Love Reclaimed

by Sorcha Mowbray

  “It’s okay, Heart. You remember Celeste. She is one of my best girls, and I asked her to join us this evening. I believe most men fantasize about having two women at one time, and I intend for you to have that experience with me.”

  His jacket seemed to slip from his shoulders as Marie’s words penetrated his confusion. She had arranged for another woman to join them? What would a man do with two women? How could he manage them both? “Marie, really this is not—”

  “I want this. I sometimes enjoy the charms of my own sex as well as men. Is that so hard to accept? I thought you might enjoy this with me.” Marie stared at him as though his rejection of this would be a rejection of her. He would not do that. He could accept all of her in order to have her in his life again.

  “Very well, ladies. I will expect you two to show me the ropes.” He smiled tentatively, unsure how the evening would turn out.

  Celeste moved forward at his consent and helped Marie undress him. They peeled his many layers of clothing from his person and then sent him off to the bed. He sprawled across it and settled back to watch as their new friend disrobed Marie. With each bit of clothing gone his cock grew harder. By the time the two women had stripped each other bare he sported the hardest cockstand he could remember having in his adult life.

  Celeste’s fair complexion, willowy build, dark hair, and pale blue eyes offered an enticing juxtaposition with Marie’s curvier figure and fairer skin with blond hair. They were a sultry study in contrasts. Nude at the side of the bed closest to him, they stopped and kissed. Marie’s tongue drove into Celeste’s mouth in a possessive, comfortable way. It was easy to imagine they had done this many times before.

  He fisted his shaft and stroked it as their hands roamed over each other’s breasts, mouths fused. Finding it incredibly erotic to watch their display he wanted to be in the midst of these two beautiful wanton women. As though they sensed his desire, they broke their kiss and turned to him. Marie crawled around him to kneel on the bed while Celeste perched between his legs. She nudged his hand out of the way and took over fondling his length while Marie swooped in and kissed him. Her tongue traced the seam of his mouth and demanded entrance.

  His mind fogged with lust while his woman nestled in his arms and another sucked his cock. Celeste’s mouth covered the head and then eased down the length of him until he could feel the tightness of her throat. With still a bit of length to go, he expected her to stop, but she kept going. The tightness of her upper throat intoxicated him as Marie nibbled at his lips. Then she shifted lower to suck on his nipples as Celeste reversed directions. While Marie explored every inch of his torso, their companion continued to work his shaft over as though it might be her last. His muscles tensed and shivers of pleasure racked his body. The woman’s mouth was nothing short of amazing.

  Her free hand slid under his balls to fondle them as the suction became more intense. His hips pumped, pushing his rod deeper into her mouth, in answer to the ache signaling his peak neared. Finally, Marie kissed him again and his body exploded. Spasm after spasm of ecstasy rolled over him as his cries were swallowed by Marie and his cum by Celeste. She milked him until nothing remained but his softening manhood.

  Rising up, she smiled and joined Marie at his side.

  “I’m afraid you two have put me out of commission.” He looked ruefully at his spent penis.

  “I’m sure we can help you get back in to the thick of things.” Marie winked at him and turned to kiss Celeste. Heart found himself astounded and completely turned on by the idea they were sharing the taste of him as they kissed. Fascinating that another woman touching Marie did not bother him in the way a man’s touch would. Drawn back to the tableau before him, Marie pressed the dark beauty back onto the bed and sucked her nipples. She seemed as enthralled with the dusky medallions as he. Then she kissed her way down Celeste’s body, nibbling every curve and indentation until she arrived at the apex of her thighs.

  As Marie dipped her finger into Celeste only to lick it clean, he experienced the first twinge of interest in his staff. When she did it again but offered to let him lap Celeste’s juices off he rose to attention. “She tastes so sweet, doesn’t she?”

  She tasted sweet, but not as sweet as his Marie.

  “Yes,” he croaked, his throat dry as dust. He glanced around and found a pitcher of water by the bed. He poured a glass and turned to find Marie facing him with her nipples glistening in the light.

