Reluctant Desire
Page 29
Charity gasped, laughing so hard she could barely speak. “What the hell are you doing?”
Amidst applause from the other, Beau raised his voice to be heard. “Thank you all so much for making this day wonderful. Now, if you’ll excuse us, I’m kidnapping my bride.”
Charity stilled, lifting up to see her mother, fathers, and sister all watching with big smiles on their faces.
Hope applauded, she and their mother wiping away tears. “Yeah!”
Giggling, Charity, hung on to Beau’s jacket and blew kisses to everyone as Beau strode through the ballroom and out the door. Once outside, she kicked her feet. “Okay, you can put me down now.”
“You didn’t hear me, cher. I said I was kidnapping you. You have just enough time to get home and change your dress before we have to go catch our flight.”
Setting her on her feet, he helped her into his SUV, smiling when she waved at the crowd who’d spilled from the ballroom to wave them off. “I did promise to kidnap you, remember?” Lifting her chin, he held her gaze. “I’ll always keep my promises to you.”
Struck by his solemn expression, Charity nodded, blinking back tears. “I know that. Oh, Beau. I love you so much.”
“And I love you.” Grinning, he gestured toward the passenger seat. “And now, my darling wife, your kidnapping begins.”
* * * *
Charity gaped, in awe of the size and beauty of the hotel in front of her. Lights shone from every window, and the large, circular driveway only added to the charm of the historical building. “This is beautiful. I can’t wait to see it in the daytime. I’m so glad you brought me to New Orleans. I’d love to see where you grew up.”
Beau smiled, his eyes filled with love and memories as he opened the door of the rental car and helped her out. “I wanted you to see where I come from. I want you to understand me, and see just how much I love you.”
Gasping in surprise when he swung her up in his arms, she slapped at his shoulder, her face burning. “Beau! Put me down. What are they going to think when we walk into the lobby?”
Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she pulled his head down for a kiss. “You know what? I’m so happy, I don’t care.”
Held securely in her husband’s arms, and warmed by the love shining in his eyes, she couldn’t imagine being any happier than she was at that moment. “I love you, and if people stare, I don’t give a damn.”
Beau grinned. “There’s my girl.” Lifting her high against his chest, he nuzzled her neck. “By the way, cher, this isn’t a hotel. This is the home my grandfather left to me.”
Charity stilled. “What?”
She whipped her head around as the front door opened, stiffening. “Um, Beau? Is that a maid?”
Beau chuckled. “Calm down. There’s a staff to take care of things while we’re here. You didn’t really expect me to kidnap you and bring you here to watch you clean, did you? I have better ways for you to spend your time.”
“Beau, I can’t believe this.” Fidgeting in his arms, she craned her neck, eager to see everything.
He carried her through the front door, and into a large living room before setting her on her feet, tightening the arm he kept around her when she started toward the massive fireplace, effectively keeping her at his side. “You’ll have plenty of time to explore. We’re spending a month here.”
“A month!” The thought of having her husband to herself for an entire month proved an irresistible lure, but she couldn’t imagine dumping the responsibilities of the club on her sister. “Oh, Beau. There’s nothing I’d like more, but Hope…”
“I’ve already talked to Hope and she’s hiring someone else to help out. She said that—and I quote—‘Since we both have demanding husbands now, hiring someone just makes sense.’ There. No excuses. I plan to come back here with you as often as we can get away.”
Struck by the hint of uncertainty in his eyes, the first she’d ever seen, Charity blinked back tears. “I’d love that.”
The tension eased from his big frame. “I’m glad. I want you and our children to know this place—love this place—as much as I do.”
“It’s a friggin’ mansion.” Charity looked around at all the beautiful furniture, the high ceilings and ornate woodwork making her feel out of place.
Cupping her face, he lifted it for his kiss. “It’s a home, Charity. A home. There’s always been a lot of love here, and I want to share it with you.”
Blinking back tears, Charity sniffed. “Who would have guessed you could be so romantic?”
“You haven’t seen anything yet, cher.” He lifted her in his arms again. “Things are different here. I’m the master of Belle Fleur.”
“Belle Fleur? Doesn’t that mean beautiful flower?” She whipped her head from side to side, astounded at the beautiful, wide staircase.
Beau didn’t even seem out of breath as he carried her up the long staircase. “Yes. My grandfather always called my grandmother his beautiful flower.” At the top of the stairs, he turned to the left. “As I was saying, I’m the master here, and I’ve kidnapped you. None of the servants will help you escape.”
