Tempest of Passion (15 page)

“
Gods, Emily.”

Emily wrapped her hand around his cock and took him in deeper.
She moaned, causing his balls to tighten against his body as
pleasure traversed through him like the lightning flashing across
the sky outside. Her tongue rolled over his head. Her hand dropped
lower, caressing his sack.

“
Enough.”

Grasping her shoulders, he pulled her up, his cock leaving her
mouth with a loud pop. He shivered at the loss of warmth. Emily’s
protest drowned in his mouth as he kissed her fervently. He crushed
her into his arms, pulling her into his lap and kissing her with
such force that for a moment he thought she would protest. Instead,
Emily settled against him, grinding against his cock and returning
his kiss with the same emotion. When he pulled back, her eyes were
full of laughter. He frowned, confused.

Emily
laughed, clearly amused by his confusion.

“
You endured for quite some time, William,” she said, running
her hand across his chest, tangling her fingers on his hair and
pressing her palms to the flesh at the same time.

William’s lips twitched, and he too laughed. “I don’t know
what to say.”

“
Then don’t say anything and take me to bed again before
morning arrives, and this spell that makes me crave for you breaks,
and forces me to hate you all over again for making me your wife
against my wish.”

William wanted to protest but he chose instead to do as she
asked. He wanted her. No, he needed her. He needed to be buried
deep inside her, to have her wrapped around him like a
tight-fitting glove. Emily made to move, but he kept her in his
lap. He grinned as she narrowed her eyes at him, clearly thinking
he was going to deny his request. If he could have, he would have,
just to tease her.

“
Not like that,” he said instead. “Spread your legs, one of
them on each side of me.”

A wrinkle of confusion marred her forehead and he couldn’t
resist the urge to lean over and kiss it. Emily relaxed and did as
he asked, keeping her balance by holding on to his
shoulders.

“
Now?”

William grinned. Grabbing her bottom, he kneaded the flesh,
enjoying the instant flush that crept over Emily’s pale features.
He lifted her and placed her over his cock. Emily’s brown eyes
widened and she groaned, the sound coming from deep down in her
throat as the head of his cock teased her entrance.

“
Oh.”

She rocked her body in an attempt fill her waiting womb.
William lifted his hips, the head of his cock piercing her entrance
smoothly. Emily moaned. Slowly, he let her down onto his engorged
member, feeling each and every one of her ridges as her internal
muscles grasped his cock in a deathly vise. Emily’s fingers dug
into his shoulders, her nails biting the skin. Her brown eyes were
wide, the pupils dilated as lust danced in their depths. Finally,
he was buried to the hilt.

He leaned into his mate, kissing her softly. Slowly, William
began to thrust. Emily threw back her head in ecstasy. Sweat rolled
down his back and he picked up the pace. He pinched her nipples
with one of his hands, pulling and tugging at the buds until they
became reddened and Emily was squirming against him, begging with
her large eyes. Lowering his head he took one of her breasts into
his mouth, nipping it. Emily cried out, bucking against him. Her
skin became slick with sweat. She rolled her hips against him,
following his maddening pace. Her breath came out in small bursts.
She shut her eyes, biting on her bottom lip as if to hold back her
cries.

“
Don’t hold it, love,” he said, his voice raspy. Her eyes
opened and as they locked with his, he gave her a hard thrust. Her
mouth popped open and she gave a keening cry as her orgasm tore
through her, the muscles of her pussy clenching around his cock and
triggering his own release.

Chapter Seventeen

Emily’s hands trembled as she pushed her hair away from her
face. William’s cock still twitched inside of her, the remnants of
his fluid leaking between them. His eyes were closed and he
breathed heavily. She wet her lips and swallowed hard, shock
running through her. What had she done? She was angry with him. Or
at least she had been when she went to bed. She was no longer sure
of anything. All it had taken was one glimpse of him, pacing the
room distressed and her heart had constricted with worry. She’d
attempted to brush it off but had only succeeded in bringing him
closer. One kiss and the world around her had dissolved. Nothing
mattered except William, his soft mouth and his hard body. It
called to her, more enticing than anything else she’d ever
experienced. She couldn’t stay away even if she tried. She fought
to think about the reasons for not marrying him. She needed freedom
and now, surely she’d be tied down to a house with a husband who
never showed and a brood of children. Children. William’s children.
With his eyes and his smile and his gentle heart.

Her own heart hurt as she realized that she didn’t think
having children with William would be all that bad. The idea of him
leaving her, however, was something else entirely. Even if he told
her he loved her but how could she be sure? They were just words,
like Phillip’s … just words that could be carried away by the wind,
at any moment.

She blinked back tears and tried to control her haggard
breathing. They were too close and she couldn’t allow him to see
her distress.

“
Are you all right?” William’s warm voice broke through her
thoughts.

Emily nodded and kept her eyes closed lest he see something in
them. The irritating man seemed to have a knack to read
her.

“
Are you sure?”

William’s hand cupped her cheek and she leaned into it
instinctively. What was she doing? She pulled back, hastily.
Plastering a smile on her face she opened her eyes, prepared to
lie. She froze. Shards of amber danced in the brown depths of
William’s eyes like a flickering flame atop a candle.

“
Emily, what’s wrong?” His lips slanted downwards, a thin line
of concern marred his forehead. William’s cock slipped out as she
struggled to her feet.

“
Nothing. I’m tired. That’s all.” Her knees buckled as she
found solid ground. William made to help her, but she shrugged him
off, holding on to one of the bedposts instead, her back to him.
His juices, combined with hers trickled down her legs, making her
acutely aware of what they’d done and the consequences.

“
Can you sleep now or do you need to go out again?”

