A Lady’s Christmas Rake

by Andresen, Tammy

  May went to take a step toward him and then thought better of it when he frowned. Determined not to lose him without making him at least hear her out, she said, “I was angry and upset. What I said I wish I was able to take back. I didn’t mean a word of it, I promise.”

  He scoffed. “Thank you for telling me, but it’s too late to change your mind. I’m not a man who can tolerate flighty nature in a woman. Nor one who’s obstinate to the point of placing herself in danger rather than heeding the advice of others.”

  She kneeled before him, clasping his hands. “I will never take orders and I’m sorry if that disappoints you, but it was how I was raised. As for the danger you speak of, my smuggling contacts have been my friends since childhood. If it’s escaped your notice,” she said, throwing him a beseeching look. “I grew up in Cornwall. There aren’t too many children about. We don’t have a lot of options if we wish to play and have fun.”

  “I never wanted you to take orders from me, May. I was merely concerned for you. I’ve met a lot of smugglers since working for the Crown and not all of them are as friendly as you seem to think yours are.”

  He raised his eyebrows and May sighed. “I should have been more open with you, I know that now and I apologize. And I will never ignore your regard when it comes to my safety again.” Regret threatened to keelhaul her. She should have trusted him when he asked her to. Should have trusted in their love more. “Do you think you can forgive me for being so stubborn a criminal even? Will you give me another chance?”

  William pushed her hands away, crossing his arms over his chest. “In two days we dock in London. From there I’ll arrange your passage back to Cornwall.” He stood and left the room. The bolt on the other side of the door slid home, locking her in and ending their conversation. May stared after him, unsure as to what had just happened. But she supposed, by such a reaction, his answer was no. She bit her trembling lip and looked out the windows, the view of the endless ocean going some way in calming her, but not a lot.

  * * *

  William grinned as he paced upon the deck of his ship. His steps light, his mind free from the plaguing worry that had hindered him these past few weeks apart from May—the longest time in his life.

  When he’d seen her standing on the deck of the smuggling ship, it had taken all of his strength not to snatch her into his arms and kiss her senseless. Or shoot the bastard who dared stand so close to her person. That he’d made her believe she was returning home was all part of his plan. It wouldn’t hurt for her to think all was lost for a little while. His strong-willed May deserved a little set down after her escapades. He laughed and took over the steering of the ship, the pull of the waves and salty cooling wind making the blood in his veins pump to life once more.

  Their time apart had seemed endless. Days and nights of continuous torture wondering what she was doing. If she were happy or sad. Regretful even… And now, she was here, with nowhere to go unless he took her. How he loved her and from this day forward, all his adventures would be May’s as well. Life was looking promising indeed.

  The hours at the helm passed quickly and he sent word to the cook to lock his quarters door after leaving May her nightly meal. For what he had planned with his future wife, he didn’t wish for her to escape.

  After making his way down to his room, he stood outside the door for a moment listening to the pacing inside. The mumbling and clanging of items confirmed what he’d hoped. May was angry with him. Good. Although the moment he’d seen her, he’d forgiven the little minx.

  He opened the door and the sight of her now only wearing a silk chemise ceased all oxygen into his lungs. Once he’d closed the door behind him, he snipped the bolt and leaned against the wood. “Trying to seduce me now, darling?” William threw his jacket over his desk chair and took his fill of her.

  She threw him a mischievous look. “I didn’t think it would hurt.”

  She stared at him with a longing that almost undid his resolve to tease her for a little longer. He ran a finger down her bare arm, her skin exquisitely soft, just begging for his worship. And he would worship her for the rest of his life. “You were never a woman without a plan.”

  “You have not forgiven me and nor do you want me. I will try anything at this point to win you back.”

  The dejected tone to her voice pierced his heart and the fight left him. They’d both suffered enough. “The moment I saw you today, I forgave you. And in all the weeks we’ve been parted from one another, you were all I’ve thought about.” William slipped free the delicate ribbon at the bust of her attire. “And I want you.” He clasped her hand, lifting it up for a kiss. “I’ve missed you.”

  “And I you.” She leaned up and kissed him, her touch tentative as if still unsure of his feelings. He deepened the embrace, pulling her hard against his chest and taking the kiss to exquisite heights that left them both breathless.

  William picked her up and walked over to the bed. He placed her onto his quilts and followed her down. She shuddered beneath him as he removed her chemise. Her breasts, a lovely handful, begged for attention, an attention he was only too willing to bestow. Never would he disappoint her again. She moaned as he took the sensitive flesh into his mouth and flicked it with his tongue. Her hips lifted and brushed his aching cock and need thrummed hot and heavy through him. She was so beautiful, such a loving woman and one he couldn’t live without.

  “If you keep undulating so, I’ll be forced to act hastily.”

  Her fingers scraped along his back and he gasped at the pleasure of it. “I like teasing you. It’s enjoyable.”

