Eight Hunting Lyons (The Lyon’s Den Connected World)

Chapter Fifteen

T hat night, as the sky turned dark and the full moon shone like polished silver overhead, Lucas held Beatrix in his arms while they lay naked together in bed, soaking in their fill of each other. She was still blushing, the delicate, pink stain on her cheeks arising from the moment he began to undress her and lingering as he now lightly settled over her to kiss and caress her body.

They were in his bedchamber, now to be shared forevermore with Beatrix. The windows were open to cool the room, and in the distance, fireworks were going off in Stonehaven’s harbor. With each rocket burst, the sky turned pink or silver or gold. In turn, those colors filtered into their bedchamber, carried in by the moonlight that shone upon their bed.

Beatrix was fascinated. “You never answered my question. But I think there must be a special magic to making love under a pagan moon.”

“Aye, perhaps a little. The real magic is you, love.” However, there was an undeniably mystical aura to the heat of the night, the pull of the tides, and the spray of stars glistening above the dark North Sea that would make their first coupling unforgettable.

He bent his head to her and kissed her as the fireworks continued in the harbor, knowing they would soon create fiery starbursts of their own.

The air was filled with the saltiness of the sea and the lavender scent of Beatrix’s aroused body as she moved beneath him, lithe and graceful when responding to his touch, arching to meet his thrusts as he slowly entered her and began to move inside her.

He watched her, loved the way her hair splayed against his pillows like a waterfall of dark silk against the white linens. He kissed her lips and moved lower, kissing and tasting her breasts that were full and firm, and tasted like sugared cream as he suckled them.

There was such beauty in her response, in the way she trusted him and accepted the pleasure of their joining. It intensified his lust and brought out the ravenous beast within him. He had meant to go slowly, but as the fireworks began to explode in a crescendo outside their window, so did the hot bursts of his desire threaten to explode within him.

Knowing he could not hold back for long, he brought Beatrix to pleasure before he took his own, his thrusts deep and determined while he held her in his arms. He was taut as a bowstring but unwilling to allow his release until he felt the shudders of her body and knew she had experienced her first sensations of splendor. “I love you, Beatrix. My Beatrix. My beautiful love.”

He kissed her and ran his fingers through her hair, kissed her breasts and thrust into her again, this time for himself. It did not take long to reach his gratification. He was so wild for her, his release came quickly. He grunted like a boar in rut as he tumbled over the edge, engulfed in the heat of ecstasy that coursed through his body in molten waves.

He had longed for this moment from his first sight of Beatrix peeking into Bessie’s office and instantly stirring his heart with her big, trusting eyes and hesitant smile.

Now he was holding her in his arms, both of them hot and damp and sated. He had never felt happier or more fulfilled. He eased out of her and shifted their positions to bring her atop him so that he would not crush her.

“Beatrix, love. How do ye feel?” As for him, his heart was still pounding with the force of storm waves crashing to shore. Indeed, all the elements seemed to course through his body, especially water and fire. Fire flowed through his blood, turning it thick as lava. His body had yet to cool, nor might it ever. How could it when Beatrix felt so soft and perfect in his arms, her bosom full and sensual as she lay pressed against his chest?

He emitted a soft, pained laugh, having exhausted himself in the effort to hold off releasing his seed before she had experienced her womanly pleasure. He had struggled even while merely undressing her, his body immediately erupting in wild torment as he’d peeled away the delicate layers of fabric covering her soft, satin skin. Even now, heat shot through his every limb and pore.

She kissed him on the lips. “I have yet to stop tingling. I feel warm all over and quite content.”

The sheets twisted as he rolled her under him again, and the wild tumble of her dark hair fanned out across the bed linens. She was naked beneath him, her body slender and pale in the silver glow of moonlight. “Lass, I knew ye would be this beautiful, and I could never resist ye.”

“I did not think I could resist you either, although I had no idea it would be quite as wonderful as this. I thought you might squash me with your big body,” she said with an impertinent grin, “but I quite liked the weight of you and the feel of your hard muscles beneath my fingers.”

He caressed her while they spoke, for he sincerely wanted to know her feelings about their lovemaking. He had wanted it to be special and splendid for her. But talking to her also allowed him time to regain his strength, for he had truly spent himself in the warmth of her body. That pent-up longing had released in a volcanic burst.

However, it did not take him long to recover. His hunger for Beatrix was insatiable. But how was she feeling after their first time? “Beatrix…did I hurt ye?”

“No, Lucas. It was nice.” She cast him an affectionate smile.

“Nice enough to do again?”

Her eyes widened in obvious surprise. “Truly?”

“Not if ye dinna want to. I would never take ye against yer will.”

She wrapped her arms around him. “You look as though you are going to die if I refuse you. Of course, I am willing. I did not realize this happened more than once in a night. Danielle did not mention that in our discussions. But thinking back, I recall she had hinted at it.”

