Then he was on his feet again, and she was in his arms. “You are so beautiful, so perfect.”
He lifted her off her feet, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He carried her to the bed dominating the room. He made her feel beautiful, young, hopeful, and all of those things were dangerous, but she pushed the worry aside and focused on the fantasy of their one day together.
He caressed her hip, fingers rough with callouses, then traced a path down her legs until one at a time, he removed her boots. They dropped to the floor one hard bang after the other.
Lillian closed her eyes and took in the idea of lying in Dorian’s bed, of being in his life as more than a soldier in the war against the master. After all, this was her fantasy too. She might as well submerge herself in it.
The mattress shifted. “Lilly, look at me.”
She opened her eyes.
He loomed above her, his hair creating a curtain around his face. His eyes were so tender, tears welled up in her own. He’d shed his clothes, and she longed to touch the smattering of dark hair on his muscular chest.
“What’s wrong?” His voice was filled with concern, and he shifted so he was lying beside her. His hand draped across her lower abdomen possessively.
“Nothing. It is all perfect.” A tear escaped.
“Then why are you crying?” He kissed away the evidence of her emotion.
“I’m not quite sure, but I do not know if I have ever been as happy as I am right now.”
Whenever she was candid, he rewarded her with a smile that set her blood on fire. He kissed her shoulder. “I’m happy too, but it does not make me want to cry.”
She rolled on her side. “What does it make you want to do?”
He leaned forward until his lips touched hers. His tongue traced a path around her lips until she opened for him on a gasp.
The impact of the kiss left her panting for her next breath. Juices pooled between her legs. Their tongues danced around each other, came together, and swirled around again.
He pressed his cheek to hers. “I want to make love to you slowly until you scream my name, and then I want to start again. I want to dance with you, eat with you, walk in the garden with you, and work alongside you. I want to see how that fabulous mind works as well, as we find solutions to problems most of the world does not even know exist.”
She laughed. “That is going to be a lot to fit into one day.”
His grin was infectious. “Yes, but we must start somewhere.”
He kissed her shoulder again while he gripped her hip and pulled her closer until his hard shaft settled in the crease of her thighs.
She arched her back, increasing the pressure. A flush of heat settled low in her belly.
Dorian groaned and gently nipped her neck just behind her ear, then lower, where her neck and shoulder met, pushed her back into the mattress, and covered her body with his. She wanted to explore his body the way he was devouring hers, but the delight his lips gave was too good to give up yet.
Half expecting him to thrust inside her, the joy when he shifted lower and trailed kisses down her chest was indescribable. When his mouth found her nipple, jolts shot through her, hitting every nerve in waves of fire.
It was too much all at once, and yet she longed for more. Her mouth opened to tell him, but only a low moan pushed out. Everything real slipped away, and she let the swell of pleasure encompass her. Only her fingernails biting the flesh of her palm kept her grounded.
It was the most lovely experience to be so adored by another. Nothing could compare. She waited for him to move so he could enjoy her body, but instead, he continued his journey down, kissing her ribs and stomach. He dipped his tongue into her navel, and she jerked and giggled.
Long tresses shrouded his face as he traveled lower, until he pressed her legs apart and her knees up. Looking up at her, his eyes were intense with emotion. His tongue darted out and tickled her sensitive bud.
“Dorian.”
“Not quite a scream, but we are making progress.” A wicked smile played across his lips before he lowered his head and suckled her.
Intense pleasure swamped and her body tightened. It was too much, and yet she yearned for more.
“You are like honey, my Lilly.” He hummed the words against her flesh.
She’d lost all sense of herself, bucking and gasping while begging for more. He lapped, kissed, sucked, and then his finger pressed at her opening. He waited at the precipice, and she sank onto him. Dorian latched onto her bud and sucked, pushing her to the very edge, then over.
Her orgasm crashed around her. She shook with the intensity of a thousand vibrations. The last wave had passed, and she lay limp before he moved. He held her and cooed in the softest French.
“That was…” She couldn’t quite name what it was.
“Yes?”
“Quite wonderful.”
“I’m glad. I think you are quite wonderful.”
“I have not done anything yet.”
He kissed her cheek. “Watching you come is the most erotic thing I have ever seen. I would give up my own pleasure to see yours again and again.”
She pushed him onto his back and straddled his hips. “Luckily for you, I would not.”
“No?”
She shook her head and grinned while she slid along his cock without allowing penetration. She was so wet and sensitive she might come again and had to stop herself from getting carried away. His expressive eyes made her bold, so she inched her fingers up and rubbed her breasts.
“Dear god, Lilly. You will be the death of me.” He shuddered and gripped her thighs.
Leaning forward, she kissed him deep, wet, and long. His hips rose and fell in rhythm, pressing his shaft against her but not forcing entrance. She broke away from the delight of his mouth and pressed kisses to his chin, neck, and chest. She circled his nipple with her tongue, then gave the other the same treatment.