Happiness bubbled inside her. “Wow, that sounds pretty sexy. I’ve always fantasized about getting kidnapped by a handsome rogue.”
“Did you?” Beau’s lips twitched. “And in this fantasy, what did your captor do to you?”
Sliding a hand over his chest, Charity looked up at him through her lashes, trying desperately to hide a smile. “He had his way with me. Over and over again.”
“What a coincidence. That’s what I plan to do to you.” He continued down the hall and through a set of double doors.
Cuddling against him, she kissed his jaw. “I promise to be appropriately frightened.”
Charity gasped at the opulence of the large bedroom, squinting her eyes to see in the shadows. The only lights came from the lamps on the nightstand on either side of the bed, old-fashioned lamps that made her feel as if she’d stepped back in time a hundred years. “Beau, that bed! It’s so high. Oh, my God, this is incredible.”
Beau chuckled and tossed her onto it. “That’s so you can’t escape me.” He ran a hand down her thigh before going back to close and lock the set of doors before turning back to her, his eyes filled with desire as he slid the key into his pocket. “Now, you’re all mine.” His graceful strides carried him back to her, his eyes hooded as he removed her shoes and tossed them aside. “There’s no escape for you.” His dark eyes held hers as he unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it aside.
Need made her restless. Getting to her knees, she reached out to lay a hand on his chest, running it over the sleek muscle there. “So, I’m your prisoner?”
Beau gathered the hem of her sweater and began to lift it, inch by inch. “You are.” Lifting the sweater completely over her head, he tossed it aside and with a twist of his fingers, unhooked her bra. “There’s no escape for you.”
Sucking in a breath at the feel of his hands moving over her breasts, Charity leaned closer. “I don’t want to escape.”
Touching her lips to his chest, Charity smiled at his own sharp intake of breath. “You’re stuck with me.” Heat shot from her nipples to her slit, her pussy clenching in demand. “I want you so much.”
“Not half as much as I want you.” Beau’s fingers made quick work of the fastening of her jeans. “And I’m going to have you. Over and over.”
“Promise? Oh!” Gripping his shoulders, she rocked her hips against the hand he’d slid inside, spreading her thighs as far as she could as his fingers parted her folds. “Beau!” With shaky hands, she undid his slacks and reached inside, closing her hand around his cock. “You’re already hard.”
Beau growled and jerked her jeans and panties down to her knees. “I’m always hard for you. And now, my sweet prisoner, I want you on the bed with those pretty thighs spread wide.”
Squeezing his cock, Charity grinned when it grew in her hand. “Of course. I don’t have any choice, do I?”
Shaking his head, Beau pulled her hand from his cock and urged her back, his movements hurried and impatient as he rid her of her jeans, panties, and socks. “None at all.”
Watching him throw off the rest of his clothing, Charity leaned forward, running her tongue over the head of his cock. “Then I guess I’d better please you.” Smiling when his cock jumped and he hissed, Charity licked him again. “So what’s the ransom?”
With a groan, Beau threaded his fingers into her hair. “There’s not enough money in the world to make me give you up. It looks like you’re mine forever.”
“And you’re mine.” Charity gasped when his fingers delved between her folds again. “Oh, God. Beau?”
“Yes, cher?”
“Promise to kidnap me again?”
Beau smiled and thrust a finger into her, tightening his hand on her hair and pressing his cock against her lips. “That’s a promise. Prepare to be kidnapped and ravaged often.”
Spreading her thighs wide, Charity lifted into his touch, clamping down on the finger he thrust inside her. Opening her mouth, she took his cock inside, crying out around it when he slid a thumb over her clit. Trembling with need, Charity fisted her hands on his hips and took his cock deeper, shocked at the warning tingles that already rippled through her.
To her surprise and delight, he bent and replaced his thumb with his mouth, his breath warm on her clit. “You’re about to be ravaged, cher.”
Crying out around his cock, Charity gripped him tighter as she came, her entire body trembling with pleasure, crying out again when he repositioned her and thrust into her moments later.
It was a long time later before she could even think again. Charity smoothed a hand over her sleeping husband’s chest, staring at the ring he’d placed on her finger the day before. Sated and held firmly against the master of Belle Fleur’s side, she lifted her head to stare down at his features, barely visible in the predawn light, and smiled.
She’d been well and truly ravaged, and couldn’t wait to be ravaged again.
Her playful lover had returned.
THE END
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When Leah Brooke’s not writing, she’s spending time with family and friends, and spoiling her furry babies.
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