  “Lick them.” Her voice came demanding and husky.

  Obediently, he swirled his tongue around one areola and then rolled the nipple with his teeth. Dear God, she had swabbed Celeste’s moisture on her nipples. Enthralled, greed had him moving to the other nipple to taste it as well. Hands pressed him back from her honey-dipped bounty. Then she turned from him and lowered her face into Celeste’s pussy. Marie lapped at the other woman, sliding her tongue up and down her length and drove back into her sheath. His cock grew rock hard within moments of watching their display. Celeste laid, legs spread with her own hands pulling and pinching her nipples. Marie balanced on all fours to nibble, suck, and stroke Celeste’s clit.

  Inspired, Jonathan retrieved the semi-precious dildo from the box on the nightstand and handed it to Marie. “Use this on her, too.”

  Marie looked up, surprised by his directions. Good. He needed to keep her on her toes. She slipped the jade piece into Celeste and worked it in and out while she flicked her clit relentlessly. The cock-filled woman writhed on the bed and moaned in pleasure. Excellent, it was Marie’s turn. Shifting his position to line up behind her, he pressed his cock against her sopping wet pussy. Marie jerked up for a moment, stopping her attentions as she glanced back at him. He smacked her on the ass. “Don’t stop. Celeste needs more.”

  Marie smiled and returned to her duties as Heart seated himself until his thighs were plastered against hers. She pressed back and ground against his cock. Yes, she wanted him to fuck her, and so he would. Pulling out, he left the crown in her channel and then slid home to his balls. He settled into a steady rhythm. He pounded into her from behind as relentless as her own attentions to the sobbing Celeste. Finally, Celeste’s orgasm ripped through her, as she cried out in release. Marie continued lapping at her, tasting her until the last ripple had passed. Heart continued to impale Marie from behind, his hands gripping her ass as he worked in and out of her body. Her sheath rippled and squeezed around him, trying to grip him even as he continued.

  He watched as Celeste shifted and angled her head so she could lie beneath Marie and suck on her nipples. Marie knelt there, her breasts being adored, but somehow managed to meet him thrust for thrust as her climax came near. With the added stimulation of Celeste’s mouth on her breasts, Marie was lost right away. She moaned and her body shook. His entry became more difficult as her orgasm ripped through her, her sheath gripping him relentlessly. His own release pounded through him as Marie’s body clutched at him until he shook with the effort of kneeling. Exhausted, they collapsed on the bed next to their partner.

  Marie found it difficult to comprehend what had just happened. Instead of being shocked to his core, even repulsed by what they had done, he had been turned on and a full participant. He’d gotten the bloody dildo out for her! Even as he lay stroking her thigh, Celeste got up and quietly left them. Not a man who frequented establishments like hers, his eager response was beyond her comprehension. He came from the conservative quarter. How could she have known he had such a hedonistic streak?

  As much as it foiled her plans, his pleasure-seeking side turned her on and made her love him that much more. Double damn. Her ability to deny the truth increased in difficulty after the respective displays, each more decadent than the last. However, what they shared did not mean she wouldn’t continue her campaign to get him married to a proper heiress. He needed someone who could bear him a child, whether he knew it or not. But, what it did mean is she would have to be prepared for the inevitable pain when he left.

  Sometime in the ea
rly dawn, before the first pale streaks colored the sky, she roused him. “Heart, you should go now before anyone is about on the street.”

  “Must I?” His words were garbled by sleep.

  She shook him awake. “Yes, dearest. You must leave before anyone can see you. Please. I will see you again in a few days.”

  “All right then.” He sat up and rubbed his eyes to clear the fog of sleep. At a painstaking pace, he dressed and then kissed her good night. Alone, she returned to bed where she pretended she wasn’t lost and her heart wasn’t aching for the one man she could never have.

  ***

  Jonathan arrived home and retreated to bed. To his great dismay, his butler awakened him in short order.

