12

 

Lily’s personal level of security hit DEFCON One by the time they walked through Ian’s front door. Okay, now what? Breathing. Breathing would be good, she decided, chewing her lower lip.

“You seem a little tense,” he commented as he stepped forward and encircled her in his arms.

His full hard length pressing against her did nothing to quell her nervousness. Her excitement either, for that matter. “I’m not tense,” Lily replied, tilting her chin up in false bravado. “It’s just…you just…uh….I’m not…”

Laughter rumbled low in his chest. He brushed her cheek with his lips and released her. “It’s fine, darlin’. You have no idea of the amount of self control it took for me to make it this long. I’ve never wanted anything as badly as I want you right now and I’m of a mind to celebrate now that you’re finally here,” he said with a smile. “Champagne?”

She nodded, desperate for anything to help her relax. Taking a seat on the couch, she eased off her slippers and wiggled her bare toes in the luxurious carpet.

Ian disappeared through the double doors only to return moments later. He retrieved a bottle from the ice bucket and two crystal flutes from behind the bar. Expertly he popped the cork, filled both with the sparkling wine, handed her one and raised his in toast. “To you,” he said simply.

“And to you,” Lily said. She drank deeply and Ian refilled it, his eyes growing dark with desire. When she’d finished her second glass, he took it from her and set it on the table. He reached for her hand and turned it over, pressing a warm kiss in the center of her palm. She held her breath as he kissed the sensitive underside of her wrist and gasped when the tip of his tongue grazed the soft skin.

“You taste of fresh cut lavender,” Ian said, pulling her across him as he reclined back on the couch. He slid his hand under her hair and moved it aside, pressing his lips against the racing pulse in her neck. “Beautiful woman, you enchant me,” he murmured.

She uttered a soft sigh as he slid his hand up the back of the velvet gown, massaging and soothing the tense muscles beneath. One arm encircled her waist, and he caressed her face with the other hand, brushing his thumb against the corner of her mouth and encouraging her to open to him. She melted against him, parting her lips for his plundering tongue.

Hot, hot…it’s so hot in here! Was it her? Damn, she wished she had read more of Beth’s romances… and her mind whirled again when he bent his head and kissed the skin exposed at the neckline of her gown. He gently cupped her breast, and her nipple hardened eagerly against the soft fabric.

She threaded her fingers through his hair and smiled when he turned his intense gaze up to her. “I have been dreaming of this,” he murmured. “You have the softest skin. I want to touch all of you. I want to feel your skin on mine.” He dropped his hand to her ankle and worked his way under the voluminous skirt, wandered slowly up her thigh. Her entire body shook when a long finger brushed against the curls under her panties.

His fingers crept beneath the lace and she squirmed against him. He sucked in a sharp breath. “You’re already wet for me, sweetheart,” he whispered hoarsely, “and I can’t wait another moment to taste every last inch of you. Come, my beauty.”

He stood, hands outstretched to help her up. They had only taken two steps when he stopped short, pulling her into a crushing embrace. Startled, she gasped and he took full and fiery possession of it, caressing her tongue with his and exploring the velvety softness of her wine drenched lips.

“I need to see you,” he said, unzipping her gown and sliding it from her shoulders to pool forgotten at her feet. His lips parted in a wide kid-in-a-candy-store smile at her, before him now only in lace bra and panties. “You are exquisite, mo chuisle.”

He unfastened the front clasp on her bra and sighed when her full breasts sprang free of their lacy confinement. She shivered, self conscious, when he took them in hand, running his thumbs over her taut peaks, and she moaned at this new contact. With a wicked smile, he dipped his head lower and seared a path with his lips from her neck to her breasts. Dropping to his knees before her, he kissed each several times, finally taking one pink nipple in his mouth and teasing it with his tongue. Lily trembled and stroked his hair, holding her to him while he suckled lazily at one breast then giving the other one the same loving attention. With nimble fingers he tugged on the sides of her panties and they too were vanquished without a fight. His strong hands slipped around her back to cup her bottom, pulling her forward. His kisses wandered lower, and when she felt his hot breath on the small nest of pale blond curls, she could no longer trust herself to stand upright.

She tilted his face up to hers. “Please…” she begged.

Ian stood at once. “As my lady commands,” he murmured, scooped her up in his strong arms and walked toward the open double doors. She closed her eyes and when she reopened them, she thought she must be dreaming. They had been magically transported to a deep forest. All the walls were painted with thick, leafy trees and foliage, and the massive dark oak bed in the center of the room was replete with a dark green comforter and sheets. The bed had been turned down in invitation and candles lit, giving a surreal glow to the primeval room.

