To Eternity

by Daisy Banks

  His lips moved in the start of the smile she loved. It grew like warmth when the sun appeared from behind a gray cloud and rose up to light his eyes. “Would it help if I promised to kiss you until you reached your count of a thousand?”

  “Maybe.”

  “We shall forgive each other and be gentler with our love.”

  “Agreed.” She took another sip of sherry. “But not too tender, Magnus. There has to be a little bite.”

  His expression froze, and he gave a quick shake of his head as though disturbed by her words.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Forgive me, my thoughts quite escaped me.”

  Uncertain if she’d understood him, she looked into his soul-drinking eyes. Though his skin was firm and lined little, his eyes betrayed the depths of his experiences. They showed a wealth of sorrows. Yet as the gray pools sucked her in, they changed so they looked like mountain water streaking over pebbles.

  “Sometimes you manage to take me quite far away,” he said.

  “Good. You need to get out of the house more.”

  He laughed and linked his arm through hers. “Shall we dine?”

  Chapter 8

  Languid after their extensive meal, they nestled in the back of the car on the short drive to the cricket club. Magnus, his arm around Sian, caught a few smiles in the rearview mirror from the taciturn mechanic, Monty.

  Perhaps he should speak with his few staff regarding their speculation. They appeared to have become a group of romantics. He smiled as he helped Sian out of the car.

  “There’s the gate. Here, I’ll pay the entrance fee tonight,” Sian said.

  “If you so wish.” He glanced at the tall bonfire, and after she paid the donation, accepted her arm laced through his.

  “We can get a glass of mulled wine, sweet toffee popcorn if you want. The fireworks are due to begin in about five minutes.”

  Her infectious excitement raised his smile. “I haven’t tasted mulled wine in an age.”

  Sian led him through the scent of wood smoke from the bonfire. Beyond the fire, the aroma from the hot dog van grew stronger, the smell of fried onions, too, and farther on, a stall selling cinnamon doughnuts laced the air with toasted sugar.

  “Oh, Magnus, look. Candy floss.” Sian pointed to a stall where the bright pink confection on sticks shuddered in the breeze.

  “Would you like some?”

  Her smile curved her cheeks. “Please. Don’t you like it?”

  He shook his head. “I’d prefer to buy it for you. We’ll get some in a bag, rather than on a stick, so it doesn’t blow away, and then we’ll find a spot to stand to get a good view of the fireworks.”

  They did. Ten minutes later, as Sian finished the last of the fluffy, pink candy, and he sipped a glass of warm mulled wine, the first rocket soared into a clear, dark night sky as though it wanted to reach the farthest stars.

  The small crowd of on-lookers responded to each element of the display, children yelled and their parents exclaimed. Sian stood with her back pressed against him, close in his embrace. He rested his chin on her shoulder. A contentment of sharing this experience with her mellowed his usual concerns at being at such a public event.

  The other people offered no sidelong glances and asked no questions. Here, no one knew or guessed his name and lineage. Perhaps Sian was right, and he should take the opportunity to leave the house more frequently. The world had changed a great deal. Rumor of what he was might no longer provoke a threatening mob as it had in his youth.

  He relaxed. Together, he and Sian stood in the same way many couples did, cuddled close, arms entwined, their heads together as the fireworks crackled into the cold night. He’d no doubt the couples around them loved, old or young, newly-wed, or those who’d been together for years. They loved with the knowledge they were free to do so.

  A freedom denied to him and the woman he wanted. He could offer her a snip of happiness, followed by the bitter taste of increasing loneliness if she became like him. Any attempt at an ordinary existence could only be doomed to failure. If he did as she wanted and shared the werewolf curse with her, he would condemn her to days as a she-wolf. Such an existence would hurt her, destroy her joy in life, and it would all be his fault. If she accepted an eternity with him, her friends and colleagues would age, fade and die, but she would remain untouched by the years. Yet each month, she’d suffer the torment of the moon’s savage spell. How could he offer her such a thing?