  “My Lord, Miss Felicia Blackstone is downstairs with Sir and Lady Blackstone. They demand to speak with you immediately.”

  Eyelids like sandpaper scraped open and closed as he blinked to clear the dregs of sleep. “Tell them I will be down directly. By the way, what time is it?”

  “It is eight o’clock in the morning, my Lord. I will bring tea and coffee to the salon for your guests.” The stoic butler bowed and departed.

  Damned lucky to have such an unflappable and competent butler since it appeared his own wits had deserted him. What did Blackstone want at this bloody hour? They weren’t supposed to meet until next week for the formal signing of the contracts. He’d put the betrothal off a bit so he could spend more time with Marie before he had to decide things one way or another. He held on to the tenuous thread of hope he might still convince her to marry him, so he could escape the loveless marriage he had begun to arrange. Besides, it was deuced early for a social call, even by his future bride and her family. Standing he set about cleaning up and getting dressed. Fifteen minutes later, he stood at the entrance of his front salon.

  “Good morning, Miss Blackstone, Sir and Lady Blackstone.” He greeted them and then seeing they each held tea poured himself a stiff cup of coffee. No cream. No sugar. He needed the bitter brew to get his wheels turning and fast because the lack of a smiling faces in the room did not bode well.

  “Let’s skip the false pleasantries. We are here to find out the veracity of the news that you have been traipsing around town with a notorious madam. I understood you were a widower who had been faithful to his wife and now sought a new woman to bear your children and set up a home with you. What is the meaning of this rakish behavior?” Sir Blackstone had turned red as his jowls flapped during his impassioned speech.

  Jonathan cringed inside. Blast it. He sighed, seeing no way around the issue. “I take full responsibility for the situation. I believed myself ready to settle down, but it seems I am not. Please accept my profound apologies. Miss Blackstone, I understand if you feel the need to sever our acquaintance publicly in any way you see fit. I am quite prepared to take the brunt of whatever public censure you and your family feel is warranted. I had not intended to hurt you.” He bowed to the lady who, while not smiling, held no anger in her eyes.

  “Thank you, my Lord. I am sure you understand if I no longer speak to you publicly.” She rose from the settee and nodded to her parents.

  “Felicia, stop where you are.” Sir Blackstone demanded as his daughter reached the salon door. “This is not finished. This man led you on and then behaved abominably. He has shamed you and this family.”

  “Oh, Father. Do shut up. I never wanted Lord Heartfield’s attentions. You were the one currying his favor. I consider this an important lesson learned. I will marry for love from here forward. I want a man who loves me, quirky interests and all. Neither you nor mother will bully me into a loveless marriage again.” Back ramrod straight, Felicia Blackstone strode from his salon and left her stunned parents gaping in her wake.

  For a brief moment Jonathan again considered there might in fact be more to the woman he had courted than initial perception allowed. She would have made a superior baroness between her intellect and her spirit, but she could never be Marie. “If you will excuse me, I believe your cloaks will be waiting for you at the door.” He bowed and departed the room. He had to find Marie and make her understand his intentions in no uncertain terms.

  Chapter Six

  Jonathan retreated to his bedroom and considered his options. How much longer should he play Marie’s game? Grateful the sham of a courtship had ended, the time had come to convince Marie they belonged together. She belonged to him. He’d lost her once, but not again. He would reclaim the woman he had always loved.

  Glancing at the clock, he cursed the uncivilized hour that made it far too early for a visit. A gallop in the park would clear his head before he made his argument to Marie. After a bruising ride along the quieter paths in Hyde Park, he sat down to a light luncheon since he’d missed breakfast.

  Still working out his argument in his head, he made his way to the familial safe and retrieved the Heartfield Emerald. A stunning green stone surrounded by tiny table-cut diamonds it had belonged to his grandmother and then his mother. The family ring had always been presented to a beloved Heartfield bride.

  His wife had never worn the ring.

