To Capture a Rake

  He shrugged off his jacket and dropped it on an iron bench placed alongside a stone path. Mesmerized, Gideon traveled left, following the lamps that glowed softly among the shimmering plant life. He’d never, in his entire life, seen anything like it. The place was magical. Elizabeth was magical.

  It smelled like perpetual spring, it smelled like her. He moved around a cropping of brilliant orange flowers and came up short. She sat on a red blanket spread across a grassy mound like some lost fairy. His chest felt tight, his breathing shallow. She hadn’t noticed him yet, and he took the moment to soak her in.

  He watched the easy way in which she moved as she set a bottle of champagne upon the blanket, then reached into a basket for two glasses. She wore a silky dressing gown that flowed over her body and shimmered in the lamplight. A white flower was tucked behind her ear. She was, simply put, stunning.

  She must have sensed him, for she stiffened, then slowly turned. Their gazes clashed and held. For one breathless moment everything was right in his world. “You came.”

  “It is our wedding night.”

  She showed no shyness but tucked her bare feet underneath her and stood. The gown shifted and shimmered across her body like water. How he wished he could draw his hands over her much like that sinful material.

  She took the few steps that brought them closer and lifted her hand to his temple. “You cut your hair.” Her fingers slid into the slightly damp locks. He’d bathed since their wedding and wore only trousers and his shirtsleeves. As she massaged his scalp, the air in the greenhouse suddenly seemed too thin. Instinct told him to flinch and step back, but he refused.

  She smiled, those dimples flashing. “It fits you.” When still he didn’t respond, she lowered her lashes and stepped back. He felt as if he’d somehow disappointed her and had to resist the urge to latch onto her arm, draw her near, and whisper words of undying devotion.

  “A drink?” she asked over her shoulder.

  But he was too busy watching the seductive sway of her hips to answer. As she settled onto the blanket, he realized that their roles had changed. She’d become the seducer. Funny enough, he didn’t bloody well give a damn. At the moment he’d follow her to the ends of the earth; he’d follow her to hell.

  Gideon settled on the blanket only a few feet away, waiting for what she would do next. He didn’t miss the flirtatious way she glanced at him through her lashes as she handed him a glass, their fingers brushing. He felt her touch all the way to his core. Did she feel it? Did she desire him with her entire being?

  Aye, for her gaze dropped to their hands, her cheeks flushing in a telling way. So, she wasn’t as in control as he’d assumed. That virginal miss was still there.

  She brushed her hands down her silky gown, as if attempting to collect herself. “Are you hungry?” Without awaiting his response, she opened a wicker basket and pulled out a glass bowl filled with brilliant red strawberries. “Would you like one?”

  “I can’t.”

  She frowned. “Why?”

  “I had strawberries once when I was sixteen. I ended up with a rash all over my back and chest.” He’d never told anyone of his weakness. Brought down by a berry. He’d been humiliated. It was the one time when he hadn’t been able to work for Lady Lavender. She hadn’t been pleased.

  Elizabeth was silent for a moment, almost startled, her wide eyes looking at him as if she’d seen a ghost. Gideon took a drink of the champagne, the liquid bubbling across his tongue, wondering, not for the first time, what she could possibly be thinking.

  “What?” he finally asked.

  She shifted her gaze to the basket and replaced the strawberries. “I don’t know. I just…” She shrugged, her face flushing. “You’ve always seemed so invincible.”

  He focused on his glass. He wasn’t sure if he should be offended or amused by her response. Aye, he’d made sure to portray himself as a man made of stone. He was a man who could not be touched by compassion, need, or desire. And it had worked…until Elizabeth. “No one is invincible.”

  “I know.”

  The way she whispered the words, the way her gaze grew serious as she focused on the ground, made his heart clench. She knew about loss. And she certainly had experienced death. Perhaps that’s why he felt so at ease with this woman. Maybe, just maybe, she understood a little bit of him.

  She took in a deep, trembling breath that raised her breasts high and brought attention to the low neckline of her gown. “What else?”

