Scarlet Kisses

by Tish Westwood

  “Yes, miss?” The maid said as she entered.

  “Can you please get Violet for me?”

  Meg nodded then slipped from the room, shutting the door behind her.

  Alyssum dropped to her knees once the door closed and reached under the bed. When her fingers grasped the box, she pulled it out. Her small smile turned into a bright, happy one as she stared down at the white box.

  Violet gasped in surprise as she walked into Alyssum’s room. “What are you doing?” she whispered and stared at Alyssum, or rather Scarlet.

  “Please cover for me if anyone asks where I’ve gone.” Alyssum stood before her in the scarlet gown, her hair unbound.

  “What am I suppose to say?”

  “Just tell them I went for a walk.” Alyssum picked up her black mask.

  “Liss, what are you doing?”

  Alyssum paused and looked at Violet. “We’re finally going to talk about this.”

  “And you need to wear that dress to do that?”

  Alyssum bit her bottom lip then wound the black domino around her face. She tied the ends and dropped her hands to her sides with a sigh.

  “You better hope Mother and Harry don’t see you like this,” Violet warned.

  “Are you sure Harry has returned?”

  “I heard him speaking to Mother a moment ago in the drawing room.”

  “That’s what you’re here for. You’re my eyes and ears.” Alyssum grabbed her black cloak and drew it around her.

  “You owe me.” Violet turned and opened the door. Alyssum drew up her hood then stepped up behind Violet.

  “All clear,” Violet whispered and they both began creeping their way to the back entrance of the house.

  “Wait,” Violet whispered quickly and watched as their chef bustled around the kitchen.

  “When I give you the signal, you run for the door,” Violet whispered.

  “What’s the signal?” Alyssum asked but Violet had already walked into the kitchen.

  “Good afternoon, Coralene,” Violet said happily as she stood before the chef.

  “Lady Violet.” Coralene smiled. “What can I do for you?”

  “I was wondering if you had any of those scrumptious cookies you make?”

  Coralene’s round cheeks glowed with happiness. “Why yes, miss, right over here.” Coralene made her way to a jar sitting on the bench.

  Violet turned towards the kitchen door and waved her arms frantically at Alyssum.

  Alyssum took that as the sign and ran through the kitchen and out the back door.

  Alyssum exhaled then pushed away from the door. She crossed the lawn and walked quickly towards the Lambert estate. She crossed into the trees and began skirting around broken logs. She walked along the path until she reached the clearing of Robert’s estate.

  She took a breath for courage then took off her cloak, laid it over her arm and strode purposely towards the front door.

  Robert turned his head towards the knock on his office door. He sat before his desk with his feet propped up.

  “Come in,” he called and hoped it wasn’t Jackson.

  The door opened to reveal Robert’s young butler.

  “Sir, you have a caller,” he announced.

  Robert grumbled. “Who?”

  His butler fidgeted before answering. “I’m not quite sure. It’s a lady,” he said knowingly.

  “Back one day and the horde moves in,” Robert muttered. He dropped his head back on his chair. “Tell her I’m not here.”

  “Ah.” His butler fidgeted again then left.

  Robert relaxed back in his chair then groaned as a knock came at the door again.

  “Just send her away,” he called out.

  The door opened and Robert turned his head again, expecting to see his butler. He felt his jaw drop when Scarlet walked in.

  “Should I leave?” Alyssum asked.

  “No.” Robert jumped up from his seat. He stumbled as he dove for the door and moved to shut it. “Do not tell Mr. West we have a guest,” he ordered his butler then shut the door and turned to Alyssum. He let out a slow breath as he saw her clearly for the first time. He had always seen Scarlet at night, but now in the day he saw her clearly and it was without a doubt Alyssum. Her green eyes, her lips, her jaw, her stubborn chin.

  Alyssum turned to her side and laid her cloak over the chaise before turning back to Robert.

  “So, here I am, Scarlet. You finally found her. Now what?” Alyssum asked, trying to keep her voice strong and not shaky and breathless.

  “Now I’m going to do something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.” Robert stepped forward and Alyssum felt a wave of heat spread through her body. He reached out and untied her mask. She smiled. He removed the mask and smiled down at her as he dropped it atop her cloak.

