Bold Seduction (15 page)

Later they shared a hearty breakfast. After wiping his mouth on the napkin, Spence raised to his feet. “Join me in my study at two o’clock, will you?” He gave her a formal bow and a sly grin, then strode from the room.

What is he up to?

* * * *

Spence found it hard to concentrate on his research these last few hours. Instead he packed up a few of his maps and books. Regardless of the outcome of their discussion later tonight he decided he would not be staying here at the manor. If Phil stubbornly insisted on leaving him, he could not bear to reside here without her. She would haunt every cobwebbed crevice. Her husky voice and passionate moans would echo in the musty hallways of not only this manor, but his mind. Her scent would permeate and sear his senses, driving him insane with heartbreak and loss.

Leave it to him to drown in maudlin thoughts. He would not concede defeat as yet. There remained a little time to show her they were a perfect fit--and not only physically. He pulled back the curtains and gazed across the barren property. The sun made the snow glitter with the twinkle of a thousand diamonds. Quite a lot had melted the last twenty-four hours. With the road more passable, no doubt Boyle would arrive in the morning.

If she turned down his proposal, he could not ride in the wagon with her. How awkward. He could pay the man a king’s ransom to return for him in the afternoon. The trip took a little over an hour, though it probably would take longer because of the snow. He would purchase his own horse and carriage large enough to accompany his prized possessions and friends--his books and his dogs. Penhaven would be an adequate place to recover from his broken heart. Overwhelming emotions caused a knot to form in his throat. Years ago, he retreated inside his own world to avoid being hurt further. No one outside of his family would ever reach the most vulnerable part of him--his heart. But Philomena did, in no time at all. Though he hid his emotions for years, the stark truth lay before him, he felt far too much. He loved Phil with a savage fierceness that was damned startling in its depth. He would be utterly devastated and shattered at her departure. A broken man.

What if she agreed to stay with him? His heart leapt with joy at the possibility. He could go to the village with Boyle, and with purchased transportation, return to the manor. Phil would wait at the front entrance with Theodora and Justinian standing at either side of her. God, how he longed for such a scenario. Someone to greet him. His woman. His love. With a shaky sigh, Spence stepped away from the window. He had become a romantic fool. Apparently he loved Phil far more than he did his books, antiquities, and wolfhounds, or this place for that matter. Yes, a shocking discovery indeed.

A soft knock sounded at the door, and Phil slipped in, carrying a basin and a bundle of towels. “I know it is not two o’clock as yet, but I thought you would like a shave.”

Justinian woofed gently in greeting at her arrival. Phil cooed a greeting in return. His dog was quite besotted with her, and he could not blame him. Today she wore the beautiful burgundy gown that adorned her glorious curves New Year’s Eve along with a large white apron to protect the fancy garment. Phil motioned to the chair. He sat obediently as she wrapped a small towel about his neck. “Do you mind if I move a few of these books off the desk for the basin and implements?”

His insides clenched at the request, but he fought the urge to react negatively. Spence must show control in these situations, especially if the possibility of a future together became a reality. He swallowed back his anxiety and answered in as calm a voice as he could muster. “Please do.”

Spence tried not to watch as she gathered up his research, but he could not help himself. Phil did treat his possessions with care as she relocated them to the opposite side of the desk. Small beads of perspiration popped out at his hairline, but he remained composed at least on the outside.

She retrieved the basin of water from the small table, placed it on the desk, opened the bundle, and laid his shave soap and razor on a towel.

“Relax, Spence. All is well.”

She stood behind him and ran her hands through his hair. The effect pacified his sparking nerves, turning his anxiety into immediate arousal. All Phil had to do was touch him and he hardened with desire. She trailed her fingers slowly down to his temples where she rubbed them in small circles.

“There, my dear Professor. Be at peace,” she whispered.

Spence laid his head back where it cushioned against her ample bosom. He relaxed instantaneously at her gentle command. The instinct she showed at handling his peculiar anxieties only made him love her more. He closed his eyes as she spread the shaving soap across his cheeks and along his chin.

The calm atmosphere in the room heightened with the sound of wood crackling in the hearth and the dogs slight snores the only noise. Her warmth, scent, and the scrape of the blade against his whiskers added to the resonance.

“Promise me you will remain clean shaven.”

“Perhaps you should stay with me to ensure that I do.”

She halted. For a brief moment he wondered if she would give him a little nick in admonishment, but with an exhale of breath, she continued her task. Nor would she acknowledge his statement. Better to remain silent for now. Spence banished all thoughts from his mind and reveled in the attention. She laid a warm towel on his face, then stepped back.

“Perfect timing. The clock is about to chime twice. Now, why was I summoned to your private lair?” There was a teasing lilt in her voice, and he liked it.

Spence tossed the towel on the desk and pulled her into his lap. She laughed as she threw her arms about his neck.

“I summoned you because I want to”--he leaned in and whispered--“fuck you. Right here. Straddle me.” He reached in his side pocket and laid two envelopes on his desk. “I planned ahead.”

