Geoff and put her plans into motion.

  

  Penny didn’t let Parker’s attitude affect her any longer after her talk with Elizabeth. In fact, she began to find his actions amusing. What’s more, her amusement seemed to have some effect on him, as his efforts to avoid her became more infrequent. Though he didn’t accompany her on the daily rides she took with Catherine, he did begin lingering at the table after dinner.

  “Would you care for a game of chess this evening?”

  Penny almost bit her tongue when she realized Parker had directed his question to her. She quelled the excitement running amuck in her system, chastising herself mentally. Nothing had changed, yet with his request, everything had changed.

  “I thought you had work to do,” she said nonchalantly, not daring to meet his gaze for fear he’d see how much his request meant. More than anything she’d love to play a game of chess with him.

  “It can wait,” he replied, shrugging and pushing his empty plate away. “Tonight I’d rather share a glass of bourbon with my family than work.”

  Elizabeth gave an unladylike snort. “It’s about time you decided to join us.”

  “I’ve been busy,” Parker said evasively.

  “Oh? For all we’ve seen of you these past weeks, you might as well have been gone away on one of your cases again,” Elizabeth grumbled.

  Parker grunted and said while rising, “Like I said, I’ve been busy. If you’re set on badgering me, I’m sure I can find something else to keep me busy tonight.”

  “Is that what I’m doing? I thought I was just letting you know how much I’ve missed your company.”

  Parker shook his head, and amusement flashed in his eyes. He bent to help Elizabeth out of her chair after planting a kiss on her forehead. “I know damn well what you’re doing.”

  He then held out his arm and turned to Catherine, holding out his other one. “Shall we?”

  Catherine laughed gaily and placed her hand in the crook of his bent arm. “There’s no elbow for Penny.”

  Parker’s grin was quick and reached his eyes. “I’ll come back for her.”

  “That’s all right.” Penny rose. “I can follow just fine.”

  She stayed behind them as Catherine said, “Mother’s right, Parker. We’ve missed you. I hope you’re not going to be too busy to enjoy your family a little, otherwise you should just go back to working for the president.”

  Parker gave his sister a hard look and then glanced at his mother. When Elizabeth’s attention seemed absorbed by something else, he visibly relaxed.

  After seating the ladies and setting up the chessboard, Parker walked over to the sideboard. “Would anyone care for a drink tonight? Mother? Catherine?”

  Both women gave their assent and Parker slanted a glance at her, his eyebrows raised in question. “Penny? Surely you can have a glass of bourbon?” When she eyed him silently in an attempt to discern his mood, he added in a teasing voice while pouring, “Come on and join us. I think I’ll need the advantage tonight.”

  Unable to stop her grin, Penny nodded. “I’d love one.”

  With drinks in hand, he gave one to his mother and the other to his sister, before going back and picking up the last two glasses.

  Penny surreptitiously observed Parker as he advanced toward her, his expression guarded. Though his friendly demeanor seemed so different tonight, he still kept his distance. Which suited her fine. Distance would make it easier to stick to her plans for when she had to leave.

  Chapter 21

  A clatter in the yard drew Parker’s attention on the way out of the library. He turned toward the open windows with draperies drawn to let in the warm autumn breeze. “I wonder what all the fuss is about,” he said more to himself, since his mother, Catherine, and Penny were too busy working on their decorations for the Harvest Ball in two days to pay him any heed.

  The others must have heard it too because Elizabeth and Penny stood and followed Parker across the room to peer over his shoulder as a carriage rolled into view.

  “Oh my heavens,” Penny cried. Hands on her face, she turned and hurried out of the library.

  Parker started after her. On the bottom porch step, he halted and hung back as she ran toward the carriage and jumped into a tall blond man’s outstretched arms. The man hugged her tightly, lifting her off the ground in obvious delight.

  “Geoff, what are you doing here?” she asked after he let her go a moment later, not hiding her excitement.

  “Pen,” he said, laughing. “It’s so good to see you. I’ve been dreadfully worried about you.”

  “I’m fine, as you can see.” Smiling warmly she stepped away, and after grabbing his hand, she pulled him toward Elizabeth, now gliding down the porch steps followed by Catherine, who never glided.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Parker spied Lucas and another man climb out of the carriage.

  Penny obviously noticed them too. Halting and leaning closer to Geoff, she whispered loud enough for Parker to overhear, “Why is your brother with you?”

  “It’s all right, Pen. He’s on our side.” When her eyes grew wide in question, he snorted. “You know Markham. Can’t keep a secret from him. He knows all about our upcoming nuptials and we have his full support.�
�

  After hearing his statement and viewing their reunion, the gut-wrenching knot in Parker’s stomach tightened. His desire for the blonde beauty had never died; in fact, it ate at him. If he were honest, he’d have to admit to wanting her more than he’d ever wanted her, with his need building over the last two weeks.

  Though Penny had said she wasn’t marrying Geoff, Parker couldn’t believe it. Not now, when faced with the truth. The picture of the good-looking young man gripping Penny’s shoulders as if she belonged next to him didn’t lie. Neither did the joy on her face that all but shouted she loved the man.

  Thank God she hadn’t lied about that. He blew out his regret on a resigned sigh. From his vantage point, the scene appeared intimate and Parker felt like an interloper for watching. As hard as the thought of her leaving him was to endure, he faced a worse nightmare—knowing that when she left, she’d be with a duke’s brother. Damn, it was Lady Margaret all over again. No! He pushed the hurt away. Penny had never led him on with the same lies. And because of that, any lingering anger toward her vanished. Shaking off his regret, Parker joined his sister and mother.

  “Introduce us to your intended,” he said, smiling at Penny.

  She nodded and introduced Geoff to the three of them.

  Just then, Lucas and the man Parker determined to be the duke caught up with the small group.

  “Your Grace,” Penny said, offering a perfect curtsy.

  “Stop.” Markham laughed. “You’re as bad as Geoff.” He glanced around and met Parker’s interested gaze. His smile remained intact. “You must be Lucas’s brother. I’m Markham Collingswood.” He stuck out his hand in such a friendly manner that Parker didn’t respond right away.

  “It’s a pleasure, Your Grace. I’m Parker Davis,” he finally said, changing his demeanor to match the other man’s.

  “Please. We’re in your country and I’d prefer just plain Markham if you don’t mind.”

  Parker nodded, unable to hold back his grin. Turning to his mother and sister, he said, “Markham Collingswood, allow me to introduce my mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Davis, and my sister, Miss Catherine Davis.”