Landon gave a wordless nod as he hurried away. Hawk cocked his head. His brother had given no arguments or recriminations. That was a first.
“Come on.” Henry’s voice was tense. “I’ll help you.”
The two men walked in silence across the lawn to the gate that led to the alleyway. But Hawk could sense Henry Renfire was holding back a long list of statements.
“I shouldn’t have left her alone,” Hawk murmured as he shifted Bianca’s weight in his arms. She rested her head on his chest. Her trembling had stopped for the most part, though from time to time she let out an enormous quiver. “I knew Firth was a danger. I should have dealt with him sooner.”
“He will be dealt with.” Renfire’s voice was deathly calm. “And later you and I will talk about all the ‘shoulds’ relating to you and my sister. For now, take her home. Do whatever it is you do that makes her face light up around you.”
Bianca’s brother pushed open the gate and held it to reveal Hawk’s carriage already waiting for them. Landon stepped out and helped Hawk carefully load Bianca inside. As he stepped up to join her, Henry stopped him.
“Whatever you do, take care of her.”
Hawk looked from one brother to the next. “I intend to.”
***
Bianca lay on Hawk’s bed, looking up at the canopy above as she cursed herself for all kinds of stupidity and foolish choices. The night ran over and over in her head and she couldn’t hold back a hard tremor every time she remember the sound of her gown tearing, the feel of Everett’s hard, hot hands on her bare flesh. And the realization that he was going to rape her and there was nothing she could do to stop him.
“Burn this, please.”
She turned her head to watch Hawk hand her torn gown over to a maid. The girl took it with a curtsey. “Anything else we can do for you, sir?”
“No. Just leave us be.” He shut the door behind the girl. For a moment, he rested his forehead against the barrier. It was obvious he didn’t realize Bianca was witness to his one show of emotion. To keep him from being embarrassed, she rested her head back down on the pillow and looked away.
But she’d seen his reaction and it wasn’t something she would soon forget. Nor would she forget the way Hawk had attacked Firth with such hatred. He had wanted her former lover dead and would have killed him to protect and defend her if both their brothers hadn’t come along to stop the fight.
“Bianca,” he said softly as he came to the bed beside her. “Do you want anything else?”
She shook her head and winced at her stiff neck. “No. The bath helped a great deal, thank you. The only thing I want right now is your arms around me.”
Immediately, he climbed up beside her. His strong arms went around her and he gathered her against his warm chest. She shut her eyes when he stroked her hair gently. She and Hawk had been many things to each other, but having him be her comfort was the most amazing feeling she’d experienced yet. It was something she hadn’t expected, but now that she felt his care and concern, she wanted to feel protected like this for the rest of her life.
But she couldn’t. It was a fool’s hope.
“I’m such an idiot,” she murmured against the smooth skin of his throat.
“No you weren’t and you certainly aren’t,” he reassured her as he pressed a kiss against her temple. “How could you have known what would happen?”
She shook her head. Again and again, images from that terrible night bombarded her. “I shouldn’t have let him take me onto the terrace, let alone lead me into the garden where I had no escape. He was making such a scene when we were dancing. I thought if I could talk to him alone, I might be able to calm him. And then he was on top of me and I was so shocked I couldn’t breathe or scream or fight.” Her voice went up with each word until she knew she sounded hysterical.
“Shhh.” He took her hand and lifted it to his warm, smooth lips. “It’s over now.”
“Is it? Everett snuck away before any of you could do anything. Even if he hadn’t, what could you do? Turn my former lover in to the constable?” She shook her head in self-disgust. “My word would mean nothing in an inquest. Not after the way I’ve behaved in public.”
“Stop!” Hawk’s voice was suddenly sharp. He cupped her chin and his eyes were alive with fire. “Never blame yourself for what happened tonight. No matter what was said or done in the past, that bastard had no right to do that to you. And he will be punished one way or another.” His tone calmed and his eyes dropped. “I should have been with you. That was how this situation could have been avoided.”
