A Night of Forever (10 page)

“Say you want me,” he demanded.

“Yes, please, Aidan. Please.” She wrapped her arms
around his shoulders, adoring the way the moonlight hit the angles
of his fierce face. A lock of dark hair had fallen across his
forehead, but did little to soften his features. How could she have
ever thought he was dull and weak?

“Tell me you’ll be mine forever,” he demanded.

A shiver of awareness moved through her body. She
knew he meant the words. She knew by agreeing she was binding
herself to him forever. God help her, she wanted to. “Yes.”

He shoved his knee between her smooth thighs. The
thick head of his erection pressed to her folds, the shaft like
warm velvet against her sensitive skin. She couldn’t think straight
when he touched her that way, when he whispered words of endearment
into her ears. The ache that flared to life was almost unbearable.
Mary Ellen arched her back, rubbing his cock between her thighs.
She hadn’t a clue what she was doing, but when Aidan groaned, she
knew she was doing something right.

Aidan shifted and the thick tip of his cock pressed
inside of her. “I love you, Mary Ellen,” he said against her lips.
“I’ve loved you since the first day I saw you.”

For some reason, perhaps it was the intensity in his
gaze, or the fact that she wanted to so badly, but she actually
believed him.

Aidan thrust forward, surging into her fully. Mary
Ellen gasped as she felt the brief sting of pain. In her haste to
have him completely, she’d forgotten that it would hurt the first
time.

“You’re mine, Mary Ellen,” Aidan whispered against
her mouth. “Now and forever.”

And he was hers. She could feel his blood coursing
through her being. Feel his heart throbbing against her chest. His
cock pulsing inside her womb. Aidan was hers. Completely and
utterly.

He rocked his hips forward and any pain vanished.
Aching need erupted deep within, begging for relief, for more, for
all. She didn’t understand the feeling, but knew she never wanted
him to stop. Mary Ellen dug her nails into his back. “Yes, Aidan,
please!”

His large hands moved up her thighs, cradling her
backside and bringing her closer to his body, deeper into her. “I
love the way you pay such close attention to your clothing and hair
as if you treasure your garments and ribbons.”

She was barely aware of the words he said, only knew
she wanted him to say more, touch her more, kiss her more. Mary
Ellen pressed her lips to his shoulder tasting his salty skin,
urging him onward.

He lifted his hips and thrust into her again. The
ache inside her flared to life, desperate for release. “I love the
way you only read romantic poetry and gothic books, needing your
happily ever after.”

She groaned beneath him, wrapping her legs around
his, bringing him deeper still.

Aidan lifted his hips. “I love that you never want
to hear bad news and leave the room if someone enters with a dark
topic.”

He thrust into her again. Pleasure rippled through
her womb. Mary Ellen cried out. She’d never felt anything so
beautiful.

Aidan lifted his hips, his grip on her buttocks
tightening. “And I love that you spend your days making sure the
neighbors have enough clothing and food for winter.” He pressed a
soft, gentle kiss to her lips. “But most of all, I love you.”

He thrust into her one last time and Mary Ellen
burst into a million white stars, spinning, twisting, floating
through a reality she never, ever wanted to end.

Three Months Later

“You look lovely.” Meg smoothed down the skirt of
Mary Ellen’s dress.

The cream-colored gown Mary Ellen wore with the silk
material and capped sleeves that hung off her shoulders wasn’t
ideal for winter weather, but she didn’t mind. Besides, it was
practically spring. A new year, a new life. When she’d seen the
material she’d had to have it. The gown shimmered and glowed in the
lamplight and complimented her red hair. The pearls at her throat
and entwined in her curled locks were simple, but stunning.

“You were married in the evening,” Mary Ellen said
softly, watching her sister in the mirror. She’d always been close
to Meg, but felt even closer to her now. Meg understood what it was
like to be married to a man like Aidan. She knew what it was like
to feel such joy, such love.

Meg paused. “Yes.” The blue gown she wore was
cinched in at the waist, showing her lovely figure.

“As I will be.”

Meg nodded, her face unreadable. “Yes.”