  He lifted a brow, forcing his attention to remain on her face, rather than that sweetly tempting cleavage. “What do you mean?”

  “Do you have these reactions to anything else?”

  He found fascination with the fact that she actually appeared to be worried about him. How long had it been since someone had cared? For some reason it made him off balance, almost dizzy. He drank his champagne deeply and looked away from her as he answered. “Aye.”

  She shifted on her knees, drawing closer to him, so close her lilac scent whispered seductively, drowning out the flowers surrounding them. Bloody hell, did she have any idea what she did to him?

  “What is it? I need to know, Gideon. I’m your wife now.”

  His wife. Why did the word not scare the hell out of him? He focused on the palm tree planted across the path. Why did the word bring up thoughts of life and love and happiness? Promises of a future?

  “All right.” He glanced at her. She was watching him so closely and so seriously that it was hard to keep from laughing. “Sometimes my heart races and I can’t quite catch my breath.”

  “My God.” She reached out in obvious concern, resting her hand on his upper arm. “When does it happen?”

  “When I’m near you.”

  Her lips parted on a gasp of surprise. Were his poetic words so shocking then? Did she think him incapable of tender thoughts? Of course she did, because he’d never spoken them, never even implied that he cared. But he suddenly and desperately wanted her to know that she meant something to him, before…before it was too late.

  “Oh,” she whispered. For a moment they didn’t speak, she merely took her plump lower lip between those white teeth. “And…is there a cure?”

  “Kissing. Lots of kissing.”

  Her lips quirked slowly, first the left side, then the right until both dimples flashed. “I see. It does sound like a terrible affliction, indeed.”

  “I should most likely die.”

  She shook her head, clucking her tongue in dismay. “I wouldn’t want that.”

  He watched her curiously, wondering what she would do next and forcing his commanding nature to take a step back. He wanted her in charge. He wanted her to be the one in control. She leaned forward, bracing her hands on the blanket, and slowly crawled toward him. When she was only a breath away, she paused.

  “And will this affliction ever go away?” she whispered.

  He knew what she asked…would he ever grow tired of her. He supposed it was a legitimate question considering he had entertained so many women. What she didn’t realize was that he had grown bored of the many, many women. But this…this thing with Elizabeth, whatever it was, felt entirely foreign, entirely new and entirely welcome. “It’s highly unlikely.”

  “I see.”

  Her lashes lowered as she leaned forward. Her lips brushed his and heat shot down his body, straight to his cock. It started out as a gentle kiss, her lips merely feathering across his, but she soon grew bolder. He forced himself not to deepen the kiss but to let her take charge. When she did, he almost cried out in relief. Her arms snaked around his shoulders, and she tilted her head. She slid her tongue across his bottom lip, a trick she had learned from him.

  Unable to stop himself, Gideon wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her body so she straddled his lap, her silky gown bunched up around her pale thighs. Pure heaven. Elizabeth moved her hands down his chest, pressing gently until he fell back onto the blanket.

  He didn’t mind his position, for
he could see her all the better. Her tight nipples pressed to her thin gown, demanding attention. The urge to flip her over and delve into her tightness overwhelmed him, but he refused to give in to that basic desire. He would allow her to be in control just this once. Perhaps twice.

  Wantonly, she lowered over him, her breasts brushing his chest. Gideon gritted his teeth, unsure if it was pain or pleasure he felt. Perhaps both. When her warm mouth pressed to his neck, he all but groaned. And so the torture began. Gideon focused on the glass ceiling above, determined to keep control of his desires. As she slid her hands under his shirt, her fingers splaying over the muscles and ribs, he no longer cared. His arms wrapped around her body, his hands traveling down her back and cupping her sweet ass. He drew her hips close to his hard cock, sliding her body over his.

  “What about your plans to go to America?” she whispered, breathless.

  He met her gaze, tired of the lies, tired of the pretense. “America was a mere means of escape.”

  She paused, her tongue darting out to lick her lower lip. The look of sexual haze in her green eyes brought a smile to his lips. He did this to her…brought her to the peak of desire.

