The duke’s tortured words from the carriage resurfaced, “God, what you do to me.”
With a sigh, Triana turned away. If only she did know, it would certainly make all this so much easier.
She took the candle from the dresser and walked back toward the bed. She’d just pulled the covers down to climb in, when there was a light knock on her door. She called out, thinking it was Greta coming to check on her.
A clock, somewhere nearby in this massive house chimed the hour, but Triana barely even noticed as Gabriel walked in, pausing just over the threshold. Her hand immediately went to her thudding heart as she met that steady gaze as time itself seemed to stop.
***
Gabriel swallowed hard, suddenly at a loss for words. He knew he’d come here for a purpose, but he couldn’t remember what the hell it was. His focus was on the lovely picture Triana presented. She tucked a stray strand of her dark hair behind her ear, while the rest fell down her back in a shimmering wave. In that plain nightdress, she looked so young and… virginal, that he ought to just turn around and walk right back out the door. He truly was ten times the fool for not listening to common sense. Or else he was just a glutton for punishment.
He’d fully intended on heading to his chamber and going to sleep, but he had made the mistake of glancing at her bedchamber door. That was when he noticed her light was still burning. For several minutes, he just stood in the hall — transfixed — and tried to talk himself out of doing something foolish.
Too late.
In an attempt to sound coherent, Gabriel cleared his throat. “I wanted to make sure you’d settled in.” He was absurdly pleased that his voice sounded so composed.
“I’m fine.” Triana replied quietly. “Greta was most accommodating.”
He nodded, telling himself that he’d done his job as a proper host, so now it was time to leave. But he found he was reluctant to do so. “I guess you’d like an explanation of why you’re here.”
Triana glanced down at the floor before looking back at him. “Yes, I would, but it doesn’t have to be tonight. It can wait until morning.”
“Of course. I’m sure you want your rest. In that case, I will bid you good night.” Giving a light bow, he turned to leave, cursing himself for every kind of fool.
He was halfway to the door when Triana said, “Gabriel, wait.”
Two more wonderful words had never been spoken, but as Gabriel hesitated, he realized it would have been better if she should have just let him leave. With his back still to her, he said, “Yes?”
“Please… I… I’m not sure how...”
Slowly, he turned to face her. His gut clenched at the sight of those lovely blue eyes, so full of indecision and innocence. “What don’t you know how to do, Triana?” he asked softly, knowing he shouldn’t have, although some unseen force had apparently taken over rational thought.
With a visible breath, she stood up and closed the distance between them. Her hand shook as she gently laid it on his chest. She looked at him and whispered, “I don’t know how to seduce you.”
Gabriel nearly groaned. He thought she seemed to be doing a pretty damned fine job of it. Even so, he struggled with his conscious — and the urge to stay. It would have to be her choice if he remained. “You realize that once we go down this path, there’s no turning back. You either tell me to go now — or you will be in my bed tonight.”
Triana bit her lip, obviously considering the ramifications of what would happen should things progress further. Then, as if the clouds parted to reveal a brilliant sky, she reached up and pressed her lips against his.
Passion unlike any he’d ever felt before shot straight to Gabriel’s loins. Her confirmation was all he needed that this was right — that she was right for him.
Tonight — the devil take Eastbury, Travell, and England.
Tonight — he was going to make love to the woman who’d dared to capture his heart.
Chapter Fifteen
Gabriel captured Triana’s hand, but didn’t say a word as he led her through the adjoining door to the master’s chambers; the light click as he locked his bedchamber door reverberating through the room like the crack of thunder.
Triana barely took notice of the soft glow of the fireplace, or the masculine shades of brown and gold adorning the room, for she only had eyes for Gabriel. His gaze held hers as he gently pulled her into his arms. He took her mouth in a possessive kiss that stalled her breath in her lungs. Without the hindrance of stays or countless layers of undergarments, warmth seeped beneath her skin as his sensual hands roamed over her back; the intimacy of his touch heightening her senses to a new awareness. Never before had she found herself so vulnerable — or on fire, and she instantly melted into him.
He finally broke contact, and although she sighed his name in an effort to bring him back to her, instead, he bestowed one of the most wicked grins she’d ever seen as he led her over to the massive, mahogany bed and urged her to sit down.
Still fully dressed, he maintained that mischievous tilt to his lips as he tossed his jacket over a nearby chair and began to tug at his cravat. “So, you wish to know about seduction, do you?” Triana’s blood was pumping feverishly through her body as those firm hands untied the knot at his neck. “I admit that I would be rather remiss in my duties as a gentleman if I did not properly educate such a lovely lady as yourself in this ancient art.”
The small strip of material landed on the floor in a whisper of silk.
“It’s all very simple, really.” His gaze was focused solely on her as he continued his husky instruction. “The first step you must always remember is… anticipation. It’s crucial not to rush the moment.”
With painstakingly slow movements, he unbuttoned his waistcoat, and Triana watched, spellbound, as he pushed each button through its confining hole, the movements deliberate and horribly… slow. What he was doing was absolutely… sinful, and yet, in the same breath, it was all so… enthralling — and oh, how she suddenly hated buttons!
