Wicked And Wild: Spencers in Love Book Two (17 page)

            “I had no idea. I'm so sorry.” She whispered.

            “I never told anyone because it wasn't for me to
do so if she didn't want anyone to know. I keep hoping she'll start riding
again. For years, I felt guilty for loving horses and riding them. I held off
on breeding them but she knew they were my passion. She encouraged me to start
the stud. She said I was too much like father and he’d want me to do it. She
knew I felt closer to him when I was with my horses.”

            “I'm sorry about what I said earlier.” Lucien
was glad she couldn't see his expression. It was rare for Mirabelle to
apologize for her behavior. He knew how her temper worked and he probably
wouldn't have responded with his if she had threatened him with anything else. “I
understand and I'll try my best to behave and not overreact when you're trying
to keep me safe. No matter how unreasonable you get.” She teased. Lucien chuckled
as he pressed a handful of her hair to his face and inhaled.

            “I expect you’ll get angry at times. I can deal
with you, angry. I'll tell you a secret: as long as I'm not really in trouble, I
think you're gorgeous and thoroughly entertaining when you're mad.”

            “Then I expect you’ll enjoy this pregnancy a
great deal more than I will.” Mirabelle sighed. Lucien couldn't help it, he
tried, but he failed. He laughed until he was howling. At one point, he sat up
so he could breathe. She scowled and pushed him, causing him to flail and
topple off the bed, which caused him to laugh even more.

            The next afternoon, Lucien found Mirabelle at
the piano. Her hands were still upon the keys as she stared wistfully out the
window. He'd come to surprise her with a little outing but he knew he'd need to
find something else to curb her restlessness. She sensed his presence and turned.
Her smile was radiant. Dazzled, Lucien held out his hand, she tilted her head
as she placed her hand in his.

            “Where are we going?” She asked as he helped her
rise.

            “For a drive, lovely Artemis. To someplace
special.” He picked up her shawl as he led her from the room.

            Once they were in front of the stable, Mirabelle
eyed the cart he had prepared dubiously. She'd been hoping for something a
little faster, he guessed.

            “Give me a chance.” He said as he pushed her
forwards. He lifted her to the seat. He joined her on the bench and set a pair
of draft horses in motion. Instead of heading for the drive, he guided them
towards the park. Mirabelle leaned back and looked at Lucien, a smile tugged at
her lips.

            Lucien led the pair over the open fields of the
park towards the forest and into the woods until they could go no further. He
helped Mirabelle down, her face lit up and she gasped when she saw him pull a
basket and a blanket from the back. He gave her his arm as he led her into the
forest.

Their favorite tree stood at the
edge of a clearing that was full of wild flowers. Lucien spread the blanket at
the base of the tree in the shade above a thick carpet of grass. He looked at
Mirabelle and saw that her eyes shimmered with tears. He pulled her to him and
dipped his head, claiming her lips for a gentle kiss.

“I didn't realize how much I missed
this place.” She whispered as she pulled her lips from his and looked around.

“I see this every time I look into
your eyes.” He said softly as he cupped her cheek. She shivered and smiled.

“Really?” Her voice was weak, her lips
trembled.

“I've always loved you, Mirabelle.
I think that the first time I saw you, in your crib on the terrace at Spencer
Place, I knew that you were meant for me. I just needed to grow into myself and
make all of my mistakes before I was ready. When I look back now, I see it; I was
so in love but too stupid to understand.” Lucien tasted her lips and let his
tongue find hers as her lips parted when she sighed. His hands slid from her
face to her hair. He wove his fingers into the chignon and tugged. A few pins
fell and he pulled the ribbon, letting her hair cascade around her shoulders. He
lifted his head and took everything in. Mirabelle stood before him in a dress
of soft green muslin with gold embroidery, her hair was loose and trembled with
each breath she took. Her skin glowed, just like it did in his memories and her
eyes were large and he felt as if he could lose himself in their peridot
depths. Her lips were full and curved, tempting and sweet as her hands slid up
his chest. Lucien lowered his head and kissed the forest sprite that inhabited
his fantasies. He felt her hands tug at his coat as Mirabelle lowered to the
blanket. He followed her and carefully settled over her.

Lucien took his time, savoring her
lips as his hands tangled in her hair. Every now and then, he’d lift his head
and see how the strands caught the light. He kept her floating on a tranquil
current, letting the hours spin away as his hands gently massaged and teased
her luscious body. Mirabelle remained relaxed and pliant until his hands
tickled her knees and slowly slid upwards. Lucien traced the smooth skin along
the inside of her thigh until he brushed against damp heat. He let his fingers
part her and probe. She closed her eyes and her head fell drunkenly as she
gasped. Her thigh slid away as he pushed deeper and she moaned. Lucien felt her
tighten around his fingers and her chest rose as she struggled for breath. He
pulled his fingers from her; they were coated with her slickness as he lifted
them to his lips. Mirabelle's eyes locked with his as he licked his fingers.
Lust flooded him as he tasted her sweetness. He groaned and he greedily lapped
and sucked at his fingers.