  “And you don’t wish to escape anymore?” She seemed confused, as if trying desperately to understand their conversation. She was a veritable goddess and he would do her bidding.

  Dare he be honest? Dare he speak from his soul for the first time in over fourteen years? The thought terrified him, yet he had sworn to hold nothing back tonight. “No,” he said in a rush of air. “I have too much to lose now.”

  She dropped her gaze to his chest, her fingers finding the buttons on his shirt. “And you do have so much now, so much that you deserve. Your title, your home.” She smiled. “You have a heritage.”

  “No.” He took her hands in his, stopping her movements. Startled, she met his gaze. “I have a family, and that is why it’s worth staying.”

  She looked rather stunned once more. He could feel her heart thundering madly against his chest, or maybe that was his heart trying to break free. He wished she would say something, anything. Instead of speaking, she did something much more powerful. She lowered her head and pressed her lips to his fingers, right across the scars. His chest felt tight, his heart aching. No one had ever touched him there. Women were either repulsed by the scars or infatuated with the dangerous air it gave him. He suddenly wanted to be a warrior for her, a bloody knight in shining armor.

  Gideon cupped the sides of her face, desperate for her to understand. “She will arrive here soon. I have no doubt, but I promise to protect you.”

  Her eyes filled with tears that glistened in the lamplight.

  Confused, he wasn’t sure what to say or do to ease her obvious pain. “What is it?”

  She gave him a wavering smile. “I’ve been so alone for so long. When Mr. Ashton entered our lives, I thought that for once I could finally have the family I’d craved. Then he died, leaving us alone once more. I’m so tired of fighting, Gideon. So tired of being alone.”

  The resolve within strengthened. He trailed a finger down the side of her neck where the skin was so pale he could see the delicate blue veins. “I swear you will never have to worry again. I will see to it.”

  Her lips parted, and he knew she was going to ask him how he would see to their protection. Because he didn’t want to explain, he cradled the back of her head and drew her forward. Their lips met, and lightning shot through his hard body. He couldn’t get enough of her. His body felt afire, his soul alive for the first time in years. He was utterly and completely desperate. Her skin seemed to burn him through the satiny material of her gown as he pressed his palms to her back and urged her closer.

  “God, I want you,” he whispered, his voice rough with desire. “I want to be inside you. I dream of sinking into your heat every night.”

  Instead of blushing over his wicked words, Elizabeth merely sighed, arching her hips against his. And he did want her, she could no doubt feel the proof in his steely erection pressing between her thighs. He reached up, drawing the satiny material off her shoulders until her breasts were free. His hands slid up her back and he gently pushed her toward him.

  “Beautiful.” His mouth covered a hard nipple.

  Elizabeth groaned, a beautiful sound that sent his pulse racing. He could practically smell the attraction on her. His hands slid up the insides of her thighs, needing to touch her and to know for himself if she was ready. When his finger slipped between the soft curls sheltering her femininity, her entire body shuddered.

  “Oh, Gideon,” she whispered.

  Damn, she was wet. So very ready for him. She frantically pushed the shirt from his shoulders, those soft fingers dancing over his skin. The raw hunger in his body consumed him. Unable to stand it a moment longer, he found the hem of her satiny gown, drawing it up her body and over her head. She was completely and utterly naked. A golden beauty.

  Elizabeth pushed herself upright, sitting patiently atop him as he took his fill. His gaze slid from her full lips to that pulse pounding in the side of her neck. Lower…to her soft breasts as they rose and fell with each harsh intake of breath. Her skin glowed softly under the lamplight and there, surrounded by plants, she looked like a goddess of nature. Much too good for him. But he didn’t care. Selfishly he would take her, and he had a horrible feeling he would never grow tired of the woman.

  With a wicked grin, she pulled the white flower from her hair and trailed the soft petals down his stomach. Gideon’s muscles jumped, tightening. He couldn’t take much more of her torment.