An eternity seemed to pass before he finally slipped the waistcoat off his broad shoulders. He carefully laid it over the back of a chair to join his jacket. With his eyes still locked on her, he started to tug his shirt out of his trousers with the same, lazy movements.
Triana’s mouth went dry as his shirt joined the pile of discarded clothes and he stood wonderfully naked from the waist up. Never, in her wildest dreams, had she imagined a man’s chest could be so utterly… perfect. It was as if a Greek statue, cut from the finest marble had suddenly come to life. Muscle and sinew were carved out of flesh and blood.
The sudden urge to run her fingers through the dark patches of hair scattered about his chest, and as glorious as any map of stars in the sky, made her reach out her hands. “Can I… touch you?”
***
God, yes, Gabriel wanted to plead, but instead, he remained silent, his only answer was to take her hands in his, guiding her delicate fingers to his abdomen. Triana’s blue eyes had darkened to a brilliant sapphire as she touched his chest. Although it was pure torture, Gabriel allowed her this moment to explore her curiosity. She gently rubbed her hands all over his torso until he couldn’t take it anymore. He thought for sure he would explode.
“The second key to seduction…” he said roughly. “Is desire.” And there is certainly plenty of that.
Stepping back, Gabriel pulled Triana to her feet, and while her legs visibly shook she seemed to draw a measure of strength from him. He reached out and lightly threaded his fingers through her long hair, slowly letting the dark strands fall back around her shoulders in a glorious wave. Without a word, he turned her around, and let his hands slide down her hips, and back up her slightly rounded stomach.
Her breathing hitched as he cupped her full breasts in his palms. When his thumbs brushed her nipples she gave a low moan of pleasure, and he had to clench his jaw.
And to think she claimed not to know anything about seduction! Hell, Gabriel was beginning to wonder
who was truly teaching who as her sweet responses had him praying for control. His cock was so hard it was bordering on painful, his tormented body yearning for release, but he would not give in until he was sure Triana was fully satisfied. He vowed that this was a night she never forgot.
He knew he never would.
***
It took a moment for Triana to realize that the world wasn’t actually turning, that Gabriel had spun her back around to face him. As he started to untie the top of her nightdress, she felt a sudden wave of maidenly apprehension, so she made a move to cover herself. He immediately halted her actions by taking her hands in his. Bringing them to his mouth, he kissed each knuckle with reverence and murmured, “You’re beautiful, Triana. Don’t ever hide yourself. And definitely not from me.”
Triana let her hands fall to her sides, as he gently pushed the garment off of her shoulders and let it slide down until it pooled on the floor around her feet. She stood before him in all her naked, feminine glory and watched the sexual hunger flare in his eyes, turning them to molten silver. “That brings me to the third and most vital key to seduction…” He unbuttoned his trousers with a bit more haste than he had his waistcoat and shirt, and carelessly kicked them aside. “Never doubt your passion.”
A spark of apprehension rippled through her and her eyes widened at the sight of his rather impressive arousal before he caught her up in his arms and carried her back to the bed. She surrendered once again, as the fear quickly melted away. His kisses set her aflame, as if he sought her full submission. She did not deny him — could not deny him.
He lowered her onto the bed and covered her body with his own. Triana marveled at the feel of his weight, his limbs intertwining with hers. As he began to feast on her neck… her throat, she ran her fingertips over his broad back and down along his forearms. She marveled at the way his muscles bunched and relaxed with his movements, and she knew she would never tire of touching him.
Time and again his tongue teased her, his breath hot on her body as he left a trail of burning desire in his wake. She shivered, the friction of their skin soon blocking out any other thought.
Has anything ever felt so good?
But that was before he laved a scalding path across her breasts and followed a scorching trail down her stomach. When he eased her legs open, she never thought his intention would be to lower his head and kiss the inside of her thighs. And then he nuzzled that sacred area in between. At the first intimate swipe of his tongue, Triana moaned. Fiery sparks shot throughout her body. As the pressure built, she clutched the sheets and mumbled something incoherent meant to beg him for more. Suddenly a glorious moment of fulfillment arrived and she shuddered in bliss, crying out his name.
The delicious waves subsided and the tide started to die down, and she gazed down at him through heavy, sated lids. Awe tinged her voice, giving her a husky, throat purr as she said, “I never knew it could be so… amazing.”
Gabriel chuckled deeply. “Ah, but my dear, there is so much more.”
She swallowed. “More?” she croaked. She didn’t dare fathom that it got better than...whatever it was he had just done, but the moment he raised himself into position, his member nudging her entrance, Triana tensed. She’d heard all the stories about the pain of losing one’s virginity, so she clenched her fists at her sides and braced herself for the intrusion to come.
Gabriel must have sensed her anxiety, for he bent down and kissed her long and slow, until her limbs had become languid once more. “Relax,” he murmured. “After this, you are truly mine, and nothing can take you away from me.”
He entered her in one smooth thrust; the sudden sting of discomfort as her maidenhead was breached lasting only a brief moment.
