Betrayal (17 page)

“The dead eyes of a trebox demon stared down at me. It thrust a cup into my hand. I tossed the cup to the floor. A demon grabbed my arms and pulled them behind my back. Pain stung my scalp as it gripped my hair, forcing my head back. The trebox gripped my jaw and forced a bitter liquid into my mouth. Then it held my mouth closed until I swallowed the horrid poison. Immediately, my mind wandered and the church blurred. All the sounds were muffled and the images blurred. Beyond that, I only remember pain and fear until you freed me. Everything is blurry until I woke up at the hospital in Cheapside.”

He opened her left hand and ran his fingers over the scar in the center of her palm. “This was some kind of ritual or consecration. That is why the master wants you back. He went to great deal of trouble to ready you and the others for the sacrifice with the dagger.”

“He no longer has the Blade of Skane.”

“Perhaps he does not need it.”

“What about the seamstress. She killed herself. Did not that foil his plans?”

“If that is what really happened. We only know she died and her husband found her. It might serve us to go and speak to him.”

“He won’t stop looking for me, will he?”

“Whatever was done will likely have to be undone for the three of you to be safe, Lizzy.”

“Are you sure it can be undone?”

“I have faith you will be safe and we will make a life together. You will not be taken from me.”

“Because I am under your roof and you feel responsible for my wellbeing.”

“You are a hunter, fully capable of taking care of yourself. You do not need my protection. My desire for you is about more than protecting you.”

“It would be an excellent way to aggravate your father.”

“Ha. I love you, Lizzy. I do not care what my father thinks. I do not love you in spite of your meager beginnings. I do not care from where you come. You could be a queen, and I would love you no more or less. It is difficult for you to understand that a man, raised a gentleman, could not want to take a bride of the same background. I understand your unease. I will not bully you. I will only love you until you see my intentions are honorable and sincere.”

She burned for him, and the flames pooled at her core. He had said nothing to entice her desire, but everything he said about loving her drove her lusty madness. His lips were magnetic, and she leaned forward until hers melted into them. Suddenly, all her objections to his courtship sounded silly. With just the two of them, nothing society demanded mattered.

His fingers threaded her hair and cupped her cheek while he moaned against her mouth. He slid his other hand along her leg to her thigh, then over her hip to her waist.

Everywhere he touched burned for more. The awkward position did not allow enough contact. She ran her fingers through his hair, along his neck and shoulders. She gasped as he pulled her from the chair to the floor and covered her body with his. Her nightgown bunched around her hips. The fire and Reece staved off the chill of the cool night.

Even gripping his shoulders and back, she still could not get close enough.

He prodded her lips and she opened. The spark of delight as his tongue touched hers shot down to her most intimate places. Her nipples hardened against the fabric of her gown and she stifled a cry.

Reece broke away and trailed kisses down her neck to the bow, keeping her gown on her shoulders. He pulled the knot free and pressed his lips to the hollow between her breasts. “Lizzy, I will need your help to stop this. I do not have the strength to stop touching you on my own.”

“Good. Do not stop.”

She begged for more, and he wanted to give her everything. He would spend his life in that endeavor. The story she told should have warned him off. She and the other women had been consecrated and marked with a special blade. Yet he refused to believe her fate was sealed. He would die to keep her with him and to keep the other two alive.

What should have been a flag to back away, only spurred him forward. She had dug deep into a terrifying memory to give him the truth he wanted. She trusted him to use the information for good. No one could ask for more than that.

Even after suffering through the torturous telling of her abduction, she offered herself freely. It was a precious gift, and he could not refuse. She would be his in spirit and someday in name as well. No other outcome would do.

Pulling the delicate bow free with one tug, the soft cotton opened like a gift from heaven, revealing soft curved breasts and strong square shoulders. He worshipped his way from the curve of her neck to her sweet breasts. His cock demanded relief from the exquisite agony.

Her nails dug into his flesh, and she hooked one leg over his hip.