She raised her head at his gruff, self-abusing tone. “It wasn’t your fault. You saved me. If it weren’t for you I would have-he would have-”
She couldn’t bring herself to say it, not out loud. Hawk seemed to sense that, for he brought his fingers up to gently cover her lips.
“We don’t need to talk about it.” He brushed damp hair away from her face. “But until Firth has been dealt with, you shouldn’t go out alone.” He smiled. “I suppose I’ll just never leave your side.”
She shook her head as her eyes filled with tears. It had been a long time since she’d felt protected. So long, she couldn’t remember it. Feeling protected by Hawk, of all people, was even better. She could almost believe he would guard her forever.
Even though that couldn’t be true.
“Why would you take care of me?” Her voice broke, but for once she didn’t care if she revealed her weakness. Hawk would be her strength tonight. Showing her vulnerability seemed less frightening. “Protect me when a silly wager is what brought us together?”
He looked at her as if he didn’t understand her question. “I need to.”
With a tip of his head, he pressed a soft kiss on her mouth. Bianca sank into the gentle touch that was so unlike the brutal press of Everett’s lips. She slipped her fingers into the crisp waves of Hawk’s hair and parted her lips. She deepened the kiss with a few swipes of her tongue, drinking in the familiar comfort of his taste and letting the swell of desire rise in her veins.
Pulling back, Hawk covered her hands with his own. “No, Bianca. After what you’ve been through tonight, I can’t-”
When she shook her head it silenced him. “After tonight, I need you. I need you to make me forget.”
Hawk’s mouth parted, but his eyes were still filled with concern and uncertainty. And desire that gave her a burst of relief. He still wanted her even now.
Bianca tilted her face closer and let her warm breath caress his lips. “You don’t have to make me beg you tonight. I will without sensual torture. Please. Please, Hawk. Just touch me until I forget what his hands felt like.”
He stared at her intently for a long moment. “I don’t want you to beg tonight, Bianca,” he whispered before his lips came back down on hers.
She arched up against him as his mouth brushed with tortuous slowness back and forth against her own. Already the bruising, painful feel of Everett’s hands and mouth faded away, replaced by the hum of desire that was a permanent reaction to Hawk’s lightest touch. His tongue gently parted her lips, probing delicately, even sweetly. He’d never kissed her like that before.
For a long time, she simply enjoyed his kisses. Long and soft, gentle and yet reaching for more each time he swiped his tongue against hers. Each touch awakened her uneasy body, but after some time had passed, she realized he wasn’t doing more. His kisses were drugging and wonderful, but he wasn’t trying to touch her or make her squirm with pleasure.
For the first time since they made their wager, he was waiting for her to lead him. She drew back slightly in surprise. Her body was how she found power after it became clear her marriage wouldn’t be traditional or filled with faithful love. But in all the times she made her husband or other men beg for her touch, she’d never felt like this.
Hawk gave her more than control. His surrender was a gift. She wasn’t forced to steal power. He shared it with her freely.
Because she n
eeded it.
Tonight she wanted to feel him. To fill herself with him until there was no room for other thoughts or pains or memories.
With trembling fingers, she reached for his shirt. For the first time, she noticed a little blood splashed on the front and winced. Immediately, her gaze went to his hands. He’d thoroughly washed, but the bruises and nicks on his knuckles were a reminder of how powerful his anger had been. And how far he’d been willing to go to protect her.
One by one, she freed his buttons, spreading his shirt as she went until she pushed it off and threw it on the floor beside the bed.
Never before had she been so close to Hawk’s bare flesh and free to do what she wished. Even when he was tied down, she hadn’t taken her time like this. She brushed her hand across his skin and a heady sense of power and pleasure filled her. His wiry chest hair bunched beneath her palm and his nipple hardened when her fingers skimmed it. He stiffened at the graze, but remained still, watching her touch him through hooded lids.
