17

 

Lily woke first the following morning, Ian’s chest pressed to her back, his muscular arm holding her close. His breathing was slow and rhythmic. She stretched her legs, wiggling her hips to adjust to the insistent hardness pressing against her. He shifted slightly, giving her a nudge. She squirmed again to gauge what was going on behind her, but the instant she moved the second time, Ian shot a hand out and grasped her between her knees. In one quick move, he lifted her thigh to lie atop his and with a playful growl buried himself within her. She shrieked in surprise, but surprise quickly gave way to gasps of pleasure when he put his talented fingers to work. Within minutes he brought her swiftly to climax then joined his voice with hers in sweet release.

Afterward they lay quiet, enjoying the magical stillness. “I thought you were asleep,” Lily finally said in playful accusation.

His laughter rumbled deep in his chest. “I was, until a beautiful wench started rubbing her hips against me. That’s what you get for waking a sleeping dragon, my lady.”

“Mmm. I’ll take it under advisement,” she retorted. She rolled onto her stomach, looked at him and bit her lip in uncertainty. “Can I ask you a serious question?”

He turned onto his back and stretched like a cat. “For certain you may, but I can’t guarantee a serious answer at this time of morning.”

She hesitated then taking a deep breath blurted out, “Was it okay?”

Ian rose up on one elbow and gave her a quizzical look. “Was what okay?”

“You know…” Lily mumbled, feeling the blood rush to her cheeks. 

“I don’t understand. Was what okay?” he repeated.

“You know. Us. Me. You and me…last night? This morning?”

He frowned in confusion then his shoulders began to shake convulsively. To her disbelief and outrage, he threw back his head and roared with laughter, falling back onto the bed in helpless abandon. His laughter was infectious, and she felt her lips curve upward in spite of herself. “Ian, this is serious, damn it,” she said, thumping him gently on the chest.

When he was able to regain his composure, he answered her. “No, darlin’, it was not okay. Making love to you, with you, last night and again this morning, was…like magic..deja vu…like we’ve been here before.” He traced her cheek with his fingertips. “I love you, sweetheart, more than you could ever imagine. You take me places I’ve only ever heard about. And so,” he said as laughter threatened to overtake him again, “to answer your original question–no, it was not okay.”

Lily gave him a halfhearted thwap with her pillow. “Uncivilized lout,” she said tartly, then laughed when he pressed her into the soft bed and spent the next hour showing her just how uncivilized he really was.

****

When Ian woke again later, he rolled over to investigate the flashing light signaling the arrival of a voice mail on his silenced phone. He tapped speed dial to return the call. “You rang?” Ian asked, yawning.

“You’re still in bed, you lazy bastard? What is it, noon?” Dan said, snorting with laughter.

“It’s only…hold on,” Ian blinked at the clock, “…ten, and I had a late night, so lay off. What did you say came for me?”

“Manila envelope. Sounds like papers rattling about inside,” he said. “Is Lily working tonight?”

“She is for a few hours, since your sweet and charming bride allowed her to take the whole night off last night,” Ian said, trying to get in a good stretch without disturbing the bed.

There was a long pause. “Sweet and charming bride? Who the hell are you?”

Ian snickered. “Let’s just say Meggie’s in my good graces today. Why’d you ask about Lily?”

“I’ve had a call off. Can you do the fencing show tonight? You have to throw the match, though. Renaud is following in your footsteps and wants to choose his own lady.”

“As long as it’s not Lily he can have his pick,” he said quietly, glancing over at her. A soft smile curved her lips while she slept.

“I’ll make certain he understands,” Dan said with solemnly.

“You’d better or he’ll be defending himself for real,” Ian assured him.

Ian returned Lily to her apartment mid afternoon, insisting it was under protest. “You realize, of course, that the only reason I’m bringing you back here is for the sake of the cat,” he said.

