You, and Only You

by Jennifer McNare

  Alex faltered, caught off guard by her self-effacing air of resignation. Where had the little spitfire from the night before gone, he wondered?

  “I am very sorry that I caused you and the others undue worry, for it was certainly not my intent,” she continued with quiet solemnity, staring into the flickering flames. “And assuming that it was Ashleigh who sent you, I deeply regret that you felt obliged to come looking for me. She shouldn’t have troubled you, for I am more than capable of taking care of myself.”

  Glancing about the room, he had to agree. “Yes, I can see that you are.” He felt his anger give way to a grudging admiration. Shrugging out of his riding jacket, he hung it upon one of the pegs protruding from the nearby wall.

  Tiffany could hear him moving about behind her, but she didn’t turn around. Oh, of all the people she could have sent, why had Ashleigh sent Alex? It was beyond humiliating.

  Walking toward the fire, Alex glanced at the nearby chair, noting that Tiffany’s wet riding skirt was draped across it. Seeing that the other chairs had also been put into service, he stepped around the end of the sofa, eyeing the empty seat cushion next to Tiffany. “May I?”

  “Of course,” Tiffany replied, without looking at him.

  Sitting down, he stretched his booted legs out in front of the fire. From the corner of his eye, he glimpsed her pulling the quilt that swaddled her a little more tightly around her shoulders. He sat quietly for a minute, studying the dancing flames, trying not to think of what Tiffany was wearing, or rather what she wasn’t wearing, beneath that quilt.

  Tiffany didn’t look at him, her eyes fixed directly ahead as she attempted to focus upon something other than the discomfiting notion that she was sitting just an arm’s length away from Alexander Warrene. After last night, it was decidedly awkward to say the least. Of course, the fact that she was practically naked, wrapped only in the cover of the thin quilt didn’t help matters.

  An uncomfortable couple of minutes passed before Alex spoke, breaking the uneasy silence. “Just so you know, I didn’t come looking for you because I felt in any way obliged to do so.”

  Hearing the softly uttered declaration, Tiffany fought the urge to look at him, instead keeping her eyes focused upon the fire. “Then why did you?”

  He sat patiently, waiting until she finally turned to face him before he answered. When she did, he held her gaze with his, his expression sincere. “I came because I wanted to. Because I was…concerned… about you,” he admitted.

  “Oh.” Tiffany felt her heart give a tiny little flutter.

  “Though clearly I needn’t have been. Concerned, that is,” he said in a lighter, slightly teasing tone, glancing deliberately toward the crackling fire. “I have to say, I’m impressed.” He turned back to her with an admiring grin.

  Tiffany couldn’t help but smile in return. It felt quite nice to know that she had earned his respect, in one instance anyhow. “Do you think the storm will last much longer?”

  Alex settled back against the seat cushion. “It’s hard to say.”

  “My father is going to be furious with me,” Tiffany said, her smile fading.

  “Honestly, in all of the to-do it’s quite possible that no one even noticed that you were missing from the group,” he told her. “In fact, if we’re careful, we just might be able to get you back to the house with your father, along with everyone else, being none the wiser.”

  “Do you really think so?” Tiffany asked in surprise.

  “We shall certainly try,” Alex assured her. “And Ashleigh will help.”

  “Thank you, my lord.” She would try to be optimistic and hope for the best.

  “Alex,” he corrected with an easygoing smile. “I should think that we ought to be on a first name basis by now, don’t you?”

  She nodded, feeling another tiny flutter in her chest. “Thank you, Alex.”

  “You’re welcome, Tiffany.” Forcing his eyes from the delicate beauty of her face, he leaned forward, stretching his hands toward the fire and rubbing them together briskly.

  Still clad in his wet shirt and trousers, Tiffany realized that Alex must be dreadfully cold. “You must be freezing,” she said, her tone apologetic.

  “It’s nothing. Besides, with this lovely fire you’ve got going, I shall be toasty warm soon enough.”

  “I noticed a small trunk over there,” Tiffany said, motioning to the sleeping area. There might be another quilt inside.”

