The tips of his ears colored, but he chuckled. “No, I suppose not.” He sat down, even going so far as to stretch one arm over the back of the settee, behind her shoulders. The position spread the sides of his casually unbuttoned coat, revealing the matching vest and the white gleam of his shirt. His physique was lean, without the hint of a paunch. She itched to touch his chest and the supple muscles she’d imagined at play beneath the concealing fabric of his clothes. That wasn’t all she imagined. His loose trousers weren’t so roomy she failed to notice his cock stirring beneath the front placket.
Thinking of the pleasure he’d drawn from her body, an aching need began to throb between her thighs, reminding her of an emptiness only a man could fill. She couldn’t let go of this need to touch, to be touched. To feel like a complete woman again.
A thick wave of sun-warmed brown hair dipped rakishly over Charles’s forehead. Forget the society gentleman. This was a rogue she wanted to rumple even more. Her fantasy of him and Conn had left her breathless. Charles had shaken her with his bold, intimate touch on the bluff. Now it was her chance to muss his composure.
Lillian put her hand on Charles’s thigh. Immediately, his muscles tensed. His sucked-in breath was more gratifying than any heated words. Lillian met his gaze. Brown eyes filled with liquid heat, and his jaw flexed. “Lilly, my dear. I’m not sure I can bear your touch right now and still be a gentleman,” he warned.
“Who says I want a gentleman?” Before he could stop her, Lillian glided her hand up his iron-hard thigh. Charles watched her teasing progress with total concentration. Every inch sped his respiration that much faster. Hers picked up as well, as she planned what to do next. His hand fisted on the arm of the settee, knuckles white, tendons standing out under his tanned skin. The bulge in his trousers was more than tempting now. It was irresistible. Lillian watched his face as he hovered on the brink, all thoughts of propriety and where they were obviously gone from his mind. Then she touched him. His penis was a shaft of steel under her hand, searingly hot even through the wool of his trousers. Charles squeezed his eyes shut and groaned, a rush of air escaping through gritted teeth.
“Shhh,” she soothed, even as she shaped him with her palm. “Let me do this for you, Charles. Let me do this for me.”
Lillian couldn’t help squirming closer. She faced him, free hand braced on the firm settee cushion as she focused on the up and down glide of her hand over his erection. Heat rolled off him in waves, more warming than the coal stove. Abruptly, Charles’s hand clamped over hers. Instead of stopping her, he wrapped his fingers over hers, pressing her palm harder against him, much harder than she would have held him on her own. He bared his teeth in a sensual grimace, letting her know that if it hurt, he liked it. He slid down on the settee and spread his knees wide to grant her even more thorough access. Moving her hand in harsh, abbreviated jerks, he showed her the rhythm he wanted. Hectic flags of color touched his cheeks.
Lillian didn’t want to miss a moment of his pleasure, but couldn’t resist pressing nipping kisses along his jaw.
“Ah, yes, love,” he gasped, tilting his head to the side to offer her his neck. Lillian followed the silent invitation along his jaw until she reached his ear. She nipped his lobe, startled when he shuddered and groaned louder. She wouldn’t have thought it possible, but he hardened even more under her palm, growing bigger, longer. Thrilled with the sensual discovery, she sucked his earlobe into her mouth. He trembled. “Now I know one of your secrets,” she breathed in his ear.
The soft clink outside the door warned her. She’d almost forgotten to listen for it. Quick as a flash, Lillian pulled away from Charles. She grabbed the lap robe off the back of the settee and flipped it over his waist and thighs.
“Wha—?”
“Hush,” she said, leaving her place beside him to sit on the other settee. “Aileen’s back with the tea.”
Charles jolted up from his sprawl. He almost dislodged the lap robe, grabbed for it just as the door swung open. Aileen pushed the tiny portable tea cart into the room. Not looking at them, she secured the door behind her and continued in. The tantalizing aroma of spices reached them, along with the more subdued scent of steeping tea. “Sorry for the delay,” she said. “The chef insisted I wait while he heated some of the meat-stuffed pastries. He said the day was too cold for simple sandwiches.”
