Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lord Kendrick, Duke of Alton
“It is two minutes until midnight,” Lillian whispered in my ear, shaking me awake.
I opened my eyes and stared into velvety pupils.
Lips turned up in a seductive smile, she beamed at me.
Her enthusiasm was contagious. I placed my hand at the base of her scalp and drew her down until our lips almost touched.
As much as I wanted to continue with our play, I had to assure myself she was unhurt by our earlier activity.
“How are you feeling?” I asked, sinking my fingers into her thick hair. I had never bedded a virgin before, and I had tried to be gentle. “Are you sore from our coupling?”
“A bit, but not enough to stop me from enjoying more, um, intimacies.” Fervent eyes held mine, her face softened with desire. She gripped my wrist, her thumb a gentle caress against my pulse before lowering her lashes.
The clock chimed the first of twelve. “Your gift should arrive at the last stroke. I would beg a kiss while we wait.”
“I will gladly grant your wish.” Full lips settled on mine without hesitation. Pride swelled my chest. I was fortunate to have such a giving woman as my wife.
A rattling sound came from the connecting door.
She lifted her head, turning to look across the room.
Her profile to me, I was afforded a view of her creamy neck.
Several reddened spots showed along the column from where I had kissed her with too much enthusiasm.
My only excuse was she made me lose control in a way I hadn’t expected.
I would have to be more careful in the future.
The door opened without a sound, and a cart appeared, the top covered with a white cloth. Colt pushed it all the way into the room. He was wearing a deep umber robe, and the fabric parted to expose parts of his bare legs as he walked.
“Good evening,” he said, his heated gaze meeting mine. “I have brought the gift per your request.”
“Thank you,” she said barely above a whisper. Lillian clutched the cover to her chest and stared down at her hands. I cursed the sudden shift in her demeanor. The shyness had returned.
Colt slowed his steps, his concerned gaze drifting from mine to her bent head. I kept my arm around her and squeezed her shoulders in support. If she continued along this path, I would call a halt to the entire endeavor. Her comfort was upmost in my mind, above my own bodily cravings.
She released her hold on the linen with a noticeable inhale and lifted her chin. Determination rested in her countenance, along with inquisitiveness. “Colt, play the gallant and hand me the robe from the floor.”
“As you wish, Your Grace.” Colt bent to retrieve the garment, his hair falling over his forehead. He’d been skeptical when I made my proposal and had insisted I might be pushing the situation too far.
For a gut-wrenching moment, I thought he might be right. However, Lillian had defeated her demons and accepted the garment from him. Her color still high, she slipped it on, covering her slender figure.
“Thank you, Lord Golden.”
He tucked his thumb into the silk belt tied around his lean waist. Under the brocade fabric, he was nude. I ached to see all of him, but first, I had to assure myself that Lillian was comfortable.
All of this was because of her. She’d granted me an opportunity to see Colt for who he truly was. I had a sense this was only the beginning of her generosity. Whether intentional or not, she made my world a better place. I dared not dive any deeper than that. History wasn’t always kind to me.
Fondness rested in his smile. “Anything for my Lady X.” Colt had the grace to turn his head and allow her to dress in peace. I had high hopes that she wouldn’t feel inhibited in either of our presence once the night was through.
I threw my legs over the edge of the bed and stood, very aware of my own nudity.
It wasn’t usually a point of concern for me, nor would covering myself be conducive to what I had in mind.
I wasn’t shy by any bit of the imagination.
With an outstretched hand, I helped her climb to her feet.
“Come, wife, I would have you open your gift.”
“Seeing Colt is a gift unto itself.” She laid her palm in mine and glanced from me to Colt, eagerness replacing her earlier bout of introversion.
The fabric of the black robe pooled at her feet.
Lillian rolled the sleeves up to keep them from covering her hands.
She angled her head and studied the large object on the cart. “It doesn’t appear to be jewelry.”
“It is a precious gift, Your Grace, chosen with care with you in mind.” Colt’s creative introduction afforded the symbolic gesture a touch of mystery.
He had a glib tongue when it suited him, and we often exchanged witty banter.
Looking back, it had been highly flirtatious in nature. How had I been so blind to him?
“Pull it off,” I said, standing next to Colt. He was close enough to touch, and I rested my palm on his back, feeling his heat through the fabric.
Lillian used her thumb and finger to lift the edge.
With a flick of her wrist, she tugged. The linen fluttered to the floor, revealing the typewriter.
She clapped her hands before tracing a fingertip along the keyboard.
“Oh, Kendrick, it is more precious than gold. Thank you, Colt, for remembering.”
“It is my pleasure.” He inclined his head. The tension he’d carried earlier had faded.
Things were falling into place. Now on to the next part of my plan.
I dropped her hand and lifted the typewriter onto the mahogany desk.
A chair sat behind it, and I swept the seat with the back of my hand.
“I believe the dark knight and Lord Golden owe Mr. Lillian a scene. And what better way for her to absorb every nuance than for us to act it out for her.”
“You are the best husband.” She grabbed my wrist and pressed a kiss into my palm before sitting down in the leather chair. “Give me one moment to feed the page, and then you can begin.”
Heartened by her zeal over my idea, I handed her the stack of blank pages and stepped back. “Did you bring the other items?” I asked Colt.
“A bottle of almond oil and condoms. I’m sure we will put them to good use.” Colt retrieved a small leather bag from his pocket and dangled it between his fingers. Lust darkened his gaze and a deeper emotion I couldn’t name. He lowered his lashes and fisted the bag.