Dorian moaned and repeated her name as if it were a prayer.
She scooted lower until she was level with his shaft.
“Lilly, you do not need to do this. There is nothing to prove.” He shifted to his elbows, his expression tender.
“What makes you think I am trying to prove anything? You gave me pleasure. I want to give you pleasure. This is an equal partnership, Dorian, or it will never work, not even for this one day.”
“You’re being here gives me far more pleasure than you can possibly know.”
He might have been telling the truth, but when she licked him from base to tip the satisfaction of his growl was enough to make her wet all over again. She quivered with desire as she took him into her mouth. The contrast of soft skin and rigid cock was delicious as she sucked him deep and used her tongue to caress him.
Her name mixed with French and English nonsense fell from his lips. She relished the rush of power from bringing him to a state where he could not form coherent thought.
First sucking, then licking, she fisted his base and stroked up and down. She loved giving him pleasure as much as receiving.
His hips rose to meet her faster and faster.
Dorian jerked away. Before she could protest, he grabbed her by the shoulders and hauled her on top of him. Lifting her hips, he positioned himself at her entrance, then allowed her to make the final decision.
Slowly, she impaled herself on his shaft. They both cried out. When he was deep inside her, he gripped her thighs and held her in place. “One moment, mon trésor. Just hold still for a few seconds.”
Her body demanded she move. “I’m sorry.” She rose and descended, reveling in the buildup of another rapturous climax.
Grabbing her shoulders, he pulled her down on top of him, rolled her to the mattress, and held her there. His eyes remained closed, and Lillian couldn’t help giggling.
His eyes popped open. “You think it funny that you drive me insane with your body?”
Growing serious, she said, “I think it is the most wonderful thing I have ever kn
own. I love that I can make you lose control.”
He devoured her lips while he rocked forward with slow determination. In this new position, his body rubbed against her bud each time he filled her. She kept pace with him and lifted her hips with every thrust. She clutched his hips with her long legs, desperate for more contact.
He sprinkled kisses on her cheeks, lips, eyelids, and chin. He muttered love words she couldn’t understand but adored the sound of.
Lillian’s body tightened more and more, and then it snapped and she screamed his name. He covered her mouth with his while her canal pulsed around him.
With a grunt, he pulled out and spilled his warm essence across her stomach. His body jerked and shook, and she embraced him as he had done for her until it passed and his breath slowed.
His kiss was long and slow.
The only intense emotions Lillian had known in a long time were anger and hate. She’d loved her mother, but that relationship stung with betrayal. Her friendship with Reece had kept her alive and sane over the last five years. She missed her friend, but she did not long for him. This driving need for another person was more devastating. She could not compare its hold on her and tears returned.
Dorian kissed each one away, continuing to whisper words she didn’t understand.
With one more kiss on the tip of her nose, he pushed away. “Do not move, mon trésor.”
The sweet endearment hung in the air. Had anyone ever treasured her before? It was only a fantasy, but for one day, she embraced the idea and closed her eyes. Deliciously sated, she remained limp against the soft mattress.
Returning with a wet towel, he cleaned her stomach from his seed and even washed between her legs. Nothing could have been more lovely or foreign to her. The entire experience had been so different from anything she’d ever known, tender yet passionate. Lillian was no virgin, but this felt new.
“What are you thinking about?” He pulled her into his arms, though remained at her side.
“How lovely that was.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Something else?”
“Are you reading my mind now? You did not mention this talent.”
“I can see it in your eyes.”
Fear battled with desire to share something real. “I have never experienced anything like what happened between the two of us.”
She was about to explain further, but he nodded. “Lovemaking is not the same as other forms of sex.”
Lovemaking. Is that what they had done? It was a terrifying prospect, which inferred there was love between she and Dorian. Did he love her?
“Now, why do I get the impression you do not want to go to meet my mother?”
She rolled toward him and slid her hand down his chest. Her hand settled on his waist. It was possessive. If only for a few hours, he was hers. A bubble of joy popped inside her. “What makes you say that?”
“When I mentioned it in the breakfast room you looked as if you had a drink of sour milk.”
“I do not belong in a ballroom with your mother, Dorian. The sooner you realize that, the better off you will be, and you can stop pretending this fantasy can be real.”
He pressed his finger to her lips. “One day, Lilly. If you ruin it, I will demand a second day of fantasy.”
Another bubble swirled around her belly, and though she tried to push it town, she couldn’t. She playfully pushed his finger away. “Fine. I have two other issues to discuss that should not be a breach of our agreement.”
“I would be delighted to hear and solve your concerns.” His hand slid down her ribs to her buttocks, and he pulled her tight against his already recovering erection.
A tiny sigh escaped in spite of her desire to explain why she couldn’t possibly attend a ball. The fact that they were having the discussion while nude took the fire out of it. “First of all, how on earth will you explain who I am and what I am doing with you?”
“And the second?” He rubbed the back of her thigh to the sensitive skin behind her knee.