  “You struck me. Twice.” Robert smiled in amusement.

  “I’m sorry about that,” Alyssum whispered. “You kept trying to take my mask off.”

  “I wanted to know who you were.”

  “I didn’t want you to know.”

  “Why?” Robert asked, curious.

  “I thought you would be angry and…disappointed.”

  “Disappointed. Does it look like I’m disappointed?” He took a step closer to her brushing his chest against her breasts.

  “Um,” she murmured, at a loss for words.

  “Does it feel like I’m disappointed?” he whispered and brushed his lower body against hers with a grin. Alyssum’s cheeks burned as she felt him hard and eager against her belly.

  “I came here to talk,” she said sternly.

  Robert chuckled. “Then you shouldn’t have worn this dress.” He ran his gaze slowly down her body, over the scarlet gown.

  “Robert, now is not the time to act like a rake. We need to talk. You need to… mmm.” She was cut off by Robert’s ardent kiss. He tunneled his hands into her hair, holding her to him as his mouth pressed firmly against hers. He released her mouth but kept hold of her. Her breath panted harshly against his grinning lips.

  “I was speaking,” she snapped. “It’s ru—” She groaned as Robert cut her off again with another kiss.

  He pulled back smiling. “I’ve wanted to do that every time you talked back to me.”

  “Really?” she asked surprised.

  “Really.” He leant forward, but this time as their lips met the kiss was soft and gentle. He coaxed her into the kiss, drawing her in with light licks of his tongue and nips with his teeth.

  Alyssum sighed and fell against his body. She looped her arms around his neck and opened her mouth eagerly for him. Robert wound his arms around her waist and held her to him as he slowly melted her with his mouth. Her neck arched back as his mouth traveled across her cheek and over her jaw. She clenched her hands into his jacket as he kissed her collarbone and ran his hands up her sides.

  For years he had been her best friend. Then she had lost him for four while at school, and because of her own stubbornness she had lost him for another six. But now he was hers.

  He lowered her down onto the chaise. She tangled her hands into his hair and held him tight as she met his kiss. He ran his hands up her legs, raising the material of her skirt along the way. His hands on her knees, he parted her legs and urged her to wrap them around him. Their breathing became ragged as he settled into the cradle of her thighs and pressed against her. Alyssum broke from the kiss with a cry of pleasure. Robert’s gaze blazed as he stared at her while rocking between her thighs, causing her to gasp and moan. Alyssum gripped his jacket as her body went up in flames and burned for him.

  She shoved his jacket from his shoulders and he shrugged out of it. As it hit the floor Alyssum was already untying his cravat and tossing it aside. Both their hands dove for the buttons on his waistcoat and shirt. Robert pulled off the waistcoat then his shirt. His hands clasped her fingers and tugged off her long glove. Alyssum gave him her other hand. This time he took his time, pulling the silk glove away slowly. He dropped it to the
floor then gasped in pleasure as her bare hands touched his chest.

  Alyssum felt herself smiling as she watched Robert’s eyes close in response to her caress.

  He placed his hands over hers then his body came down on her. He stroked her cheek before laying his lips upon hers. The kiss was slow and languid. As he glided his tongue into her mouth, he reached his hands down and flipped off her slippers. She gave a gasp of surprise as he touched her stocking-clad feet and ran his hands up her long legs. When he reached the top of her stockings, he slid his fingers under the silk and pulled them down her legs, leading a burning path of pleasure. He reached around his back where her legs wrapped and tugged the stockings from her. After dropping them on the floor beside the chaise, he ran his hands back over her bare thighs and sighed.

  His kiss became deeper, stronger. He smoothed his hands around her back and tugged at the buttons of her dress. When the row was undone, he tugged and slipped the dress forward. Alyssum gasped and gripped his hands, stopping him from removing the dress.

  “I don’t…this dress doesn’t allow…” she stuttered uncontrollably. “There’s…”

  Robert grinned and tugged the dress again. “I know,” he whispered and Alyssum blushed furiously. She was naked under the gown. The style didn’t allow her to wear a shift.