  “You’re a veritable god,” she whispered, her words wrapping around his heart and squeezing.

  She dropped the flower to the side, and her hands went to the waistband of his trousers. Gideon’s entire world faded. There was no past to be ashamed of, there was no future to worry over, there was only the here and now. She pulled open his trousers, and his cock sprang free. The pupils in her eyes flared, a soft gasp parting her lips. Gideon could merely hold his breath as he waited to see what she would do next. When she wrapped her fingers around his erection, he almost cried out with the pure pleasure of her touch.

  “Do you enjoy me?” she asked.

  “Oh God, yes.” Gideon gritted his teeth, arching against the blanket. “You’ll bloody be the death of me.”

  With a wicked grin, she moved her hands slowly down and then up the shaft. Gideon groaned as white-hot pleasure burned through is body. The fire within his body flared, the aching need twisted low in his groin. She was killing him. Killing him with her sweet body and even sweeter hands. Her fingers moved ever so slowly up his shaft, and when she cupped that thickened bulb, he almost spilled in her hands.

  “Enough,” he growled.

  Dear Lord, what was wrong with him? He had no control, and she knew it. She gave him a sly grin, beautiful with her power. He’d never given any woman control over his body, but he couldn’t seem to help himself with Elizabeth and it scared the hell out of him.

  She moved up his body, crawling over him like a cat prowling her domain. Where had this woman come from? The power had gone to her head and she had never been lovelier. She slid her legs on either side of his hips and took his cock in hand. Her movements were natural, desire giving her the courage to lead.

  She lowered her hips, the tip of his erection pressing to her entrance. Gideon groaned, resisting the urge to lift up into her. Slowly, ever so slowly, she slid down the length of him. So damn deep he nearly exploded with his need for release.

  “Good God, please,” he gritted out, prepared to beg.

  She shifted, settling atop him once more. He shuddered with repressed lust. She was riding him like he was a damn mount, sliding her warm heat over his cock. Every movement of her hips threatened to destroy his world, his life.

  Gideon gripped her hips and surged upward, meeting her thrust for thrust. She could have his body, his soul. She could have any bloody thing she wanted as long as she stopped tormenting him. F
rantically they moved together, finding a natural rhythm that only heightened the pleasure until it was unbearable. Elizabeth cried out, her head tilting back. The pure ecstasy that crossed her beautiful face sent him over the edge. He felt her body tighten around him and reached for heaven at the same time.

  With a groan, Gideon lifted his hips and lost himself in a world of white-hot pleasure. His seed burst from his body and into her womb. But he wasn’t done, he needed more. Frantic to be deeper, he rolled her onto her back and surged into her. Elizabeth cried out, her arms tightening around his shoulders as her body quivered for a second time.

  Why, dear God, did the thought of her carrying his child not frighten him? He collapsed atop her sleek body, her breath harsh against his neck. He felt connected to her in a way he’d never felt connected to anyone. Nothing mattered. There were no problems when they were together. There was no worry or guilt, or shame of the past. There was only hope for a future.

  Gideon groaned, resting his forehead to the blanket. Hell, he had a horrible, terrible feeling that he was actually starting to fall in love with his wife.

  Chapter 18

  For three days they lived in relatively uneventful, completely predictable peace. And for those three days of peace, Gideon had settled himself away in Mr. Ashton’s study, barely to be seen. If it weren’t for the very sparkle of awareness that his presence brought with it, Elizabeth would have thought she’d had the house to herself. But no, even though he practically resided in the far reaches of the massive estate, so far away that he might have been in another country, she could still sense him. And although he’d avoided her bedchamber and her bed, she’d been continually drawn to him despite her pride.

  Yes, she’d found many excuses to see the man. On the first day she’d ventured in to ask if he needed help with the paperwork, to which he’d declined. But she wasn’t one to give in. When that hadn’t worked, she’d insisted the kitchen staff let her know when he rang for tea or a meal so that she might offer her services. She was desperate and ridiculous indeed if she had resorted to serving once more just to see her husband.