They were silent for one long moment, lost in
thought. So many emotions swirled through Mary Ellen, she wasn’t
sure which to grasp onto. Nervousness. Excitement. Hope. Perhaps
even a little fear, for everything was so bloody perfect. Could it
truly last?

“Why didn’t you tell me about Grayson, Meg?”

Her sister frowned and glanced toward the windows.
“It wasn’t that I didn’t trust you, but I knew you would leave for
London soon. I knew how desperately you wanted to escape this
life.” She glanced at Mary Ellen, tears shimmering in her eyes. “To
be honest I assumed I’d rarely see you once you had a taste of the
ton
.”

“You thought I’d turn into a snob, that I’d stop
visiting you?” Her sister didn’t respond, but she didn’t need to.
“I
was
a snob.”

Meg stepped in front of her sister and cupped her
shoulders. “You don’t have to do this.”

The words were like ice water to her senses. The
thought of not marrying Aidan was unbearable. A life away from her
family, a world without the man she loved…unthinkable. How could
she not realize that this was where she belonged? Here, with Aidan.
“I want to.”

Meg smiled and nodded. “I knew he loved you the
moment he first saw you. Remember?”

Mary Ellen flushed, embarrassed that she hadn’t
known the true man when he’d first arrived. Embarrassed that she’d
been so bloody stubborn and set in her ways. “He’d stepped from the
carriage and I thought he looked rather destitute, sad, lonely.
Then his gaze met mine and I felt some inexplicable emotion all the
way to my soul. I knew then there was more to him, hidden deep
within, I merely refused to acknowledge it.”

Meg grinned. “He’s not a duke, or a lord of any
kind. Although, he is quite well off since investing in Grayson’s
shipping company.”

“It’s not about titles or money. It never was, you
know.” She smoothed down her dress, frowning when she saw a
wrinkle. “All this time I thought I wanted someone financially
secure. But it wasn’t about money. No, it was about being secure in
a different way.”

“How so?” Meg settled on the edge of a wingback
chair that flanked the fireplace. They were in Aidan’s room at his
cottage. He’d thought she’d want to be married at Grayson’s large
estate, but no. She’d wanted to start their life together
here…where they belonged.

“Papa, as lovely as he is, wasn’t there for us,
Meg.”

Meg frowned and looked at the newly polished
floorboards. They’d never spoken the truth, but it was time. “I
know.”

“He let his sorrow get the better of him. We
couldn’t count on Papa.” She settled in the chair next to Meg’s,
staring into the leaping flames in the fireplace. “I don’t blame
him, but I never wanted to marry a man…” She didn’t finish, the
words were too disloyal.

Meg smiled and patted her hand. “I understand.”

And she did. Of course she did. They were sisters,
but they were also best of friends and they’d gone through more
than most siblings.

Mary Ellen stood, fearful of more wrinkles. “It was
never about the money.”

Meg stood as well and drew her close into a warm
embrace. “I’m so happy that you’ll be close by. Only a stroll
away.”

“I as well.”

They savored their last moment together, but all too
soon Meg drew back. “Now, I must go check on baby Violet before the
wedding. You’re all right, then?”

Mary Ellen grinned. “Yes, very well.”

Meg left, closing the door softly behind her.
Finally alone, Mary Ellen let the moment sweep over her.
Anticipation coursed through her very being, a giddy happiness that
flared through her soul. She would marry Aidan. For the last three
months he’d courted her. Brought her flowers, trinkets and
chocolates until she’d had a large collection of gifts that any
woman would envy. He’d insisted on a courtship, but she’d only
wanted him. Now, finally, she would have him completely.

A warm whispered warning said she was no longer
alone. She didn’t need to turn to know who stood behind her. With a
smile, she leaned back into Aidan’s solid warmth. “You’re not
supposed to see me until the wedding.”

“I had to.” He brushed her hair aside and pressed a
kiss to her neck. Hot and cold chills danced over her skin. “Tell
me.”

“Hmm?” She turned to face him and wrapped her arms
around his neck. He looked rather dapper and handsome in his black
suit, but how badly she wanted to take that clothing off him. If
her fiancé was handsome in clothing, he was a God naked. Would the
guests notice if they were a tad late to the ceremony?