Bella came running to welcome her, but after a cursory head bump went straight for Ian and wound herself around his legs, purring like a runaway lawnmower. “Please wear something under your dress tonight,” he begged. “Otherwise, I won’t be able to think of anything else and Renaud will use my distraction against me.”

“I thought you were going to lose,” she said.

“I am, but I’ll be making him work for his win,” Ian replied with a cocky grin.

* * * *

Curious about the mysterious letter, Ian decided to pick it up on his way home. He headed straight for the main office and found Dan alone, going over the night’s schedule. “Ay up, Danny boy! And how’s yerself today?” he asked in a thick brogue.

“Christ, you’re in a good mood,” Dan commented then sniffed the air, puzzled. “Do I smell…lavender?”

Ignoring the teasing innuendo, Ian plopped down on the office couch and grinned, unrepentant. “Life is good, my brother.”

With a grand roll of his eyes, Dan reached for the large envelope on his desk and tossed it over. A chill coursed over Ian as soon as his hand touched it. Handwritten, local post, no return address, he noted, but with a shrug tore it open and pulled out the contents. There were dozens of high resolution photos of Lily –walking along the street in Sarasota, at the door of her apartment, sitting in a restaurant, at the Castle. Each picture had been torn vertically so Lily appeared alone in each shot. 

 “So what was it?” Dan asked absently, not looking up from his work.

The envelope’s contents landed in front of him with a soft plop, scattering across the desktop. “I guess life’s not so good after all,” Ian said quietly.

“What’s all this?” asked Dan, a bewildered expression on his face.

“What this is is a message. All these pictures have been ripped in half. Near as I can tell, I was with Lily in every single shot. Now I’m no longer in the picture. Literally.” He paused a moment. “I want your word you will not tell Meg or Lily about this.”

“Christ. You need to go to the police. This constitutes a threat.”

“What it’s going to constitute is reconstructive surgery if I find out her fucking ex-boyfriend is behind it. Your word, Dan,” he demanded

Dan gave him a conflicted look. “Ian, you know I can’t keep secrets from Meg.”

“You’ll keep this one,” Ian said, “until there’s a reason for her to know. Jaysus, you of all people should know how Megs is. She’ll scramble the National fucking Guard before either of us can blink.”

When Dan nodded once in reluctant assent, Ian stuffed the pictures into the envelope and left without another word.

On the way home, the truth of the situation hit him all at once. Someone’s been following us. I can’t act rashly here. I’ve got to think this through first. He peeked in the envelope at the images of Lily, smiling, laughing and happy and made a decision then to enjoy the rest of the day. This problem would be addressed tomorrow, when he had more time to plan his answer to the photos.

* * * *

That evening at the gypsy tent, Ian visited with the ladies while he waited for the fencing show to get underway. “Beth, you are positively aglow this evening,” Ian said, sweeping his cape into a deep bow and kissing her hand.

Beth clasped the skirt of her lady’s gown and bobbed a curtsey before retorting in a passable brogue, “We’ll not be having any shenanigans from you this evening, Mr. Kelly. Although I will compliment you on your keen sense of the obvious.”

Dramatically crestfallen at the setback, Ian appealed to Lily. “She doubts my sincerity, but in truth she makes a grand lady of the court. You, on the other hand, inflame my senses with your gypsy ensemble.” The black curls of her wig fell over his hand as he slipped it behind her neck and stole a kiss.

Moments later, Renaud strolled into the tent wearing his musketeer garb and a ready smile. “Ready to duel, mon ami?”

“I am, but I’m not going to just hand you your victory,” Ian warned.

“But of course not,” Renaud agreed. Offering his arm to Lily, he asked, “Wouldst ma cher mademoiselle care for a moonlight stroll?”

Ian froze, his breath catching hard in his chest. The air surrounding him became charged with tension.

Taking Renaud’s arm, Beth pulled him away. “Do you think it wise to tease him, milord? You’re getting ready to go fight him with a big pointy stick.” She laughed, jerking a thumb at Ian. “Do you really want him pissed off at you while you’re doing it?”