  Tucking the jewel into his pocket, he dashed downstairs and out to the stable to saddle his horse. Within the hour, he found himself tossing the reins to one of the stable boys behind The Market and slipped in the rear entrance. Karen bustled down the back hall loaded down with a basket; he stopped her. “Where is your mistress?”

  “In the main salon with some of the ladies of the house.” She bobbed a curtsy and scurried away.

  Jonathan smiled and made his way to where the women gathered. There he found a bevy of beauties in various states of undress lounging and chatting over tea. Marie sat regally amidst the women, wearing a simple day dress in a shade of pale green that reminded him of the girl he’d once known.

  She rose and crossed to where he hovered just inside the room. “Heart, what are you doing here at this hour?”

  “I needed to speak with you, and I felt certain if I sent a note, you would refuse to see me in the light of day.” He couldn’t control the smile tugging at his lips. She was beautiful.

  “Of course, I would. You will ruin yourself being seen here. What of your potential bride? How would she feel to learn you were seen here? We have discussed this before.” She ushered him into her office even as she scolded him.

  “I have no fiancée.”

  “Well, not yet, but you will be asking for her hand soon.” She sat in one of the chairs near the fire.

  “I will not—”

  “Oh, Heart! Stop this instant. You agreed to pursue her if I signed the contract.”

  “Let me finish. I did pursue her, but she learned of the masquerade and became dissatisfied with the idea of marrying me. She chose to end our courtship.” He raised a shoulder indicating the decision had been made.

  Marie shot to her feet. “I knew this would happen. It was pure folly to think we could hide the time we spent together.” She paced, wringing her hands and chewing her lip in apparent consternation.

  He stepped in front of her, bracing her shoulders with his hands as he ended her forward motion. “Marie, I have no interest in a young girl for a wife. I have room in my heart for one woman. I knew her once long ago, and I have been fortunate enough to have a second chance at making her mine. You are the woman I want, the only woman who can make me happy.”

  “Please, don’t.” Her voice cracked and tears welled in her eyes, making them sparkle like the rarest gemstones.

  His chest constricted until he couldn’t draw breath knowing what she would say next. Despite his knowledge, her next words struck like a lance to his heart.

  “We can never be. The girl you loved does not exist any longer. The woman you see now is older, wiser, and, I’m sorry to say, too world-weary to believe in love. It is too late for what could have been, but you have a chance at your future. You have a chance to ensure your family line and perhaps even snatch a small bit of happiness from the reminder of your life.” A single t
ear slipped from her eye, leaving a wet track down her cheek.

  “Why? Why can we never be? Why can’t I find happiness with you?” Jonathan’s world crumbled around him with naught he could do to stop it.

  Her face hardened, her eyes turning to chips of green ice. “I’m sorry. I should never have agreed to the contract with you. I had hoped you would see how inappropriate I am for a wife. I do not remember my genteel education including the arts of cock sucking, ménage à trois, or cunnilingus. I am quite certain husbands do not fuck their wives’ asses, nor do they share them with other women. Consider our contract severed. Your payment will be returned as soon as I can arrange it. And I think it goes without saying you will not be welcomed in this establishment as long as I am the owner. Good day, my Lord.”

  A wash of heat smothered Jonathan as he stared at the woman who retreated to her desk and shuffled paperwork with a disturbing calm. Desire, stoked by the images painted with her raw words, warred with anger at her rejection. Together they bolstered his determination. He would have her. Beating a strategic retreat, he departed The Market without another word.

  With the soft click of the door closing, Marie surrendered to the despair that had eroded her self-control during the conversation with Heart.

  She loved him but knew she shouldn’t.

  She loved him but could not change a hard-learned lesson. Men were never there when she needed them, and to count on them only led to further humiliation and betrayal.

  Whether in a public display, such as an auction, or a more private experience such as heartbreak, the end result never changed. The Market was real, solid, and a dependable source of income. Without that security she might find herself once again humiliated and betrayed, left to her own ends. Frankly, she didn’t have enough spirit left to rebuild if Heart married her and then decided he’d made a mistake.