“You are economical with the truth,” she hurled back. Samantha reached out. Her arms outstretched like a frightened child. “How like a man to blame the woman. I’m cold.” Now tears trickled her cheeks.
He came to the arms that invited him, covered her with his body and pulled the comforter over them again. His lips kissed both sides of her mouth lost in awe of her. His hand caught a furtive tear and wiped it away. This, too, killed him.
“I do want children.” She punctuated her laughter with many kisses to him. She counted them out to him one at a time. “One kiss for each child.”
“Does that mean four children would be acceptable?”
“At least until we created an heir.”
“Samantha, we don’t live in a fairy tale. Magic is what we recreate together, not apart. I assume you want children within the bonds of marriage?” he asked.
Chapter Thirty-Five
The innocence in her eyes uprooted Raven.
“I hadn’t thought about that part of the question, but my answer would be yes.”
What happened to his legendary self-control? What a sorceress. “And by the way, my dear lady, I would appreciate it if you would stop your flirtations with Prince Nicholas. He’s not as patient and honorable a man as I.” After he had blurted out the words, he laughed riotously.
“Yes, I noticed your patience.” She began to walk her fingers across his chest, with clumsy effort she attempted to unbutton his breeches, “I know how honorable you are, but would you think me a wanton if I asked you to pleasure me again?”
“If you manage to convince me, you will be sore tomorrow.”
It was a reply her expression indicated was of no consequence. Tears brimmed in her eyes and they touched his soul. For the second time, he gave in to a passion for this woman. “Yes, I would, my anxious lady. I can’t undo what’s happened. I don’t want to hurt you with such strenuous activity on your untried body. Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Another tear escaped.
He thumbed it away. “Somehow, I could think of nothing better I’d like to do at the moment.” He proceeded to accommodate her request. He covered her body with his lips and started from head to toe. He heard her giggle when he sucked her toes and then worked back up her legs and thighs with exquisite care. He paused to observe her reactions to all he did. He so wanted their coupling to be memorable.
Raven liked her this way. It was her combination of fire and ice—her icy intellect and fiery passion that called to him. He was the one who always spoke of honor. How could he make this right? It pleased him she wanted to mate again, yet he knew he needed to tantalize her senses.
Raven decided to show Samantha something new, at least to her, and took the balance of the brandy in her glass by the bed and spilled it over her breasts.
“Oh, my,” Samantha squealed. Her eyes widened in surprise, but she said nothing.
“Umm.” He licked the brandy and her generous globes at the same time. “I think you are more enjoyable than the liquor. You offer me a double pleasure.”
Raven retrieved his almost empty glass and spilled its contents on her abdomen, and it trickled downward like a watercolor pigment, puddled in her navel and the excess continued its flow to the essence of her femaleness. He sank to his knees and licked her into new and glorious heights. Such an eager response. Heaven help him. Raven not only enjoyed her passion and her need of him, but he felt, yes felt, his years melt away, almost as if back in time with Liana. He couldn’t recall Liana’s face. Samantha replaced that vision, and he experienced content.
Raven sensed her liquid core needed, wanted, demanded more of him, and he prepared to give her so much love she’d never deny him anything ever again. Never would he have enough of her. That fact became clear. He spread her thighs with his knees, sank his member into her, and never wanted to leave, but the action required plunging and withdrawal to heighten the act. At the moment he made love in a world of nevers.
Small talk stopped. That would come later. Raven gave into the passion of the moment. He laved all of the brandy from her body with unleashed zealousness, biting his lips to leave the taste on them. Then his mouth claimed her sacred spot, and her soft moans begged for his manhood that ached with so much want. He teased at her wet channel with his rigid shaft. It didn’t take much to fill her with a need stronger than his.
Samantha undulated beneath him in impatience as she clasped his buttocks to her. He started to enter, but stopped, propped up his arms, and said, “Look down at us, Samantha, you impatient wench, this is what lovers do.”
Her gasp was so exhilarating. And without further ado, she raised her body while her hands pulled his body to her with such force, her urging surprised.
Hot and pliant with their bodies glossy with slick, liquid heat, Samantha whispered his name. She took one hand, placed it in between their bodies where they joined and rubbed on him.
She tightened her inner coil around him in glorious contractions. Lust returned to entice her with an urgent desire for release. Samantha joined his rhythm and crested in sublime fulfillment.