As the noble couple left for the market square, Lily slipped her arms around her bedeviled suitor. “You’re jealous,” she said, smiling.

Recognizing the jest Ian grinned, sheepish as his breathing slowly returned to normal. He bent his head and whispered against her ear, “I’ve told you before, my lady. I do not share well. Today I found myself in the unenviable position of resenting your cat.” He cleared his throat in a dramatic effort to compose himself. “Jealousy is a new emotion for me, but I’ll try to do better. Although…I do have to say I feel like I’m cheating on you with your raven-haired alter ego.” He grinned, twirling a black curl around his finger.

She opened her mouth to reply but he cut her off as he bolted for the tent entrance. “Jaysus. Renaud. My cue. I gotta go!”

* * * *

After work, Ian followed Lily to her apartment, diligently watching the rearview mirror.

He waited while she fed Bella and collected a bag, but gave her an odd look when she did not change out of her Castle garb. “Remind me later to tell you about a fascinating magazine article I read this week,” she said with a wink.

They reached Olde Town and his apartment without incident. Tugging his boots off, Ian gazed curiously at her outfit. “Would you mind if I changed?”

“Not at all. Shall I pour you a glass of wine while you get comfortable?”

“Yes, please,” he said, disappearing into the bedroom. She snagged two glasses from behind the bar then headed into the kitchen and retrieved a chilled bottle from the refrigerator. She returned a few minutes later to find the gas fireplace had been turned on to take the chill out of the large room. He had changed into a soft flannel shirt and faded jeans and sat half reclined on the couch, long legs stretched.

Taking the seat beside him, she poured two glasses and handed him one. “You look beautiful by the firelight, my dear,” he murmured, and pulled her close so she lay across his chest. “Why don’t you make yourself more comfortable? Or would you prefer I did it?”

Lily sat up abruptly. “No thank you, sir. I can do it myself.”

His eyes widened at her sudden mood swing. “Sweetheart? Did I say something wrong?”

“No. I’ve just been thinking about what you said about cheating on me with me when I’m wearing my Castle outfit. So tonight, Lily won’t be here. Raven will.” The corners of her lips twitched with suppressed excitement. “You may find that, although similar in looks, our personalities are very different. Lily is quiet and shy, but you may find Raven to be a bit more…aggressive.”

He wet his lower lip and a shiver of anticipation ran through her. She moved to stand before him but when he reached for her, she danced backward and said no firmly enough to halt him in his tracks. She nodded her approval and began unlacing her vest. He watched her every movement, his eyes glowing with desire.

“I did wear something under my outfit tonight,” she cooed, “would you care to see?”

His voice was amused. “Oh yes, please.”

She ran the tip of her tongue over her lips in blatant invitation. “Then close your eyes and no peeking.”

He did as she asked, grinning in anticipation. In a flash, she tugged off her vest, shirt and skirt, fished her shoes out of her bag and slipped them on. She had practiced wearing this particular outfit while standing in front of her mirror. She assumed what she hoped would be a provocative pose, took a deep breath and plunged in. “Open your eyes.”

All traces of amusement fled from his face. The black lace teddy fit her like a glove, accentuating both her long legs and narrow waist. The plunging neckline barely covered her nipples and she felt positively wicked as he drank her in from her head down to her stiletto heels, pausing at the sheer thigh-high stockings held in place with frilly garters, and back up again.

His look dripped with dark promises of pleasure so intense, she nearly took a step back in alarm. “Come to me,” he commanded, holding out his hands.

She took a deep breath and swayed toward him, stopping just out of arms’ reach. “I read a magazine article this week that suggested men like it when a woman takes charge occasionally. I’d like to test that theory. Let’s play a game, you and I,” she proposed. “The only rule is, you cannot touch me unless I say so. Understood?”

His only answer was a slow nod.