 “Were you expecting me to come tonight?” she asked, looking up at him.

Ian flashed a dark, testosterone-laden smile that made her shiver. “Actually, that’s exactly what I’m expecting. Several times, if I’m lucky.” He laid her down gently in the middle of the bed and stepped back to disrobe. Lily watched in fascination as he removed his collar, doublet and shirt. Chest bared, he tugged off his boots and worked at the laces on his pants until they slid from his narrow hips and fell to the floor.

Too curious to look away, she was shocked down to her toes to see he wore nothing under those pants. Apprehension came flooding back. He was now completely undressed, thereby making them both naked. Of course she knew what a naked man looked like, but Ian was the first she had ever seen in person, and definitely the most beautiful man she had ever seen, clothed or not. From the corner of her eye she could tell he was very hard, erect, and very– oh my god that is never going to fit. Her heart skipped a beat when she glanced at it again, and then skipped two more for good measure.

Gathering up her nerve, she looked directly at him and almost swooned from the raw animal sexuality of the man standing before her. Her breath caught in her throat when he reached out and took her hand, guiding it to his rocklike erection. “Touch me, sweetheart,” he encouraged, “feel how very much I want you.”

Her breath coming in soft pants, she wrapped her hand around him. Her fingertips barely brushed as she gingerly stroked the velvety skin. He gave a low rumbled purr of appreciation at her touch, climbed into the wide bed and slid toward her. Lily allowed her body to guide her, arching her back, begging to be touched.

“Ah, Lily” he whispered, “mo ghra alainn…my beautiful love.” He slid his hand across her breast, down her flat belly, coming to rest on the small moist tangle of blond curls. Then he parted her tender folds and stroked her with questing fingers, teasing the little bud with his thumb. She moaned and shuddered, the pressure within her began to build, and when he pressed her throbbing woman’s center, wave after wave of pleasure rocked her to her core, blinding her to everything except the delicious sensation of liquid warmth spreading throughout her body. He held her close until the tremors subsided, and just when she could once again think coherently and breathe, he began another whirlwind onslaught of seduction.

“Intoxicating beauty,” he murmured against her throat as he pressed kisses into it. His mouth trailed down to her breasts and he whispered to each, “Exquisite…perfection.” He kissed the sensitive valley in between and languidly ran his tongue in a circle around her naval. “So…sweet…”

His hot, hungry kisses moved lower, and she knew she could not wait one moment longer for their inevitable joining. She grabbed two fistfuls of his auburn curls and raised his head so he’d look at her. “I want you inside me,” she said breathlessly, “right this minute.”

Ian rose and moved over her, the hunger evident in his eyes. The ravenous look he gave her before burying his face in her hair catapulted her heartbeat into warp drive. He trembled and she sensed he was struggling, keeping his passion in check to be gentle with her. When he began to ease into her, she bit back a whimper, anticipating what she knew was next.

* * * *

Ian’s thoughts raced in time with his heartbeat. This wasn’t his first time, and he needed to quit acting like it was or this would be over before it even started. Yet this was his first time. Love changed everything. Love had made it different.

He struggled to keep from burying himself inside her right then. He wanted to savor every sensation, every moment, so he closed his eyes and forced himself to slowly dance at her small opening. It was an exquisite torture, sliding into her little by little. God, she’s so tight… and then he could go no further. Confused, he pulled back and eased forward again only to meet the same resistance. What that meant hit him like a ton of bricks and he froze.

Virgin… No…

His eyes flew open to catch Lily watching him intently. “I love you,” she whispered. No sooner than those words were spoken, she wrapped her long legs around his back and in one quick movement pulled him down as she thrust her hips up, sheathing him to the hilt. She cried out, and his mind reeled at what she had just done.

She lay still as a stone, her eyes closed. He rose up on his elbows to search her face for any signs of pain or discomfort but to his relief and utter delight, she gave him a tremulous smile and began wiggling her hips in an unmistakable sign of invitation. He moved with her, allowing her to set the pace, and when he felt her need accelerate, he matched her, making every nerve in his body scream out for release. They moved in unison, driving each other to a fever pitch. The pleasure became unendurable, and he took her cries into him as they climaxed together in a white hot blaze which threatened to consume them with its ferocity.