He kissed her softly rounded shoulder. “Then ye dinna mind?”

Her smile turned impish. “I dinna mind.”

“Och, lass. Ye have no idea how ye arouse me.” He began their dance of love again, determined to take his time and not spend himself within a minute like a frenzied schoolboy. He entered her once she was slick enough for him, his thrusts slow and his kisses deep.

The large four-poster bed creaked lightly while their mating bodies sought each other with heightened urgency. He dipped his head and kissed his way down her body.

She tasted better than sugared cream.

He could not get enough of her.

Everything about her stirred his senses. The sweetness of her skin, the silken touch of her body, the loveliness of her smile. He drove himself deeper inside her, always careful not to hurt her, and could not hold back his satisfaction when she closed her eyes and gave herself over to these still-new sensations of pleasure. “Lucas,” she said in an urgent whisper, clutching the coiled muscles of his shoulders.

“I’m here, love. Trust me. Let yerself go.”

Her face looked so beautiful as she tumbled over the edge once more. He swallowed her moans in his mouth and thrust into her with greater urgency. It did not take him long to join her in her ecstasy. He spilled himself into her, completely lost to her as waves of heat tore through him like wildfire.

He growled in conquest and collapsed in a damp heap atop her.

Lord, what an idiot!

He wanted to think of himself as a lion king, but he’d shot off everywhere like an ignorant, frenzied schoolboy.

His sweet Beatrix was too innocent to know the difference.

She still had her arms around him, holding on tight, as though she never wanted to let him go. “Lucas, I love you so much.”

Did he not feel the same way about her? He needed to tell her, for this girl had lived with love withheld for most of her life, and he was not ever going to let her feel unloved again. “I burn for ye, my love. I am hardly done and already aching for more of ye.”

But he shifted himself off her, for he was a big ox and would crush her. “Beatrix, I know ye think my…zeal…is because of the pagan moon. But I assure ye, it is just a moon. Ye’re the one who brings the magic to this night and every night hereafter. Ye leave me so wild, I dinna want to get out of this bed tomorrow. I could remain here with ye in my arms, the two of us as naked as the day we were born.”

She chuckled. “You shall likely get your wish, since I have none of my clothes with me save for the gown you took off me a short while ago.”

“Mairi will see to moving yer belongings in here in the morning.” He caressed her cheek. “For now, ye have no need of them. I dinna think the heat will burn out of our bodies at all tonight.”

“Not if you keep looking at me like a hungry lion about to pounce on his prey.”

“Ye do that to me, lass. I canno’ believe we are married, and ye are mine.”

She kissed his cheek. “Does it feel odd to you, Lucas?”

“No, love. It feels right.” He brushed back her hair. “It feels natural and easy, as it should be, because we were meant for each other.”

They spoke no more as the last bursts of fireworks went off in the distance. This was to mark the end of the Pagan Moon festivities, although much reveling would continue into the wee hours of the morning. The clergymen would be kept busy marrying couples in the weeks that followed.

Since Beatrix was curious about the fireworks, they climbed from the bed and went to stand by the window. He would have brought her onto his balcony for a better view, but they were not dressed, and neither of them felt inclined to don their clothes.

He wrapped her in his arms and drew her against his chest as they watched the bursts of silver, gold, and pink illuminate the black-velvet sky.

When it was over, Lucas led Beatrix back to bed.

But this time, they slept, she nestling like a kitten against his body. He would not have her again tonight, for she would be too sore tomorrow. They needed to be on their feet for hours greeting townspeople when they arrived for the celebration tea.

She looked like an angel in sleep.

These were his last thoughts before drifting off to sleep himself.

He was not surprised to find Beatrix still in a deep slumber when he awoke to sunshine striking his face the next morning. He silently rose from the bed, knowing if he lingered, he would touch her, and he’d done enough of that last night.

He had always thought her incredibly beautiful, but never more so than now. The sheet had twisted around her, so that much of her body was on display. Of course, his eyes shot straight to her breasts and their rosy tips. But he tore his gaze away because he would have her again if he stared any longer, and he did not want her to feel any discomfort for the long day ahead of them.

But she was stunning to look at, her dark hair curling against her hips and her slender legs wrapped around the twisted vine of a sheet.

He shook his head, trying not to imagine them wrapped around him as he drove into her. “Idiot,” he softly muttered, wondering if this was to be his fate…no longer the mighty lion but a besotted thrall.

Well, were Cheyne and Matthew any different with their wives?

Should he not be ensorcelled by his wife?

He peered out the window to the sun glistening upon the distant sea. The garden immediately below his window was also splendid, for the morning dew still coated the grass and flower petals, so that the garden was awash in sparkles of light.

He wanted Beatrix to see this view, knowing it would delight her. Yet, how could he wake her?