She blinked as the full realization hit her.
She was a virgin no more.
While, to some, it might have been a sorrowful loss of one’s innocence, Triana felt only pure, unadulterated joy. She’d had her choice of a husband taken from her, so at least she had been able to offer the one thing she could control, to the only man worthy of possessing it. And while she refused to think of the future, that she would have to spend every other night with Eastbury as his wife, she would have the satisfaction of knowing he wasn’t the first man to introduce her to lovemaking.
That honor would always belong to Gabriel.
He waited for her to get accustomed to the feel of him inside of her, and then he began to move, slowly at first, then gradually increasing in speed. While it had been a foreign sensation at first, it didn’t take long before she felt herself falling back over that same precipice. She held tight to Gabriel, and rode the wave of passion once more — but this time she wasn’t alone as he groaned and emptied all of his passion inside of her.
It was exquisite.
Afterward, he held her in the circle of his arms and tenderly stroked her hair as she laid her head on his shoulder. The intimacy of the moment made Triana want to cry, but she resisted. Although she didn’t regret giving her virtue to Gabriel, after tonight, she realized it would only be that much harder to say goodbye.
***
Gabriel stayed awake long after Triana had fallen asleep in his arms, content just to hold her. But in the end, he reluctantly slipped out of bed. He shoved his arms in his dressing robe and glanced back at the woman who held his heart in her hands and felt a lurch in his chest. God, just looking at her now — with those tousled, dark locks in disarray about his pillow… those long lashes fanning her soft cheek… the delicate eyelids covering those expressive eyes, while the hint of a smile touched those kissable lips — she was truly a vision to behold.
His own fallen angel.
He walked over to the far side of the room, to a pair of double doors and slipped out onto the small balcony that overlooked an expansive rose garden. The sweet fragrance filled the air. From every color, to every kind of breed, he had heard that those flowers had been his mother’s haven before her death, and what had become his father’s obsession afterward. It was where the duke had spent his later years — or so Gabriel had been told. And considering the garden still looked as flawless as ever, it appeared the old man still ruled his mansion from beyond the grave, no doubt leaving strict orders to his staff to keep it restored.
A dark frown abruptly creased Gabriel’s brow, although it had nothing to do with the past that continued to creep up on him just by being here — the one place he’d vowed never to return. No, it was the fact that, for the first time in his lonely, miserable existence, he knew exactly what he wanted — or rather who — but she was out of his reach. At least, until this mission was completed. Until then, he was nothing but an indentured servant to his king, while Triana remained a betrothed woman to the wrong man.
He gripped the railing until his knuckles turned white as he considered his options. Of course, he could run off with Triana to Gretna Green right now — tonight — and tell everyone to go hang. Perhaps they would even go so far as to board a ship bound for the Americas in order to rub elbows with the natives.
But what kind of life would that be for Triana? She might think it an exciting adventure — at first. But there would be a scandal of the most epic proportions, not to mention that she would be torn from her home and forced to give up her family and everything she held dear. In the end, he feared she would grow to resent him.
A damned tragic ending to such a poignant love story, if you asked him.
With a curse, he went back inside and poured himself a brandy. Sitting near the fireplace, he sipped the amber liquid as his gaze sought out Triana once again; almost as if he had no control over where his eyes landed. She looked so peaceful, the flickering light of the glowing fire reflecting the shadows of her face as she lay in silent repose. It was as if she didn’t even realize she was at the bottom of an hourglass with its sands beginning to pour in.
He tightened his grip on the crystal tumbler in his hand. He was supposed to be the hero who came to her rescue, but even he wasn’t sure if he
could be the gallant knight she needed. But he vowed, that to his dying breath, he would fight for her.
To give up now would be to lose the best thing he’d ever had.
“Gabriel?” The intimate sound of his name on her soft lips was enough to make him push aside any misgivings and go to her side. He let his eyes drink in her beauty; hoping to memorize this moment… the drowsy look in her gaze… her blue eyes sleepy, but sated from their earlier lovemaking… her breasts just peeking out from beneath the sheet as she reached out to him. “Is everything all right?”
He reached out and ran a finger along her jaw, and he smiled at the shiver of response he elicited from her. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect.” With that, he lowered his head and took her lips with his, for regardless of what happened tomorrow — if the price he eventually had to pay was his own life — he would cherish loving her now.
***
Triana allowed a contented sigh to slip out, stretching her aching limbs as the first rays of dawn began to brighten the horizon. Never before had she recalled being so blissfully happy or relaxed in her entire life, but then — she’d never had Gabriel in her bed before.
Her face heated as she glanced over at his handsome profile. One arm was flung behind his head while his eyes were closed in slumber — which she knew he must have need of after that last, glorious spurt of lovemaking.
I love you.
A sudden chill passed through her that had nothing to do with the temperature in the room, those three words hovering on the tip of her tongue countless times throughout the night, yet, she had been reluctant to say them, for there was still a small part of her that couldn’t imagine he might feel the same.
Desire, certainly. But love?
That was a rather strong emotion.
Triana's Spring Seduction Page 18
