by Lexi Post
Jamie shook his head. “Ach, we’ll probably think of it eventually.”
Synn nodded, still puzzling. “Did you need me for something that you interrupted my lovely view?” He smirked.
“I did and despite envying you your leisure, my contractor allows me no rest.” Jamie nodded his head toward the door.
Synn grinned. “In more ways than one, right?”
The man’s stocky frame puffed larger, if that were possible. “Aye, she is a ball-breaker.” His wink reminded Synn of the times he’d shared with friends long ago, and an old ache returned to his heart. He thrust it away. It was not his plight that mattered. He put a hand on Jamie’s shoulder. “So what can I do for you?”
The man turned toward the stair. “I need to drill the holes to the upstairs servants’ quarters.”
Jamie talked as they headed down the stairs, Synn half listening. Even Jamie’s stride once they hit the hallway reminded him of someone. It wasn’t until they had passed the window at the end of the second floor that it hit. Jamie walked like him.
Synn froze inside as the pieces fell into place. Jamie was one of his descendants, probably from his younger brother. The realization that his family had continued, that a part of himself still existed, unlocked the gate to his own needs. He tried to close it off, but having ignored his own wants for so long, they refused to be secured.
Not willing to think about such painful feelings, Synn focused on Jamie’s concerns instead. A talent he had developed a knack for over the years.
Jamie stopped in the entryway. “So which area do you think would make the best main conduit?”
Synn had very little knowledge of what this electricity was about, except that it somehow produced light, but he did know the Abbey he had designed. “Let’s take a look at your options and refresh my memory.”
“Brilliant. Let’s start in the Black Room corridor.”
Synn grinned. How appropriate for the MacAllistair boys to start there.
* * * * *
Synn floated through Rena’s door and materialized. He was taking a risk being visible, but he needed to be solid, to feel every nuance of her reactions to his touch. It had taken him time to develop a plan of seduction, and it had to be implemented perfectly.
He made himself comfortable in one of the chairs at the fireplace that gave him an unimpeded view of Rena. Gazing at her while she slept calmed him. She was a kind person. Maybe he should tell her about the Masque and what would happen. Give her a chance to make the decision. She may well continue and then she wouldn’t hate him when he ruined her haunted hopes. He wanted to, she deserved that opportunity. He shook his head in defeat. He couldn’t risk it. The lead ball of guilt he had carried around for a century wouldn’t budge.
He refocused his attention on Rena, a much more enjoyable subject. Her hair was trapped beneath her shoulder as she lay on her side facing him. The t-shirt she wore, hiding her breasts from his gaze, did not bother him. He would start his advances at her feet tonight. His tongue reminded him of the taste of her pussy and he closed his eyes. He began to harden and he slowly took a deep breath before opening his eyes to gaze at her again.
He had to make her want him. She had to need release to give him another chance, and he would have to be sure she didn’t turn to Matt. The thought brought his heart to a stop, but he shook it off. After the Masque, she could do whatever with whomever she wanted. His gut tightened. He didn’t want that. He wanted her.
The needs he’d pushed aside earlier burst through his subconscious to crowd his mind. He’d had a family, an older sister and younger brother, a mother, all alive when he entered the Abbey. All dearer to him than gold. What had happened to them?
His business had been thriving, his finances had been secure. His home, designed by his own hand, had fit his every need. He had expected to settle into a comfortable relationship with a woman someday after he’d exhausted his sexual adventures.
He refocused his attention on Rena. An ache grew in his chest for what could have been. It was the reason he’d shut down those memories a century ago. They would drive him insane…if he wasn’t already.
He had to concentrate on the Masque and Rena completing it with him. Whatever he had to do, he would, even if it meant unloading one guilt only to take on another. If Rena had been less responsive to his advances, he would have had reservations, but she loved sex as much as he. Though his next step was pure manipulation, he would ensure she enjoyed every moment. He had no choice. His heart tightened at what she would think of him once they had finished their sexual journey.
Uncomfortable with his thoughts, he stood and smelled the air. Tart pomegranate filled his nostrils, sending lustful messages to his tense body, smothering his emotions. Rena’s arm, lying on top of the quilt, beckoned his touch, but tonight he would focus only on the lower half of her body. Gently, he knelt on the bed and pulled the blanket from beneath her arm and off her body. At the sight of her bare, curvaceous hips, his cock hardened. It had been too long without her.
* * * * *
Rena sat at the dining room table, her head in her hands, a bottle of ibuprofen waiting for Mrs. McMurray to bring in the coffee to go with it. It was so nice to have the older woman with them again, and her motherly voice was finally back as well.
“Here you go, dear. Can I make you a warm croissant with some fresh blackberry jam?”
Her stomach growled at the prospect and she grinned. “Yes, please.”
When the woman left to do her magic in the kitchen fireplace, Rena took a sip of coffee and closed her eyes. Maybe she should only have the bed-and-breakfast open one week a month. She sincerely didn’t think she could find another such amazing cook.
She opened her eyes to find Synn staring down at her. She jumped. “Damn it, Synn, I’m going to put a bell on you.”
He didn’t react but stared hard at her.
Okay, now what? “Did you need something?”
