Chapter Thirty #2
“But you know what occupies my thoughts constantly? Sinking into your body.” Simon’s eyes glowed like rare sapphires, a muscle ticking in his jaw as he slowly rose to his feet.
With deliberate movements, he removed his riding coat, tossing it aside before sinking back onto his knees before her.
Taking one of her feet into his hand, he quickly unlaced her half-boot and did the same with the other.
His palm ran up the inside of her legs, skimming over her stockings until he reached the bare skin above her knees.
“Kissing your lush, sweet mouth. Exploring your silky skin and turning your little curvy arse pink beneath the palm of my hand. I want to possess every inch of you. Fuck you until you scream my name as you come apart for me. I want everything that is you, Penelope. The only way I can hope to purge you from my blood, to stem this incessant craving, is to have you in the manner that I need. Without restraint. Without regret. And without apologies for the sins I’m about to commit. ”
Penelope’s mouth was dry as sand when Simon slid his hand into the space between her thighs, coaxing her with a quiet murmur, “Open your legs, Penelope. I want to touch what is mine.”
Leaning back on her elbows, Penelope obeyed. She trembled all over as Simon stroked her, his fingers delving into her wet softness until she whimpered, her body coiling with delight. She was seconds from blissful release, her eyes fluttering shut as she chased her climax.
Simon chuckled. “You are always so responsive, Penelope. So damn eager for anything I do to you.” His voice turned huskier, more dangerous.
“And in the next few moments, I will make you experience a whole range of emotions and sensations. I want you to sink into it all. I want you to empty your mind and think of nothing except how I make you feel.” His hand eased away from her center as she bit back a moan of despair.
She stared up at him, confusion mounting as he slowly rose to his feet, dragging her up along with him.
“I must blindfold you now, Penelope. Then I shall remove your clothing…every stitch…and bind your hands. Once I have secured you to the low-hanging branch of that tree, I will gag you. Then we shall begin.”
“Blindfold?” Penelope repeated, her body now shivering almost uncontrollably. All her senses focused on him. The birds twittering, the water rushing in the stream a few feet away, even the low nicker of their horses faded away as she melted into him. “Simon—”
“Shhh,” he soothed her, cupping the back of her neck with his large hand and forcing her to return his gaze. “You said you trusted me, mouse. So, trust me.”
Penelope gripped the front of his shirt in twin fists, bobbing her head in agreement, then letting it fall forward to rest against his broad chest. He was so warm, the heat of his skin comforting, the deep, rich scent of his masculine cologne drifting up to her nose.
She took a steadying breath. It felt as though she was ready to leap from a cliff into the darkest ocean. “I do trust you, Simon. With my life.”
Simon tilted her head back again, his thumb pressing beneath her chin. “Penelope…”
“Ah, it seems I have stumbled upon a very romantic moment.”
Penelope let out a muffled scream of surprise as Simon quickly whirled around, pushing her behind his large body.
His movements were lightning fast, but she caught a glimpse of Gregory Grant at the edge of the clearing.
The man held a pistol in his hand, the barrel pointed at Simon’s chest. His thin, cruel mouth curved into a smug grin, brown eyes hard and cold as he advanced closer.
“What the bloody hell are you doing here, Grant?” Simon growled, his gaze flicking to the pistol Gregory held. “And you better have a damned good answer as to why you have a pistol aimed at me.”
“Do not fret, Lord Camden. Everything will be explained before your wife and I depart this clearing.” Gregory laughed as he waved the weapon at Simon. “Step away from her. I want you to stand there by that tree.”
“Have you gone mad?” Simon ignored the orders, shoving Penelope even farther behind his large, powerful body. Without uttering a word, he told her to continue using him as a shield. “You should know that I will protect her with my life, Grant.”
The other man’s chuckle was maniacal as he cocked the pistol’s hammer. “No need for all this fuss when we can handle our differences in a more civilized manner.”
“Civilized?” Simon grunted in disbelief. “You have a pistol pointed at my wife and me in the middle of the forest on my private estate. Forgive me if I find your actions less than honorable. And I will not ask again that you lower that weapon.”
“I cannot do that, Camden,” Gregory smirked. “This is a necessary tool for abducting my future wife.”
“Wife?!” Penelope cried out, peeking around Simon’s broad form. “Even if I did not already have a husband, I would never marry you, Lord Grant.”
Gregory shook the pistol in a scolding manner, tsking, “Now, now, Penelope. Don’t be naughty.
” His gaze fell to the forgotten items on the blanket, and an expression of absolute hunger lit his gaze when he saw the riding crop there as well.
“I understand that Lord Camden and I share the same ideas on discipline. And I’m sure he has enjoyed every moment spent taming you. As will I.”
“I will kill you for that,” Simon snarled, his fists clenching.
“You will do nothing of the sort. On the contrary, you will let her come with me and posthaste initiate divorce proceedings. After all, the fact that she is running away with me brings nothing but shame to the Blackthorne name. And I, along with the rest of society, know your true nature. Your pride, your arrogance…your vaunted family honor matters more than anything else. It’s that pride that rules your decisions when we are done here.
We both know you will distance yourself from Penelope as quickly as possible, especially when it becomes common fodder for the gossip rags that she ran off with another man.
And while my initial plans to make her a widow failed miserably, she still retains the inheritance you so stupidly settled on her when you married.
Even if we must live in exile, we will live grandly on that fortune and my own,” Gregory returned calmly.
“Now, either you allow her to restrain you, or I shall be forced to place a bullet between your eyes. I shall, of course, claim self-defense at any legal inquiry that may arise. In fact, if it comes to that, I may be hailed as a hero for helping Penelope escape an unwanted marriage to a known, dissolute rake like yourself.”
“Those attempts on my life were your doing?” Simon’s question was contemplative.
Reaching back, he took Penelope’s hand and squeezed it tight, his gaze finding hers, his expression a strange mixture of both tenderness and shame.
“I ask for it now, knowing you cannot grant it, but I will beg your forgiveness on my knees when this is over, mouse. I will beg forgiveness for doubting you.”
Penelope gripped his forearm, confusion and fear swamping her until she could barely breathe.
“Attempts on your life, Simon?” Her thoughts flashed back to the odd statements he’d made regarding a vague danger unknown to her.
Had Simon been in peril and believed her to be the cause of it?
Nausea rushed through her veins, leaving her lightheaded with awareness. “Why did you not tell me?”
Gregory’s laughter was cruel, interrupting whatever Simon might have said in reply.
“Oh, dear God, Camden. You cannot seriously believe Penelope had anything to do with that business? She had no inkling of my attempts. Indeed, not even Lord and Lady True were privy to those plans. They foolishly thought an annulment was the only answer. Their efforts failed, which is just as well. I have no intention of sharing Penelope’s fortune with them once I get my hands on it.
” He advanced toward them, his demeanor turning more intense.
“While she may not have actively conspired with me for this outcome, I promise she will be satisfied in the aftermath. Even if I must employ stern methods to ensure she submits to my every desire.”
“If it is my inheritance you want, you may have it,” Penelope said in a quivering voice. She was so frightened, she could hardly get the words out above a whisper. “I will give you every shilling if you just go and leave us be. I’m begging you, Lord Grant. Please.”
He grinned at the offer, licking his bottom lip and raising the pistol until the sights were aimed at Simon’s forehead.
“You will beg for more than that, Penelope. Now, do as I say. Pick up that bit of rope and bind your husband’s hands behind his back before I split his head wide open and make you a widow.
And Penelope, my darling girl, make sure the knots are extra tight. ”