They lay joined and panting and when their breathing slowed, Ian gently withdrew, murmuring love words into her neck as he slid down beside her and gathered her close against his heart. They lay without speaking for a long time, each sighing in utter completion, punctuated with soft kisses and tender caresses. Ian’s mouth rested on the pulse point on her neck, and she started slightly when he said, “You…you should have told me, my love,” he whispered.

“What difference would it have made? I love you,” she said.

“And I love you.” He met her eyes. “I am sorry I hurt you.” She opened her mouth to speak, but he put a finger on her lips, gently silencing her. “You honor me, my lady.”

With a contented sigh, Lily snuggled closer to his warm body. Ian stroked her hair in a comforting rhythm and they lay intertwined until sleep finally claimed her.

* * * *

Lily was dreaming, she knew. She stood upon the bow of a great wooden ship, heading out to sea. The oars creaked, stroking together to propel them forward. The dragon bobbed up and down as large waves battered the ship, but she was not afraid. She was happy, wrapped from head to toe in furs and warm in spite of the frigid temperature. Her long unbound hair whipped around her face, her tresses a rich crimson.

Sensing the presence behind her, she smiled when two strong arms encircled her. “You’ll freeze to your death up here.” The words spoken weren’t English, but she understood them all the same.

“I love the sea, I love its wildness,” she said.

“As I love you,” he murmured in her ear in his deep voice.

She turned in his arms to look up at him, this massive fur clad man, her man, dark and fierce with his long hair in thick braids. The handsome face was unfamiliar, but his eyes were Ian’s eyes…

* * * *

“I know you,” she whispered, and fell back into darkness.

Ian lay awake watching her sleep and after a long time closed his eyes and slept, dreaming of the open sea and long red curls held aloft by the swirling North Sea winds.

…I know you…

* * * *

The following morning Lily was first to stir, and was momentarily confused by her surroundings. They lay side by side, his muscular arm protectively holding her close. She marveled at how well their bodies fit together, that lying with Ian like this felt like the most natural thing in the whole world. She stretched languidly and eased off the bed, doing her best not to wake him. Missing his warmth, she shivered and tiptoed to the bathroom. It’s almost noon, she realized.

She surveyed her reflection in the mirror, noting the mussed hair and the satiated smile on her lips, to see if there was any difference in her face now that she had completed her rite of passage into womanhood. Her gaze dropped lower to the tiny flecks of blood on her thighs. She frowned and stuck her head out the bathroom door, but Ian was already up and out of the room. With the door closed, she just begun to search for a washcloth when she heard a quiet knock.

“Just a minute,” she said, her emotions a strange brew of excitement, uncertainty, embarrassment, and happiness.

“Would you like a shower?” Ian called through the door.

“Yes, please.” She peered doubtfully into the huge shower filled with massaging shower heads and more knobs than she knew what to do with. “How does it work, exactly?”

She laughed when the door flew open and he crossed the bathroom in three long strides to turn on the water for her. He seemed unselfconscious about his nakedness, she noted, wishing she were just a little more at ease with her lack of clothing. The large glass block shower boasted six massaging shower heads and the steam rose as the water heated. He held the shower door open for her and grinned. “If milady requires assistance with those hard to reach places, I’d be delighted to offer a hand...or two.”

His enthusiasm was infectious, and she accepted his outstretched hand and stepped into the soothing shower then impulsively pulled him in behind her. She luxuriated in the gentle feel of his hands on her body as Ian lathered and massaged every inch of her skin with a large mesh puff and clean-smelling spearmint soap. He moved her hair out of the way, and pulling her against him, washed her back while pressing kisses into her neck.

After he had finished, she shyly held out her hand for the puff, and began to wash his back in the same manner. He moved as she directed, and otherwise stood still as she lathered his entire body, even when it became obvious his interest in more than their mutual hygiene was growing by the minute.

By the time both were squeaky clean, nothing was visible in the steamed up mirrors. Ian turned off the water and shook like a big Irish setter, spraying huge droplets everywhere, to Lily’s shriek of delight. He pulled down a towel slung over the door and quickly dried off. “Hold still, you,” he ordered, stepping from the shower. He took her hand to assist her out, waiting to dry and wrap her in another big, fluffy towel. “Just a second.” He disappeared into the bedroom, reappearing several moments later. He had slipped on a pair of cotton drawstring sweats and brought a similar pair of shorts and a t-shirt for her.

