| |
As soon as Lily entered the foyer, dripping wet and shivering, the house became a hive of activity. Men were sent to find Owen and Laramie, while another man rode for the doctor.
And in the midst of all the chaos, the previous hours took their toll and Lily found herself crying in her mother-in-law’s arms on the staircase.
“There, there, my dear. Everything will be alright. You and the baby will be pronounced healthy, and Owen’s injury will be stitched up.”
Another sob wracked her aching body. “How can you be so forgiving? This is all my fault! If I hadn’t run off into a storm like a ninny, none of this would’ve happened.”
“Nonsense. This Laramie fellow surely would’ve found another opportunity to attack, especially with the continuation of those letters. At least now, he’s taken care of.” Her logical assessment settled Lily somewhat, though she still felt like she deserved more of a scolding before forgiveness.
Shouting preceded the group of men who burst through the entryway. Laramie had woken from his slumber and was putting up quite the fight for his release.
“Take him to the drawing room while we wait for the constable. The rain seems to be letting up finally, so he should be here soon.” Owen directed from his place at the back of the group. Sidling past the moving men, he rushed to Lily and his mother, falling to his knees to embrace them.
“Thank goodness, you made it back safely. How are you feeling? Any trouble with the baby?”
“Not yet. Still kicking like normal, which I take as a positive sign,” she admitted, both of their hands stroking her stomach.
“A very good sign, dear.” The dowager countess smiled at the tableau before her, relieved to see her son and his wife in decent health. “Owen, I’ve been told you were shot. Let’s have a look before Dr. Pearson arrives.”
They all shuffled upstairs to the master suite, where the doctor found them a half-hour later—Owen’s shoulder gleaming white from a fresh bandage and Lily dressed in a nightgown under the blankets of their bed.
“Good evening, my lord and ladies. Everyone looks to be alive and well, I’m happy to report. Now, let’s examine the patients.”
Owen motioned for the man to check Lily first, and so the elderly man began.
It wasn’t until hours later that Owen and Lily were left alone, gazing at the blazing fire warming the room.
“I’m glad you and the baby are doing well after today’s events.” Owen rubbed her bump from his position beside her on the bed, his good arm hugging her to him while his injured arm rested in a sling. His steady strength eased the tension in her back and gave her the courage to apologize for her actions precipitating their harrowing ordeal.
“Me, too... I’m sorry I ran off like I did, though.” Squeezing his hand, she closed her eyes against the dim light, inhaling deeply. “I put myself and our child in danger instead of confronting you about those notes. I let my fear take control.”
A resigned sigh ruffled her hair as he considered her admission. “I should have told you about them, but I was scared to heap more troubles at your feet considering what we were already dealing with, but it’s no excuse.” She clung tighter to his hand, knuckles whitening at the vulnerable confession. “Fear controlled me, too.”
“We both need to grow and trust each other more. Though, I wouldn’t have guessed Laramie’s part in this either way. I probably would’ve guessed Asa.” The old stableboy certainly hadn’t liked her rebuff at the luncheon or Owen’s consequential threats.
“Lynch did come to mind,” Owen admitted. “But his motive never materialized, except to hurt us, which I suppose was motive enough. I’m just glad it’s over, and we can move forward as we should.” Nuzzling into her neck, his lips pressed a lingering kiss to the downy hairs tickling his cheeks. “From now on, I vow to love and trust you completely. The past is buried, and I choose this Lily—the woman in my arms—rather than allowing your youthful self to color our future.”
“I love and trust you, too. Over negative thoughts and fears. Over fate’s perceived vendetta against me. I’m ready to move on.”
“I’m happy to hear that, wife, because I know the perfect way to proceed.” A mischievous note entered his voice as his hip nudged hers. Delicate nibbles etched her skin before finding her ear. “We have yet to fully consummate our marriage bed.”
A miracle when she considered how far their intimacies had gone. Yet, they’d always eased away before crossing the line at home, as if an invisible barrier lay between them.
Empty tree copses and lakeside trysts are apparently our preferred locations to make love. The notion amused her, though it didn’t come as a surprise with their propensity for the outdoors.