Going the long way around the bed, she snatched her shift and
threw it over her head. The cloth snagged on her trembling fingers
and she cursed under her breath. Finally she pulled one of her arms
through.

“
Wait.”

She froze at the sound of William’s voice and watched,
enthralled, as he walked across the room to the pitcher of water.
New heat curled through her veins as she observed his movements.
Analytically, there was nothing sensual about them. It was simply a
man dipping a cloth into water to cleanse himself. But to Emily it
was so much more. It was dark waves resting on wide, tanned
shoulders. It was a well-defined back, still reddened by her nail
marks, which speared down to a delectable bottom. Emily’s mouth
watered and her nipples hardened again as he turned around and
walked toward her. She clamped her mouth shut, sucking in her lips
in the vain hope that the desire to lick his chest would vanish.
Who could be immune to that? Faint marks glistened beneath the thin
layer of sweat that still coated his flesh. Her gaze dropped lower.
Her quim pulsed. His penis was straight and long and thick
and…

Emily tore her gaze away. What was she doing? She was losing
herself in this torrid affair. It was madness. More than madness.
Is this what sexuality did to people? Was this why Phillip had left
her? Because she didn’t give him the privilege?

“
Open your legs for me, love.”

“
What?”

Emily
glanced up at William. He was standing directly in front of her,
smiling slightly as if he could read her thoughts. She
frowned.

“
Open your legs. I shall cleanse you.”

Shocked
at his request, she didn’t move.

William
chuckled. Grabbing hold of her waist, he pulled her closer. With
his other hand, he lifted the hem of her shift.

“
What are you doing?”

He did
not reply as he placed his knee between her legs, forcing them
open. Gentler than she thought possible, he placed the cold cloth
against her folds. She shrieked.

“
Almost done, love.”

Two more swipes and he was moving away, leaving her dizzy and
confused. She didn’t thank him. She didn’t even acknowledge him.
Thrusting her arm through her other sleeve, she dove beneath the
covers. Hiding. She curled into a ball and shut her eyes. She was
hiding like she did as a child when she was frightened. What was
she scared of?

William didn’t say anything else. She heard the splash of
water, and his soft footsteps as he returned to the foot of the
bed. Then silence. Her heart beat erratically. Would he come to bed
or would he leave? She pressed her fist over her mouth to stop from
calling him. She wanted him in bed. God. She wanted to feel the
reassuring warmth of his body against hers. And what was worse, she
wanted to do the same for him.

She thought back to their drive that day. They’d barely spoken
a word. William had attempted more than once to instigate a
conversation, but she ignored him. Zounds. What was she, five? She
was giving a grown man the silent treatment. Perhaps, he was not at
fault, perhaps it was her. Her heart dropped to her stomach with
shame and guilt. He’d been clear from the start. He wanted a wife
to love and dally with. He’d told her, he loved her. They’d made
love. He’d been nothing but gentle and loving with her. In
exchange, she’d done nothing but treat him with contempt and
anger.

“
Come to bed.”

She removed the covers from her head and looked out. William
stood in front of the hearth, stoking the fire. He’d donned his
shirt and vest, his trousers momentarily forgotten while he fed the
flames.

“
It’s not morning yet and I said I wouldn’t hate you again
until morning.”

She heard his heartbroken sigh from across the room. He
released the poker and grabbed his trousers.

“I’m not sure I’ll be able to sleep and will only succeed in
keeping you awake.”

“
Just come to bed,” she snapped. “Please, William.”

She was begging and she knew it. She just hoped that it wasn’t
too late. William didn’t react. He stood in the same place, staring
at the fire as if the flames had the answer to life’s questions.
After an eternity, he shook his trousers and pressed them to his
body. Emily swallowed hard. Rejection burned her throat like the
hard liquor she’d once clandestinely tasted with a friend. She
covered her head again and tried to ignore the pain in her gut.
Outside, she thought she could hear the rustle of William’s clothes
as he redressed.

Suddenly, the mattress sunk at her side. Her pulse quickened.
He’d come. The blankets lifted as he covered himself. She threw
herself on him, hugging him from behind.

“
Emily.”

The
gentle surprise in his voice was impossible to miss. It made her
smile.

“Be silent, you stubborn mule. Close your eyes and think nice
thoughts.”

Giddiness surged through her as William issued no protest.
Instead, he snuggled deeper into her embrace. She brushed her hair
from his face and kissed his naked shoulder. He smelled musky, with
a hint of wood, rain and sex. All her thoughts evaporated as
happiness infused her.

William turned over so he was flat on his back. He wrapped his
arm around her shoulders, drawing her into him so her head rested
on his chest. Emily smiled. She placed her hand over his heart,
feeling the thump of his heartbeat against her fingers. She closed
her eyes, listening to the crackle of the flames and William’s
breath as he slowly relaxed and fell asleep.

Chapter Eighteen

Emily nuzzled the warm body next to her. Firm hands tightened
around her bringing her even closer, if possible. Soft lips brushed
the top of her head and she sighed. She didn’t want to open her
eyes. She felt sheltered, protected and safe, things she thought
she’d never feel in any man’s arms.

“
We must leave, love.” William’s gentle voice broke through
her comfort.

“
What time is it?” She tried to pull away from him. He was as
malleable as a mountain.

“
Early. The sun hasn’t risen yet.” He pulled her closer and
sighed.

She wrapped her arms around him and glanced upwards. She
couldn’t see his face, but tension was visible in his jaw
line.
“You are determined to reach London early.”

“
A little after daybreak if I can manage it.” He stopped as if
deciding on his next words. “The people hunting me will not be out
so early.”

Uncertainty laced his last words but she chose not to remark
on it. Instead, she pressed her lips to his Adam’s apple. She
smiled when he dragged her up his body, found her lips and devoured
her, reawakening the pulsing between her legs.