Her expression hardened, but she nodded. "I agree."
"When I dunked myself into the bath, it wasn't because of you. Well, it was, but not in a bad way." How could he put this delicately? "Men and women have different reactions to intimacy…" With each word he uttered, her eyes widened more, and her eyebrows were nearly lost in her hairline. "Men become, eh, excited. Quickly. They have to rest a while before doing it again after they reach their peak, which can happen too fast if they are, uh, enthusiastic. It's rather unfortunate." His cheeks were as hot as the fire behind him.
"So," Ione said, sitting up straight. "What you're saying is you reached this exciting moment too quickly?"
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to fight the mortification. "Yes."
"And it frightened you, so you ran." She paused, then in an amused tone asked, "Was it the first time it ever happened to you?"
His eyes flew open and he gaped, choking momentarily. "It most definitely was not!" He cringed. "I mean, it was the first time it almost happened before…before…" Christ, he couldn't even say it. He'd nearly released in his breeches like he had no restraint or experience. "I wasn't afraid." This conversation had derailed in the worst sort of way. "You deserve more when you have your first time, and a man who can't bring you to your own release before he reaches his. I desired you too much, and then I made a fool out of myself in the process."
Ione considered this and nodded again, though her expression had turned serious. "Thank you for trusting me with the truth of the issue. I worried you found me repulsive."
James didn't realize he'd moved until he pulled her off the bed and held her against him. He cupped her soft cheek. "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met. I would make a fool of myself over and over again to have you, but when we are together at last, in that way, I want it to be good. Worth the sacrifice you are willing to make to remain on land. If you still want me when all this is through, I would love to make you my wife and give you everything you desire until the day I die." He was turning into the worse sort of fool for her, but he didn't care. There was something about her that made his heart beat faster and his breath quicken every time he saw her.
She blinked and tried to move away. James held her steady. "Do you truly want me as your wife, or because in the eyes of your family and peers I am ruined and it is your duty?" She lifted a brow.
"My duty can go to Hades." He smirked when she giggled. "If I didn't desire you, I wouldn't be making such an arse of myself. But, my God, Ione, you drive a man mad with desire. I thought I would have to drag my own brother out of the house and challenge him to a damned duel."
"He was charming."
"He needed to go home about three hours sooner." He never thought there would be a day he'd be jealous of his brother.
Ione laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him. He wasn't too much taller than she was, but he liked it. James closed his eyes and drank her in, her salty sea scent and taste. The feel of her fingers on the back of his neck, and then in his hair. His body hardened, longing to make her his.
"Mate with me, James."
He opened his eyes, mesmerized by the golden hues of her irises. He'd resisted her once, but his resolve weakened by the second. "I should marry you first."
She rolled her eyes. "We're as good as married anyway. Since everyone thinks we've been together in this way, why not do the very thing we've been accused of?"
"Are you sure you're a nymph and not a siren?" He ran the rounded curve of his hook down her hip and she shivered, breathing a little faster. "You tempt me like nothing, no one, ever could."
With a wicked smile, she stepped back and dropped her nightdress to the floor. "Not a siren, but I will tell you a secret about nymphs." She leaned in. "Only satyrs are more scandalous than we are. I plan to spend a lot of time in bed. With you."
He groaned.
"Stop fighting me." She reached for the buttons on his trousers and started to unfasten them. He was good and seduced, and tired of resisting the temptation. She would be his in name, and soon.
He fumbled with his cravat. He needed a valet more than he ever had in the past to help him with dressing. The damned hook was a nuisance, but worth it to be with Ione. Noticing his struggle, she gave up on his trousers and took over. Soon he was as nude as she, and they stood there, staring at each other. He was the first to laugh, with her following suit.
"All that work to make it to this point, and it's like we don't know where to start." He grinned, but then raised his hook. "I don't want to hurt you."
She took the metal appendage in both hands and placed a light kiss on the back of it. "You won't. I trust you."
"I might. But not on purpose." He felt as though their words were about more than the hook. Humans made mistakes, and he didn't think he'd be any different. But he'd try to be the man she needed him to be.
Her voice was husky when she demanded, "Get on the bed, James."
Swallowing, he did as she said, sitting on the edge of the mattress. He didn't even mind being ordered around. With her, he kind of liked it.
"Lie down."
IONE LICKED her lips as she approached the bed. She climbed onto the mattress, straddling James' thighs. The look on his face removed any lingering doubt she had left about his desire for her. If she were to drag him into the water, he would drown happily to be with her. She shook that murderous thought away. It was ingrained by instinct, and she wasn't that creature any longer.
As she palmed his manhood, his head dropped back onto the mattress. She had almost brought this man to the pinnacle of desire last night, and all from some kisses and the touch of her hands. It was a heady thought. She felt powerful and more alive than ever.
"Part of me wishes to see what happens if all I do is caress you like this." Ione stroked him up and down and he moaned. "So I can taste your undoing when it happens." Leaning down, she licked him, smiling when his hips bucked and nearly sent her falling on top of him. "But I've waited too long to feel you inside me. We can do the rest another time."
"Ione," he managed to grit out. "You're going to send me straight to Hades with this torture."