Sure of her orgasm, he withdrew his cock and exploded his seed in the comforter. He feared this gallant gesture might have been too late. When he climbed off, drenched, exhausted and shaken by the propensity of their passion-filled ardor, she pulled him back to her.
And it would start all over again. Insatiable, they propelled to delirium—a timeless interlude before reality reared its ugly head.
“You are a virile man in every sense of the word, Raven.”
“You make me feel young and gallant, Samantha. I’m like a poor man invited to a feast…who has tasted a bit of everything.”
He muttered and caught himself when he almost called her Liana. Her eagerness along with her innocence and passion seduced him. He whispered, “Virgin or experienced woman, you are the most incredible lover on this earth.”
“Not the universe, Raven? You’ll have to teach me how I reach a loftier status, otherwise, what are the heavens for?” she said with coyness, and a languorous smile that radiated her obvious content.
Raven whispered, “You have the ability to pleasure with wild abandon. It comes as a natural part of you to pleasure and be pleasured. Passion eluded me until now.” He took her hand and kissed her palm with his tongue, “Thank you.” He paused. “I worry that you will be sore tomorrow. Forgive me.”
Raven dressed, gazed out the window at the rippling water, then turned and listened to her voice.
“I thought this kind of passion and happiness didn’t exist. Oh, to be loved like this all the time,” Samantha purred.
“I’ll be one tired man,” he said. “You are quick to learn.”
With a smile, she reached for her clothes. “I will allow you to rest in between, Raven.” She winked at him. “I do have a confession to make as a virgin. I found a copy of the Kama Sutra in my father’s library. A few times, I managed to sneak it away. I do believe there are positions we haven’t tried.” He laughed when she did.
“I’m sure they weren’t all demonstrated in one night. How precious you are. It’s an ancient Sanskrit text on the art of lovemaking. However, I don’t know if we can bend and twist like the illustrations. There are always the traditional ways.”
She complicated everything with her deceit. Pensive, implosive and intense at the same time, shameful thoughts assailed him. Could it be her goal to entrap him? True, her despicable husband victimized her. True, Samantha caused him to lose his honor. True, it was easy now for him to say he should not have bedded her—he should have been stronger. True, it was all a lie on his part.
What was worse, he knew she would be ill-prepared for the consequences. Samantha was an innocent in the ways of life. How could she know that magic soon became reality? She’d tasted ambrosia and wanted to consume all in one sitting. Her introduction to insane passion and lust started with deceit, but could it also be love?
How could Raven regain his honor and do the right thing
? He placed his right hand on the window molding. His dilemma conquered his deep thought as he looked out at the shimmering lake.
Things worth having sometimes have a dear price. Could he pay that high?
In bed with her, he burned with passion.
Out of bed, he burned with shame.
What happened to his quiet and routine-ordered life? It could never be the same again.
Could something benevolent result from his shameful act? What would the future portend for them?
Chapter Thirty-Six
Samantha walked to the breakfast room where the servants prepared for the group breakfast and the day’s activities. She made every attempt to contain her inner glow, sure that her smile radiated happiness and gratification.
“Good morning.” Her voice rang out with a definite lilt to her aunt who just entered. She wondered if everyone could now tell her virginity had been taken.
Aunt Minerva engaged her glance but made no comment.
“I’m famished.” Samantha placed food on her plate.
Prince Nicholas asked, “Dear lady, there is something different about you this morning. Do we ride?”
She avoided his stare. “Oh, yes. I did promise we would.” She addressed the daughter of the earl. “You will come with us, won’t you? It’s going to be a wonderful day, and I’d like to ride over and see the other side of the bluff. We’ll have such fun, Lady Sue Ellen.” Samantha reached for a glass of water and addressed Raven. “Your Grace, will you join us?”
She enjoyed herself at his possible discomfort. She wanted him in her future. She refused to apologize for what she believed reasonable at the time. In the aftermath of fantastic lovemaking, remembering his expression when he looked out the window the night before, she’d been wrong for all the right reasons. Falling in love with Raven would not be a hardship. Now she was more frightened of what he unleashed in her—a wanton woman who tasted paradise and could never be satisfied with just one night. Her predicament escalated into a dilemma. One night was not enough for her, but what about him? Hmm!