“How thoughtful,” Lillian said, hoping her voice was steady. If she sounded odd, Aileen gave no indication of it. Her companion settled the cart in place near the seating area.
“Oh dear,” Lillian said. “I forgot you prefer coffee, Charles. Aileen, would you mind?”
“Not at all,” the woman said, starting off on this new errand.
“Aileen, dear,” Lillian said, halting her. “Would you be so good as to see if the chef has any of his spice cookies as well?”
“Excellent idea,” Aileen said. The door had barely closed behind her before Lillian rejoined Charles on his settee. “Now,” she said. “I think we were about here.”
Charles stopped her words with his mouth, pressing his lips against hers and thrusting his tongue between her teeth. Lillian eagerly returned his heated kiss as she fumbled the lap robe aside and again took possession of his thick erection. While she stroked his hardness through his trousers, his hands fought past her skirts to glide up her legs. When he came to her knees, he hooked his hand under one and guided her to straddle one muscled thigh. Lillian gasped as the new position opened her to his roving touch. Without hesitation, Charles loosened the ties and tugged down the waist of her drawers to slide his hand against the bare flesh of her belly and lower. Lillian couldn’t resist twitching her hips forward as he threaded his fingers through the damp curls at the apex of her thighs.
Her hand tightened on his erection through his trousers. Then she recalled that this was supposed to be her game, not his. Her fingers fumbled with the buttons at his waist, quickly slipping them free. His manhood thrust through the opening and into her palm. Lillian tore her lips away from Charles’s to look at what she held. Thinking of her late-night fantasy, she noted that the pubic hair at the base of his erection was a familiar shade of golden-brown, and smiled. Avidly, she watched as a bead of liquid formed on the flushed tip of his penis. She slid the pad of her thumb through it. His stiff penis twitched and throbbed.
“Siren,” he gasped. “Ah, God. What you do to me.”
Lillian smiled. “What you do to me is nothing to complain about.” She rocked her hips against his probing fingers, purring at the bubbling sensation of pleasure his experienced touch elicited.
Charles dragged his hand free of her drawers, grasped her waist and lifted her fully over him. Startled by the sudden move, Lillian gave a short cry of surprise and gripped his lapels. Charles guided her knees into place on either side of his hips. He quickly dealt with her skirts, bunching the fabric around her waist. It frothed over his thighs, hiding their lower bodies from view. But, oh, she felt him, a hot, hard length that nestled in the damp furrow between her legs. His hips thrust against her, rubbing his thick erection along her slit. The friction against the taut bud of her clitoris was excruciatingly pleasurable. Lillian was only too happy to follow his lead, looping her arms around his neck.
Charles’s hands disappeared beneath her skirts. She felt the tug at the waist of her drawers, heard the faint rip of fabric. Then his hot erection touched her exposed flesh. They moaned in unison. But Charles didn’t guide himself to her. Instead, he stilled her restlessly thrusting hips with wide palms, fingers digging into her flesh. His kiss on her lips was gentle. Lillian stared into his deep brown eyes. The fire was there, just banked, controlled.
“Lillian, are you sure?” he asked. “I want this. God, how I want this! But only if you want it, too.”
She gave a trembling laugh. “You are uncertain of my desire?” Deliberately, she rubbed her dripping, swollen cleft against him. Both shuddered in reaction. Breathless, she ordered, “Stop being so noble.”
&nbs
p; He made a hungry sound and changed his grip, helping instead of hindering her. Lillian rose up on her knees, glad for the support of the hard cushions. Bracing her hands on his shoulders, she swayed tantalizing just above his jutting flesh, teasing them both. Charles tucked his chin against his chest and closed his eyes. “Lilly,” he said, the sound of her name clipped and harsh. “I’ll spill.”
“Help me,” she said.
Without further prompting, he slid one hand between her legs. His knuckles brushed her inner thighs as he tucked the broad tip of his erection in that perfect place just behind her clitoris. Lillian couldn’t wait anymore. Trusting that he was just as ready as she was, she thrust down, impaling herself partway on his shaft.