“And you think now is the appropriate time?” she goaded him, arching into his touch.
“As long as you’re well enough...” Owen wavered with concern, but she smiled and nodded, undulating against him.
“Very well, dear husband. And very eager.”
A rumble of approval vibrated at her side, and his hands quickly smoothed over her leg to raise her nightgown, urging her to straddle him. “Since you’re quite round at the front and I’m down one arm, I believe this might be an easier manner with which to fuck you, my dear.”
Polite then filthy.
The switch shocked and aroused.
“Whatever you want. I’m at your disposal.” Always.
Through awkward shuffling, they managed to rid her body of the nightgown, revealing her naked body to the glowing firelight as she sat in front of Owen, facing away from him. Lily shivered. Despite all their touches, she'd never been fully bare to him. Clothing always remained in place, if a bit mussed and loosened.
Your wet chemise at the lake in full sunshine didn’t offer much protection, if you’ll recall.
Nonetheless, vulnerability like she'd never felt before creeped forward as self-consciousness stole her thoughts. What would Owen think of her body? Her round, pregnant body? It wasn't the lithe form of an eighteen-year-old or the fit body of their first time together. Would it matter to him?
It didn’t at the lake. Hold on to that.
Hoisting a heavy breast in his palm, Owen tweaked a hardening nipple, making her gasp. “Don't worry,” he whispered. “I remember how sensitive these are. How sensitive you are... everywhere.”
Curling deeper into Lily so her entire body felt surrounded by him, Owen’s hand lowered, skimming over her belly until he slipped between her thighs. He shifted one of her legs over, spreading her wider for his invasion, her knees digging into the mattress.
“Is this comfortable enough for you?”
“Yes, though I didn't realize we could do it this way.”
“Darling, as long as my cock can sink into your pussy, we can do it however which way we want,” he promised, summoning a clench of her thighs in response. That's what she wanted. To have him anyway she could. To leave no stone unturned as they explored each other, finally able to freely express their love.
Casting her head to the side, Lily searched for his lips until his mouth found hers while his fingers circled her clitoris. He swallowed her gasp of delight and kept a steady thrumming along the bundle of nerves. Undulating into the exquisite touch, she followed his rhythmic circling, lowering a hand to clutch him closer.
“I confess to impatience, love. I need you inside me. Now.” They'd waited too long. Prolonged foreplay would have to wait for another time because she couldn't take the emptiness without him any longer. The memory of being atop him at the lake seared her mind. The thick impression of his cock swelling inside her. His tongue and teeth plying her nipples and eliciting her breastmilk—something she hadn’t expected so soon before the baby’s arrival, let alone something she’d find immensely pleasurable. “Make me yours. Please.”
“Lily... As much as I want nothing more, I don't trust my control once your hot walls tighten around me. I can't guarantee your pleasure, except through this.” He increased the friction of his fingers against her. “Rubbing this sweet pearl until you spend on my hand. Then I can take you, knowing you've at least found your release.”
Always so considerate. It bedeviled her. It endeared her.
“I don't care, Owen. We have the rest of our lives to learn each other, to give each other pleasure. What I want at this moment is your cock filling me up. I need to feel you,” she begged, uncaring of the whimper in her voice. She ached for his possession. “Please, Owen. More.”
***
THE REMINDER OF THEIR tryst at the lake, the first time he ate her pussy, the first time they’d truly fucked, pushed him over the edge. She gave him the words he wanted to hear; he wouldn't refuse her plea, now. Couldn’t if he tried.
Undoing his trousers, Owen angled his cock to her wet entrance, slipping between luscious thighs, her plump bottom cradling him. This view undid him. His wife astride his cock. Her back pressed to his chest, leaving her entire front exposed to his every whim—a tug on her nipple, a caress to her belly, a rough stroke against her clit.
“I love you, sweetheart.” He solidified the declaration with a thrust of his hips, plunging his cock to the base in one harsh go. They both groaned at the contact, and he relished her enveloping heat, thankful he could stay as long he could last—which in truth would probably be woefully short at this point—but at least it was a direct contrast of their first joining. And hopefully a surpassing of their second.