She must have felt his gaze on her, for she began to stir.

He watched her, his heart leaping and bounding as she unfurled herself like a sleepy kitten and stretched her exquisite body. “Blessed saints, give me strength.”

She blinked open her eyes and noticed him standing by the window.

Her smile was sheer heaven.

He smiled back. “Good morning, love. How do ye feel?”

“As though I’ve fallen into a beautiful dream.” She set the bed linens aside and rose to come to his side. “Are you real?”

“Touch me, lass. Find out for yerself. But I must warn ye that if ye do, we shall likely end up in bed again. I promised myself I would no’, but it seems I have no resolve when it comes to ye.” He held out his hand to her. “Come look at the scenery. It is beautiful this morning. We usually have a gray mist or rain to greet the day, but we’ll have sun and heat again today.”

Her eyes took on an enchanted glow as she looked out across the castle grounds toward the sea. “It takes my breath away.”

“Would ye care to take a walk along the beach with me?”

She nodded. “I would love it. Oh, but I’ll need to get a proper gown. This delicate silk will never do.”

“I’ll dress and fetch it for ye. Just tell me what to bring ye.”

She described an apricot muslin with green sprigs of flowers and asked for her walking boots.

Right, apricot.

He knew what an apricot looked like.

Once he had tossed on his shirt and breeches, he strode into her old chamber and opened the wardrobe. There were several gowns with flowers embroidered on them and in shades that resembled the color of an apricot. He grabbed one, hoping it was the right one, and then took out a small pair of half-boots that stuck out among the delicate slippers.

Beatrix was of average height, and her shoes were probably of average size for a lady. But compared to his big, clomping boots, they looked tiny.

He walked back into his chamber. “Is this what ye meant, love?”

She cast him an indulgent smile, which probably meant he had guessed wrong, but she was too happy to make anything of it. “Close enough.”

She had washed up while he was gone and also tossed on her shift. He helped her on with her gown, setting aside her corset when she attempted to put it on first. “Ye won’t be needing that this morning.”

She eyed him curiously. “Why not?”

“I promised myself I would no’ have ye, but I will take great pleasure in touching ye. That corset will only get in the way.”

She blushed.

“Och, lass. I’ll behave myself as much as I can. Dinna worry that anyone will see us. The entire town will be asleep until noon today. Not even Posy will be stirring at this hour. The wee laddie had a very exciting day yesterday.”

“He certainly did.” She laughed and shook her head. “All right. Let’s go.”

He took a moment to tuck his shirt into his breeches and put on a pair of comfortable, old boots. As for Beatrix, she certainly did not need a corset, he decided while discreetly watching her as they made their way down to the beach. Her breasts did not sag in the least. They were full and ripe, firm in their roundness and yet soft to the touch.

He held her hand as they walked along the beach, their boots now off and left at the foot of the steps. They strolled along the edge of the water, laughing and talking as the waves washed in and swirled about their ankles.

Beatrix had her gown hiked to her knees and was giggling and gasping while she jumped in and out of the cold water.

She had kept her hair down so that the wind blew it about her hips and shoulders. She looked like a beautiful water sprite.

He was going to make himself dizzy, for his gaze kept darting from her bosom to her face to her gorgeous legs and back up and down. Her hips. Her creamy shoulders. Her hair. Her nicely turned legs. His resolve not to have her again was receding as quickly as this ebb tide.

No, he would not have her again before tonight.

But perhaps…

“Lucas,” she said, regarding him curiously, “you look perplexed. Is something wrong?”

He cast her a rakish grin. “No, love. I am struggling to keep my hands off ye and finding myself about to lose the battle.”

“Oh. But here? On the beach?”

“Come with me.” He led her to a bulge of rocks by the cliff face that would hide them from view. He knew of it, as every randy lad in Stonehaven did. However, he had never used it, only knew of it. Their father would have been distressed to learn that any of his sons had been sticking their wicks in the town’s fair maidens, so he and his brothers had always kept clear of the local lasses.

As a lad, it had frustrated him to no end, especially since the local lasses were always willing. But no moment of pleasure was worth seeing disappointment in his father’s eyes. All of his brothers felt the same. Their father was never one to bellow and threaten. He adored his sons too much. To see the look of hurt on his face was worse than any beating he could have delivered.

Lucas shook himself out of the thought, now glad Beatrix was the first lass he would claim here. Well, not quite claim her.

He did not have to push himself inside her to give her pleasure.

Her eyes were wide, and a smile twitched at the corners of her lips as he removed his shirt and tossed it aside. He reached for the ties of her gown but only tugged the gown and shift down low enough to reveal her breasts.

She was blushing again.

He grinned wickedly.

“Oh, dear heaven,” she muttered, a smile now upon her lips. “You naughty man, what are you going to do to me?”