by Lora Thomas
“You’re jesting?”
Oliver shook his head. “No. I have not known him long, but long enough to know that he is smitten.” He extended his arm. “Now, about that walk?”
Madelena cocked her head to the left. What would be the harm? Other than if he kissed her and then she would be lost to him again. She stared at his offered arm for a few seconds before placing her hand upon it. She hoped she did not regret this. But mostly, she hoped that he would do something to her so that she did.
Chapter Eighteen
Madelena could feel her heart race, and heat flooded every part of her body. What was it about this man that made her insides quake and her knees grow weak? Ever since she first met him, it was like this. From that first glance at the dock when he gave her that smile. The one that turned her insides to jelly and caused heat to flood the most intimate part of her body. Where her hand touched his arms felt like flames.
“It is such a lovely evening for a ball. I am glad the weather cooperated for it looked like rain earlier,” Oliver said as he led Madelena down a stone path, closer to the water’s edge.
“Yes,” Madelena whispered.
“And it did not rain on Carnival.”
“Is that what you wanted from me? To discuss the weather?”
“No.”
“Then what did you wish to discuss?”
“Actually, I was to distract you so Stephano could be alone with Mae.”
“What?!” Madelena suddenly stopped.
Oliver turned. “Stephano wanted a few moments alone with Mae.”
“That scoundrel! And you helped him? Why?”
Oliver shrugged. “I cannot blame him. What man does not want to be alone with a beautiful woman. I agreed only if it were you who would be the one chaperoning Mae. And we are not scoundrels.”
“If you are not scoundrels, then what are you?”
He looked at her and did that thing that made her insides quiver. He gave her that smile. “We are lovers of beauty and intelligence. We are lovers of wit and cunning. We are lovers of tenacity and perseverance. We, my lady, are rogues.”
“That is the same thing.” She pulled her hand away from him.
“I beg to differ. They are not the same.”
“In what regard? Scoundrels and rogues both play upon unsuspecting females and their fantasies of love.”
He nodded sagely. “True. However, scoundrels are also after wealth, whereas rogues are only after…other attributes.”
“You mean what lies under a lady’s skirt.”
“Exactly.”
She turned. “Then I should be concerned about Mae. If he is out to ruin her, I will…I will…I don’t know what I will do, but when I find him, it just will happen.”
She began walking away but suddenly found herself being pulled backward and into Oliver’s embrace. Her back was to his chest. She struggled against him.
“Let me go,” Madelena demanded.
“He is not out to ruin her.” Oliver leaned in closer to her. Madelena’s struggles stopped. His breath was hot upon her flesh. His lips inched closer to her ear, and they brushed a trail of kisses down the side of her neck. Her flesh quivered as he spoke, “But I would like to ruin you again, if you would allow it.”
Her eyes closed as she tried to control her breathing. “Please, don’t, Oliver.”
“Don’t what?” he asked, nuzzling against her ear.
“We can’t.”
“We have.”
“But we can’t again.”
“Why?” he asked, stepping around her, yet still keeping her within his embrace.
“What we did was wrong,” she panted. “I don’t want you to think less of me for my actions.”
“My sweet, sweet Maddie. I could never think less of you when I only want more.” His lips fluttered against hers, and she did not resist. How could she? She had longed to see him, to feel him again, and it was about to happen. After all that life had tossed her way, she was finally getting something she wanted. Oliver.
Her arms wrapped around his neck, yet the kiss remained subtle. Butterfly kisses against her lips. His fingers splayed across her lower back and pulled her in closer. Her knees began to tremble with excitement. His right hand held her back, and his left traveled to the nape of her neck, deepening the kiss. His lips brushed over hers in a seductive dance meant to arouse, and it was having the desired effect.
A deep moan left her, and she opened her mouth to fully enjoy the feel of Oliver. When his hand cupped her breast over her dress, her eyes flew open, and she gently pushed away.
“We can’t.” This was wrong. Her intended was in the home, and she was in the gardens acting like a harlot.
“You said as much before.”
She shook her head and looked over her shoulder. “It’s different now.”
He leaned closer and took her ear lobe into his mouth, sucking. “How?”
She swallowed hard and closed her eyes, and longing entered her. This man caused all sense of reason to leave her. Laughter from the home captured her attention. Drakos was inside, and her mother fully expected her to entertain the bastard the remainder of the night. She would not allow it. If her life to come was going to be miserable, then she planned on enjoying herself until that time.
Looking at the house, she spoke, “Someone will see.”
He nodded his head with knowing. “Follow me.”
Holding out his hand to her, she took it and allowed this rogue to take her to a place she knew she should not go. A place where he would ruin her again. A place where she knew pleasures awaited.
Slipping through the garden, he ventured close to the water’s edge. The sound of the waves gently lapping the shore was tranquil as they traveled by the faint light of the moon.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“A secret place for rendezvousing lovers.”
He stepped to the left, and she spotted it. A small shed located at the edge of the property.
“Whose?”
Oliver shrugged. “I assume Signore Cancio’s. But right now, it is ours.”
