The British Billionaire Bachelor, Act Three (13 page)

This isn’t like you, pal.

Yeah? Well, neither are these feelings.

She’s there, waiting for you, what are you afraid of?

Hurting her.

Bullshit.

Okay, you’re right. I’m afraid we’re too different and we’ll both end up in little pieces, just like that vase she broke.

Since when did you become a coward?

I’m not being a coward.

The hell you’re not.

Shit, you’re right.

How long are you gonna stand there?

Hello? I said, how long are you gonna stand there?

I’m not.

Bursting through the invisible barrier, Joseph strode forward, and grabbing her hair with both hands, he kissed her.

It wasn’t a soft kiss, or strong kiss, it was an all-consuming kiss, a kiss that said, ‘you’re mine,’ a kiss that said, ‘I take no prisoners,’ a kiss that said, ‘I adore you,’ and a kiss that said, ‘I’m going to fuck your brains out, and make sweet, gentle, delicious love to you, all at the same time,’ and when he broke away and stared down at her, he saw a woman whose eyes were filled with a deep and heavy longing.

“I’ve never been kissed like that in my life,” she whispered. “I don’t think I can walk.”

Lifting here effortlessly, he carried her through to the bedroom, and laying her on his bed, stripped quickly, then slowly began to unwrap her, starting with her stockings. As he undid the garters, his fingers whispered across the gusset of her panties, eliciting small gasps of need, and as he rolled down each in turn, he kissed the inside of her thighs, lingering, teasing, his wet breath making her sigh and beg for more.

Leaving her knickers in place, he slid her dress up her body, though he didn’t pull it over her head and off, but laid it across her face, then deftly slipping his hand behind her back, popped her bra, releasing her luscious breasts. Sliding it down her arms and tossing it aside, he covered her delicious mounds with hungry kisses, then gently plucked her nipples with his fingertips, making them rise in joy.

He could hear her muttering his name, and when his hand stole inside her panties, he found her warm, sweet pussy drenched and aching for him. Moving his lips to her neck, he kissed her warmly, then finally slid the dress over her head, dropping it on the floor, and carried his mouth to hers, kissing her softly, then aggressively, then softly again.

“Yes, I’m going to make love to you,” he whispered, “but first I’m going to roll your over and tan your butt.”

“What? Why?” she whimpered.

“Because you attempted to blackmail me tonight. You didn’t think I was going to let you get away with that, did you?”

“I thought it was too easy,” she muttered. “Do you have to spank me? I won’t do it again.”

“Yes, I certainly do have to spank you, and that’s exactly why you won’t do it again,” he replied firmly.

“Okay, so long as it’s not too hard,” she remarked.

“You don’t get to dictate how hard I smack your butt.”

“Dammit.”

“On to your stomach, young lady,” he ordered, “and no more stalling.”

“I’m not stalling,” she protested, but made no sign of moving, so placing his hands under her body he flipped her over, causing her to let out a loud squeal, and pressing on the small of her back with one hand, he pulled down her panties with the other.

Her bottom was as luscious as he expected it would be, and he traveled his palm across it, reveling in it’s plump firmness.

“You are a very naughty girl,” he scolded, “attempting to get your way by putting a condition on the help I needed.”

“Sorry,” she apologized, sighing with the delicious feel of his caress.

“You should be,” he declared, slapping his hand down firmly.

“OUCH! I said I was sorry,” she complained.

“Bury your head in that pillow. I’m going to spank you quickly, and it will hurt, just as it should. We don’t need Henry up here trying to find out what all your yelling is about. Believe me, I’ll tell him in a heartbeat, so if you-”

“Okay,” she interrupted.

Climbing on the bed he straddled the small of her back, facing her feet, kneeling on her just enough to hold her in place and control any squirming, then began swatting her backside, firing from one cheek to the next, landing his hand on the same spot each time. He could hear her muffled cries, and though he adored her and couldn’t wait to fuck her brains out, he refused to allow his warm and fuzzy feelings to interfere with her much needed discipline.

He continued his work until her butt had turned from pale pink to sunburned red, then he stopped, squeezing and pinching.

“Are we clear?” he asked firmly. “Next time I ask you to do something for me, no games.”