His shaft nestled along her wetness begging for entry. “Lizzy, let me move us off the carpet.”

She wrapped her other leg around him and pulled him tight. “No. Here, Reece. Now. Do not leave me like this.”

Understanding her need because it matched his own, he covered her mouth and plunged his tongue inside. She met his every desire and matched his moves, writhing beneath him.

Lowering his head, he sucked one beaded nipple into his mouth.

She gasped and arched her back, digging her nails deep in his shoulders.

If he couldn’t convince her to move from the wool carpet to the soft mattress, he would at least show her pleasures beyond a quick tumble on the floor. Her tight muscles and soft skin were the perfect enticement, and he couldn’t resist. Desire welled in him, pushing for more. His fingers trembled as he skimmed along her hip then found her folds wet and ready for him. He brimmed with passion, but her pleasure was paramount.

His own maddening need purred beneath the surface. Everything he wanted wrapped in his arms, pulsing under his fingers. Feathering her most intimate place, he dipped one finger into her soft, wet folds.

She wriggled beneath him, short gasps pushed through those pretty lips.

Unable to resist, he devoured her mouth while continuing to slide through her silken flesh.

She responded, swirling her tongue to circle his.

Quickening the pace of his caress, he ached painfully hard, while her hips lifted with every touch, her eyes remained closed.

“Look at me, Lizzy. Let me see you.”

Her lids eased up, and she locked those dark eyes with his.

So wet, he easily slid two fingers inside her in time to feel her clench around him.

Wide, dark eyes brimmed with tears as her rapture took her. She gasped for air and smiled.

Creating the pleasure that caused such an expression from her made him happier than he’d ever been. No flower bloomed more beautifully than what he had just seen. “Love, you are too much.”

Her grin widened. “And you are just enough.”

The joy blossoming inside him might have toppled any man. Cradling her head, he kissed the expression from her mouth, kept his weight on his forearms and slid forward until his cock pressed at the apex of her thighs.

She stared up at him. “Yes.”

He eased inside her in one steady motion. She gloved him and he couldn’t hold back a long sigh of relief. He focused on her eyes, warm with desire. Seeing no fear or pain there, he pulled back and drove home again.

She bit her bottom lip and lifted her hips to meet his thrust.

Every shift of weight and vibration of flesh spiraled delight through him. Wrapping his arms around her waist and back, he rolled over until she looked down at him in delighted surprise. He gripped her hips showing her a rhythm, until she found her own.

She rode him slowly, her breath short and choppy.

Every move delighted and brought him closer to spilling his seed.

Gasping, she lost her rhythm, and he helped regain the motion, lifting his hips to meet hers. Her pace increased.

His orgasm built, tightened, and quaked, leaving him at the edge of sanity. Spikes of rapture peppered him.

Her back arched, and with her face to the ceiling, her center clenched around his shaft, pushing him over the edge. He cried out and pumped up while pressing his thumb to her bud. He rubbed until she collapsed atop him.

Her mouth opened in a silent cry.

He pulled her bottom lip into his mouth. “You are so beautiful.”

Perspiration dotted her skin, and her hair stuck to her cheek. Her color glowed high and she vibrated in his arms.

This was all he ever wanted, more than he could hope for, and now she was his.

She rolled to one side, and he turned to face her. He tucked the damp hair behind her ear, kissed her top lip, then the bottom again. “Are you all right?”

A moan trembled from her throat, and she snuggled in under his chin.

“Oh no, we’re not sleeping on the floor, my love.” He stood and added wood to the fire. Then he lifted her from the floor.

She giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck until he settled them both on the soft mattress and pulled the covers up.

Trailing kisses down her shoulder to the swell of her breast had him hard again in a few minutes.

Rather than being appalled, she took him in her hand and caressed him until he begged with the need to bury himself inside her again. “Dear God, Lizzy. Are you sure?”

“Make love to me, Reece. I’ll never have enough.”