  He inhaled Sian’s subtle fragrance. A fierce need for her bloomed, not just for this night, or the next, but for all the nights there were or could ever be. This was his woman, his mate. He squeezed her tighter and met her gaze as she tilted her head.

  The whoosh of a large rocket drew her attention. “Look!” She caught her breath. A chest-thumping roar shook him at the explosion of thousands of tiny blue sparkles that dissolved into bright cerise blooms.

  “So beautiful,” she said as the last floated down.

  He nodded. For the first time since they’d met, he’d discovered her true power over his body and soul. She believed in him as a person. To Sian, he wasn’t the beast, or a rich man in need of sensual body satisfaction. He’d known admiration for his strength, for his wealth, for his home, for his prowess, and even Julia’s sweet gifts had offered him tenderness, but Sian eclipsed them all. The light of her love warmed him and wouldn’t let him hide. For her, he must be more man than he’d ever been before. While they were here, there could be no room for such meanderings of the mind though, since her ability to pick up his thoughts was growing daily. This night, he would concentrate on the present alone. They would love like the couples around them, bound by this simple experience to remember.

  The last of the colors faded into swirls of smoky mist. “I’m so glad we came tonight,” she whispered, her breath warm against his throat.

  “Yes,” he said, aware of how she’d chipped away another chunk of his disguise built with such care over so long. At its simplest, Sian wished for them to live in the same way as those who stood around them tonight. A fresh batch of fireworks erupted, screaming into the night. Sian lifted her gaze to the sky. Incandescent streams of silver and gold, shot through with brilliant blue, wove a path to hide the stars.

  She tilted her head so she faced him. He brushed a stray strand of hair from across her lip and placed a gentle kiss there as the magnificent display ended. Together, like others around them, they slowly moved in the misty, gunpowder-scented night. He linked his arm through hers. They ambled back to where Monty stood by the car. Magnus helped Sian into the back seat. He joined her and gave a nod to Monty.

  Sian rested her head on his shoulder, relaxed and quiet. He gazed out the window as the dark countryside slipped by. If he had any courage at all, he ought to return her to the life she knew before they met. No other course was humane or compassionate.

  “Magnus,” she whispered. She angled her face so her lips could press against his.

  “Yes?”

  “You do understand, even if you send me away, I’ll want to come back to you?” Her words caressed his jaw.

  He sucked in a breath. Private thought might have become a thing of the past, certainly when they were physically close, but that didn’t stop him cursing his stupidity for allowing his thoughts to dwell on their future. The perfection of her in his embrace, the sensation of hope, the prospect of harmony and peace together, he couldn’t bear it. He edged back from her. “You accept I have lived a long life?”

  “Yes.”

  “You accept I am different from others?”

  She nodded, smiled.

  He glanced to the driver, glad Monty’s presence made further discussion difficult. “Then, please forgive my musings?”

  Her smile grew, and she kissed him again, her lips soft as a moth’s wing on his skin. “Of course, Magnus, at least until we are
home.”

  * * * *

  Monty stopped the car by the front door. “Good evening, sir, miss,” he said, a little gruff as always. He held the door for them as if he’d been a chauffeur his life-long.

  “Thank you, Monty, I’m grateful.”

  “You are most welcome, sir.” A twinkle lit the watery blue eyes.

  He led Sian into the portico, swept her up in his embrace, and held her there so the green Wellingtons could slip off. Still holding her tight in his arms, he carried her indoors where he set her down to remove her coat. He took off his own as she pulled off her scarf.

  “Thank you for a wonderful evening, Magnus.”

  “I should thank you. I’d never have thought of going to Stonewells for the firework display. See how you brighten my life?”

  She laughed.

  “I’m serious,” he said, catching her around the waist. “You have no notion how much you mean to me.”

  “Really?” she whispered, as he pulled her a little closer.

  “I swear on all you may believe to be holy.”

  “Show me,” she whispered.

  He sucked in a deep breath. “You have my promise I will, every moment from now until dawn, if you’ll allow me.” He swept her up into his arms.

  “Please, Magnus.” She put her arms around his neck.

