Victor's Vow [Lords of Hawksfell Manor 6] (Siren Publishing Menage Amour)

by Dennis, Josie

  Turning up the collar of her coat, she made her way around toward the back of the manor house. Hawksfell was enormous, but she’d spotted an outbuilding. She assumed it was a garage or carriage house, and considered hiding out in it until dinnertime arrived again. Breakfast had been quiet, as the earl and his family had gone off to the village. At least she wouldn’t have to make conversation with the absurdly happy Lady Hawksfell and her undeniably pleasant cousin. If the earl was seeing to business he’d been considerate enough to take them along with him today.

  Victor hadn’t been present but neither had Cabot the footman, thank goodness. Oh, the way she’d shamed herself with him!

  He had been so kind to her, though. And he was so very attractive. His kisses were sweet and hot, and on this cold morning she believed they might be just the thing to warm her.

  Shivering from the combination of the chill of the air and the heat of her thoughts, she turned back toward the house. A maid took her coat when she entered. Violet rubbed her bare hands together as she headed toward the library. She’d taken note of it this morning as she’d passed toward the breakfast room, and it was as good a place to be alone as any other she could find. She was an expert on being alone, of course.

  She took a book from one of the shelves without giving it much thought and settled in a chair beside the well-tended fire. She was soon warm and a little drowsy, holding the closed book in her lap as she stared out the nearest window at the white winter landscape beyond.

  What would happen after the holiday? After she and Victor returned to Ralston House? There was truly no place for her there, despite his familial kindness toward her. She had no one else to turn to. She would end up an old maid, haunting Ralston after Victor inevitably wed and brought his wife home. A stab of pain shot through her heart at the mere thought of him giving another what she longed for from him. Passion, yes. But she wanted him to take the freedom to touch her when he wished to. To take the pleasure she offered as more than a release of his Hawk lusts. To love her and no other woman!

  “It can never be,” she whispered, her throat tight.

  “And what is that, miss?” a man’s voice inquired from the doorway.

  She blinked at Cabot, leaning against the jamb and looking for all the world like a man of leisure despite his impeccable livery. “Cabot.”

  He smiled in that way that sent shivers over her body and entered the room. To her surprise he closed the door behind him with a click and faced her again. “Ah, Violet.”

  She nearly melted at his smooth utterance of her name. She licked her lips, longing for another taste of his kisses. Still, propriety must be observed.

  “What are you about, Cabot?”

  He stepped closer and she caught his scent. “I could ask you the same.”

  She mirrored his smile. “Impertinent this afternoon, I see. You have a saucy tongue.”

  He shrugged. “I seem to recall you enjoyed my tongue just last evening.”

  Her cheeks went as hot as the fire behind the grate. She couldn’t deny his words. She’d tasted her fill and loved what he’d done to her during that brief madness in her guest room.

  “I did,” she admitted on a whisper. “Very much.”

  His blue eyes sparkled with intent as he bent over her. She was forced to crane her neck to meet his gaze. He was nearly as tall as Victor, after all.

  “Do you wish to know more of what my saucy tongue can do?”

  Her mouth dropped open even as it began to water. Her nipples pinched tight in her corset and she shuddered. “W–what, precisely, can it do?”

  He brought his mouth to her ear and gave her earlobe a lick. “It can taste you all over.” He nibbled on the cord of her neck and laughed softly. “It can delve into your pussy and see if it’s as sweet as your lips.”

  Her drawers grew wet as she imagined such a thing. “Never say you wish to lick me…there.”

  He nodded, then met her eyes with his. “I could eat you for hours, Violet.” He shivered and blew out a breath. “The mere thought of it makes me hard.”

  She glanced down at the front of his trousers. She could make out the shape and length of his manhood through the fine fabric and realized he must be as affected as Victor was, curse or no. The night before they’d left Ralston House she’d felt Victor’s desire and he’d touched hers. But what Cabot was suggesting couldn’t be possible.

  “Victor touched me,” she rushed out, her eyes drifting closed with embarrassment and remembrance. “With only his hand.”