Moisture settled between her nether-lips and the familiar tingle returned. “I have nothing to wear.”
“To the first, I thought you did not care about your reputation. You told me you had none to worry about.” He drew tiny circles with his finger and it was driving her to distraction.
She grabbed his hand and stayed the motion. “Just because I do not worry over my own social status does not mean I do not care about yours or your mother’s.”
He kissed her hard and quick. “That is very thoughtful. I suggest we go to the source, and she will have a solution. I suspect she will have one for the gown as well.”
“You want to ask your mother what to do. She will toss me from the house.”
Pushing her wild curls away from her face, he smiled. “I do not think so. I think she will adore you.”
“You really are living in a fantasy, Dorian.”
“Maybe so, but I am also correct.” Leaning forward, he kissed her neck, retrieved his hand, and continued the light tickle behind her knee. Both actions had her burning for him.
Dorian traced the curve of her ear with his tongue, and she gripped his back.
She scratched him, but if he minded, he didn’t say, and his hard shaft still pressed against her middle. She loved the passion he had for her.
Later she’d convince him not to bring her to his mother’s home.
He eased inside her, draining all reason from her busy mind.
Chapter 7
Dorian would never get enough of this fabulous woman lying in his arms. Her body was slim and muscular, her breasts small, perfect globes with the most delicious nipples. He rolled onto his back, pulling her on top of him. He could lose himself in her exquisiteness for a lifetime. If only he could convince her that all of the obstacles she put in the way were meaningless.
Insatiable, she slid along his cock.
A loud knocking at the door froze them.
Lillian giggled and buried her head in the pillow next to his ear.
“Who is it? I’m quite busy at the moment.”
“There is an urgent message from the castle, my lord.” The door muffled the butler’s voice.
Regrettably, he lifted her off him, kissed her, got up, and drew the curtains on the bed. She was so adorable he hated to hide her away but wanted to protect her from any embarrassment.
More giggles followed before she peeked out between the curtains. She scanned him from top to bottom. His shaft ached for more Lilly.
He grabbed the robe from the wardrobe and went to the door.
“Very sorry to disturb you, my lord.”
“It’s all right, Stuart.”
He handed him an envelope with the familiar Company lion holding a sword embedded in the red seal.
He broke the seal. His heart sank. “I’m afraid my plans to keep you in bed all day are thwarted. A young woman of means is missing. It seems the incident took place two days ago, but was only reported today.”
“Are we summoned to the castle?” She swung her shapely legs over the edge of the bed.
“No. There is not much more information. The girl’s name is here, and that she was nicked off the street in broad daylight. My mother knows everyone. Perhaps a visit under the guise of work will be more appealing to you.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Why do I feel as if I’ve just been manipulated?”
He looked at the bed. “You may call it what you like.”
She laughed. One day with the woman of his dreams was what she had agreed to. She believed he only wanted to pretend there were no demons to fight and that she was of noble blood. He could not have cared less about the circumstances of her birth or the demon threat. He wanted Lillian Dellacourt with him, in his life, in his bed, everywhere.
* * * *
Even Lillian agreed the ball was the best way to get a lot of information in a short time. It was unfortunate they had not heard about the abduction sooner, but evidently, the family had been trying to keep it quiet
so as not to start a scandal. Ridiculous.
As they walked up the steps to his mother’s townhouse, Lillian’s back stiffened, and her luscious lips pulled into a straight line.
He wished he could pull her into his arms and chase away her concerns. As it was, all he could do is hope his mother might do the job for him, in her way.
It was just past midday. The front door opened before they knocked. “My lord, welcome back. We were informed you were in town.”
Handing over his top hat to the aging butler, the familiar warmth of coming home enveloped him. Though he had not grown up in Edinburgh, it seemed wherever his mother resided held his memories. “Good to see you, Jenkins. You look well.”
“I am old and arthritic, but your mother insists I am still useful, so here I am, my lord.”
“Jenkins, this is Miss Lillian Dellacourt.”
The butler bowed. “Miss Dellacourt. The dowager marchioness is in the parlor. Please follow me.”
His mother was already on her feet, already informed of their arrival by a footman or maid. “Thank you, Jenkins. That will be all.” Her thick French-accented English washed over him like a warm balm.
As soon as the butler closed the door, his mother’s formal expression transformed into a stunning smile, and he crossed the room and walked into her open arms. “It is good to see you, mother.”
He hadn’t seen her in over a month, but she was unchanged. She’d worn dark gowns since his father’s death, and today was no exception. The navy blue suited her, though, and her light brown eyes were similar to the ones that stared back at him each morning from his mirror.
“I’m so happy you are safe. Is Brice well?” Her black and silver hair swept into an elegant bun, and her smooth skin remained relatively unmarred by time.
“He is fine.” He’d missed her. “Mother, may I introduce you to my good friend, and a fellow member of The Company, Miss Lillian Dellacourt.”
Deception Page 10