  Obviously seeing her falter, Robert swooped down and caught her mouth with his. In seconds, she was moaning and arching up to him. Her hands went lax and he wrenched the gown down. It gathered about her waist. Alyssum gasped as her breasts were bared. Robert moved back and looked at her. He groaned then kissed her again, harder this time. She whimpered and arched into his touch when he palmed her breasts and massaged her nipples.

  Alyssum shuddered and slid her hands down his stomach, reveling in the feel of his warm, naked skin. She reached his breeches and slid lower, feeling his lower body move against her. She heard Robert groan as he moved to kiss her neck. She tightened her legs around him in pleasure as he sucked on her neck and rocked his erection between her thighs.

  “Robert,” she whispered shakily and gripped his hips. The sensitive flesh between her thighs pulsed with need. Each push of his hard flesh against her sent her toes curling. With a yearning to feel him, she slipped her hands between them and cupped his shaft in her hands.

  She gasped as he moaned wildly and pushed into her palms.

  “Alyssum,” he groaned and caught her hands. “Do you know what you are doing?” His eyes were dark and searing as they gazed down at her.

  “Not really,” she admitted meekly while learning the feel of him with her fingertips.

  Robert groaned then shuddered as her hands squeezed around him. “You’re doing a pretty good job for not really knowing what you’re doing,” he said as his eyes grew heavy and a red flush heated his cheeks.

  Alyssum smiled at the compliment. “You like this?” she asked and squeezed again.

  Robert shouted in pleasure then moved back quickly as he felt himself about to come. “Jesus, woman,” he laughed and reined in his release. “You’re going to get it now,” he growled and lowered his head to her breast and suckled her nipple deep into his mouth.

  Alyssum gasped then gave a stunned cry of pleasure. “Oh my,” she whispered in awe as she squirmed beneath him. Robert chuckled and moved to her other breast. She clutched his shoulders in a bruising grip as he tugged her nipple then sucked. She didn’t mean to, but she screamed.

  She moved her fingers back to his shaft. He brought his hand over hers and taught her how to rub him.

  His harsh breathing fanned her breast as she rubbed his hard length. Alyssum’s body tingled as he ran his hands over her bare legs. She felt herself wanting something so much more as he laid his palms over her inner thighs. She arched her hips wantonly, hardly believing she wanted him to touch her more intimately.

  “Please don’t tell me to stop,” he breathed raggedly in her ear as she felt his hand touch her wet core. She gasped then moaned as he moved his fingers. She didn’t want him to stop.

  His fingers delved into the slick heat of her feminine core and she cried out in pleasure and clutched his back. His fingers left her and rubbed her slickness over her. He rubbed a spot that caused her thighs to squeeze around him tight and a scream to escape her lips.

  “Robert.” Her body writhed, burned, urged him for more.

  “Don’t tell me to stop,” he pleaded with her again as he bit her lobe.

  “I won’t,” she gasped and turned her face into his neck to breathe in his warm scent.

  She felt a push between her thighs and frowned in confusion.

  “Ah,” she cried out at the quick pinch of pain she felt as Robert suddenly thrust inside her. She froze. He groaned wildly against her ear and held still. Alyssum’s eyes were wide. Did he just? Was he?

  She gasped as she felt him move inside her. The pinch of pain subsided. Now all she felt was an ache she didn’t understand. Tangling her hands into Robert’s hair, she stopped him from nibbling on her ear, which was making her squirm in pleasure. She raised his gaze to hers. Seeing his eyes were heavy and dark, she cupped his face and smoothed her thumbs over his parted lips. A sheen of sweat misted his face. He groaned deeply then leaned down and kissed her. He kissed her deep, hard, stealing the breath from her. She slid her hands into his hair and clutched tightly as he rocked inside her. Her moan of shocked pleasure was muffled by his kiss. He slowly moved his hips back and forth, gliding in and out of her, letting her become accustomed to the feel of him. The ache inside her grew more intense, making her desperate for something.

  “Does this hurt?” he whispered against her lips.

  “No,” she gasped and squeezed her thighs around him.

