Desperate (Harris Trilogy Book One) (17 page)

He
raised his head and stared at her with that look that made her wish she was the only woman in his life. His thumbs raked over the pink buds and they became even harder. “I’ll never forget your breasts as long as I live, Kate.” He kissed the top of her cleavage. “They are magnificent.” 

She
began to shiver uncontrollably against him, needing more. He spread her legs and plunged his finger inside feeling the moisture dripping from her. “You are so wet. I do this to you, Kate. I’m the only man that will ever make you feel this ecstasy.” 

“Please David,
I can’t wait any longer.” She gasped with anticipation as he moved on top of her pushing her legs further apart. The pressure of his body on hers heightened her arousal. With one lithe, fluid movement he entered her. Loud moans of pleasure broke the silence of the room. At first he moved slowly inside her as if wanting to make the sensation last as long as possible. She wrapped her legs around him and he plunged into her with more force. She began meeting his thrusts with a wild fervor until the tremors convulsed all over her body. Her eyes closed with the pleasure as each stroke became more powerful. She dug her hands into the muscles of his back, gripping, scratching, pulling him closer.

He
muffled her sobs of joy with his mouth. He kissed her deeply, powerfully, as his moans of pleasure mingled with her sobs. They moved furiously at the same moment until both were satiated and then collapsed together too tired to move. They both fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.   

T
he next morning Kate woke to the sun filtering through the drapes. Stretching like a contented cat, she moaned. They both had slept soundly clinched together in a jumble of legs, arms, and sheets. She blushed scarlet when she thought of all the things David had done to her during the night. 

She rolled onto her side to find him watching her.
“Miss Monroe, that was the most exciting night of my life. I hope you enjoyed it as well.”

She
propped up on her elbow, and peered into his gorgeous blue eyes. Taking a dark curl into her fingers, she pulled and whispered, “I guess it will do.”

He
laughed. “I would love to stay and make love to you again, but I don’t think you want mother finding me in your bed.” 

With a wicked smile she
stated, “Maybe I should scream so your parents will find you in bed with me. I’m sure they would demand you marry me since you took my virginity.”

He pressed a
finger to her full lips, and whispered, “Now Kate, I don’t think you want to marry me by force. Would you be happy with such circumstances?”

Wrapping her fingers into his chest hair a
nd tugging until he winced, she snapped, “You know Abigail is a viperous bitch.”

“Yes, but I think I can control her.”

“You know she is evil but you plan on marrying her anyway?” She didn’t understand his logic. “That’s ludicrous. She will make your life a living hell. Tell me why you prefer her to me. I know she is more beautiful than me, but she is selfish, petty, and downright mean. Tell me why you want to spend the rest of your life with her.”

“First of all no on
e is more beautiful than you.” David kissed Kate on the cheek. He rolled onto his back and looked at the ceiling. 

After several moments he explained, “
I made a promise to Abigail’s father on his death bed I would marry her. We had been sweethearts for years. I have always been fond of her. I thought I could be happy with her.” He rolled back to his side, and peered into her eyes. “I had no idea I would meet a sweet, beautiful, sensual woman like you.” His fingers touched her cheek. “Don’t you think I prefer to spend the rest of my life with you, rather than Abigail? You are everything I have ever dreamed for. I still want you to be my mistress. Sorry, but that’s all I can offer you. When I give my word to someone, I keep it.”

She wanted to scream and yell. Anger so strong she could taste it vibrated through her body.
“So be it, David. Keep your word and marry Abigail. I’ll not speak of it again, but understand this. I will never be your mistress. I want more. I want a man so devoted to me that he would die for me. I want a love like my mother and father had. You go ahead and marry Abigail and be miserable the rest of your life. I’ll find a husband who will make me happy. Don’t worry about me.”

“I kno
w you can find a husband, Kate. You had every man mystified last night. You were the bell of the ball. I can’t stand the thoughts of another man touching you. I feel you are mine. I was your first, I want to be your only.”

She was off the bed like a bullet.
“You can’t have your cake and eat it too, David. Do not attempt to make love to me again. If you do, I will let everyone know you took my innocence.” Too modest to show her nudity, she draped the sheet over her body, and stomped off to bathe leaving him alone.

The room seeme
d so bereft after she had gone. He had definitely gotten himself in a quandary. He loved Kate, but was going to marry Abigail. How had he let his life get so complicated?

****

With a heavy heart, David returned to his room. The moment he stepped over the threshold he groaned out loud. His mother and father sat on his bed. By their ominous expressions they knew he had been with Kate.

His father’s angry voice made him cringe. “Are you crazy?
You are to be married after the war, and you are dallying with Kate.”

A man in control, he tried to keep his voice calm. “I’m sorry, Father.
I didn’t mean to get involved with Kate. It just happened.”

Edward admonished, “I’ve always thought you respectful of othe
r people’s feelings until now. You’re ten years older than her. You should have used better judgment.”

A stern expression on her face, his mother asked,
“What are your plans for Kate?”

Moving to the chair by the bed, Dav
id plopped down. The conversation was probably going to get ugly. His mother admired Kate. She spoke of her often in her letters. His frustration showed as he absently tapped his fingers on the arm of the chair. “I have asked her to be my mistress.”

Myra’s breath exploded out as she hissed, “I’m sure she said no.” 

A little embarrassed to be having this conversation with his parents, he felt his cheeks redden. Of course they were shocked at him for offering such a proposal to a lady. “She said no, but I’m hoping she will come around and agree to be my mistress. It is the only way we can be together.”

“I shouldn’t even have to as
k, but I will. Was Kate a virgin?” 