Pushing herself to a sitting position, Bianca explored further. She dragged her fingers down the taut muscles of his abdomen, running her hand along the waist of his trousers and eliciting a soft sigh from Hawk’s lips.
She smiled at the sound before she dipped her head to let her tongue slide across his skin. He tasted clean and male, as good as he always smelled and she enjoyed every moment he allowed her to touch him without interruption. She caught one of his nipples between her teeth and nipped lightly. Hawk’s hips surged up as he gasped and clutched the coverlet in a fist.
“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” she murmured as she kissed her way to his opposite nipple.
“No,” he groaned with difficulty.
She smiled against his skin. “Good. No pain tonight. No punishment. Just pleasure.”
A low growl was his answer as his hands finally wrapped around her waist and bunched her nightgown in his fingers. She shut her eyes and continued to suckle his flat nipple as he kneaded her flesh gently. His touch felt so good. She wanted to lose herself in it. In him. For tonight.
For eternity.
She shivered as he slipped the thin cotton gown up her thighs. His hands were warm against the skin he exposed and her legs fell open of their own accord. He massaged the inside of her thighs, stroking his fingers in light, upward sweeps that moved him closer and closer to the core of her desire. When he finally cupped her, she shivered and her lips faltered against his skin.
“You’re wet,” he murmured as he massaged her sex with gentle pressure.
“You sound surprised,” she gasped as he circled her clit with his thumb.
“I thought after what happened…”
She let her head fall back with a sigh when he glided a finger into her sheath. “What happened has nothing to do with you,” she murmured. “You make me wild with want and nothing will change that, ever.”
He tilted his head to the side and in his eyes she saw a powerful burst of emotion. Then his mouth met hers with more solid, seeking intent and she surrendered.
While he continued to pump his finger in and out of her aching body, he used his opposite hand to skillfully pop the clasps at the throat of her night shift. With one smooth motion, he pulled it over her head and left her naked to his eyes and hands and mouth. The mouth he put to good use by making a hot trail down her jaw line to the base of her throat where her pulse throbbed wildly.
She clenched her hand into a fist against his chest as he lowered her back on the bed. Her whole world was focused on his touch, on her pleasure. Like nothing else existed. She arched as he slipped a second finger into her sheath and stretched her gently. She wanted more. More of everything.
Even though she didn’t voice her desires, he seemed to sense them. His lips caught the rigid thrust of her nipple and he sucked, sending lightening bolts from his mouth to tug at her ultra sensitive clit. He strummed along that bud between her thighs in time to the pulling tug of his mouth and suddenly she found herself falling, writhing, crashing into a powerful orgasm. Her hips jerked against his hand and she lolled her head to the side with a low, satisfied moan.
When she opened her eyes, it was to the sight of Hawk staring down at her. A smile softened his face, made him appear younger and even more handsome than ever. Slowly, he withdrew his fingers and left cold emptiness in his wake as he took a position on the bed beside her.
“I don’t want you to stop,” she whispered as she kissed him. “I want more.”
“You can have as much more as you desire,” he answered just as quietly even though his eyes danced with powerful need at her demand.
She slipped her arms around him and kissed him, long and deep. He held very still and let her do what she wished, returning her kiss, but allowed her to lead them down the path of passion. It was a far cry from their normal game of domination and submission. And though in her heart she could admit she liked his overpowering sensuality, tonight was no longer about control. It had gone much deeper. For the first time in her life, making love involved more than her body. Trust was part of the equation.
And so were her emotions.
Overwhelmed, she urged him onto his back. Through his trousers, she caressed his erection, which was already hard as steel, straining against the fabric that separated skin from skin. As she locked eyes with him, she slowly opened the clasps until his cock sprung free.
She smiled as he drew in a harsh breath, then she caught his member in her palm for a long, firm stroke from base to head. His breath turned to a moan as he thrust into her hand a second time. When she let him go, he couldn’t hold back a gasp of disappointment that made her smile.