She did laugh then. "Are you going to tease me about that phrasing forever?"
"Of course."
"Beast." His teasing was endearing. She cupped him a little tighter and enjoyed watching him squirm with pleasure. But enough with the playing. Crawling farther up his body, she leaned down and kissed him. He brought his hand up to her cheek as he kissed her back. Then, as things became heated, that hand moved to her neck, her shoulder, her waist. "Help me," she whispered.
He met her gaze and squeezed her hip reassuringly. "Ease me into you. Slowly, so it doesn't hurt too much. Your body will need to adjust."
She followed his instructions, pressing one hand down on his chest for leverage. There was slight discomfort at first, but it was nice. When she was fully seated, she paused, marveling at the feel of him within her. At the way his breathing quickened and he stared up at her through heavy-lidded eyes.
"Are you all right?" His concern warmed her, and she nodded. There was no pain. "Lift up on your knees and come back down, and I'll move with you. Use me to lean on if you need to. Take from me." His voice was husky and deep.
Ione caught on quickly, though she was unsure at first, but then the friction and sensations of his hard body merging with her soft one were all that mattered. The sensations were so much better with a man. She'd been missing out on so much, or was it better because of the man she'd chosen?
"James," she pleaded as the pleasure tensed into a tight coil within her. "I—I—" She came with a soft cry and fell forward on his chest. She started to ease up when James gripped her hip and rolled her over beneath him, bracing himself with his hand on the mattress and his hook over a curve in the headboard.
"Can't. Hold back," he said through quick pants. "Much longer." His thrusts kicked into a faster pace she hadn't anticipated would be p
leasurable. Still tender from her first release, the new sensations and the desperate look of absolute euphoria—and dare she hope, love?—on his face sent her into another as he jerked and warmth filled her.
After a few moments of catching their breath, James moved off her and then pulled her close against him. He didn't speak, and neither did she. The moment was too wonderful to disrupt the silence of bliss. His heartbeat, returning to a steady rhythm beneath her ear, lured her into sleep.
She wouldn't have ever been able to drown him. Not when she desperately wanted to do it all over again and no other man would do.
CHAPTER 7
"WHAT THE DEVIL!" James held the invitation to the Huntington ball in his hand and waved it around at all of them over the breakfast table. "Absolutely not. Wendelin is not attending." He'd known they had planned on going to a ball that evening, but it never occurred to him it might be hosted by the family of the one person he needed to keep his sister far away from. She'd be frolicking right into Underwood's devious clutches.
His mother opened and closed her mouth several times. "What has gotten into you?"
How could he explain it without giving away the truth of what happened to his hand and Ione's reason for being there? He dropped the invitation on the table and pinched the bridge of his nose between his finger and thumb and exhaled slowly. "I have reason to believe the Marquess' son is of poor character, and I do not wish to risk my sister's reputation should he corner her as soon as one of us have our backs turned."
His mother tittered and rose from her chair. He was thankful they were alone together, and he didn't have to explain himself further. "Your own brother has that same gossip spread about him, but he has yet to ruin anyone."
That they knew of. Immediately, guilt stabbed him in the gut. Jonathan might have a bad reputation, but he was decent enough to make it right. He bet his good hand his brother didn't go around dismembering the family of any debutantes he fancied either.
"Since you promised to take Ione to a ball during her time here," his mother added with a disapproving look, "you can assist me in chaperoning your sister."
As though he'd send Wendelin into that viper pit without him. "As long as you do not allow her to dance or go off with that scoundrel."
"With which scoundrel, exactly?" Wendelin asked as she wandered in, Ione beside her. The two of them were dressed in pale blue day gowns, and Ione winked at him as he failed to answer the simple question. "There are so many that it's hard to keep track of which potential suitors I shall avoid at all cost." She turned to Ione and said, "Three overprotective brothers. Combined, they forbade me from associating with all the gentleman I am there to win the affections of. I shall be left with the gentlemen who are older than my father to choose from."
"Don't be so dramatic." James crossed his arms, careful not to rip his sleeve. "And if you must know, you would do well not to be alone with the Earl of Underwood at any time tonight. No dancing, no walking around the gardens, nothing. Stay inside, in sight, and away from that monster."
Her eyes widened and then she laughed. "Monster? What the devil did he do to you?"
James caught himself starting to glance at his hand and uncrossed his arms, clasping the hook with his free hand behind his back. "It's not important why. Trust me when I say I would not warn you from him if I didn't have a good reason to do so."
Ione placed a hand on his sister's shoulder and squeezed. "I'm sure there are more gentlemen to dance with tonight."
"But it's the Huntington ball! It would be incredibly rude for me to show up and spurn the earl if he showed any interest. We might as well not show up at all." Wendelin's lip quivered and she ran from the room. Giving him a scornful glance, his mother rushed after her, leaving him alone with Ione.
"Was that necessary?" she asked as she moved closer to him.
He hated that he had to behave so dastardly, but what was he to do? He'd lost his hand, but he'd be damned if he allowed any harm to come to his sister. Ione had to see he wasn't acting this way for any other reason. "It would be best if we didn't go to that ball. There will be plenty more."