“Delicious.” He sighed as he leaned
over her. He flicked her skirts up and settled his shoulders between her
thighs. Mirabelle moaned as she spread for him. Lucien felt his cock throb as
he lowered his lips to her sweet folds.

There, beneath their childhood,
Lucien suckled and probed until Mirabelle screamed and pressed herself against
his lips. After, she begged until he opened his breeches and filled her,
thrusting until he wept and prayed to her amidst the leaves and the flowers
then flooded her with his essence. When they were both sated and exhausted,
Lucien rested his head next to hers and stared up at the tree they used to
climb and hide in. He smiled as he twisted his fingers with hers and pulled
them to his lips.

            They drifted in and out of sleep for an hour
before Lucien remembered the basket. He was able to steal a few nibbles of
bread, cheese and fruit from Mirabelle before she yawned and curled upon the
blanket again. He wrapped himself around her and kissed her shoulder as he
watched the sun settle over the meadow in front of him. As the sky started to darken,
Lucien prodded Mirabelle until she was coherent enough to be lifted up to the
cart again. He took them back through the front drive so they could see the sun
set on Winthorpe. She gasped in awe as she saw the purples and pinks of the sky
reflected on the stones and glass and the deep blues of the cascade’s waters as
they rolled through the park into the garden.

Chapter 32

When Lucien kissed Mirabelle's hand
before he led her into the dining room, he was pleased to see that she seemed
more serene and content. She laughed and teased throughout the meal.
Occasionally, her stockinged foot would stoke his calf, causing his groin to
tighten, making him to shift in his seat. She would smile knowingly and lick
her fork or spoon suggestively.
Naughty minx
. He thought. He would have
to teach her a lesson. For some reason, the new riding crop that had recently
been delivered sprang to mind.
Oh, yes. That will do.
He decided.

            When the last of the plates were cleared,
Mirabelle rose and looked at Lucien expectantly.

            “I need to get something from the study.” He
whispered as he pulled her close. His lips brushed her ear. “Send Mary away and
be naked in ten minutes.” He commanded as he released her and strode from the
room. Lucien heard Mirabelle dash up the stairs as he swept into his study. He
grinned as he poured himself a scotch. He pushed away from the sideboard and
crossed to the mantel where the crop rested. He wrapped his hand around the
handle as he took a long sip of his drink. He never used them on horses but he enjoyed
collecting them. Lucien examined it as he finished his drink. Smiling, he tucked
it into the back of his breeches, under his waistcoat and strode from the room.

            When he pushed the door to the bedroom open,
Mirabelle was sitting in the middle of the bed, naked. He smiled wolfishly as
he leaned against the door panels and unbuttoned his coat and waistcoat. Lucien
approached the bed as he untied his cravat. Mirabelle watched him intently as
he wound the length of linen around his fingers. He placed a knee on the bed
and leaned over her. He tied the linen around her head, blinding her. When he
stood, her mouth hung open; her tongue moistened her lips provocatively as she
tried to detect his next move.

            Lucien shrugged out of his coat and waistcoat
and pulled the crop from the back of his waistband and rested it on the bedside
table. He quickly shed the rest of his clothes and took the crop in hand as he
approached the bed.

            Mirabelle was tense as she tried to follow his
movements. Lucien placed a finger under her chin and lifted. She rose on her
knees until her back was arched and her breasts were thrust forward. He clenched
his jaw as his cock twitched in expectation.

            “Are you ready?” Lucien's voice was thick and
gravely. Mirabelle nodded and licked her lips again. He dragged the keeper of
the crop across her lips. “Do you know what this is?” He asked. Her chest rose
and fell frantically and she shook her head. He smiled lazily as he pulled his
arm back and swatted her derrière. She flinched and gasped when the hard
leather connected with the soft flesh of her bottom. “Do you know what this
is?” He repeated. This time she bit her lip and nodded.

            He walked slowly to the other side of the bed,
her head twitched as she followed him around the room. Lucien brushed the
keeper across her lips again, slowly. She moaned as her tongue lashed out to
catch it. He let his head fall to the side as he watched her breasts rise and
fall. Her nipples puckered and he smiled ruthlessly. He flicked his wrist and
the crop hissed against her nipple. Mirabelle yelped and gasped for air as the
nipple Lucien had just swatted turned bright pink. He leaned close and let his
breath dampen her ear.