“Yes,
Father, but I would never have taken her virginity if I would have known. I thought since she dressed as a man and joined the infantry she was no innocent. I felt no lady would have done anything so indecent. I made a mistake and I feel terrible.”

“You should feel terrible.
I cannot believe you have such bad judgment. What are your feelings for Kate?” Edward paced the room like a caged lion ready to tear someone to shreds.  David had not seen him this angry since he caught him in the barn loft with Amy Daniels when he was fifteen. He had just about talked her into giving him her innocence when his father interrupted. He didn’t sit down for a week after the whipping he received from his father.  

David raked
his fingers through his hair. “I love her, but I cannot marry her. I have given my word to marry Abigail and I must honor my word.”

“Son
, this is the rest of your life we are talking about. Please think about what you’re doing. I have gotten to know Kate; she is a wonderful young lady.” Hand on his leg, Myra explained, “You’ve probably ruined her chances for marriage. If anyone finds out that you slept with her, no other man will have her.”

Standing, David took his mother’s han
ds into his, rubbing them between his thumbs.  “Mom, there is nothing I can do to change what has happened. I wish I could go back to the night I took her virginity. I would not have touched her.” He thought back on the night he first made love to Kate. Perhaps it wouldn’t have made a difference if he would have known she was a virgin. Their passion was strong and he wanted her desperately.

In a weary tone, Myra stated, “But you did David, and because you did, your dad and I feel you should do t
he proper and honorable thing and marry Kate. We think you are making a huge mistake marrying Abigail. I have refrained from speaking what has been on my mind because I felt it was none of my business, but now I feel I must. Abigail is not right for you. Are you sure you want to spend the rest of your time on earth with her?”

Edward stuffed his hands in his pockets, and rocked back on his heels. “I agree with your mom.
Kate is sweet, devoted, and bright. We think she would make a better wife for you. We have both become extremely fond of her.”

“I’m not
marrying to make you two happy. I am marrying Abigail and that is all there is to it.” Weary of the discussion, David quickly moved across the room and tried to exit through the door.

“Wait son, pleas
e there must be another reason. Please explain to us why you would want to marry a woman who will make your life miserable.” Edward walked over to David and put his hand on his shoulder. “We have always been proud of you. You have always made the right decisions and we have never doubted your judgment, until now. Please tell us why.”

It was evident t
hey wouldn’t relent until he explained. His voice lowered, “When Abigail’s father was on his death bed he sent for me. You know he adored Abigail, she was his baby girl. Yes, he spoiled her rotten, but he loved her more than anything. He made me give him my word that I would marry her. He knew she had always been in love with me. I probably would never have considered marriage to a woman with her temperament, but I am fond of her. I have always thought of her as nothing more than a friend. I didn’t know what to say to Mr. Weatherly, so I gave him my word. If I had known I would meet someone as vivacious and loving as Kate, I would never have promised to marry Abigail. My word is important, and I will not break a promise to a dying man. I have never told anyone of the promise because I don’t want Abigail to think that is the only reason I’m marrying her.”

Myra took David
into her arms and embraced him. She lifted her face and kissed his cheek. “You are a grown man and must choose your way in life. I hate to see Kate get hurt, but you do what you think is right for you.” Tears welling in her eyes, she crossed the room, and disappeared through the door.

“You are the one that will have t
o live with your decision, son. Regardless of what you think, it is not too late to change your mind. Consider who you want to spend the rest of your life with. Now, I think your mother needs me.” Edward exited his room.

David fell onto the bed
and stared at the ceiling. If only he had not promised Abigail’s father on his death bed he would marry Abigail. He wanted Kate more than he thought possible. Still, he gave his word to a dying man. Breaking his engagement to Abigail was not an option.

****

Kate had deliberately avoided David all morning. She had stayed in her room claiming to have a headache. Because she didn’t want to see him, she even missed her cherished morning ride. When he lightly knocked on her door to tell her goodbye, she told him to go away. She had to stop pretending and accept the fact he was not going to marry her.

Time crawled by as she sat
at her window peering at the same landscape for hours. With a sorrowful heart, she watched David saddle and mount his horse. As if he could feel her eyes upon him, he looked up at her window and threw her a kiss. She pressed her hands against the window and peered down on him with intense love in her eyes. 

Today would be
the last time she would ever see him. Depression consumed her as she watched him ride away. She couldn’t take a chance getting pregnant. And that is exactly what would happen if she didn’t distance herself from him. Last night proved she couldn’t control her feelings. The sexual tension was much too strong.

After giving her problem considerable thought, she decided
to leave as soon as possible. It was her only option. She wanted him too much and knew she could no longer stay at Harris Plantation.  

S
tartled by a knock on the door, she jumped. “Kate, it’s Myra, may I come in? I have your lunch.”

She
wiped at her tears with the back of her hand before unlocking the door. “Yes Myra, please come in.” Eyes swollen and red from crying, she knew she looked a mess. 

Sitti
ng the tray on the night table beside the bed, Myra moved to the edge of the chaise lounge with Kate. “It’s going to be alright. Everything will work out for the best.”

She
fell into Myra’s arms and sobbed uncontrollably, grief pouring out of her. She feared her heart would break knowing she loved David, but they could never be together. In a quavering voice, she asked, “How did you know?”

Myra pushed
Kate’s hair away from her face. “It’s hard to hide love. Edward and I have been suspicious for quite a while. Abigail complains because she almost never gets a letter from David. You receive one every week. Then last night at the ball Abigail was upset about something, and Edward and I came to the conclusion it had something to do with you.” She handed Kate a glass of sweet tea. “The fact David couldn’t keep his eyes off you helped to confirm our suspicions.”