“Yes, okay,” she gasped. “You’re right, I’m sorry.”

Climbing off the bed, he sat at her side and rubbed her burnt skin softly, then gently rolled her on to her back. Her face was almost as red as her roasted behind, but there was a sparkle in her large, blue eyes.

“Do you still want me?” he crooned.

Dropping her gaze, she nodded.

“Are you sure? The last time I spanked you, you were mad at me. Are you mad at me now?”

“No,” she whispered, “I’m more crazy about you than ever.”

Leaning over, he kissed her tenderly, and smoothed the hair off her face.

“You’re superb,” he whispered. “Close your eyes, catch your breath, and I’ll be right back.”

Squeezing her eyes shut, she felt him leave the bed, but he returned quickly, and laying on top of her, his cock, now safely ensconced in a condom, began searching her out, and finding her wet, hungry entrance, snaked inside her.

“Joseph,” she breathed, “you feel incredible.”

She was lost in him, lost in the sweet scratching of his chest hair against her nipples, in his large, strong hands roaming across her body, clutching her bottom, squeezing her tits, holding her down, lost in his lips that seemed to be kissing and licking every part of her, lost in his powerful thrusting, his cock surging deeper and faster and harder with every second, and suddenly her orgasm swept over her, and she cried out his name as the powerful spasms shook her body, vibrating through her as she clung to him, clenching her thighs, never wanting him to leave her, and as she heard his deep, satisfying groans, and felt his fingers grip her arms, she knew her life would never be the same.

A few minutes later she opened her eyes, rising from the depths of her passionate bliss, finding herself cradled against his chest, his heart pounding against her ear, and slowly she propped herself up on her elbow to stare down at him.

“Can I say something?” she whispered.

His arm lifted and he grabbed the back of her head, clutching her hair as he pulled her down to share a kiss.

“Now you can,” he smiled, releasing her.

“This is going to sound hokey,” she began.

“I won’t laugh,” he promised. “What is it?”

“I feel as if you’re the first man I’ve ever slept with.”

“In what way?” he frowned.

“It’s as if the other guys I’ve been with…were just boys.”

Not sure what to say, he didn’t say anything, but pulled her back and kissed her again.

“You know what else?” she whispered as she lifted her head.

“Tell me,” he whispered back.

“My whole life, everyone has wanted something from me. When I was young I had to sing all the time, or perform, or enter talent contests or beauty contests, and now that I’m older I feel as if guys only go out with me because they want to be seen with me, but you, you like me for me. You don’t care about any of that stuff.”

“Lucinda, I do care. You’re incredibly talented and I’m very proud of you, but you’re right. If you didn’t have all that talent I would still feel the same way about you, though, I don’t think you’d be such a brat.”

“I’m not a brat,” she protested.

“Yes, you are, and you know you are.”

“Joseph,” she sighed.

“Yes?”

“I’m really happy to be here,” she yawned. “I love sleeping with you.”

“I’m very happy you’re here too,” he said softly, “and now I’m going to sleep.”

“Goodnight, Joseph,” and as she nestled next to him, a small, contented smile crossed her lips.

I
n the centuries-old manor house, Simon and Belle were curled up in their bed catching their breath from their fervent lovemaking. The winter weather was upon them, with icy rain and unseen clouds creating a starless night, but Belle loved it, finding the inclement weather romantic, and laying warm and protected in his arms, shrouded in her lingering euphoria, she was drifting happily.

When they’d first arrived they had hurried into the empty, cold house and made straight for the bedroom. Simon immediately lit the fire, and after sharing a hot shower they had huddled together in the thermal micro-fiber sheets until the room became comfortably warm, then Simon slid the bedcovers back and smothered her body with his ardent kisses and soft caresses. She had sighed and moaned and ached for him, and as he’d pushed inside her, with the symphony of the rain and wind as their backdrop, he had driven them forward to their delicious release.

“I think I’m in heaven,” she moaned.

“That must mean I am too,” he replied.

“I swear I can’t keep my eyes open another minute.”

“You don’t have to,” he purred, “and we can sleep in as long as we want.”

“Thank goodness, I need to,” she murmured, surrendering herself to the magic of the sandman floating above them, sprinkling his enchanted dust across their eyes.