  He took the stairs one at a time, enjoying the light glowing in her eyes, the softness of her gaze, and his anticipation of her skin against his. In their bedroom, he placed her on the bed, turned to the hearth, and in no haste, started to strip off his clothes. He looked over his shoulder at a creak from the bed. “No. Wait. Please, let me help you. I’ll undress you.”

  The pupils of her eyes dilated fast, and he smiled. Tonight, he wanted her to enjoy him, all of him. Each pleasure he could give would delight her. By using his control, her lassitude would give him all the time he needed.

  Naked, he lay down beside her, kissed her silken lips, and listened to her gentle breath in response. She lay languid in his embrace in a way he’d not seen before. He slid the pearl clip from her hair, then placed it on the bedside cabinet. Her gaze followed his every movement as he moved down the bed to smooth his fingertips over her feet, her ankles, and up to her knees. Silky hosiery. He smiled as he touched the warmth of her skin above the stockings, never tights. Should he leave them on? Or not? He moved his hands back down her leg, pleased by the little tremors in her muscles. “Sit up for a moment. I’d hate to spoil your gown.”

  She complied.

  With the care of a lady’s maid, he unclipped the corseted bodice. He slipped the dress from her shoulders down to her waist. All the time her gaze stayed on him. “Lie down now,” he said.

  She lay back down and careful not to tug the delicate fabric he slid the gown from her.

  Her underwear tonight, pearl white, accented with two tiny pink flowers, was so virginal, yet her nipples peeked from the half-cup bra, demanding his attention. He stroked his tongue in the valley between her breasts. Her small whimper encouraged him. Pushing the silky fabric down with his thumbs, he revealed the puckered areola and proud nipple of one breast. He unclipped her bra as he nuzzled closer to take it between his lips. Sian sighed as he caressed her smooth skin. He stroked her hip and thigh as he licked, sucked, and nibbled, awaiting her first moan of pleasure.

  She pushed up to press harder against his fingers when he stroked the damp silk fabric of her panties.

  “Oh, yes.”

  He smiled at the needy whimper, then moved across to her other nipple. He took it into his mouth and sucked so hard she groaned.

  Wonderful.

  Sian lifted her hips farther from the bed in an effort to chase his hand. He returned to caress the tender skin above her stocking tops, but didn’t as much as graze the fabric of her underwear.

  Her breathing quickened in response to him suckling and stroking. The rise and fall of her murmurs told him the level of her arousal, but he wanted more from her, a lot more. He released her nipple and lifted up to look into her eyes. “I want you to relax for me. Close your eyes.”

  She lowered her lashes. Her long sigh warmed his cheek. He slipped his arms around her and drew her closer still. Electric sparks of delight flittered on his skin at her touch. Exquisite. Angling his head, he pressed his mouth to hers, then teased with his tongue until she opened her lips to suck his inside the moist heat of her own.

  Tonight, he would share an experience with her beyond the here and now. They would dream together. He held her close, allowing his consciousness to waver from the room. They lay on the bed, but stood elsewhere, too. The sensation of presence flittered back and forth. The embroidered silk coverlet, Sian, fragrant and warm in his arms, and yet music drifted nearby, the sweetness of violas beckoned. Sian remained enfolded in his embrace as he moved toward the call of violins.

  A waterfall of satin encased her, silk shirt and breeches him. Her lips warm on his still, he opened his eyes.

  The ballroom wavered for a moment before each mirror, each glimmering candle-laden chandelier, stilled and solidified to a reality of sorts. Sian broke their kiss. “Magnus?”

  “Stay with me?”

  “Forever. For as long as you want me to.”

  He smiled and the music swelled as if in response. “So beautiful,” he said and placed a kiss on the pale skin of her inner wrist. “Dance with me?”

  “Of course.”

  Snowy white rosebuds nestled in her hair. Tiny ringlet curls wavered, and the thick brandy-shaded strands made intricate twirls. A tiny lace choker graced her neck, and the square neckline of her gown, also trimmed with lace, enhanced her décolletage. A heavy satin skirt flowed to her ankles. Her satin shoes matched the roses in her hair. He led her in the elaborate, slow steps of a minuet. Faultless, she moved with him. Each graceful line of her arm, the arch of her neck—a dream-enhanced perfection to please the eye.