Slower this time, he eased down, worshiping every curve before he pressed his lips between her thighs, kissing her until she cried out his name and gripped his hair to the point of pain. She might have taken some strands with her when she finally eased her grip.

The second time was less frantic and more loving, leaving him sated and happier than he’d ever been in his life. How he’d keep them both alive and convince her marrying him was the only option were problems to resolve another time, though they niggled at the back of his mind.

* * * *

Lizzy’s backside curved into the top of his thighs, her head resting on his upper arm. He curled his arm around her waist and pulled her in tight. “Tell me what you are thinking, sweetheart.”

“I’m thinking that was nothing like what I expected.”

His gut twisted painfully. “I’m sorry.”

She turned toward him. “You misunderstand. Women do not speak of what goes on between a man and a woman except in the hushed tones one might use to describe a violent crime. What we just shared was the most beautiful experience of my life. I do not understand why women do not speak of the joy of love making.”

Relief washed over him, and he tugged her into a tight hug. “I cannot tell you how good it is to hear you say that.”

She wiggled against him. “I’m glad you are pleased.”

“I’m far more than pleased, Lizzy. There are no words to describe how happy you make me.”

“I’m happy too. I do not know when I’ve been this content.”

“You should rest. We have a big day tomorrow.”

She leaned up on one elbow. “Do we?”

“Indeed. We must try to find out what really happened to Karen Sweeney, my training must be continued, and his lordship will return to go over the timetable again.”

She rested her head on his chest with her arm draped across his middle. “I suppose you are right.”

“I should not have added the wood to the fire. It is quite close in here.” He eased her from his chest, went to the window, and threw open the bolt. A blast of air swung the window open and slammed him to the floor.

Armed, Elizabeth stood beside him before he could push to his feet. She handed him a pistol and crouched with her short sword facing the dark window.

The voice of the master boomed from outside. “You think you can take what’s mine, hunter. Take from me? I am master. I will not suffer so those who mean nothing can live. You have no right to interfere with my plans, hunter. I will have what is mine, and you will have nothing.”

The wind ceased and the voice faded on the last word.

They ran to the window. The garden stilled and quiet settled over it, as if all the sound had been sucked from the world. No indication of the demon invasion a moment before.

“Are you all right, Lizzy?”

“I had no indication he was near.”

“Strange.”

“I think it’s time this house had some protection, Reece. Perhaps we should ask if Mrs. Higginbotham can be-spell the townhouse.”

“The witch? Do you think that is really necessary?”

“It cannot hurt. It is obvious the master and his minions are aware of who and where we are. We must have a safe haven. If she was to protect the entire palace, perhaps she is still in London and might help.”

“I will send Lilly a note in the morning.”

“The morning is not far away.”

Reece turned to face her. Unashamed, she stood naked, sword in one hand and the other gripping the windowsill. Her small firm breasts peaked against the cool air blowing through. The most stunning woman in England, and she was his. “We can go and pen the note now, but perhaps you would like to dress before we trudge downstairs.”

She pinked and grinned, taking in the full length of him. “You might take your own advice, sir.”

He grabbed her and yanked her forward. “I forbid you to call me sir. You may call me anything but sir or Mr. Foxjohn, Lizzy.”

“I call you Reece all the time. Is that not familiar enough?” She petted the side of his face, tipping her head to one side.

It would have been so easy to slide back inside her and pretend the danger had gone. She could chase away his demons, but not the real demons. With a sigh, he released her. “I love the sound of my name on your lips. I love it more when you are so enraptured no sensible words are possible.”

Her laughter trilled like music, and her grin intoxicated him. “Let’s get dressed. Maybe if we can secure the house a few hours’ sleep will be possible later today.”

It was a shame to watch her cover up her stunning body with clothes, but the memory burned in his mind, and he had trouble concentrating on anything else as they entered the study. Twice he had to toss the parchment aside as he’d allowed the ink to blob or wrote the wrong word. He began again more slowly and managed to pen a short note to Lillian, requesting assistance from the witch if she remained in town.