Devil Disguised (24 page)

Lily shivered again as she forced her legs to keep moving. Soaked completely, the only thing keeping her warm was her momentum, but she was so cold that it was becoming harder to keep going. She had not found the stone border or the main drive, but she pushed onwards despite her fear that she was walking in circles. Laughing out loud,
she realized she might be helping out the person who continued to try and kill her. Now her own stupidity and poor circumstance may be her demise.

Duncan was nearing the far end of his property and there was still no sign of Lily. Suddenly his horse reared up nearly causing him to lose his balance.

Leaning forward he said, “Whoa, boy.”

The horse stomped down and shook his head. Leaning over he patted the horse’s neck trying to understand the unusual behavior, but a few moments later, he understood; hail began to fall. Small hard pellets were mixing in with the heavy rain and his horse was panicking. Duncan dismounted and took off his cape to throw it over the horse’s head as he gripped the reins and walked forward. The guest cottage was not very far and he led the horse quickly in that direction. Reaching the cottage, he tied the horse under the protection of a large porch on the side of the cottage.

Thankful that Peter had thought to light a fire in the cottage, he went inside and yelled out Lily’s name, but no voice answered him. Cursing he threw another log on the fire and checked the bedroom for any sign of Lily. The room was prepared for guests, but there was no sign she had been there. Shaking his head, he went back to warm himself by the fireplace for a moment. Cursing again, he ran to the door and went outside. Wind now blew the rain and hail sideways as he moved out to the road.

Then he heard, “Please, help!”

Relief flooded him as he shouted, “Lily!”

He thought he saw movement to his left and ran forward making out her form as lightening flashed. He reached for her and she fell into his arms.

“Duncan! Thank God,” she breathed, shaken.

“It’s all right. I have you,” he murmured.

Lifting her without hesitation, he carried her to the cottage. She held onto him and her voice quivered as she said, “I saw the light.”

He hurried into the cottage and set her down in front of the fireplace. He looked her over as she stood shivering. Completely soaked, her lips were blue and her face was pale.

He reached forward and took her hands in his. “Lily, you need to get warm. You have to get out of these wet clothes.”

Looking down, they were each standing in a puddle of water in front of the fire. He ran to the guest room and grabbed several towels and robes. Returning to the fireplace, he handed Lily one of the towels and used one to wipe the puddles they created.

Her hands shook as she started to try and unbutton the top of her dress.

He said, “Let me.”

He started to undo the small buttons on the top of her dress. She was strangely still and silent. He reached out and touched her face. “Lily, are you all right?”

She placed her hand over his. “I am now.”

Her gaze shifted to his lips and she reached up, her lips parting. Drawn to her like a beacon in a storm, he leaned down to kiss her. She opened her mouth for him
and he kissed her deeply relishing in her taste. The coolness of her lips mixed with the warmth of her mouth as their tongues clashed. He had been so worried, now his relief flooded into his kiss.

Wrapping his arms around her, he held her tightly feeling her form against him. She tugged at his jacket and started to push it off his shoulders. Not breaking the kiss, he took off his rain-soaked outer coat and then his suit jacket. Reaching between them, he undid the buttons on the front of her dress. Breaking the kiss, he pulled the dress off of her shoulders and it fell to the floor in a wet heap.

Without words, she turned her back to him and he quickly undid her corset. She turned to face him and he saw the thin materials of her shift and drawers clinging to her perfect form. Her nipples were tight peaks against the thin material and her chest rose and fell as her breathing intensified. Meeting her lips again, their mouths fused as he took off his vest, tie and shirt, never breaking the kiss. Reaching down he began to pull up her shift. He lifted the wet material over her head and dropped it into the pile of their discarded clothes.

Desire turned her eyes from a blue sky to midnight as she stepped forward and touched his bare chest. Her hands were frigid. Gripping her hands, he stepped back and watched her shiver. Shaking his head, he released his hold, but she reached out and touched his arm.

“Please, Duncan,” she said breathlessly.

Running his hand through his wet hair, he stepped back and picked up one of the robes he had retrieved from the bedroom and placed it over her shoulders. He
walked to the drink cart and poured a glass of whiskey. Handing her the glass, he said, “Drink this.”

She inhaled sharply and her jaw seemed to clench when she took the glass from his hand.

He turned away from her and ran to the next room.

She called out, “Coward!”

Grabbing the bed comforter and pillows from the bedroom, he turned and sprinted back to the main room to find Lily tying the belt of the robe as she stood closer to the fire. Glancing down he saw her drawers and shoes were added to the pile of wet garments.

He strode forward and tossed the bedding on the floor next to her.

Pulling her glass of whiskey from the mantle, she turned and looked down at the bedding. Her gaze shifted and locked with his as she emptied the contents of the glass in one gulp. She grimaced slightly as she swallowed and then her entire demeanor changed.

Handing him the empty glass her voice was a mere whisper as she said, “Thank you. Goodnight, Duncan.”

She turned to walk to the bedroom, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her back. He said, “Lily, you need to stay here, before the fire. You need to get warm.”

Shaking her head, she pulled her arm free of his grasp. “I was getting warm,” she muttered.

His heart clenched. “Lily, I was -.”

She interrupted, saying, “I know you like to kiss me, but I finally understand; you simply don’t want me, even if I stand naked before you.”

She tried to step around him, but he blocked her way and gripped her shoulders.

“Dammit, Lily! I want you. I wanted you from the first moment I saw you.”

Utter disbelief crossed her features and she stepped out of his hold. “What? But, then why do you stop?”

“It is only out of my respect for you and for Charles that I try to stay away from you, but it is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Every time I kiss you, I want you completely. I have never desired any woman more than you.”