  Cabot smiled again. “And you came, didn’t you?”

  “Came?” She pondered the word, then realized what it meant. That mind-shattering pleasure Victor had given her with his long, strong fingers. That climax that had shocked and thrilled her to her toes. “Oh. Y–yes.”

  “I can make you come with my mouth, Violet.”

  She gripped the arms of her chair, her eyes opening wide. “You can?”

  He nodded, then straightened again. “But believe me, the library isn’t the place.”

  She glanced past his handsome face and realized she’d forgotten where they were. Her body was aching, her pulse pounding, just from his words. She’d never be able to hold back her screams should he touch her. Oh, how she wanted him to touch her!

  “Where?” she asked breathlessly. “Cabot, where can you make me…come?”

  He just grinned and took her hand in his.

  Chapter 6

  Violet followed behind Cabot as he wound his way through the great house. He seemed to know every vacant hallway and unoccupied chamber on the way toward the stairs, for they never encountered any other staff. At the top of the stairs he turned away from the family bedrooms.

  “Where are you taking me?” she asked.

  He glanced back over his shoulder, his full lips agape. “Taking you? God, I wish I could take you.”

  She realized what she’d said and bit her lip. He groaned softly and quickly kissed her.

  “We’re bound for the bachelor’s wing,” he said.

  “The bachelor’s wing?” That was where Victor was ensconced, and no one else at present to her knowledge. Cabot had picked the perfect trysting spot for certain.

  He stopped before a closed door and faced her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “You’re certain?”

  Was she certain she was going to tryst with this man? This warm, caring man who made her feel things only Victor had before? But Victor was far and gone from her forever. That was certain. And Cabot stood before her with an expression of concern on his handsome face. His fair brows were furrowed and, even though his cheeks were ruddy with his own desires, she was sure that if she cried off he would honor her wishes. That realization was enough to make her decision.

  Before she could do more than nod, he opened the door and ushered her inside. It was a beautifully decorated room, done in shades of blue. That was all she noticed at the moment, for Cabot took off his jacket and ran his hands over her. He was beautifully built. She could see that through his fine linen shirt. As he drew her close she could feel the muscles in his chest and arms working.

  “You are such a delectable bundle, Violet.” He unbuttoned her dress and stared down at her corset. “My, my.”

  Her breasts were all but spilling over the top of it and she ached for him to put his saucy tongue on her flesh. “Cabot, please.”

  He spun her around and quickly worked the hooks until the corset fell to the floor around her ankles. She covered her breasts with her hands but when he gently tugged them away along with the thin straps of her chemise. She surprised herself by letting him look his fill.

  “As pretty as a flower.” He cupped one breast and dragged his thumb over its aching nipple. “I wager your pussy will be as pretty.”

  Her knees were weak as he drew her closer. Closing his mouth over the nipple, he began to toy with her other breast. His arm was strong around her as he backed her toward the bed. She felt it at her backside and let herself sink down. His m
outh never ceased its magic, his tongue teasing and his teeth nibbling. Sparks of pleasure coursed through her, making her ache for more.

  “Taste me everywhere, Cabot,” she sighed.

  He lifted his head and winked at her. “Who has the saucy tongue now?”

  She giggled and leaned back on her elbows. “Me?”

  “You.”

  He lifted the hem of her chemise to her waist and spread her legs wide. The room was warm and her body hotter still, yet she shivered as he removed her drawers. His eyes ran over her bared flesh and she felt herself swell.

  “Oh, you have a very pretty pussy,” he said, his voice thick.

  Then he kissed her there. He made a sound of delight as he licked her. Collapsing beneath him, she closed her eyes and gave herself over to his expertise.

  “You’re very good at this, Cabot.”

  He made a sound, then inserted a finger into her. “I’ve never tasted such a delectable pussy, Violet. You’re sweeter than I’d imagined.”

  She couldn’t hold a thought as his finger moved inside of her. His tongue circled that very spot Victor had touched before and she felt a lifting of her body as she began an ascent toward climax again. “Make me come!” she cried. “Oh, Cabot!”