Oliver led the way to the shed and opened the door. Stepping inside, Madelena studied the structure. The front appeared like any ordinary building with a door and a small window, but the inside was different. A bench was under the window along with some tools. A long walkway extended outward over the water and the open back of the building.
“A boathouse?” she asked.
“So it appears.”
Oliver slipped his arms around her waist from behind. He nuzzled her ear and breathed in deeply, memorizing her scent. His lips found her ear and gently suckled the lobe. Madelena closed her eyes and tilted her head, enjoying the feel of Oliver’s flesh on hers.
He stepped in front of her and nipped downward to her neck and then gently kissed the mounded peaks of her breasts. Her chest heaved with excitement. With shaky fingers, she aggressively loosened the knot to his cravat.
“Easy,” Oliver instructed, taking hold of her fingers. Together they loosened the knot, and he slipped the garment from his neck.
His lips found her flesh again, and he gently nipped her skin and kissed the tops of her breasts. “I would love nothing more than to tear this gown from your body and ravish you here, the way you should be ravished. A slow tantalizing manner that would have you feeling pleasure like you have never experienced.”
Her lips parted and disappointment settled over her brow. “I don’t understand.”
He kissed her deeply before he continued his explanation. “It would take hours for me to show your body the pleasure I long to and just as long to get you back into this dress.”
“Then why did you bring me here?”
“I had to see you. I had to feel you again. You have entranced me, Madelena—placed a spell over me that I cannot break. From that first moment I laid eyes upon you, I can do nothing but think about you.”
Her eyes locked onto his, uncertain as to how to reply. What did he
want her to say?
His lips found hers again in a crushing kiss. Her mouth parted and his tongue entered, causing a moan of pleasure to leave her. The encounter became more passionate. Oliver’s hand found her breast and gently caressed it, causing an ache to settle in her loins. This man was killing her! She might be new to lovemaking, but she desired to feel the way she did that night. To feel him move inside her and bring her to blissful pleasure. The hand that held him to her mouth left his neck and traveled down his body to his manhood. His deep moan let her know she was doing something right. Her hand caressed him over his clothing, and she could feel him grow hard.
“Minx,” he whispered against her lips.
He stepped forward, causing her to step back. She continued retreating until she felt the shelf upon her backside. A startled gasp left her when she felt him lift her onto the ledge.
“I know this is far from the proper location, but I do not care. I want you, Madelena. You drive me mad with desire. I will stop if you want me to. I will allow you to leave out that door and not follow. But if you do, please do so with the knowledge that you are the only woman I want. Because of you, no other women are desirable to me. You have vexed me to the point that when I leave, you will haunt me until the end of my days.”
She placed a hand upon the side of his face. “Then let us make memories together that will last us both until the end of our days.”
Her lips found his. This was not how he planned on this evening to go. He planned on taking Madelena for a walk and perhaps get a few stolen kisses. But he could not refuse her offer. The gentleman inside him wanted to deny her, but he did not have the willpower to do so. He needed to stop this, but when he felt her fingers loosening the buttons on his trousers, he was lost. His fingers worked the hem of her skirt upward until it rested against her hips. In his focus on her dress, he was unaware that she had finished unbuttoning his trousers until he felt her hands upon his manhood. His lips found hers in a rough kiss. She did not protest and nipped him. Leaning into her, his shaft found her core. In a swift move, he entered her and met no resistance. Despite the awkward position, their hips moved in rhythm together. Her fingers clawed the back of his jacket as he moved inside her. Velvety softness surrounded him, and he increased his thrusts.
Madelena did not know what had come over her. She just found she wanted him, even in this boatshed. When he placed her upon the shelf, a notion came over her. If she was destined to have a loveless, horrid marriage, then the least that could happen was for her to have pleasure beforehand. The feel of Oliver moving inside her was intoxicating. She had forgotten how good he felt. Her hands left his back, and she leaned back, resting her hands upon the wooden shelf. Tossing her head back, her chest heaved with pleasure. Oliver’s lips found the mounds of her breasts. Yet it was not enough. She wanted to feel him suckle her breast. Wanted to feel his lips upon her nipples. Her right hand left the shelf and tore at the bodice of her gown until her breast was exposed. A gasp of pleasure left her when she felt Oliver take her into his mouth. Her head tossed back again, and her hips thrashed against him. She felt his hand move to her hips as he pushed her in rhythm with him. He pulled her against him harder; she leaned back onto the shelf and arched her back, pleasure coursing through her veins.
Oliver could not help himself. He knew he was being too rough on a woman new to lovemaking, but she felt so good around him. When he saw her tear at her dress, he had to feast at the treasure offered. He loved her breasts. They were perfect. He suckled and nipped at the nipple, causing it to pebble tightly. The desires running through him were too much to fight. He righted his body and grasped her hips, needing to plant himself deeper inside her body. As he did, he watched her breast bounce with each movement. There was something arousing about watching the firm breast move with each thrust that increased his pleasure. He pulled her harder against his body. She sat up and grasped his shoulders again, thrusting her hips against his. Her head tossed back as she cried out in ecstasy. As her body tightened around him, he could not hold back any longer and exploded deep inside her.