The blue shards in his eyes seemed to glitter as his mouth turned up into a grin. Oh shit, she much preferred the silent treatment she’d been getting. The appreciation she read in his gaze made her flush.
He sat in the chair at the head of the table, so close she could touch him. Uh-oh.
His low voice caressed her libido. “I need you.”
Damn, and double damn. A full-out frontal assault wasn’t what she had expected. Though she had expected something now that the Masque had resumed over the last two nights. After waking up from another sexual, unfulfilling dream, she had heard the low hum of the ghosts as their voices came back and had buried her head under her pillow. Her lack of sleep had made ibuprofen her new morning vitamin. Swallowing hard, she tried for a cool tone. “I’m really busy, Synn, and I haven’t been getting much sleep at night.”
He laid his hand on her knee. It burned right through her jeans as his thumb slowly stroked the side. She looked up from his hand to see concern and maybe just a bit of glee in his eyes. “This wouldn’t take much effort. I just want to take you through the White Room.”
Rena’s heart accelerated at the idea of another new experience. But was she once again being led by her sexual desires? It had been a long week of frustrating dreams. Could she even think straight? “Synn, I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
His hand moved up her leg, leaving his thumb resting at the apex of her thighs. She should move, break the connection, but she couldn’t.
He leaned toward her, his cinnamon scent filling the air around her, priming her body. His other hand came up to caress her cheek. “But this would be all about you, not me. I even promise not to enter your beautiful, sexy body. I think if you try this room, you will sleep better.”
She tried hard to resist his voice, his scent, his touch, but she wanted him badly. If he had kissed her or talked about sex, she could have resisted, but his gentle caress, kind promise, worked upon her heart instead of her pussy. She tried to shake her head, but it wouldn’t move. “I—”
“P
lease, Rena. Let me do this for you.”
Oh shit. “Okay.”
His gaze turned grateful as if she’d granted him his most fervent wish before he brushed a kiss across her lips. Her heart pounded at his gentleness, leaving her breathless.
He stroked her cheek once more before sitting back in his chair.
She watched for any sign of smugness on his part, but there was none. He really wanted to do this for her. Maybe it would take the edge off her overactive libido and she could get some sleep. “What is the White Room for during the day? I haven’t been able to figure it out. It looks like a café.”
Standing, he offered her his arm. “You are correct. That room was the tearoom. Afternoon tea and delicious delicacies were served in there for both men and women.”
Taking his arm, she let him lead her through the rooms. The clear window in the White Room allowed plenty of sunlight, which reflected off the pure-white walls. Now that she understood its purpose, she could easily imagine women and men sitting at tables while behind the long wooden counter at the end, workers provided selected treats, which would have been displayed on the shelves behind them. This room, as opposed to any of the others, appeared dainty. Much white lace graced the tables and walls, while white napkins with pale-green-and-lavender embroidery were set on the tables among the silver, waiting for guests.
“And what depraved sexual activity does this stylish room host after midnight?”
Synn stepped in front of her and lifted her chin. “There are no depraved activities in this abbey, and it’s time you stopped thinking in that vein. What we have here are healthy, intriguing sexual experiences for those who wish to try them. No one is forced to do anything.” His serious mien broke when he smirked. “No virgin sacrifices either.”
She grinned. “Good, because I wouldn’t qualify.”
He wrapped her in his arms and a tenderness appeared in his gaze that sent her heart skidding past a couple beats. “Rena, I want you to enjoy this room tonight. Nothing but your fulfillment is my goal.”
She laid her hand upon his cheek, her gut tightening at his willingness to do anything for her. It was clear now that the knot in her stomach had nothing to do with her nymphomania tendencies and everything to do with her growing attraction to his soul.
* * * * *
Rena tied the gold rope around the soft white toga Mrs. McMurray had given her. It was made of a luminescent material reflecting turquoise, pink and pale blue, depending on how it caught the light of her lantern. The material was silky soft. The drape at her neck fell to her navel, and with her large breasts, it revealed her entire cleavage. The toga was short, its soft folds brushed the tops of her thighs.
She felt completely covered in it until she stepped in front of the oblong Victorian mirror in her room. With the lantern in front of her, she appeared almost naked. Her breasts showed through the material, the dark areolas obvious and the nubs of her nipples straining at the material. Her gaze swept downward to take in the dark circle of her pubic hair. “Now, why bother wearing this when I could just go naked?”
She shook her head at her reflection. And why a toga? It was as if she were going to an X-rated Halloween party when she had planned on having tea. Not exactly tea, but it did beg the question of what the lovely, dainty room would change into. Synn never did tell her. Studying herself, she couldn’t help thinking she could pass for an ancient Greek. Mrs. McMurray had one of the maids pin her hair up and style it as if she was Helen of Troy. The wisps about her face made her appear delicate.
She enjoyed having sex with Synn, but he’d promised he wouldn’t enter her, so what would they do in the White Room? She couldn’t help wanting an intimacy they hadn’t shared yet. Or maybe they never would. Synn was about sex. She had to keep that in mind.