The snap of the tumbler against the paper broke the silence. Lillian looked from Colt to me as she stretched her fingers. Curls cascaded down her chest, her collarbone visible beneath the heavy curtain. “I’m, um, ready.”
“You are the author. We are awaiting your direction.” I wanted to see how far she would go with our play. She lacked confidence, and I wished to lift her up when I could. I hated to see her in such distress, especially since it was my fault for placing her in the predicament.
“Oh, dear.” The words were whispered under her breath, and she pressed her lips together.
“Perhaps it would be best if I started us out. If you think of something, please jump in,” Colt said. Once again, he had come to the rescue. He had a knack for anticipating the needs of others and acting before one even realized what he was doing. If he was aware of the gift, he never let on.
“An excellent idea. Colt is familiar with the story.” She smiled her gratitude.
“In the original tale, Lord Golden tricks Lady X into thinking the dark knight is the thief. In the revised story, she discovers the two men have been vying for her hand while secretly lusting after one another. The plot is revealed after the three get to Gretna Green,” she said, her voice picking up in volume.
“Art imitating life.” Of course, Colt had taken the time to learn her interests, and they’d developed a close bond.
It made sense that she would confide in him, given their daily close proximity in the library.
I had missed out on the conversations because of estate business.
At the time, it had seemed important. I should have forgone tedious functions and stayed where my heart was, at home.
“‘Lord Golden cursed the dark knight after he dared disrupt his wedding to the lovely Lady X—’” Colt paused to clear his throat and exhaled, his fingers tugging at the belt of his robe until it parted to reveal his lithe body.
The clicking sound of the typewriter keys kept cadence with his words.
“‘The man was a thorn in his side, forever tempting him with his secret desires. If he couldn’t have Lady X, he would take the dark knight in her stead.’” Colt reached out and grabbed my cock in his fist. His boldness enhanced my desire for more.
With a wicked grin, he pulled me closer to his hardness.
“That is very good, Colt. Very good indeed.” Lillian continued typing, her eyes glued to our actions.
With my wife looking on, I pushed the fabric from his shoulders. He was sinewy, his body whipcord lean. Our lips collided in a maelstrom of emotion, my palm seeking out his cock. The skin of his thigh was warm, and I couldn’t decide what I wanted more, to kiss him or suck his cock.
“‘Lady X gazed upon the two men, both strong in body and spirit. The dark knight had conceded to Lord Golden and dropped to his knees in front of his rival,’” Lillian said, picking up on Colt’s thread of thought.
Following her narrative, I knelt before him.
His belly contracted, muscles at play beneath taut skin.
My pulse pounding, need raced throughout my entire being.
He was highly aroused, his cock hard and thick, exactly as I remembered it.
I palmed his base, my thumb drifting along his length.
My desire for him had manifested in many ways.
He challenged me, but he also knew me inside and out.
I couldn’t get anything past Colt. He grounded me, and I had never shown him how much I appreciated him.
I would rectify that tonight and every chance I had.
I tongued his ballocks, my chest expanding with affection for him and lust. Colt represented my past, Lillian my future.
I couldn’t imagine it without either of them.
I caressed the head of his cock, pleased by the way his hips bucked into my touch.
Inhaling the manly spice of his skin, I moved my mouth up his length.
Tongue swirling along the thickness, I inched closer to the sensitive crown.
“‘The dark knight brought the Lord Golden deeper into his throat, worshipping him with all his being. Unable to resist temptation, Lady X watched the two men. Her, um, breasts were heavy, the forbidden place between her quivering, um, well, her legs ... no thighs. Her quivering thighs ached at the sight, yet she couldn’t look away.’”
I gripped his buttocks, opening my throat and bringing more of him in. It was no easy task. I sucked on his length, drawing my head back. He groaned low in his chest, breathing heavily. I wrapped my fingers around his girth. Fluid leaked onto my tongue, revealing the intensity of his desire for me.
He leaned over, his hand running down my back. I arched into his touch as his finger breached my center.
“‘Lord Golden found it hard to hold back from spunking and implored Lady X to allow him to kneel at the altar of the dark knight,’” Colt said out of tight lips. Like me, his desire was spiraling out of control.
“‘Lady X considered Lord Golden’s request ...” she typed out on the typewriter, the steady click, click echoing my heartbeat.
“He’d tried to flout her earlier wishes and steal her from the arms of the dark knight.
And after much consideration, she granted it with a caveat.
She, um, well, she wished for the dark knight to, um, well to um, do what he did to her earlier.
’ No, that doesn’t work. I—Oh bloody hell! Kendrick, you know what I mean.”
I stood, my laughter echoing Colt’s. With a quick kiss to his lips, I moved to her side. She stood, and I lifted her to the desktop, pushing her legs apart. The triangle of hair between her thighs beckoned, and her sensual gaze grew heavy.
The faint scent of almonds drifted in the air before Colt’s finger worked my center once more. I arched my back into his touch, eager for what was to come.
“When I surprised you, I never knew how much you would surprise me, wife.” I caught her mouth in an open-mouthed kiss, my tongue sweeping along her eager one. A soft moan drifted from her slender throat, the sound erotic and full of promise.
Colt reached around my hip, his palm finding my cock while capable fingers continued to loosen the tight muscles in my center. My two lovers bombarded me from both directions.
In the past, I had worried about marriage and how it would hamper my freedom.
Lillian waylaid those fears. With every second spent in her company, she chipped away at my resolve to remain unattached from any emotional involvement.
I pushed her legs farther apart, wishing to grant her every request. I’d treat her with dignity and respect as my wife, but I could make no further promises.
No matter how much I desired her.
Or him.