The cry of pain was instinctive, and wholly unanticipated. It had been years since she’d felt a man’s stiff penis in her body, but she was no virgin. Yet it was almost as if it was the first time. Blessedly, like then, the discomfort quickly faded, washed away on a tide of excitement.
“Lilly,” Charles said, the glaze of passion clearing from his eyes. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you. Maybe we should—”
“No.” She hurriedly kissed him to stop his protests. “I’m fine Charles, really. It’s just been a long time for me.”
To prove she was ready, she lifted up, then sank back down. By the third thrust, she managed to take all of him. She was sorry she didn’t have time to savor the moment. Aileen could be back at any moment. Charles, protest forgotten, eagerly helped her find a fast, hard rhythm, lifting his hips to meet her every downward thrust. One wide palm covered the small of her back, holding her lower body close. His mouth was hot and hungry as she devoured his lips.
She felt insatiable, as if an unruly beast had been set free inside her and it demanded more and more. The only thing more satisfying would be to feel her naked breasts pressed against the hard, straining muscles she felt through his linen shirt.
They rocked together faster and faster. Each jarring motion forced a whimpered cry of need from her throat. Remembering his earlier reaction, Lillian freed his mouth and pressed hot, sucking kisses along his jawline and throat. Charles pushed his head against the tall back of the settee. Seeking more leverage, Lillian let go of his shoulders to grip the padded back. Straightening her arms, she watched his expressive face. He cried out as she ground against him, spiraling down his cock with a twist of her hips.
“Lilly,” he said. “Lilly. Lilly.” His fingers tightened on her hips. He jerked upward spasmodically, and she felt his cock throb powerfully. His long, low groan of satisfaction triggered her own release. Her fingers clutched the settee, and she bore down, grinding her clit against him as delight burst out from her core. Lillian stiffened. Her thighs quaked, and she bit her lip to stifle her shout of pleasure. Charles’s release seemed to go on forever, each pulse of his flesh sending renewed tingles through her body.
It was long moments before Lillian became aware that she lay limp against Charles’s chest, her nose pressed into the damp flesh of his neck. Lazily, she tasted him with the tip of her tongue. He sighed and settled his arms more firmly around her bare rump, hugging her close.
As her passion-fogged thoughts cleared, Lillian realized Aileen should be back by now. Considering she’d been lost to everything but Charles, Aileen could have come in and retrieved her book for all the attention Lillian would have paid her. Thank goodness she hadn’t. As close as they were, she’d really rather not rub her friend’s nose in her slide from propriety, which was quickly gaining speed. Reluctantly, she pushed herself upright.
Charles studied her from slitted eyelids. His lips were swollen and inviting. His hair formed damp brown curls over his forehead, and his eyes were dark and slumberous. He smiled lazily, fingers tracing patterns on her buttocks under her skirts, the picture of a well-sated man.
When it became clear she wished to stand, Charles freed his arms from her skirts and gallantly steadied her by her elbows. His lids lowered as his softening penis slid from her cleft. Lillian ignored the empty feeling and let her skirts drop into place. They were sadly rumpled, the small, fashionable bustle over her bottom unmistakably askew. While she fought with it, Charles stood, tucked himself back into his trousers and refastened them.
“Lilly, I—”
“Charles—”
They both smiled as they spoke at once, Charles ducking his head like a bashful schoolboy. This was a far different Charles from the rakish black sheep whispered about in the drawing rooms back home, or the correspondent who sent such insightful articles from the worst battles of the war or word portraits of the railroad construction that were both amusing and insightful. Who would ever imagine Charles Lowell Adams at a loss for words around a lady? His reaction pleased her.
“Ladies first,” he invited.
“Oh, really?”
He blushed at her innuendo, but laughed good-naturedly.
Smile fading, Lillian glanced at the door where she expected Aileen to appear at any moment. When she looked back at Charles, a small frown had replaced his good humor. “Charles,” Lillian said. “Please forgive me if I say the wrong thing. I’ve never been in a situation such as this before.”