            “More?” He whispered. He stood back and held his
breath as he watched her chest heave and her lips quiver. She nodded bit her
lip. “Tell me.” He ordered.

            “More.” She panted. Lucien kept his steps slow and
deliberate and as traveled around the bed until he stood next to her. He flexed
the crop, testing it’s tautness as he watched her. Again, he let the crop swat
her other nipple. Mirabelle jerked and moaned as her nipple flared. Lucien went
to the foot of the bed and waited until he felt her tense. He whipped the crop
downwards across one nipple and then quickly struck the other. She shrieked and
he nearly dropped the crop as he watched a trail of her juices run down the
inside of one thigh. His hand shook as he watched it slide along her silken
skin. Lucien fought against the impulse to run his finger up her leg to collect
it and lick it clean.

            He turned the crop in his hand and ran the
handle up the slick line to the apex of Mirabelle's thighs. She slid her knees further
apart as he let the length of it caress her folds as she sobbed and rocked her
hips forward. Lucien stroked back and forth and she continued to sway against
it. Abruptly, he withdrew it and brought it to his face. He inhaled and felt
his mouth water as he smelled her essence on the leather. Lucien was tempted to
set his own tongue to it but he resisted. He sucked his teeth and pointed it at
Mirabelle.

            “You've gone and got it all wet.” He complained.
“Let me see your tongue.” He commanded. Mirabelle gasped and let her tongue
slip between her lips. Lucien held the crop sideways and dragged the handle
along her tongue. She moaned and curved it around the handle as she lapped at
it greedily. He swallowed a curse as he stood back and turned the crop in his
hand again. Lucien breathed deep and willed himself to stay in control.

            Lucien tapped Mirabelle's knee a few times
before he flicked upwards swiftly.

            “God, Lucien!” She screamed as her head fell
back.

            “What do you want?” His voice was strained.

            “Again!” She sobbed. Lucien twitched his wrist
again and the keeper snapped against her delicate flesh. “Again!” He repeated
the movement and she began to tremble. “Please, don't stop!” She begged. He
flicked her swiftly in a deliberate rhythm and watched as her hands clutched at
her breasts, pinching her nipples. Lucien was in awe as he watched her hips
rock forward, seeking the crop and she arched and clawed at her flesh.
Mirabelle was quickly approaching her release.

            Lucien withdrew and she whimpered. He tracked
around the bed and set his knees upon it. He came up behind her and grabbed a
handful of her hair and pulled her back against him. He bit her shoulder and
then found her ear.

            “What do you need, Mirabelle?” He bit the lobe
and suckled.

            “You! More!” She begged. Lucien pushed her down
until her cheek rested against the mattress. He grabbed his cock and rubbed it
against her hot, dripping entrance and teased her with the head. Mirabelle
tried to lean back and take more of him into her; he brought the crop down and
swatted her bottom. She shrieked and fisted her hands in the sheets. Lucien
pressed in a little further and withdrew. She moaned and bit her lip as she
waited. He pressed forward again, giving her a little more of his length. He
continued to tease her until he was fully seated and she was frantic, her hips
writhed as she begged for him to ride her. He withdrew and thrust home swiftly.

            “Is that what you want?” He demanded as he
pulled back and drove into her again.

            “God, yes!” Mirabelle screamed. Unable to be
still any longer, she began swaying forward and pushing back against him.
Lucien felt her muscles gripping him and he clenched his jaw as he began
thrusting wildly as he swung his arm, letting the crop snap against the pale
flesh of her derrière. He rode her hard as he continued swatting, causing her
skin to turn bright red as she urged him on.

            Mirabelle hauled in a desperate breath and she
froze. A moment later she sobbed as her body began to convulse violently, she
bucked against him and her muscles clamped tight around Lucien's cock. He
dropped the crop and grabbed her hips and thrust deep, shouting as his balls tightened
as his seed began pumping deep within her.

            As soon as he regained control of his body,
Lucien collected Mirabelle and fell back against the pillows. He pulled the
cravat from around her head and tossed it over the side of the bed. She sighed
and collapsed against him.

            “Are you alright?” He asked as he stroked her
back. She purred and stretched against him.

            “I don't think I've ever felt better.” She giggled
against his lips. “As soon as my legs stop shaking, I'm going to turn that crop
on you.”

            An hour later, Mirabelle made good on that
promise. She wrapped her legs around Lucien's waist and he rode her as she
urged him to drive into her harder, whipping his back and flanks mercilessly.

            The next morning, Lucien couldn't help but laugh
as Hugo nearly had an apoplexy when he saw the welts all over his backside.