  William nipped his way up her neck to lick the lobe of her ear. “You’re a minx.”

  She chuckled and he kissed her. His need spiking when she clasped his length and stroked. Sweat beaded his skin, his body screaming to make her his, for now and always.

  He hoisted her leg against his hip, sliding his member along her hot, wet flesh. Unable to stop himself, he teased her nubbin, rocking them both toward climax.

  She moaned, begging for more and he would give her more, much more. William clamped down on his resolve and continued to tease, to taunt her flesh. He wanted her to be as desperate as he was, aching and frantic for release.

  For so many nights he’d dreamed of seeing her so, of loving her like this if only one more time. The last thing he wished to do was quickly tumble her on his bed and be done with it.

  “William, please. Enough,” she gasped, her voice husky with need.

  He paused his ministrations and held himself at the entrance of her heat. “Impatient are we?” She squirmed, trying to push herself onto him and he chuckled. “I love when you do that,” he gasped out as she managed to take his cock head inside her.

  “I’m mad for you William. Please, take me,” she begged.

  Her flushed cheeks and panting breaths told him more than words how excited he made her feel. Intercourse had never been this soul binding before with any of the other women he’d slept with. May somehow managed to make it a new experience once more. Exciting. Torrid. Loving.

  He slid into her, his hardened length stretching and filling her with every inch. William groaned and watched as her eyes fluttered shut. He pumped into her, his aim to make their lovemaking last as long as possible. But with every stroke, May matched his desire, clasping him close and driving him to distraction, her kisses demanding, her touch maddening. The sweet sigh of breaths tickling his ear would drive any man to his knees and do her bidding.

  William increased his pace, and so too did her urging, before disengaging and flipping her quickly onto her stomach. She let out a squeak of alarm and he chuckled. “Trust me. You’ll enjoy this.” William kneeled and pulled her to sit on his lap giving him a beautiful view of her stunning back. He pushed her hair to one side and kissed her nape.

  “What are you doing?” Her breathless, if not a little shocked question made him smile.

  “Trying something new.”

  May reached behind and touch
ed his cheek. “I’m nervous.”

  He clasped her hips, lifted her and slowly sank into her wet, hot core from behind. “Relax my sweet, there is nothing to be nervous about.” In this position, May controlled the pace and how deep the penetration. At first, she was a little unsure of what to do, but it wasn’t long before she gained her rhythm.

  William slid his hand down against her patch of curls and stroked her sensitive flesh. Her skin burned, her body smelling sweet, flowery, and good enough to eat. Her breast sat nicely within his other hand, and he reveled in her enjoyment.

  His balls tightened at the same moment he felt the first of her convulsions around his member. He stroked her harder, clasping her breast and moaned. William took her until he too found pleasure, his orgasm rolling through him like an endless wave.

  May went limp in his arms and he swooped her up, laying her beside him on the bed. He pulled her into the crook of his arm, needing to keep her as close as possible. She watched him in silence and he wondered what she was thinking. If it was anything like his thoughts, they were of marriage, of a future and when they could repeat what they’d just done.

  “That was…delightful.”

  William laughed and pushed a lock of hair over her shoulder revealing the beautiful curve of her neck. “Yes, it was.” She sighed and closed her eyes blocking him from the most beautiful view he’d seen for weeks. “Will you marry me, May?”

  She smiled but didn’t look at him. “Hmm. Maybe.”

  He laughed at her teasing tone and tickled her a little, enjoying her delight. “I will not let you leave this bed until you agree to be my wife, minx.”

  May clasped his jaw and ran a finger over his lips. His body hardened even after the enjoyable reunion they’d just shared. “Well, I don’t ever want to leave your bed, but I also wish to be your wife. So yes, I’ll marry you, but we’ll stay here forever too.”

  William leaned over and kissed her. Hard. Already his body yearned to take her again, to consummate the promise they’d just made. He reined in his desire and pulled back. “Does your father know where you are?”

  She smiled. “Of course. He walked me down to the beach to meet Stephen.”

  He shook his head. May’s parent was as devious now as he ever was in his youth it would seem. “I assume that even though we were parted for some weeks, his desire for our marriage still stands?”

  “Yes, it does. Before I left he gave me orders to return home married, settled and ready to celebrate Christmas with you by my side. So, I suppose you’ll have to take me back to England and gain a special license.”

  William grinned. “I have a better idea.” He sat, picked up his shirt, and then pulled it over his head. “Get dressed and meet me up on deck.”

  “Why?”

  He stopped at the door and turned to see her frantically pinning up her wayward hair as best she could. “There is something I wish for you to see.”

  * * *

  The surprise William had wanted to show her was the small island of Guernsey and the town of St. Peter Port where they would dock and marry within hours.

  She watched him knowing her visage was a little awestruck. And she was in awe of him and utterly, shamelessly in love as well. In the small amount of time they’d grown to know one another, she’d come to love him unlike any other. It was without doubt she could not and would never live without him again.