  Alex looked to where she was pointing. Truth be told, he was chilled to the bone. “It’s worth a look, I suppose.” Rising from the sofa, he made his way to the other side of the room. Lifting the lid of the trunk, he was pleased to see that there was a neatly folded stack of linen sheets and another large patterned quilt lying inside. Reaching into the trunk, he grasped the quilt and then turned to Tiffany with a triumphant grin, holding his prize aloft.

  “Oh good,” she said, smiling brightly. She was about to suggest that he give it a good shake, but he was already striding toward the sofa. Dropping back onto the seat next to her, he grabbed the edges of the quilt and promptly flung it outward, engulfing them at once in a swirling cloud of dust.

  “Ugg,” Alex wheezed, coughing and waving the dust away with his hand.

  Tiffany would have been tempted to laugh if the dust particles hadn’t already begun to tickle her nose. Raising her hands to her mouth, she struggled to fight back a fit of sneezing. Unfortunately it was a worthless endeavor. She sneezed once, twice and again a third time.

  “Sorry,” Alex muttered, still swatting at the air as he turned to her with an apologetic smile.

  “It’s alright. I should have warned you,” she said, sneezing once more before dropping her hands into her lap.

  As Alex’s eyes focused upon Tiffany, he became instantly aware of the fact that the quilt she’d been holding around her had slipped from her shoulders during her bout of sneezing. Completely riveted, he seemed unable to tear his gaze from the sight of her damp chemise as it clung like a second skin to the enticing curves of her breasts.

  Noting the sudden intensity of Alex’s regard, Tiffany followed his gaze downward, realizing at once what had drawn his attention. Her eyes widened as they became fixed upon her nearly transparent chemise. Embarrassed, she grabbed at the edges of the quilt, but in the very next second she froze, transfixed by heat of Alex’s stare.

  Tearing his gaze from Tiffany’s chest, Alex looked up. They stared at each other in silence for a seemingly endless moment. With her long blonde hair tangled about her naked shoulders and her blue eyes wide and utterly mesmerizing, he seemed incapable of rational thought. “God you’re beautiful.” The words slipped passed his lips before he could stop them.

  His words were like a caress, sending tiny shivers racing down her spine. Held captive by the weight of his intense silver gaze, Tiffany was unable to look away.

  Alex’s hand twitched at his side. Stop! Don’t be a fool! His brain shouted the silent warnings, but unfortunately he had far too little experience with self-denial to heed them. The young woman before him was an irresistible temptation, overriding all of his common sense. As if in a trance, he raised his hand to her face, brushing his thumb across her petal-soft cheek.

  Her lips parted of their own accord, her pulse racing as Alex leaned slowly toward her. She felt the intoxicating warmth of his breath in the instant before his lips touched hers. The kiss was long, undemanding, and incredibly sweet. Without conscious effort, Tiffany’s hands moved to his chest, and then slowly crept upward to twine around his neck, drawing him closer. The contact of their bodies was exhilarating. She could almost feel her heart thumping wildly within her chest. And then, as his tongue teased her parted lips, slipping gently inside her mouth, she couldn’t contain a low moan of desire.

  Tiffany’s soft moan set Alex’s blood on fire. He deepened the kiss, ravaging the inner softness of her mouth. She responded eagerly, her tongue parrying with his, her natural ardor nearly sending him over the edge. Her
burgeoning passion was like the most potent aphrodisiac and he could scarcely hold his own escalating desire in check. It seemed incomprehensible, but at that moment he couldn’t recall ever having wanted a woman so much.

  Lost to the absolute splendor of his kiss, Tiffany made a low whimper of protest when Alex suddenly lifted his mouth from hers. But when his lips drifted across her cheek and then moved to sear a burning path along the curve of her throat, she gladly surrendered to the thrilling new sensation, angling her head to give him better access to the sensitive flesh that tingled beneath the gentle pressure of his lips. While his teeth nipped softly at her neck, she ran her fingers through the softness of his damp hair, reveling in the silky feel of it beneath her fingertips.

  While his lips continued to explore the delectable contours of Tiffany’s throat, Alex moved his hands slowly to her back, loosening the quilt and pushing it aside, then trailing his fingers ever so lightly along the curve of her spine.

  “Alex,” Tiffany gasped, arching against him as his tongue swirled into the hollow at the base of her throat.