She stepped forward and held his gaze. “Duncan, I want you too. I fell asleep this afternoon and dreamt of your kisses. Please, I long to be with you.”

He cupped her cheek. “Lily, do you truly know what you are asking? I promised I would not ruin you.”

Nodding, her gaze remained locked with his as she said, “I could have died the other day by someone else’s hand and today, by my own stupidity. You were there for me both times. I try not to live in constant fear, but someone is still out there who wants to harm me. When I am with you, I feel safe. I want to know what happens between a man and a woman, but I have never desired it as much as I do now. I need you to show me, Duncan. Only you.”

Desire slammed into him as he reached down and touched her lips with his own. He pulled back only to take off his trousers. Her gaze travelled over him as she licked her lips. He was undone. Wrapping his hand around her nape, he crushed his mouth to hers. Thrusting his tongue deeply he pulled her against him and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She held tightly to him and continued to kiss him back.

Releasing her lips, he kissed along her neck and pulled the robe off her shoulders. Clinging to his arms, she leaned back offering him better access to her body. Leaning down he kissed along her neck and over the tops of her breasts while he untied the robe. Pushing the robe aside, he slid his hands over her hips and held the curve of her back. Her skin felt like warm silk as he caressed her back and splayed his hands over her firm buttocks. She moaned as he kissed along her neck and pulled her body closer. Moving his hands, he tugged the robe down farther off her shoulders. Lily released her hold and the robe fell to the floor.

He inhaled sharply as she stood, naked and unashamed before him.

“Lily, you are so beautiful,” he whispered, roughly.

Touching her shoulders, he guided her back closer to the heat of the fireplace and leaned down placing a pillow in front of her. Misreading his intention, she started to kneel down. Holding her hands, he held her upright as surprise covered her features.

He said, “Stand for just a little while longer.”

Kneeling down on the pillow in front her he simply admired her. She was utter perfection. Her skin was smooth as silk and her curves in just the right proportions. Cupping her breasts, he enjoyed the feel as they fit perfectly in his hands. Her nipples hardened as he rubbed over each breast before he took a nipple in his mouth and caressed the other breast. He felt her hands grab on to his shoulders as she spoke incoherently. Releasing his mouth, he cupped both breasts and rubbed his thumbs simultaneously over each nipple. She moaned, clutching
his shoulders tighter. He moved his hands to hold her waist while he licked her left breast and flicked the nipple with his tongue. Pulling back, he blew on the wet peak before he licked the nipple on her right breast.

“Duncan,” she gasped.

“Yes?”

“Nothing, I just -,” she whispered.

He chuckled as he began to kiss along her belly. “Lily, if this becomes too much for you, let me know and I will stop. All right?”

She moaned her reply as he continued to kiss the entire front of her body.

Her voice was barely audible as she said, “Yes. I mean, no.”

He stilled above her breasts. “No?”

She shook her head and said, “Duncan, please stop teasing me.”

He kissed along her belly before he said, “Teasing you is almost the best part.”

He began to caress her buttocks before he held her waist tighter and then licked her sex. She gasped and her knees buckled. Expecting the reaction, he caught her and lowered her down to the blanket. Moving over her, he touched the tip of his erection to the outside of her sex. She inhaled sharply as she held his gaze, but her eyes held no fear, only desire. He kissed her deeply and he felt her shift beneath him, spreading her legs wider in open invitation. The temptation was great, but he wanted to be sure she was ready. He kissed along her neck and then down to her breasts.

Gripping his hair she whispered, “Duncan.”

Her eagerness nearly made him change his course, but he lowered his hand, inserting a finger into her wetness and she lifted her pelvis in response. Sliding another finger inside her sex, he began to move his thumb rapidly over her apex. Her breathing intensified and he kept his fingers moving as he leaned over her and took a nipple in his mouth. She cried out instantly and he lifted his head to watch as she threw her head back in ecstasy as her pelvis quivered.

Slowly he removed his fingers and moved over her to position himself at her entrance. She was still breathing rapidly and opened her eyes to look at him. Looking into her darkened blue eyes, he realized how long he had yearned for this moment. His erection was almost painful in its intensity. He reminded himself he needed to be gentle, but he had never wanted a woman more; still, he hesitated and asked, “Lily, are you certain?”

She wrapped her hands behind his neck and whispered, “Yes.”

She pulled his head down and he kissed her deeply as he began to move inside her. Her entrance was tight, but he pushed slowly and steadily forward before easing back. Her hands clutched his back as he moved smoothly back into her and her body began to accommodate him.

He continued the process until he was almost fully inside her and broke their kiss to look at her again. Thrusting forward he entered her completely. She gasped when he brought his lips back to hers. He held still for a moment to let her body adjust before moving his hips forward again. Lily moaned, lifting her pelvis while he found his rhythm. Her head fell back as she gasped for
air, matching the frantic movement of his thrusts. She clutched his arms and he felt her tighten around him as he quickened his pace. Crying out, she threw her head back while her sex pulsated around him. Pushing forward he held her tightly and found his own release.

Laying over her gently he nuzzled and kissed her neck as he steadied his breath. Lifting up, he kissed the tops of her breasts and then her lips.

Gently, she touched his face.

He stilled, looking at her smile.

“Duncan, that was incredible,” she said, breathlessly.

“Yes, it was,” he whispered in her ear. He brushed her hair back and then shifted to move off of her.

Pulling the covers around them, he reached for the pillows and placed them around her. Lily laughed as he tucked some of the covers on the other side of her.

She said, “Surprisingly, I am no longer cold.”