  He licked and sucked as he worked her, and stars lit behind her eyelids. Spreading herself wider, she surrendered and cried out as her orgasm took her.

  Cabot came up and kissed her as she caught her breath. A lock of his golden hair lay over his forehead and his blue eyes were dark. “Have I pleased you?”

  She stared at him, her body weak and her heartbeat erratic. He’d pleased her as promised and it surpassed her fevered imaginings. Not since that night with Victor had she felt such pleasure. The memory stabbed at her and she sucked in a breath. Inexplicably, her eyes stung with tears and she squeezed them shut. “Yes,” she sobbed.

  Cabot was silent above her.

  “You don’t sound pleased,” another man’s voice intoned.

  She opened her eyes to find Victor standing over the bed. Her legs were still wide open and Cabot was stretched over her nearly naked body. A flush of embarrassment spread over her body. “Victor!”

  He shrugged out of his jacket as Cabot had done, tossing it toward the chair set near the window.

  “You’ll wrinkle it,” Cabot intoned, leaning up on his elbows.

  Victor lifted a shoulder. “My valet shall attend to it.”

  Cabot laughed and rolled off of her gracefully to stand on the other side of the bed. Violet blinked rapidly. This was all so odd, the two of them here and Victor almost teasing Cabot.

  “Am I dreaming?” she murmured.

  Victor shook his head. He still wore his usual dark expression but there was something else there in his face. That hunger she’d seen before.

  “Were you actually teasing Cabot just then?” she asked.

  “Turnabout is fair play, Violet,” he said, his voice smooth. “He was just, um, teasing you.”

  His dark gaze fell on her pussy and she felt a rekindling of the passion Cabot had raised. Oh, she was shameless!

  She brought her thighs together and sat up on the bed. Her wrinkled chemise made a poor covering but she gathered it in front of her breasts just the same. “I don’t know what to say.”

  He continued to remove his clothes. “I’m tired of my vow, Violet. I’m tired of being alone when I want you so much.”

  The fervency of his words was unexpected. “You want me?”

  His gaze was intent. “Of course.”

  “But I’ve just let Cabot…”

  To her amazement, Victor nodded. “I saw what you just let Cabot do.” His eyes raked over her. “I’ve pictured your pretty pussy many times but I admit it surpasses my imaginings. I long for a taste of you as well.”

  “Now I know I’m dreaming.” She managed to rise and stood at the foot of the bed. Victor stripped off his shirt and she was momentarily stunned speechless by the sight of his magnificent chest. It was a bit broader than Cabot’s, swirled with dark hairs and ridged in all the right places. She swallowed. “What are you about, Victor?”

  “I’m going to forget myself,” he said, his voice low. “I’m going to give in and take you at last.”

  She shook her head, backing away from him. “What does this mean?” Her stomach sank as a horrible thought struck her. “Oh, you believe that since I allowed Cabot to give me pleasure—”

  “You’re welcome,” Cabot cut in, laughter in his voice.

  She waved a hand at him. “You believe that I shall allow you to take me? In exchange for what?”

  A pained expression crossed Victor’s face and her heart clenched.

  “I don’t have anything to offer,” he rasped. “Just myself, in this moment.”

  His breathing was labored and she longed to draw him into her arms. Cabot might have made her body sing but Victor made her heart ache. She’d longed for him forever. This was her only chance to learn about passion from Cabot and, just perhaps, be enough to keep Victor’s beast at bay when they returned to their odd, removed existence at Ralston House. She would never have his heart but perhaps having his passion would be enough.

  Taking a deep breath, she surrendered as she had for Cabot.

  “Take me, Victor,” she whispered.

  * * * *

  Victor couldn’t help but stare at this girl he’d known forever, in passing for years and more intimately over the past several months. Violet was a pretty thing, but flushed with passion as she was now? She was damned gorgeous. Her hair was a tangled mess, golden curls resting over her smooth shoulders and trailing down toward her pert backside. Her legs were shapely and her breasts were round and full and his mouth watered for a taste of her deep pink nipples.

