Chapter Thirty-Seven

Out of the corner of her eye, Samantha observed Raven on his black horse, Ruffian, riding across the main path via a short cut. He caught up with her, but Samantha raced on a bit, and then considered that her soreness intensified in the saddle. How could she explain the deep rooted ‘morning after’ experience of satisfaction and wantonness? Oh, my, just the sight of him excited her. No way would she admit to him her temporary malady from the previous night’s activities. It would be weakness on her part, and that word was not in her vernacular. Yet another sensation crept up her spine at the inner glow of having bedded with a most special man.

“Try hard not to break your neck. The horse you ride is high-spirited, and you are in a side saddle. That’s an invitation for an accident. I want to ask you something, you minx.”

Samantha slowed her animal, and leaned back with a most provocative glance over her right shoulder. “What do you wish to ask, Your Grace?”

“And don’t Your Grace me, young lady. There is a favor I seek.”

“Is it in my limited female dominion to grant?” she teased.

“Yes, it is. Damnation. Try to accommodate me. I have a dress that my seamstress made for you. It matches my attire for the ball. Would you wear it for me?”

“Why?” she asked.

“Because it will signify to me, after last night, whether you realize it or not, I claimed you.” he said, his lips curled into a grin.

Samantha laughed, “Like you would a race horse? We don’t always get what we want. Is the gown spun of gold with ducal signets on it?”

“No, but what a wonderful idea, I’m sorry I didn’t think of it.”

“I will consider it, Raven.” Then she inquired, “How do you know it will fit me?”

“The seamstresses used one of your other gowns as a model, and are in the process of its alteration now.”

“Won’t people think it strange my gown matches your attire? What will they say?”

“That you belong to me,” he stated.

“There are other ways to make such a proclamation.” With a tilt of her head in his direction, she said in a haughty tone. “One night doesn’t make me your possession. I don’t belong to any man as yet.”

“Then you don’t know how far I’ll go to possess you. I always get what I want.” He paused. “The shocked look on your face rewards me. I do not engage in games on important matters. You can wager on that fact.”

She raced ahead of him to the woods, dismounted, tied her horse to a tree limb, and muttered to herself while she waited. Now events took on a more lucid effect. Did he think her a dolt? One night didn’t make her his no matter what he thought.

Ruffian followed without coaxing. “You’re impossible,” Raven muttered as he glided off his horse with practiced ease and tied the reins to the same tree branch.

“Quite so, Raven. I want to make sure you’ll never forget me.”

“As if I could.” He pulled her into his arms, kissed her hungrily. “You’re not a woman a man forgets. I would hope my nights are better occupied with you by my side.”

His urgent kisses made her feel desirable—invincible, and totally female, a lady one moment and a formidable vixen the next. A seizing thrill snaked to her core. She was no longer vulnerable, but now sensed immense, dangerous power.

She withdrew her lips from his. Emboldened, she met his gaze and tossed her head in dismissal. “You may hope all you want, but it does take two people to share a night.”

Samantha pulled back from him. “You are a horrible man.”

“I’ve been called worse. You’d do well to avoid insults and invectives unless you are prepared to pay for them.”

“Are you threatening me with punishment?” Now her laugh taunted.

Raven’s smile softened at the words when he moved toward her, pulled her to him, kissed her again with obvious passion. He liked the way Samantha returned his kisses with ardor, with a strong will, and now after last night, with artfulness.

“You accept punishment too well. I fear you enjoy what I do.”

“Only when you use your lips as a lethal weapon.” She tilted her head to him with a smile. He returned her zeal, kiss for kiss, heart to heart. It amazed him how the chemistry flared between them in a matter of moments. With Samantha, it became hot passion mixed with a good portion of anger. With him, it became passion mixed with a portion of regret at last night’s actions.

“I hesitate to ask. Are you all right, Samantha? Last night was arduous for you. I thought about you most of the night and prayed I didn’t cause you undue pain,” he questioned with a slight tone of pride in his voice. “If the house were not crammed full of guests, I’d have come to your rooms to succor you. If only to hold you in my arms.”

“You didn’t do anything that should concern you, Your Grace. I wouldn’t change one moment of last night with you even if it means you don’t want me.”