  A sense of wellbeing came over her, warming her skin and cloaking her in security. William would take care of her and her family should they require it. No longer would she need to worry about expenses or estate costs that had always outnumbered the money coming in from the home farms. All her troubles would be gone with the declaration of marriage from the priest. May wrapped her arms about William’s neck and smiled. “I love you. Thank you for asking me to be your wife. Again.”

  “Thank you for saying yes.”

  He grinned and her stomach flipped. Yes, she was the luckiest woman on earth and soon they would sail back to Cornwall to have Christmas. The start of a new life, a better life, for all of them.

  And one, she couldn’t wait to get started.

  About the Author

  Author Bio:

  Tamara is an Australian author who grew up in an old mining town in country South Australia, where her love of history was founded. So much so, she made her darling husband travel to the UK for their honeymoon, where she dragged him from one historical monument and castle to another.

  A mother of three, her two little gentlemen in the making, a future lady (she hopes) and a part-time job keep her busy in the real world, but whenever she gets a moment's peace she loves to write romance novels in an array of genres, including regency, medieval and time travel.

  Tamara loves hearing from readers and writers alike. You can contact her through her website -http://www.tamaragill.com

  ***

  Additional Book to include in box set (image attached to email)

  Read the new series by bestselling author, Tamara Gill. A Midsummer Kiss, book one in the Kiss the Wallflower series is available now from Amazon or read free with Kindle Unlimited.

  Orphaned at a tender age, Miss Louise Grant spent her life in servitude to care for her younger siblings. Now, no longer needed as a duchess' companion, Louise has procured employment in York. But on her last night in London, her reputation is shattered when the drunk and disorderly Marquess mistakes Louise's room for his lover's.

  Luke, the Marquess Graham is determined to never torment himself again by daring to love. Stumbling into Miss Louise Grant’s room destroys his days of bachelorhood when he is pressured into marrying her. However, the cold and distant Marquess knows they'll never have a happy marriage; his new and fetching wife will never crack the protective barrier around his heart.

  Also by Tamara

  Read the new series by bestselling author, Tamara Gill. A Midsummer Kiss, book one in the Kiss the Wallflower series is available now from Amazon or read free with Kindle Unlimited.

  Orphaned at a tender age, Miss Louise Grant spent her life in servitude to care for her younger siblings. Now, no longer needed as a duchess' companion, Louise has procured employment in York. But on her last night in London, her reputation is shattered when the drunk and disorderly Marquess mistakes Louise's room for his lover's.

  Luke, the Marquess Graham is determined to never torment himself again by daring to love. Stumbling into Miss Louise Grant’s room destroys his days of bachelorhood when he is pressured into marrying her. However, the cold and distant Marquess knows they'll never have a happy marriage; his new and fetching wife will never crack the protective barrier around his heart.

  Christmas Seduction

  Samantha Holt

  Copyright 2014 ©Samantha Holt

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organisations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Created with Vellum

  Chapter One

  Penicuik, Scotland 1879

  The last time Alexander, Duke of Wyndbourne, had seen his wife, she had been embracing another man. Even as the groom drew down the steps of his closed carriage and Alex stepped out to survey the wintery scene, heat pulsed through his veins, bringing with it fresh annoyance.

  Balmead looked to be in good order. He paused, hands on his hips to view the castle. With its round turrets and tall keep, it was every inch the grand Scottish home. The light dusting of snow that had been falling throughout his journey truly completed the picture. He was just grateful it was only a light snowfall, or else he might have been forced to turn back.

  Grateful? Was he? He finally dropped his gaze to the wo
man waiting on the steps for him. His heart did an odd jig in his chest. Part of him longed to have had an excuse to return to London for Christmas. Then he would not have to face the lady who had humiliated and hurt him.

  Not that he wanted to admit as much, but the image of her tucked against a virile-looking man still created the deepest ache in his gut. He’d never expected much from their marriage—Emma was a quiet, cold sort, but he had hoped for some kind of companionship at least. And Lord knows, he’d looked forward to a constant bed partner.

  Drawing in a breath of cool, crisp air, he drew off his hat and made his way to the steps. With her red hair and pale skin, she could almost pass for a bonny Scottish lass, but Emma was every inch the cold, reserved Englishwoman. Barely a hint of emotion sat in those blue eyes as he took her hand and dropped a kiss to her bare fingers.

  Her beauty annoyed him. His reaction to her delicate hand aggravated him. Stirrings of sensations both unwelcome and welcome pervaded his body. Welcome, for he would need to bed her as soon as he could, and unwelcome because he still hated the woman.

  Needs must, he reminded himself. Nearly a year of marriage without a child was not acceptable, and he had to do his duty. Alex could hardly sire an heir if he didn’t see his wife, after all. He would devote all his Christmas to getting her with child, then flee once more. He intended to be a good father and spend time with the child once it was born. Of course, he would need another child too. But if he could limit his time with his wife, he certainly would.