  Their reflections twirled with them, seeming to fill the room with other dancers, each version of Sian a beauty who would steal his soul.

  Ah, my soul. Will I keep any vestige of it once this night is done?

  Together they danced; a couple alone, yet surrounded by themselves. Starlight beckoned through the open doors so he led her onto the terrace. The crescent moon shone on the lake. He took her into his arms, pressing a kiss to the coral-rouged lips.

  Reality slipped again. Skin to skin, they lay together, limbs wrapped warm around each other. “You are perfect,” he whispered, tracing his fingertip over the rise of one of her breasts. He cupped the firm, smooth round, and tweaking hard enough to make her moan, he rolled her nipple under his thumb. She shifted beneath him, whimpered, and molded her loins to his. One wisp of fabric barred him from heaven. A breath of her warm fragrance stoked his need as he inched off her underwear. As soon as he freed her from the panties, she parted her legs so he could lie between them. He pressed a kiss on the curls at their apex. She gave a small gasp when he palmed her legs wider. “I want all of you, Sian. Give me all of you?”

  Her hips juddered, her flesh warm under his hands. He moved to raise her to his lips. He nuzzled her clit, captured the small bead of flesh, and sucked the tender morsel.

  “Magnus!” Her cry echoed throughout the room.

  Slow, each movement deliberate and lingering, he pleasured her, tasted her salt and lapped at the flow of her nectar. She wound her fingers in his hair, grasped, and released with rhythmic panted breaths. He maneuvered her so her hips moved in time with her moans. The tension in her muscles increased, and he slowed the pace, flicking his tongue with the lightest of strokes to keep her hovering on the edge of orgasm. He glanced up to her face. She’d arched her neck, lay open-mouthed gasping, her eyes closed as she trembled. His cock throbbed, hardened to granite, but he’d take her over the edge now before he enjoyed the delight of burying himself inside her.

 
; He breathed hot on her moistened clit. She locked her thighs around his head. Open mouthed, he sucked, flickering his tongue faster at her wild cry of delight. She ground herself against him, gasped, and twisted beneath him. Her pleasure pulsed so strong, he almost broke and hit the peak with her.

  But no, tonight he’d offer her as much as he could. Backing off, he pushed her knees wider apart, slid up the bed, and moved to nestle his cock in the entrance of her pussy.

  “Yes, now,” she mouthed against his shoulder. “I want you.”

  “You are all mine.” He drove forward and reveled in her silken heat as she took him. She clutched him tight. He thrust into her again.

  “I live for you,” she moaned.

  Her body blended with his. They moved in a harmonic synchronization. Sian wrapped her thighs around his waist, adding momentum to their joining. Her mouth against his throat, she matched his rhythmic gasps. Together they pushed toward the peak.

  Sian cried out and gripped him tight inside her. Her pleasure forced him over the edge. He let go into a final tumult of movement. Orgasm thrummed through him as he kissed her. “My love. My life.”

  Chapter 9

  The morning of the tenth dawned misty wet. Rain pattered rather than pelted, but its incessant thrum did nothing to soothe his mood. He and Sian breakfasted early in the dining room where she could look out for the first arrivals. Twitchy like a busy sparrow, she finished a slice of toast. Though his apprehension about today remained heavy, he couldn’t deny the spark of excitement in her eyes or the flash of color in her cheek.

  “After today, we will have the world to ourselves,” she said as she got up from her seat. She bent and swept a kiss on his cheek. “Don’t forget you can join us for the filming. You could watch from the sidelines if you wish.”

  He shook his head. “No, I think not.”

  The whoosh of air-breaks shook the windows.

  “Good grief. What’s all that?” he asked.

  Her impish smile appeared. “Kit, lots of it. I must go. Have a wonderful day.” She bounded out the door, the rubber soles of her Nike’s squeaking on the polished floor. He sighed as he glanced to the window where the side of the massive lorry obliterated the usual view.