  “So sweet,” Alex murmured as he lifted his head. Then, capturing her lips once again, he leaned into her, guiding her onto her back with the gentle pressure of his chest.

  As Alex kissed her into near mindlessness, Tiffany was only vaguely aware of his hand as it moved from her back to her front, his fingers splaying along her ribcage as his thumb moved in small sweeping circles. It wasn’t until she felt his thumb brush lightly against the underside of her breast that she realized his intent.

  Through the thin barrier of her chemise, Alex gently stroked the lush swell of Tiffany’s breast, flicking his thumb lightly across her nipple, teasing it into a taut peak.

  Though initially surprised by the shockingly intimate caress, Tiffany made no move to pull away as Alex leisurely fondled the plump mound of her breast. Inhaling sharply, she was astonished by how good it felt. Good heavens, how was it that she’d never before realized how incredibly sensitive her nipples were?

  Lifting his head, Alex leisurely slid his hand upward, pushing the thin strap of her chemise from her shoulder, baring her naked breast to his hungry gaze. “So beautiful,” he whispered, his breath blowing softly against her bare skin.

  Tiffany’s eyes were closed, her other senses heightened and her breathing erratic as she felt him push the soft fabric of her lace-edged chemise aside, his warm breath caressing and heating her exposed flesh. Surprisingly she wasn’t embarrassed by her nakedness, nor was she afraid of what was to come. She wanted this. Though as reckless and foolhardy as her actions might be, at that moment she simply didn’t care. Right or wrong, consequences be dammed, she wanted it all. Tilting her head back against the sofa cushion, she moaned in pleasure as his lips fastened upon her peaked nipple.

  The unmistakable sound of Tiffany’s pleasure fanned the flames of his desire, urging him on. Swirling his tongue in tantalizing circles, he began to gently rock his pelvis against hers.

  Feeling the hard, rigid length of Alex’s arousal, Tiffany’s legs parted to accommodate him as he settled against her, the gentle, rocking motion of his hips sending unfamiliar jolts of sensation racing throughout her body. It felt good, unbelievably so. Trailing her fingers along the tops of his broad shoulders and then down along his muscled back, she arched against him in a wanton invitation.

  With his erection straining the fabric of his breeches, Alex shifted above her, levering himself off of her slightly so that he could see her face. He saw no sign of hesitance or uncertainty in her expression, only a fierce desire that rivaled his own. If there was any lingering doubt however, she soon dispelled it. Feeling her hands move from his back, her fingers skimming along his ribcage to slide searchingly up his chest, he inhaled sharply as she reached for and then purposefully undid the top button of his shirt.

  As Tiffany methodically worked her way down, button by button, her eyes never left his. Seeing the passionate hunger burning in his gaze, she was both amazed and exhilarated to know that it was she who had aroused such a powerful emotion within him. It was a heady feeling and she reveled in it. Undoing the final button on his shirt, she felt utterly and gloriously wanton as she pushed the fabric aside, her eyes lowering to the naked breadth of his chest.

  Alex drew in a deep, quivering breath as Tiffany’s hands began to move along his torso, her delicate fingers tentatively exploring the naked planes of his chest. How was it, he wondered as she worked her way upward, that he found her hesitant exploration far more arousing than the expert caress of the most skilled courtesan? Groaning aloud, he dipped his head and once again pressed his lips to hers, coaxing them apart and kissing her with a fierce, unrestrained hunger.

  Eagerly welcoming his masterful invasion, Tiffany lost herself in the kiss. Near mindless with pleasure, she could scarcely focus as Alex’s hand moved to trail along her thigh, his fingers skimming along her naked flesh as they moved slowly upward, inch by inch toward the juncture of her thighs.

  A second later, a loud popping noise, not unlike the sound of a gunshot in the small room, caused both Tiffany and Alex to start in alarm. Raising himself up onto his arms, Alex cast his startled gaze to the door, expecting the worst. But it was closed, the room still empty but for the two of them. Just then a second popping noise sounded to his left. Swiveling his head in the direction of the fireplace, he eyed the burning logs, recognizing the sound for what it was. Dropping his head he squeezed his eyes closed, relief coursing through his body, for he knew that if someone had discovered them like that he would have found himself hastened to the altar regardless of the blasted wager. Opening his eyes, they immediately locked with Tiffany’s. Her blue eyes were wide and questioning as she lay quietly beneath him, studying his expression. Immediately he regretted the utter selfishness of his initial thoughts.