“I love... you, too,” Lily stuttered, breath hitching as her back arched. “Feel so full. You're so thick.”
Bloody hell.
A man can't be expected to last when his woman voiced such things. Especially a former virgin with only two tups under his belt. If he even counted that first time...
“Are you trying to make this difficult for me, woman?”
“Difficult? No. You're the one who's being hard to handle.” He chuckled at her cheek and burrowed deeper in her pussy. Another satisfied moan wisped over his lips.
“Puns in bed? You're thinking too much, love.” Twisting her torso towards him, Owen bent his head and latched onto a rosy nipple and suckled his sweet prize. He loved her breasts. He loved them before her pregnancy, and he adored them even more now.
Would adore them even more if they gave him another scandalous taste of their creamy bounty.
Aiming to earn his prize, Owen ravished the pale globe—nipping and kneading, worshiping Lily. The rhythmic pulsing of her pussy on his cock mimicked each pull of his mouth, and he knew he wouldn't last much longer. Fucking embarrassing. But he'd improve. He'd learn to control himself so well that he could fuck her for hours every night.
Suckle her breasts. Perhaps make her come from that alone.
Devour her pussy until the sheets lay rumpled and soaked beneath them, her slick glistening on her thighs and his face.
Then impale himself in her warmth and stay there. Perhaps see how long they could withstand the stillness. Just reveling in their intimate connection.
Yes, he’d learn restraint, and he’d enjoy every second of it.
A cry arose from Lily as the first drop of liquid gold coated his tongue, and his hips roughly bucked forward, his shaft forcing its way into her hotly flexing walls, eager to wring more of those breathy sounds from his wife. Owen flicked and prodded, milked and rubbed her engorged clitoris until he recognized the tremulous flutters signaling her release.
“That's it, sweetheart. Spend for me.” Licking away a stray droplet, Owen’s strokes became erratic as they flew into oblivion together, a shriek of pleasure piercing the air as his growl of satisfaction erupted. Silky warmth seeped between them, dampening the sheets, but they didn't notice, too entangled in each other.
“And you were afraid of displeasing me.” Lily contracted around his semi-hard erection. “That doesn’t seem possible when we’re together.” She extricated herself from his grasp after catching her breath, carefully climbing off to lay on her side and face him, her belly pressing into his hip.
“I underestimated my skills, apparently,” he joked, unduly pleased by himself.
Lily's joyful laugh tickled his senses, and he joined her in amusement. His chest felt light. Like he could float away, content with his life in every way.
“You've no shame either. With an ego as big as—”
“My cock?” he supplied with a teasing grin.
“Oh dear, I'll never hear the end of this now.” She brought the covers over her face to hide in mock indignation.
“Well, you did call it thick, and I believe you were quite full?”
Primly, she explained, “A lady isn't responsible for whatever spills forth while making love.”
“Is that so?” He whipped the blankets back to reveal her blushing face and kissed his lovely wife. “What about declarations of love?”
“I don’t recall voicing any declarations or hearing them, for that matter.”
“My mistake, wife. It shall be rectified immediately because...” He skated a reverential hand over her cheek to bury in the skeins of tangled hair on the pillow. “I absolutely, unconditionally love and adore you. You are my argumentative, brash, bright, and beautiful wife. The lone woman able to challenge me and win... on occasion.” Owen grazed his lips over her wrinkled nose, inwardly laughing at her reaction.
“I can always count on you to follow any complimentary assertion with one of daring,” she said. “However, it’s comforting knowing your steadfastness in character. You were my first love—my only love—and I vow to protect your heart better than I have in the past. You’re the only person in the world who truly understands and accepts me, even more than my sisters, and I will cherish that gift for as long as I live.” A blush bloomed on her skin at the sentimental admission. His Lily wasn’t one for such extended verbal displays of emotion, at least softer emotions.
But she wouldn’t be the woman he loved otherwise.
Her fingers traced the faint growth of his beard and leaned forward for another kiss. Conversation complete, they basked in their newfound intimacy, caressing skin, whispering hopes for the future.
The perfect start to their new beginning.