“You said you didn’t truly need someone with money.”
He cupped the sides of her face. “What do you need then?”

His eyes were serious, so serious. She reached out,
smoothing her hands over his cheek, soothing his obvious worry.
“Someone who won’t abandon me when life is difficult. Someone who
will fight for me. Someone who will love me unconditionally.
Someone who won’t give up on life.”

He smiled that sweet smile that always made her
heart warm. “I think I can manage that.”

She reached up on tiptoe, intending to press her
lips to his, but Aidan pulled back, resting his hands on her hips
as if to keep her at arm’s length. “I can’t think when you’re
touching me and I need to talk to you.”

Confused, she allowed him to move away, even though
his absence produced a physical pain. Aidan wasn’t one to turn away
her affection. “What is it?”

She tried not to worry when he paced to the windows,
overlooking the dreary winter evening. The sky hung low with gray
clouds, the landscape browns and yellows, but inside their cottage,
it was merry and warm.

“There’s something I need to tell you.” He paused at
the windows by the bed. The very bed where they’d made love for the
first time. The very bed where they’d admitted they cared.

“You’re making me nervous, Aidan. What is it?”

He turned to face her, his features uncommonly pale
although he’d fed on her only yesterday. “When you feed from
someone… when you fed from me… ”

She stepped hesitantly toward him. “Yes?”

“Damn it, Mary Ellen.” He raked his fingers through
his hair. “Feeding from me might have made you think you felt
things you didn’t really feel.”

She shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

He closed his eyes and curled his fingers into
fists. The emotion that crossed his face was almost painful to
watch. “You don’t really love me. I wasn’t going to tell you. I
wanted you so badly…”

The words were shocking, certainly, but also
confusing. “Is that it? Is that what has you worried?” She didn’t
wait for his response, but laughed. “Oh Aidan.”

He frowned, obviously not finding her response
amusing. Eager to smooth the pain from his features, she rushed
toward him. “You silly man, I loved you even before I fed from you!
I was just too daft to admit it.”

He was still frowning, but she didn’t miss the hope
that flared to life in those blue eyes. “Are you sure?”

She threw her arms around his neck, leaning into his
hard body. “Positive.”

His lips found hers in a possessive kiss that left
her weak. She was gone, utterly gone and would have been happy to
stay in their bedchamber forever. How she wanted to start her life
with Aidan here and now. She was tired of sneaking off, tired of
hiding their affection.

All too soon a soft knock sounded on the door. “Mary
Ellen! Grandpapa is here to perform the ceremony. Are you ready?”
Hanna’s sweet voice called out.

Mary Ellen pulled back and grinned up at Aidan.
“What say you? Are you prepared to be shackled to me forever? After
all, your forever is a rather long time.”

He brushed a curl over her shoulder and pressed a
kiss to her neck. “Forever and ever.”

The End

Interested in more? Read Meg and Grayson’s story in
the excerpt below!

Cumberland, 1857

There was something deliciously wicked about being
improper. But only, Meg decided, if no one was there to watch.

“Meg, do hurry.”

Her carefree mood was quickly destroyed by the
impatience of the child in front of her. The surface of the water
kissed Hanna’s knees, but the soothing motion did little to calm
the child. Hands on hips and lower lip pushed into a familiar pout,
she was obviously frustrated with Meg’s lack of speed.

Resisting the urge to laugh at Hanna’s disgruntled
frown, Meg settled onto the bank and set her knitting aside. With
deft fingers, she slid off her slippers. The grass underneath was
damp with last night’s rain and made quick work of soaking through
her skirts and petticoats.

“Patience is a virtue, Poppet.”

Hanna sighed the way only a child who’d had to wait
much too long could. “Not one of Grandpapa’s sermons now.”

Meg tucked her chin to her chest to hide her grin.
The moment they’d stepped near the stream, Hanna had dropped her
clothes like a heathen and now stood in her shift waiting for Meg
to do the same. As if it were that easy for an adult to be so free.
No, adults had propriety and rules to abide by. Still, as Julia had
once said, one must test those rules upon occasion, if only to stir
the tepidness that is life.