“How can you speak that way after all we’ve just shared? You’re not a fool. Can you not see, feel, taste, and hear my desire for you?” He loved the bloom on her cheeks when she blushed.

Her voice softened to a sultry whisper. Her fingers fidgeted. “Raven, this horse is most high-spirited as you advised me, but like most such creatures, it’s sometimes best to give a little more of the reins than hold them too tightly.”

“Is this an attempt to tell me something, Samantha?” He led her to a fallen limb, where they could sit in comfort.

“Yes. In different words, a long leash is preferable to a short one.” Her hand covered his. “I won’t have you brand me, Raven. I gave myself to you, but you don’t own me.”

He took her hand, placed it on his cheek, and held it to him. “I will allow that one night does not make a relationship, but you, Samantha, have affected me in a way I dared not believe. I like the touch of you upon me, sorceress.”

With deftness, he took her hand, removed her glove, and kissed the palm of her ever-so-soft and delicate hand. His tongue passed over it and lingered. Then he aligned his mouth to hers, and found her lips.

“This is madness,” she exhaled. “Supreme madness that with a lick of your tongue it becomes a wicked, beautiful instrument of pleasure.”

“You’re a woman awakened to bed sport. It’s a heady awareness. I caution care. Above all, don’t use it as a weapon to destroy me unless you are prepared to lose.” He observed the race of her breath and marveled how she managed to control her temper.

She moved closer. “So, you now consider me a weapon. Oh, my, Your Grace, that was the most wonderful thing any man has ever said to me.”

He held her gaze and her hand. “There are many loving words in store for you. I can’t fault your words or thoughts. I will say again, I’m as honorable as I know you are.”

Samantha touched his arm. “This morning I woke up and realized my body betrayed me. I would not change anything because I…”

“Go on, Samantha.”

“No,” she raised a finger to her temple, saying, “Some things are better left unsaid.”

“Do you have a headache?” He skimmed her forehead and ran his fingers down her cheek in a gentle, caring manner.

“It will go away soon.” She waved his hand away. “It’s just the excitement of the day and the ride.”

“You don’t know how much I wish we could be together for a while right now. Please know that.” This was the second time in his life where he used the word please, and both times he said the word to her. The first time was their chance encounter in the carriage. “There’s much I would do, to and for you.” His smile became wicked in its intent.

“Such as?” she asked with mischief.

“To begin with, there is a cottage at the edge of the woods which I use for solace most of the time. I would like for you to see it and be there with me so I can hold you in my arms and cover you with kisses everywhere my lips can reach. I’ve come to like the salty sweet taste of your skin and the sensation it arouses even when you are not in my arms. I long to see the joy of passion on your innocent face for it’s something I treasure. And always will. You are like no other.” He paused, then added, “And you are mine, whether you affirm it or not.”

“Do you feel by your claiming me, it will make it so? What you do to me is insanity. I find myself in want of you to show me everything, to take me on a sensual journey of the discovery of my pent up passion.”

He couldn’t help but notice her breath race as her breasts heaved.

“What a pity we can’t see the cottage now, Raven. I used to wonder about your passion, but now it’s clear you have a wealth of it, and desire also. You torture me with your words.”

“I’m tormented by you, too. I missed you last night. When you left, it was as if I were an empty vessel. We could have stayed nestled into each other, my arms on your body, to hold you close in an embrace of what we could be. Did you know that your hair fans out on the pillow, and I can smell the lemony essence of you? There’s also the scent of a woman who’s just had sex.” He grinned.

“Sex, Raven? Such a shocking word, but yet I feel a tingle. I do believe your words are poetry composed solely for me. If you’re not careful, you’ll arouse the passion you describe.”

“I would like to have you again, now for the entire world to see.” He smiled, but could not help himself because he realized he’d come to worship her.

“That would be quite a spectacle. I’m not a voyeur, and public performances of that type are not for me,” she added.

“Nor for me,” he answered. “There are moments when I wish I could be a much simpler man with simple wants and needs.”

“You could never be a simple man or commonplace. You could never be dishonorable. You were born to rule and command.”

“If that is so, I command you to kiss me.” Samantha opened her lips to him. He answered with a tongue that darted to the satin recess of her mouth and swallowed her moan.