  When Cabot proposed this plan, he’d been intrigued. When Violet accompanied the man to his guest room, he’d been stunned. And now that he’d watched Cabot lick and taste her incredible body? He was so hard he wanted to throw his head back and howl to the heavens.

  Instead, he made himself approach her slowly. He could smell her flowery scent, hot and intoxicating. She was aroused. Her pupils were dilated and her eyes had darkened nearly to purple. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed that Cabot stepped back from the bed. Dragging his eyes away from Violet’s delectable form, he flicked his gaze fully to Cabot. The man was smiling as he lifted his chin in encouragement.

  He turned to Violet again. “You’re certain, Violet?” he asked. “If you say no, I’ll not judge you.”

  Her thick lashes fluttered as she gazed up at him. “You won’t judge me? Not even after what I’ve just done?”

  He took her trembling hands in his, pulling her closer. “I would never be so callous.”

  Her full lips parted, then she shook her head. “Kiss me, Victor.”

  He brought his mouth to hers and began to taste her. She tasted a bit of Cabot, but that could be his lingering scent on her skin. The combination of the man he’d recently fucked and the girl he was going to drove him wild. “Easy,” he growled.

  She pulled back a hairsbreadth. “What did you say?”

  He kissed her lips again, then dropped his head to the side of her neck. “I was telling myself to go easy, Violet. I’m afraid I want to strip off what little clothing you have on and fuck you. Hard.”

  She trembled and pressed closer to him. “Oh, my.”

  He could hear the sound of a cough and knew Cabot was stifling a chuckle. It should almost be ridiculous but his cock felt so full and hard for Violet it was like it was his first time. Like he hadn’t fucked the servants at Ralston House for years and Cabot just last night.

  Dropping his hands from her, he stepped back and unfastened his trousers. The warmth of the air in the room made his balls ache. He hissed through his teeth as his cock grew harder. His beast was wild for her and he knew he had to take care.

  “Place her on the bed, Cabot,” he said.

  Cabot nodded and gathered Violet in his arms. “C
ome, sweetheart. Trust me, you’re in for quite a ride.”

  She looked from Cabot to himself, then swallowed audibly. “Oh, my,” she said again.

  Victor found a small smile for that. Cabot’s fingers were deft as they removed her chemise and she was soon spread and ready for him. Praying for the presence of mind to restrain himself, he climbed onto the bed and covered her with his naked body.

  Her nipples were hard against his chest, and her mound pressed up against his cock. He’d never taken a woman this way, touching her with every inch of his body. When her arms twined around his neck, her nails biting into his shoulders, he clenched his teeth against the shout of excitement that fought to escape him.

  “Ah, Violet,” he moaned, burying his face between her breasts.

  Her scent was heavier here, and when he flicked his tongue over her nipple he could taste her sweetness. Delving between her thighs with one hand, he stroked her pussy. She was wet, from Cabot’s attentions and from her fresh arousal. With two fingers inside of her, he could feel the proof of her virginity. That, and how tight she was. It was going to be a close thing. His cock was huge and his need greater than he’d ever felt before. He tried to ready her for his assault, and as he moved his fingers in and out of her she began to purr and writhe beneath him.

  “Yes, Victor,” she sighed. “Please…”

  When she bit her lip again he nearly came on her soft belly. Shifting, he forced himself to slow as he positioned his cock at her pussy. Her flesh scalded him, made him ache to spill inside her.

  A glance at Cabot showed him watching avidly, his cheeks flushed and his eyes sparkling. Apparently he was enjoying this as much as Victor had enjoyed watching Cabot lick her. It was passing strange but he supposed there was a connection among the three of them now.

  He looked back down at her beautiful face. “I’m sorry if this hurts,” he said. Then he drove inside her hot cunt with one deep thrust.

  She cried out in obvious pain and he held himself still.

  “Violet, Violet,” he said, taking measured breaths.

  She sobbed, but there was an edge to her cries. A piercing of want that stunned him.