She brightened at the emblazoned logo. “Ooh, Horizon! My favorite band,” she said, fingering the soft cotton shirt.

Smiling, he helped her into the clothes then stood back to admire his handiwork. “I think I prefer you naked, but I have to say you look mighty fetching in my clothes. Come on,” he said, taking her by the hand, “I bet you’re hungry.” He led her into the kitchen, where the coffee had just finished brewing. He pulled a plate of cut fruit out of the refrigerator and set it next to a plate of sweet rolls on the breakfast table then poured them each a mug of the steaming brew. Taking her seat, Lily helped herself to cream and sugar as Ian smiled at her over the rim of his cup. Sunlight streamed through the large nook window, casting a bright natural glow over the kitchen. After a moment of deliberation, Lily selected a fat strawberry and popped it into his mouth with a smile. He caught her hand as he swallowed the succulent fruit and pulled her into his lap.

“I just want you to know I desperately want to make love to you again, but…” He ended with a small shrug.

She knew, all right. Her muscles stiffened in protest as they cooled from the hot shower. “Last night was wonderful,” she admitted, her cheeks flaming “but I’m a little…sore.”

He nodded in understanding. “The spearmint soap is good for muscle aches and you have my solemn vow I won’t touch you until you command me to. Be warned, though–if you give the order, be prepared for what will follow.”

“And what would that be?” Lily asked, widening her eyes innocently.

Ian laughed. “Ah no, beauty, I won’t tell you. I’m counting on curiosity to bring me the cat.”

Lily put her hand to her face in mock dismay then brightened. “Stay right here,” she ordered then ran to the great room to her purse. Upon returning, she eased down on his lap and handed him the foil-wrapped package.

“What’s this?” he questioned.

“A birthday gift,” she said. “I meant to give it to you last night, but I must have gotten…sidetracked.”

“You didn’t need…” he began, but she put a finger to his lips, then changed her mind and kissed him instead. A moment later, she asked, “So…are you going to open it?”

Ian’s eyes fluttered open. “What?”

“Your present–are you going to open it?” Lily reminded him.

“I have a present?” Ian appeared confused. “Aw, darlin’, you can’t possibly expect me to think clearly when you’re kissing me so.” At her urging, he tore open the wrapping to find the long silver chain. “It’s beautiful, sweetheart, thank you,” he said, but she stopped him before he could put it on.

“Wait,” she said. “There’s something that goes with it.” With a long meaningful look into his beautiful eyes, she decided to throw caution to the wind. “We haven’t known each other that long, but...the connection I feel with you is…like we’ve known each other forever. I want you to have this,” she said, and strung the small silver ring from her right hand on the chain.

Ian picked up the simple band and read the inscription inside:

For True Love Only Will I Wait

“I put that ring on when I was thirteen years old. I know I’ve never been in love before …until now.” She slipped the chain around his neck. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. “So now,” she said, muffled against his neck, “have I completely terrified you?” Me and my big mouth, she chided herself when he didn’t answer. Gone and blown this whole thing all to hell…

* * * *

While Ian’s body was present and accounted for, his mind was lifetimes away…

 “No pearls,” the girl whispered, absently fingering the chain that hung limp around her neck. It had all been a blur, the last few days. Since the arrival of the centurion bearing the awful news, nothing else mattered. She tolerated the hushed whispers of the servants and the overwhelming concern of her parents with a numb detachment. “Do with me as you may–I will not marry,” she said. “I await the return of my beloved.”

“The message bearer saw him fall to an enemy sword with his own eyes,” her father had said, not unkindly. “We will make for you another suitable match…”

“I will have no other,” she replied serenely. “He promised to return to me and to that vow I shall cling to my death, whenever that may be, and through whatever lies beyond.”

The following day, she lifted her chin and shielded her green eyes against the sun. The Temple of Cybele loomed before her, massive stone columns flanking the gate. She quickly tucked the chain inside her stola before any of the other novices could see and gathering her cloak around her, murmured a prayer into its protective folds.

“Would that I serve you well, my Goddess, and I shall pray with all my heart that someday you will return my own love to me as you restored your beloved Attis…”

* * * *

It seemed like an eternity before he spoke, ending her internal tirade. “You do terrify me, beloved,” he whispered, “because you make me feel things I…didn’t think I could feel. My surrender to you is unconditional, my lady. I am yours.”

Giving him a brilliant smile, Lily snuggled up against his chest. Ian kissed the top of her head and stared off, unseeing, out the nook window.