  “Alex?”

  “Tiffany, I…” He trailed off, unsure of what to say. Though he wanted nothing more at that moment than to lift her up into his arm, carry her to the cottage’s small bed and finish what they’d started, he knew that he couldn’t. He didn’t dare. Damn it all, he’d been a bloody fool to let things go as far as they had, he acknowledged, mentally cursing the recklessness and sheer idiocy of his actions. What the hell had he been thinking? Despite her undeniable allure, Tiffany Marlowe was a respectable young lady, an innocent. Guilt washed over him in gut-churning waves. Never before had he allowed his passion to overcome his good sense. Levering himself off of her he sat up, turning his troubled gaze to the fire.

  Rising up onto her elbow, Tiffany felt her heart sink as she detected both relief and regret in Alex’s expression. Struggling into a sitting position, she reached for the straps of her chemise, pulling the thin fabric back into place, covering her nakedness.

  “I’m sorry, Tiffany. I…” He ran his fingers through his hair, sighing heavily. “That… never should have happened,” he said after a time, his voice laden with remorse as he continued to stare into the dying flames.

  “You needn’t apologize. You didn’t do anything that I…didn’t want you to do,” Tiffany admitted softly.

  The candid admission caught him off guard, and for a moment he hesitated. Fighting the insane impulse to spin around and drag her back into his arms, he rose determinedly to his feet instead. Whether she was willing or not, innocent young virgins were for marrying, not for casual trysts, not for… this. “You shouldn’t say such things,” he murmured, barely loud enough for her to hear.

  “Not even if it’s true?”

  “No. Tiffany, you…” he began, shaking his head. “You deserve better than this, better than…better than I can give you,” he said, his voice heavy with remorse.

  “Alex-”

  “Don’t,” he said, his voice nearly breaking.

  Tiffany bit back her words. Watching him in silence, she felt as if her heart was breaking into a thousand little pieces.

  “It sounds as if the rain might be lessening,” he said after a moment, struggling p
ast the sudden lump in his throat. Turning to the door, he forced himself to walk away from her. “We should try and make it back before you’re missed.”

  Tiffany sat unmoving, her thoughts spinning in a tangled whirl.

  Nearing the door, he fastened the buttons on his shirt and then grabbed his jacket from the peg that he’d hung it upon, sliding his arms into the still damp and hopelessly wrinkled garment. Reaching for the door handle, he resisted the urge to turn around. “I’ll see to the horses while you dress.”

  Tiffany said nothing as Alex opened the door and stepped outside. A second later, she was alone. You deserve better than this, better than I can give you, he’d said. Should she be grateful, she wondered, that he’d walked away, that he hadn’t taken what she had so freely offered? Considering Alex’s reputation, and his purported reluctance to marry, she supposed she should. So why didn’t she then? Why instead, did she feel like bursting into a flood of tears? Leaning her head back against the sofa, she closed her eyes and fought them back. It was because she was in love with him, that’s why, her inner voice lamented, and because he obviously didn’t feel the same way about her. He was attracted to her, yes, that much was clear, but physical desire wasn’t the same as love. Even she wasn’t so naïve as to believe that. Unfortunately however, it only served to make the pain she felt that much worse.

  Outside, as Alex readied the horses, he mentally cursed himself for being the worst kind of bastard. He was beyond furious with himself. He was a man who had always prided himself on his ability to think with his head instead of his cock, and the fact that he had allowed his self-control to be overcome by lust, both infuriated and frightened him. Until now, his sexual desires had always been directed toward experienced women, women who knew how to play the game, women who didn’t wear their hearts on their sleeves. But Tiffany was different. She was an innocent. Regrettably, he feared that what existed between them was more than just a physical attraction on her part. Why else would she have been so willing to surrender her innocence to a man like him? Damn it all. If he wasn’t mistaken, Tiffany Marlowe fancied herself in love with him. And that troubling realization made the guilt he felt all the more difficult to bear.