“Good. Now sit back and just relax,” Lily said. When he did, she straddled his legs and gave him a light, teasing lick on the lips. He reached for her waist and she stopped moving.

“No touchie. Here, let me help you.” She stretched his arms over the back of the couch and patted them. “Comfy? Good.”

She lowered herself onto his lap, and silently thrilled at the fierce erection straining against his jeans, resumed her kisses. Ian moaned, but made no move to touch her. She nibbled down his neck, unbuttoned his shirt and ran her hands over his broad chest and shoulders. She flicked the tip of her tongue over a hard nipple and he inhaled sharply, clutched the back of the couch like a drowning man.

When she unfastened the button on his jeans, his deep voice rumbled through the room like thunder. “This is cruel and inhuman, woman and you are evil beyond your years.”

“My goodness,” she said, blinking. “Should I stop, then?”

“No,” he rasped out.

“Good.”

Lily rose and pulled his shirt off, making sure her breasts brushed tantalizingly near his lips then unzipped his jeans inch by inch. A resonating growl vibrated in his chest, and his gaze was locked on hers as the jeans came down and off. Sexual tension rolled off him in waves, and she was pleased with her newfound power. His stomach muscles rippled as her nails grazed lightly over his skin, and when her wig brushed his rigid hardness, he jerked as if he had been burned. She didn’t dare look at his face then, acutely aware of his hot, penetrating gaze. She blew a light breath over the crisp amber curls and felt him shudder, but when she stroked his length with her fingertip, he groaned loudly. His tormented plea came in a hoarse whisper. “Let me…touch you.”

“Not yet,” Lily said, making an appreciative sound in the back of her throat and licking her lips. She lowered her head to him, her wild mane of black locks falling like a curtain and shielding her from his gaze. Ian’s face went momentarily blank with shock and his eyes rolled back in his head as he cried out from the unexpected ecstasy.

“Feckin’…hell, Lily,” he whispered,“what have…you been….oh, Christ….reading?”

She giggled, nibbling and licking her way up and down his length, cradling his soft sac in one hand while grasping him with the other, reveling in his unique male taste. I hope I’m doing it right. Mr. Owl, how many licks does it take… she thought, tentatively experimenting with pressure and touch. When she giggled again at the absurd thought, he writhed beneath her and shook his head like a frustrated bull.

“She’s killing me and laughing about it–now?”

His dark, ravenous expression simultaneously terrified and thrilled her. “You may,” she said, ending with a squeal of excitement when Ian leapt to his feet, plucked her off the floor in one fluid motion, threw her over his shoulder and stalked to the bedroom with his prize.

“Your turn, wench.” Tossing her unceremoniously onto the bed, he ripped the lacy garments in his haste to get her naked. His breathing harsh and ragged, he pushed her knees apart and in one great thrust filled her. She cried out his name when he encircled her waist and locked her hard to his body, pistoning relentlessly into her with deep, possessive strokes.

This was not the tender lovemaking of the night before. Ian took her hard and fast, all semblances of control gone. Shedding all inhibitions, she rubbed her body against him like a wanton cat in heat, surrendering herself to his dominance and responding to him with wild passion. She grazed his back with her nails and from the building intensity of his sounds, he was as close to an explosive climax as she. She pressed her mouth against his throat and when his shout of release came, gladly abandoned herself to be consumed in the deliberate fire.

They lay joined for a long time, panting and clinging to one another. Ian slowly withdrew and moved to her side. “Sweetheart?” he asked.

For a long, heart stopping moment there was no response. “Mmm?”

Ian exhaled. “Sweet blessed mother, I thought I killed you. Are you all right, my darlin’?”

“Definitely not.” Lily yawned. “I’m way much better than that. I’m delighted to report that my hypothesis was correct.”

Grinning, he pulled her close and the last thing she heard before she fell asleep was his awe-filled voice. “Never underestimate the power of an educated woman…”