Ione reached for his hand. He allowed her to entwine their fingers together and lead him toward the chaise where they both sat, knees touching. "You need to confront him, and it's the perfect setting. He cannot touch you without consequences in front of all his guests, am I correct?"
He huffed. An earl could do whatever he wanted to him, but it was likely he'd be better behaved in a large gathering. "I gather that you wish to attend."
She shrugged. "Perhaps I wish to see the face of this earl, and perhaps I wish to see what dancing looks like."
He snapped out of his irritation at her words. "You do not know how to dance?" James stood. "Go ahead to the ballroom and wait for me there. I'm going to find my sister." He started to rush off, hesitated, then spun on his heel and pulled her to him. Her lips opened in surprise, and it was all the invitation he needed. She tasted like sweet berries.
"What was that for?" she asked as he pulled away.
He smiled and smug elation coursed through him at the huskiness of her voice. "Because I can't go two seconds thinking about or seeing you without wanting to do that. I know we haven't had much time to ourselves, and my world is full of irritations. You're always on my mind though, and in my blood." Strange how he was just fine on his own a few days ago, and now couldn't think of life without Ione.
Her lips tilted up at the sides. "I feel the same for you."
And didn't that make him want to climb to the roof and crow his happiness for all of London? If he had to face his enemy that evening, the consolation would be ensuring Ione enjoyed her first ball, even if it killed him.
It might.
IONE PACED THE LARGE, empty ballroom. Emily had accompanied her, having met up with her in the corridor, insisting on keeping up appearances as her chaperone despite James' parents seeing right through the ruse for what it was. Ione's lips tingled at the memory of the unexpected kiss earlier, and she couldn't help but smile. Was this thrilling rush of passion and excitement love? Did he feel the same way?
"Ah, there you are." James walked in with his sister at his side. She was clearly still annoyed with him if the glare she shot his way was any indication, but she seemed to have calmed down. "I've convinced my sister to assist me in teaching you to dance."
"Truly?" Ione hadn't thought to ask. She'd assumed she would figure it out along the way. Having the chance to learn before the ball would be much preferred than relying on adaptation skills, though they would have sufficed.
"Well, a couple dances. Some require more than two people to participate in, and you said you pick up on things quickly?"
"Show me."
Wendelin looked between them and a mischievous glint filled her eye. "We'll start with the waltz."
James spun in her direction. "My own sister insisting on the most scandalous of dances."
She winked at Ione before looking to her brother, holding her chin up defiantly. "Are you saying you're uncomfortable dancing so close to your sister?"
"Imp." He chuckled. "You took me by surprise being so brazen, is all. You're definitely Jonathan's sister—I'll give you that."
Wendelin covered her mouth and giggled.
Watching the two of them together made Ione's heart constrict. They were so comfortable with each other, and the familial love shined through. She loved seeing them so at ease so soon after their disagreement earlier. Ione couldn't wait to see this dance though. Just how scandalous could it be in a society that had such a strong opinion of propriety?
"It is better with music." Wendelin had a remorseful tone to her voice. "But I can't show the lady's portion and play at the same time."
James held out his hand and his hook, and Wendelin stepped into them. He chuckled and took a step back, adding space between them. He met Ione's gaze and grinned. "This is a tad awkward."
They began to dance, moving in sync with one another and turning about the room
. "The couples are closer together in a waltz, and it's a favorite for those who are courting or…" Wendelin cleared her throat before adding, "…are up to no good." James arched an eyebrow and she quickly added, "Or so I heard Jonathan say to Michael."
"Right." James turned, leading his sister around the room in a measured step. It didn't look that hard, and Ione thought she could master it in a few attempts. "You will not be waltzing with Underwood. Am I clear?"
Wendelin sighed and dipped her head back in irritation. "Fine. If he wishes to dance, it will be in one of the more crowded, less personal ones. I can't be rude. And I'll make sure you're present when, and if, it happens."
The brotherly affection and protectiveness seemed an admirable trait, though as a woman, she could see how Wendelin was affronted by it. Ione hadn't reacted well either at first to some of the expectations she'd have to aspire to as a human in this city. Watching James twirl his sister about, she was hit with a vision of him doing the same with a little golden-haired girl who stood upon his boots, giggling as he spun her around and around. He had both his hands in the vision, and he smiled down at the girl as though he'd rip the stars from the heavens to make her happy and dry her tears.
She blinked and the startling image was gone, leaving her feeling slightly empty. Instinctively, Ione placed a hand upon her belly and closed her eyes. Nereids didn't have premonitions, so it had to have been a daydream, a hope. A child of her own, living with her father on land. If James had his hand back, it meant she stayed. The hollow feeling filled with determination.
Oh, what was she in such a fuss about anyway? Ione wouldn't leave her child and return to the sea. Besides, it wasn't a premonition; it was merely her coming to terms with what she wanted so desperately to happen after her three days were up and she could make her final decision.
"Ione?" James and Wendelin had stopped dancing and now stared at her with concern. "Are you all right?"
Romantically Enchanted: A Twisted Fairytale Collection Page 17