The sound of the splattering rain and distant thunder faded away, and Belle found herself standing on the edge of a glassy lake.

It was a cool, foggy day, and she was dressed in a long, Victorian cream gown, staring up at Simon. He was smiling, his eyes filled with love, but as she looked towards the lake she saw ripples starting, the soft breeze becoming cold and threatening. In the distance Lucinda sat in a small boat, floating helplessly with no oars or sail. She had been told not to go in the boat, and most especially, not venture out into the lake, but she had, and now she was in trouble.

Jolting awake, she stared around the room, and Simon, roused from sleep, sat up and put his arm around her.

“Belle, what’s wrong, you’re trembling?”

“Bad dream, Lucinda had taken a boat out on a lake and was stuck,” she quivered. “A boat she was told to stay away from, but of course she didn’t, and she couldn’t get back to shore.”

“Sssh, it was just a dream,” he said softly, pulling her back down and gently cradling her.

“I’m worried, Simon. Joseph brought her into the loop and now she’s going to do something stupid, I just know it.”

“I’ll make sure Joseph doesn’t let her out of his sight,” he promised.

“I think that would be a really good idea,” she nodded.

“Go back to sleep, I’m right here, and I’ll call Joseph when we get up.”

“Thank you for not scoffing,” she said, hugging him tightly.

“Somehow you knew about Amaranth, and there’s no reason for me to doubt your instincts now.”

Several hours later, Belle awoke to Simon’s mouth gently kissing the back of her neck. Sighing with pleasure and joy, she rolled over and curled into his body, luxuriating in the deep, enveloping sense of safety and love.

. “Guess what time it is?” he smiled.

“I have no idea,” she yawned.

“Almost ten-thirty.”

“You’re kidding,” she yawned again, “I can’t remember the last time I slept so late.”

“Me either,” Simon sighed. “I’m not sure I ever have.”

“The fire’s still burning,” she remarked.

“I put some more logs on earlier, and amazingly, I fell back asleep,” he declared.

“You know, I think it’s because we’re here by ourselves, and we don’t have to be anywhere or do anything,” she said softly, but a moment later, the vague memory of the dream floated into her mind.

“I hate to break this mood,” she sighed, “but I’m still worried about Lucinda and Joseph. You really think he did the right thing?”

“Joseph had to think on his feet,” Simon replied, “and I believe his decision was sound. From what he told me, that Katherine girl pumped Lucinda for information and Lucinda delivered. Bringing her in wasn’t part of the plan, but he needed to at the time and apparently it worked out.”

“I just hope he can control her,” Belle remarked.

“I suspect that isn’t an issue,” Simon declared. “I think your sister has finally met her match.”

“From your lips,” she remarked.

Before Joseph had left Hardcastle’s house, he had excused himself to visit the bathroom and placed a covert call to Simon, bringing him up to date. The news had alarmed Belle, but Simon had taken it in stride.

“Now, my sweet Belle,” he crooned, hugging her closely, “it’s time to put all that aside and focus on us.”

“Absolutely,” she sighed. “I would love that.”

“Let’s get up and make ourselves some breakfast, and then we can start your training.”

“My training?” she repeated, a small group of fluttering butterflies springing to life.

“Yes, Belle, your training.”

An hour later they were pottering around the large kitchen, scrambling eggs, making tea and toast, and perched on stools they ate at the butcher block island.

“We’re not bad cooks after all,” she grinned.

“Apparently,” he grinned back, “though scrambled eggs isn’t exactly rocket science.”

“This is true,” she giggled.

After cleaning up the dishes, Simon took her hand and led her down the hallway, across the wide entrance hall and into his study.

“Ah, good, it’s all here,” he declared as he walked in, and following his gaze, she saw several unopened boxes.

“What’s all this?” she asked.

“You’ll find out,” he grinned, “starting with,” he paused, and checking the labels he found the one he was seeking and ripped open the top. “This one.”

Reaching inside the carton, he pulled out a large white gift box and handed it to her. Opening the lid and separating the white tissue, she stared down at what appeared to be a black cashmere sweater, but lifting it out, she saw it was a unique design.