Sighing, she walked to her bed and picked up her cell phone from the nightstand. Ten more minutes before Synn arrived. Maybe she should prepare herself for her experience tonight. She looked for the sex journal and found it stuck between the dresser and a chair. Picking it up, she marveled that Mrs. McMurray hadn’t noticed it.
Rena sat on her bed and smoothed out the rumpled pages. Skimming through it, she found the drawings of the billiard room. She turned the page and sucked in her breath. A woman was laid upon a table with various foods placed upon her body. People stood around her as if waiting for the chance to eat her. Rena looked at her clothing and back at the woman. She wore a toga.
As the knob on her door turned, she shoved the book under her pillow and stood.
Synn entered wearing a Grecian toga himself.
She forgot to breathe. His broad chest appeared larger with half of it exposed and much darker than the white of his clothing. She noticed it covered the black mark on his chest where he’d been shot. The garment fell to mid-thigh and the sandals that laced up his powerful calves were a dark color, unlike the gold of her own.
Synn didn’t move. She looked at his face to find desire and utter appreciation in the depths of his stormy eyes.
“Rena.”
Her name on his lips was but a breath and it sent a shiver racing across her skin.
He took a step closer. “By the gods, but you are breathtaking.”
She smiled. “The gods?”
He raised his brow. “I stand corrected, for the only goddess I care about is the one before me. You truly are Aphrodite.”
Her cheeks heated at the sincerity of his praise. “And what god will you be tonight?”
He bowed. “I am, of course, the god of sin.”
She laughed, unable to contain her excitement.
“Turn around.”
She did and he tied on a golden mask. When he turned her back, he faced her toward the mirror. The mask was a creation in itself with a butterfly shape and tiny swirls, all in solid gold. He put on a simple brown mask and stepped behind her, encircling her waist with his arms. He lowered his lips to her bare neck, trailing kisses to her ear, and filling her nostrils with his spicy scent.
She couldn’t take her eyes from watching him in the mirror. Being held like this, kissed like this, is what she craved the most from him, and she didn’t want to miss one touch, look or taste.
Abruptly, he stepped back and away from her, leaving the room’s cool air to touch her skin. She shivered, bereft without the illusion of what they might share.
He appeared uncomfortable, a state she hadn’t witnessed in him before. Did he feel a growing connection too? Did he want to? She watched, perplexed, as he strode to the door.
He offered his arm. “Are you ready for the White Room, my goddess?”
She bowed her head, positive he still wasn’t quite right. “And what is this room called at night?”
His grin transformed him to his usual, confident self. “Delicious Sex.”
Her stomach flipped at his statement, the image from the sex journal vivid in her mind. She cleared her closed throat. “Would this have anything to do with food?”
His grin became downright diabolical. “Absolutely.”
On suddenly weak legs, she wobbled to him and grasped his arm.
Synn reveled in the feel of Rena’s arm linked with his. He had been right when he first saw her. She was Aphrodite, but he sensed her distance, except in front of the mirror. Then the connection between them had been strong and disturbing. Not something to be repeated. At least she had agreed to the White Room. He would show her how much that meant to him by ensuring she thoroughly enjoyed Delicious Sex tonight.
It was after midnight. He’d changed the rooms before he escorted her downstairs so he wouldn’t need to leave her to pull the lever that started the cogged wheels rolling. Hopefully soon, the clock in the Black Room would start and take over the nightly chore, but until then, it was his responsibility. And at the moment, it was his responsibility to make his beautiful goddess breathless with pleasure.
As they entered the Blue Room, Annette and Byron climbed onto the central bed. They greeted them, though the couple continu
ed to disrobe. In the Purple Room, Rena halted and Synn’s heart stopped for a moment, his fear of her not continuing returning full force.
“Synn, it’s Eve and Jonathan.”
He looked to the stage and started to breathe again. Not trusting his voice, he nodded.
She laid her head against his arm. “There is something so beautiful about the way they make love, don’t you think?”
He resisted the urge to stroke her hair and instead shifted his hold from her arm to her waist. “That is because they are in love.”
“Hmm, yes, they are. Have you ever been in love?”
She lifted her head and gazed into his eyes. He couldn’t lie to her. “No, I haven’t.”
Her eyes turned sad. “I’m so sorry.”
Sorry? He’d never considered love a worthy pursuit, but as he turned his gaze back to his friends, he suddenly understood why they had always made him uncomfortable. They made love. They were completely enthralled with each other. He’d never had that type of bond with a woman…and now he never would.
He glanced at Rena as she watched Eve and Jonathan. She made him want to know what that joining would be like, to be so close in mind and soul, as well as in body. Now, that it could never be for him, he wanted to know love. An ache in his chest caught him by surprise and he tensed against it.
Rena stepped away and stared at him. “Synn? Is something wrong?”
Yes, I met you too late. “No, just thinking. Shall we go?” He held out his arm, hoping she wouldn’t notice the slight tremble in his muscles as she linked hers with his. He glanced once more at Eve and Jonathan, and for the first time, he envied them.
The library second floor was already in use though the lower floor where they strolled had no one present. When they entered the billiard room however, there was a full-fledged orgy taking place on a large bed by the orange-colored window. He stopped to allow Rena a chance to watch.