Reality slowly came back to the couple. Madelena rested her head upon his chest. Labored breathing was the only noise. Madelena raised her head. Oliver gently caressed her cheek and kissed her one last time before stepping away to readjust his clothing. She adjusted the bodice of her gown. Oliver tucked his shirt back into his trousers and fastened them. Bending over, he located his cravat and wrapped it around his neck. Several times he tried to tie the knot, but it was pointless. Without a mirror, he was making a mess.
“Allow me,” Madelena said. He stepped to her. She adjusted the material and tied a proper knot. “There. No one will be the wiser.”
He placed his forehead to hers. “Except for the rosy glow to your appearance.”
She gasped and playfully slapped his chest. “You cad. How do you know I have a rosy glow? It is dark in here.”
“You did last time.”
Heat flooded her cheeks. “I did not.”
Instead of replying, he kissed her soundly. “We better get back before Stephano and Mae wonder where we have disappeared to.”
Madelena hopped down from the shelf and wobbled, causing a giggle to leave her. “Why, Signore St. John, I believe you have made me weak in the knees.”
A wolfish grin pulled his lips as he pulled her into his arms again. He leaned in close and whispered into her ear, “I truly hope to be able to do so again.”
“Oliver!” Madelena scolded without merit.
“Come now. Do not tell me you do not want to.”
Madelena shook her head. “No, it’s not that. I am under lock and key, remember?”
“And yet here you are, unchaperoned with me in a boatshed.”
“So I am.”
Oliver placed a tender kiss upon her lips and caressed her cheek. He then offered his arm. “My lady, may I escort you back to your friend?”
Madelena placed a finger to her chin and looked around the building. “I don’t know. I was expecting an offer from someone else.”
“If the old chap hasn’t come forward by now, then he is not worthy of your time.”
“Since you put it that way, I will accept.”
Madelena placed her hand upon his arm. The pair made their way from the shed, up to the path to the steps leading to the lake. They weren’t there long before voices could be heard, and Mae and Stephano appeared.
“There you are,” Mae said.
“Yes,” Madelena replied.
“Stephano and I returned, but you weren’t here. We thought you might have gone looking for us and went in search of you.”
Oliver spoke, “I am a restless man. Madelena granted me the pleasure of escorting her for a stroll while we waited for you.”
Mae tilted her head with suspicion. “Really?”
“You were taking a while,” Madelena answered, hoping that would keep Mae’s curious nature at bay.
“I was?” The ploy worked. “What are we to tell Momma?”
“Relax,” Madelena said. “We were enjoying the view of the lake in the moonlight. Nothing more.”
“Do you think she’ll believe that?”
“Absolutely.”
Stephano grinned as he looked between Oliver and Madelena. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one stealing a few kisses.
“Relax, Mae,” Madelena said. “You were with me. She will believe me.”
“Why is there debris in your hair?” Mae asked Madelena. She then turned her attention to Oliver, and her mouth formed a perfect “O”.
“It’s not what you think,” Madelena spoke.
“What am I supposed to think? Here I thought you were here to protect my reputation, and it should have been me protecting yours?!”
“Shhh,” Madelena said, motioning her hands downward. “Not so loud. Someone will hear you.”
“So?”
“So? If my father discovered that I was alone with Signore St. John, what do you think he would do to Oliver
?”
“Nothing good. And when did he become Oliver?”
Stephano tried to hide his humor, but he could not. His cheeks strained from the smirk he was trying to hide as he watched the scene before him
“When did he”—Madelena pointed to Stephano—“become Stephano?”
“What?” Mae asked. She shook her head. “Don’t change the subject.”
Madelena looked between Oliver and Stephano. “Can we have a moment?”
Oliver nodded and motioned his head for Stephano to follow. The men stepped a few feet away.
“Look, Mae. I have been meaning to speak to you, but since my exile, I haven’t had the chance.”
“About what?”
A deep breath left Madelena. “Do you recall the night I didn’t come home?”
“How could I forget? Your father threatened to toss my entire family in jail if we didn’t tell him where we were hiding you.”
“Well,” Madelena swallowed. “I stayed the night with a man.”
Mae’s mouth dropped until her chin was nearly resting on her chest. Her head whipped back to face Oliver and then back to Madelena. “You were with him?!”
“Shhh. You cannot tell anyone.”
“Madelena—”
“Look, Mae. My…mother arranged a marriage for me to Miles Drakos that would only take place if his midwife performed a purity check and I passed. I thought that if there was nothing there to check, then I would not have to marry.”
Mae’s hands covered her mouth. “Oh, Madelena. Why? I mean, he was a stranger. He could have harmed you.”
“I know. But I had met him before.”
“When?”
“He was the one who bought my baskets before Carnival. I ran into him a few other times, and the notion came to me.”
Mae’s hands came to her hips. “And now? Did the notion just come to you again?”
“It's not like that, Mae. Oliver is a good man. He does not need to face my father’s wrath over my actions.”
“He could have said no.”
Madelena nodded. “He could have.”
“But he didn’t. He is no more a gentleman than I am a goat.”