Charles reached for one of her hands and pressed a gentle kiss to the back of it. “I know, and I’m honored.”
“Yes, well,” Lillian said. “This has been one of the most amazing days of my life.”
“Mine, too. I look forward to many more of them with you.”
“As to that…”
Charles looked at her without speaking. Then, “You don’t wish to continue our…liaison?”
“It’s not that,” she said hurriedly, taking his hand and twining their fingers. “It’s just that, well,” she struggled to find the right words, “are you sure this will work?”
Apparently seeing her distress, he guided her back down to the settee and sat beside her, never letting go of her hands. His eyes intent, he asked, “Will what work?”
“You. Me. And Conn.”
“Ah,” he said. His expression cleared, and he looked at her with affection.
Feeling young and inexperienced when she most definitely was not, Lillian said, “I just want this so much, want you both so much. But not if I would come between you. I’ve seen how much you care for each other. You’re closer than many brothers.”
“Lilly,” he said, putting an arm around her and hugging her close. “You’re right, Conn and I have been through a lot together, and that’s created a special bond between us.”
She nodded against his chest. Fingers touching her chin, he urged her to look up at him. “Normally, I wouldn’t talk about this with a lady,” he said, “but you deserve to know. Conn and I, we’ve shared women before.”
Her eyes widened, and a blush of heat washed over her face. Voice faint, she said, “Oh.”
His arm tightened around her. Tenderly, he kissed her. “But that has nothing to do with you, Lilly. It sounds trite, I know, but you really are special to us. What we shared in the past, that was just physical, something our bodies did and we enjoyed. With you, it’s different. We both want you, singly, together, however we can have you, however long we can have you. Do you understand?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Then let us prove it to you, my beautiful Lilly. Let us show you how good it can be. Trust us.”
Looking at him, feeling the strength of his embrace and sensing the honesty behind his words, Lillian’s trepidation faded. Grabbing hold of her normal poise, she kissed Charles with slow deliberation. He closed his eyes and tipped his head, following her lead, throat rumbling with a barely heard moan. Pulling away, she cupped his cheek in her palm, smoothing her thumb along his damp lips.
“All right, Charles.”
* * * *
Aileen walked through the camp, more at ease than she would have expected. The hard-scrabble lot who filled the railway encampment were not the sort she was used to associating with. In fact, they were rather the sort she avoided
at home in Boston. Raised practically side-by-side with Lillian in the affluent household of a good man was quite different from the way many women of her class experienced life. So was it any wonder she found the workers, men and women, here a little off-putting?
Well, not all of them. Sean O’Brien didn’t put her off at all.
Discomfort…that was another matter, if one defined discomfort as a bewildering attraction she’d never experienced before.
Aileen knew very well what was going on in Lillian’s private car, or at least had a fair suspicion of it. So, she’d made herself scarce.
She didn’t begrudge her friend whatever happiness she might find with Charles Lowell Adams. She rather hoped she could find her own happiness.
As she neared the cook tent, she heard Sean’s booming voice call out to someone. Certain of her welcome, she smiled and picked up her pace.
Chapter 13
“Laying track is a dangerous business. Many men have suffered gruesome injury and even death in the endeavor. Yet they face wild animals, floods, extreme weather and the hazards of every construction site in the effort to push civilization West for the good of all.”
— Charles Lowell Adams, Dispatches from The Iron Road, Great Western Rail Company
On Tuesday, a day short of the minimum waiting period Doctor Ritchards decreed as necessary to ensure untainted drinking water, the small river’s level dropped noticeably. Men sent upstream to investigate reported a rough dam of rock, mud, trees, and other debris blocked the main flow of the river. It appeared the stolen dynamite had been used to tumble the better part of a sizable cliff into the waterway. Behind the dam, the river had flooded its banks. Devereaux authorized a detail of men to use some of the remaining explosive to blast a way through the blockage and set the river back on its proper course before too much damage was done.
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