“I’m not leaving,” she reassured him as she carefully straddled his hips. “I just want to hold you in a much better place.”
Slowly, carefully, she positioned her dripping slit above the head of his cock. She glided herself back and forth and her lips gripped at him with each pass. Hawk stiffened beneath her, biting his lip each time she clenched at him in a wet kiss. Finally she could take no more of her own torture. With a small thrust she slipped around him and took him inside her body as far as she could.
Hawk growled out his acquiescence as his hands came to grip her hips. “God, you’re so hot,” he moaned. “So wet.”
“From you,” she whispered as she squeezed him with her internal muscles. “You make me this way.”
She leaned down until her hair covered his shoulders and their faces were inches apart. As she kissed him, she began to grind her hips, rotating in small circles on his cock that made her nerves and pleasure points tingle with sensation. Hawk felt it, too. He thrust his tongue into her mouth with a moan and gripped her hips until his fingers bunched.
“Sit up,” she said, breathless as she leaned back.
He followed her order wordlessly. His arms came around her waist and he caught one nipple in his lips to suckle as she rode him in earnest. She bucked her hips forward and back, crying out when he lifted his own in time to her hard rhythm. He actually lifted her off the bed each time their bodies slammed together. In a heartbeat, she trembled on the edge of release and he showed her no mercy as he pounded her past that edge and over. Clasping him to her, she gave a keening cry that filled the room and shook the bed with her uncontrolled thrusts. Hawk held her fast as he, too, shouted out his pleasure and she felt the hot explosion of his essence fill her.
Their breath merged into one rasping gasp as they clung to each other, too satiated and comfortable in their tangle to let go. Bianca stroked Hawk’s hair, letting her senses come back from heaven at their own pace.
Finally, he lay back down, taking her with him until she rested across his body with his pulsing cock still buried inside her. As she stroked her fingers across his body and surrendered to satiated exhaustion, Bianca realized what they had shared was no longer part of their wager.
And the game they were playing now was one she couldn’t bear to lose.
Chapter Eleven
Hawk looked up a
t Bianca from the pile of shipping manifests in his lap. She sat on the overstuffed settee in his sitting room, her shoes slipped off and her feet tucked beneath her as she read her book with focused intent. For a moment, all he could do was stare.
In the past few days, there had been a subtle shift between them. Suddenly the lines of their wager were blurred by new emotions and desires that went beyond needs of the flesh. Bianca’s walls had come down, just as he hoped they would.
But so had his own.
He was beginning to realize he didn’t only like having her in his home, but his life. And now that the month of their wager was too swiftly coming to an end, he couldn’t picture that life without her in it.
Just being in the same room with her moved him. Even though he knew every inch of her body, even though he could make her cry out in pleasure with just the flick of his wrist, her being so comfortable in his sitting room was what made his heart skip to a new beat.
“What are you looking at, Hawk?” She didn’t even look up from her book as she smothered a smile.
It was an expression he couldn’t return. Now that Hawk was getting closer and closer to her, his brother’s accusations about her motives for their bargain rang louder in his ears. Some nights he lay awake, watching her sleep as he wondered if Landon was right. Was he being used?
When he didn’t answer her question, Bianca glanced up at him. Her smile faded as she pressed a scrap of silk between the pages to mark her place and set her book aside. “You look troubled. Is everything all right with your business?”
He dropped his gaze from hers and wiped his emotions away. “Why did you strike your wager with me?”
His heart dropped as the color in Bianca’s face faded and her lips trembled for the briefest moment. Then she pasted the smile he knew was false onto her lips.
“Silly, you know why.”
He folded his arms. “Remind me.”
“Very well.” She sounded bored, but her eyes reminded him of an animal in a trap. “You won a very large portion of my fortune. Obviously I couldn’t win it back from you in cards. I tried for months.”
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