Raven swept his gaze over her face, vibrant like a blithe spirit, flaunting her newfound sexuality and passionate fulfillment. He would’ve preferred she exude this charm with him alone, but knew he did indeed awaken the wanton in her. Samantha became a female reborn to a woman of passion and desire. He chose to take credit for this metamorphosis because it pleased his vanity. The youth and virility on his part more than pleased him, and he welcomed their return. To have unleashed such a magnificent woman who appeared to have passion for him alone rendered him a sense of pride—although she did have a natural flirtatious nature. He’d have to curtail the jealousy that claimed him at inopportune times.
Emotion and rationale became enemies of each other, and he owned both. He battled his inner self. He didn’t want to win if it would mean the loss of her, the loss of his future life, and the loss of passion. Raven was a man also reborn because of her.
“Lest you think me a poor host, there are duties to which I must attend. I will catch up with you, Lady Samantha. I do know that your brother will join you also.”
He also noted Winston’s cool demeanor. Raven hurt at the obvious pain inflicted to the young man. The Information from his investigators would verify or vilify.
While not quite a command for her brother to join Samantha, Sue Ellen, and Prince Nicholas, Raven wanted her well chaperoned if he could not be there.
As he rose from the table, he said, “Enjoy your ride. I regret I can’t join you.” He noted the sardonic smile on the Prince and returned a stony glance of caution. Raven could not be sure of the Prince’s loyalties either. This pleasant country week at the estate was a whisper away from a total disaster.
After everyone left, Prince Nicholas stayed behind for a moment. “Raven, I believe I saw you and Samantha while you walked to the boathouse last night.” A grin appeared on his face. “Your evening with the lady had a pleasant ending. Da?” Yes?
Raven snapped his eyes to Nicholas. “The events satisfied our needs. However, a gentleman would never discuss such things about a lady. It would not be the honorable thing to do. Nyet? No? I’m sure you will agree.”
Under the breakfast table, Raven’s right leg did a tap dance.
Prince Nicholas smiled. “I agree, Raven. Off I go to enchant the ladies.”
“Enchant to your heart’s content, Highness, but stay away from the redhead,” he cautioned.
“Yes, Raven, I know. To flirt is not a crime, although she doesn’t care to know I exist.”
“I prefer it that way, Highness.” Raven’s smile now became generous, but his eyes pierced at the Royal. One raised eyebrow warned in silence.
Samantha urged her horse ahead with some abandon. She liked to ride on her brother’s estate without the cumbersome sidesaddle, but propriety here at Raven’s estate demanded better decorum. What difference did it make now? She thought it a heady sensation to be a woman in the true sense of the word, emancipated and invigorated, too. Soreness in her core from the previous night’s activities invaded. She slowed the horse so she could adjust to the sidesaddle, and the horse’s canter.
Her brother soon caught up with her, in obvious distress, “We need to talk. Someone bought my promissory note. The agreement states they must offer me the opportunity to pay the sum. I either pay or lose the estate. Either way, I don’t have the funds for the voucher I signed yesterday for the cartel. We may have to withdraw, but it will look like guilt on my part if I do.”
Samantha understood the chill that echoed his voice at this strange turn of events. “Brandon, I do believe someone has targeted us as scapegoats. It must be hard on Raven, too. After all, he invited you to join.”
She steadied her horse. “Well, you can’t allow your reputation to be ruined by vouchers with insufficient funds and disgrace us. When did you learn of this, Brother?” Breathless with annoyance, which needed control, her mind raced in a duel with her twin emotions of fear and anger.
“A servant delivered a note to me late last evening. I tried to talk to you about it last night, but you didn’t answer my knock on the door.”
“I see. I must have been in a deep sleep.”
“Be careful, Samantha. We’re out of our league, I fear.”
“So be it. Pay off the promissory note with my money. What good is money if I can’t help the family when it’s in need? If the cartel is successful, you can return it to me. Let me know if I have to sign anything. There’s always father’s trust on my behalf. If I don’t have enough funds, I’ll ask Aunt Minerva to help. Or I’ll sell my emeralds. As a family, we are a reckoning,” Samantha said with pride, defiant in spirit. “There’s also the Foundation money from the auction, but it’s not enough, I venture.”
She reached over and touched the bridle of his horse. “Brandon, I think you should tell Raven about the promissory demand note.” She pulled up her horse close to his. “We’re in this together. Remember my love for you has no boundaries. There isn’t a power on earth that can separate us…not even Raven’s. I’m going to ride alone. It will give me time to think.”
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 pr
ovocative 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.
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