  A look of relief washed over Robert’s face and his thrusts became firmer, deeper, making her cry out. When her hands clutched his back and she arched to meet every slick thrust, Robert let go of his restraint.

  One of his hands clutched her nape as the other held her hip. He moved with powerful strokes, rocking her hips with his. Their breath mingled as their bodies rubbed against one another.

  Alyssum felt herself growing hotter and a sheen of sweat covered her body. With each stroke of his body, his chest brushed against her nipples, causing sparks of ecstasy to shoot down to where they were joined, making her pleasure greater.

  With a harsh groan, Robert pushed Alyssum’s legs wider with his knees and thrust faster. She screamed and he clutched her nape and hip and thrust harder. He stared into her eyes while she clamped around him then pulsated as her orgasm erupted inside her.

  Alyssum squeezed her eyes shut against the pleasure. Her legs gripped Robert tight and she screamed in amazement. Her body soared and exploded in euphoria. She gasped against the sensations washing over her body and felt herself slowly coming down. She distantly heard Robert shout hoarsely then felt him still inside her. With a loud, heavy exhale, he collapsed over her damp body. Alyssum kept her arms wrapped around him as she regained her breath. She caressed her fingers idly over his sweat beaded back.

  “Robert?” she whispered against his hair.

  “Mmm,” he mumbled.

  “Was that…did we just?” He chuckled and she gasped as she still felt him inside her.

  “Yes,” he murmured. Then with a groan he lifted his head and look at her. “We just had sex.”

  “Oh,” she whispered

  “And that was great sex.” He moaned as he leant in and placed a soft kiss to her lips. “You’ve exhausted me.” He grinned.

  Alyssum gasped as he slid from her body. She missed his heat instantly. As if knowing just how she felt, Robert lowered back over her body, pressing into her soft curves and placed his face between her breasts with a long sigh.

  She smiled and began running her hands up and down his back, her fingers tracing the crisscrossed scars.

  Robert turned his head to the side and listened to Alyssum’s pounding heartbeat. He lightly grazed his fingers over her nipple and smiled as her heart j
umped. His eyes closed in pleasure as she ran her hands over his back. He had wanted her touch for years.

  “When did you take your breeches off?” Alyssum asked.

  He smiled and looked down at himself. He still wore his boots and breeches. They were just tugged over his hips.

  “I got a little impatient,” he told her with a smile. He rose over her, his gaze on her flushed cheeks, swollen lips, her long hair flowing around her on the chaise. “Have I ever told you I think you’re beautiful?”

  Alyssum smiled. “No.”

  “Well, I do, very much.” He lowered himself and kissed her smiling lips. As he moved back, Alyssum caught his face between her hands and kept his mouth on hers. They kissed slowly then pulled back with smiles on their faces.

  A loud rattling knock came at the door. Robert looked towards the noise with a frown as Alyssum gasped in fright.

  “My butler won’t come in without permission,” he assured her. She nodded, but then they both jumped in surprise as the knock came again. This time Robert swore the person kicked the door.

  “What?” he snapped.

  “Harry!” Robert heard Jackson call out from on the other side of the door.

  “Shit,” Robert exploded and dove off Alyssum. Alyssum gave a small cry as she jumped from the chaise and pulled her dress up over her breasts. She pulled the sleeves up and reached around the back to try and fasten it. She fumbled in her haste.

  “I can’t button my dress,” she said frantically. “Did you break the buttons?”

  “Maybe,” Robert muttered as he picked up his shirt and pulled it on. They darted their gazes to the door as they heard Harry’s mumbled voice on the other side, talking to Jackson.

  The door then opened and in walked Harry.

  Everyone froze, eyes wide, mouths parted. Jackson stood in the hall outside the room, gave a sympathetic look to Robert then ducked out of view.

  Harry’s stunned eyes stared at Alyssum. He took in her scarlet gown, her disheveled, unbound hair, her flushed cheeks. He slowly turned a murderous gaze to Robert who stood only wearing his breeches, boots and his unfastened shirt. Sweat misted his skin and he was just as flushed as Alyssum. Harry must have noticed how they were both out of breath.