Phil kissed his freshly shaved cheek, then lifted her gown and swung around to face him. “As did I, Spence.” She rolled her hips across his hardened cock. “No chemise, corset, or other barriers. I am naked under this gown.” She rubbed against him. The wetness of her coated his trousers, which caused him to moan as his insides dipped and rolled with desire.

In no time at all they freed his erect prick and rolled on the sheath. She gazed down at him, her brown eyes moist but playful. He grasped his cock and held it steady as she plunged down, taking him all.
Oh, sweet mother.
Phil rocked forward and he lifted his hips in concert with her advances. The pace grew frantic as did their groans of passion. He kissed her and their tongues met in a fiery clash. They moved faster.

Without any forethought at all he stood with Phil still buried deep within. He leaned forward and laid her on the desk. Her hair fanned out across the surface like a spilled bottle of ink. He kept thrusting. With each driving push, the basin of water teetered unsteadily with some sloshing over the sides. A few books fell to the floor. He did not care. He focused on his desire to possess Phil; she was all that mattered, all he yearned for. He claimed her as if he was a warrior of old. Spence felt a little medieval and reveled in it.

Phil writhed in desire. Spread open in invitation. He hooked his arms under her knees and plunged deeper leaning in and changing the angle of thrust. Phil cried out her release, but he hardly heard it. He became lost on a magical plane of mist, flashing colors, and lights.
Madness.
But if this is madness, he welcomed and embraced it. He held nothing back as he pounded harder as if reaching for something. At last, the colored lights burst into shards as his orgasm slammed him hard. His back arched and the cords in his neck pulled tight. When he regained a little semblance of control, he reached for Phil, bringing her to a sitting position, and hugged her close.

“My God, Phil. How can you even consider leaving? We would not find this with anyone else no matter how far and wide we searched.”

She stiffened in his embrace and pushed him back until his cock slipped out. He hurriedly tucked his sheathed shaft into his trousers.

“I cannot be Theodora to your Justinian.”

The coolly spoken words sliced his heart in two as cleanly as any sharpened blade. He stumbled back and fell into the chair. “Why ever not?”

She lowered her gown, but remained sitting upright facing him. “That happened hundreds of years ago in another era. Perhaps whore-companions were more accepted then. They are not in this age. Let us say your family for some unknown reason accepts me. We are at a dinner and a corpulent earl waddles into the parlor. He is one of my former customers. He calls me out for the harlot I am.” She exhaled. “Society does not forgive or forget. Not only will you be tainted, but your family as well. I will not subject you all to such humiliation.”

A slow roll of anger passed through him, flaming his insides. It took all his inner control, at least what little he possessed, to tamp it down.

“I abhor damned dinners and society, and I am not acquainted with any corpulent earls! We need never to cross their paths.”

“Even at that, you must realize you cannot bring your mistress to a family dinner or event. Your father is a duke! A bloody duke! That is one or two steps away from the crown in importance!” Her voice began to rise. Shrill in its emotional fervor.

“What do I care what my father thinks! Who said anything about being my mistress?”

“I had considered consenting to be your mistress for an agreed term.”

“To the devil with that suggestion! I want you for my wife. My companion. My friend and lover.”

She shook her head vehemently. “No. You cannot marry me. It is not to be borne, nor will it be accepted by anyone. You know this. I have thought this through, and the only way is for me to be your mistress. We enjoy each other’s company and get on in bed. What more can we ask for? Being with you this past week has given me insight into the man you are. Honorable and sensitive, but commanding and passionate. Yes, and eccentric. I can learn what is forbidden with regard to your possessions and such. We can agree on payment…”

Spence grasped her shoulders tight. “Cease this. I will not pay for your services. I lo…”

“No. Do not say the words, or I will shatter into pieces. I am leaving in the morning. It is best for us both,” she whispered.

The wave of utter devastation that moved through him could not be put into words. “Am I so strange then that the thought of sharing my life is abhorrent?” He could not keep the hurt from his voice.
Let her hear it.

She leaned in and cupped his cheeks. “My dear Professor. I desire nothing else
but
to share your life; it is the reason I have to go. In time you will come to realize I was right.”

He grasped her wrists and removed her hands from his face. “You mean to destroy us both with your fright. You are scared witless to feel anything. To reach out and take happiness and hold it in your heart. You would sooner walk away.” He released her wrists. “Go then. I thought you to be courageous. I was wrong.” His voice shook as his eyes grew moist. “Go! I will not stop you!” he yelled.

Phil ran from the study, slamming the door behind her. Spence slumped in his chair. A lone tear snaked down his cheek. For the first time in his life he allowed himself to feel for another. Turns out, he should have stayed in his protective shell where no one or nothing could hurt him. He took a chance on love, and it detonated his heart and soul into a pile of smoldering ash.

The rest of the afternoon passed by with a numbing blur. Phil lay on the bed in her room, alternately crying or cursing as the sun set. She heard his footsteps a few times and stilled waiting for him to burst through the door, but he’d let her be. He certainly did not remain quiet. Doors slammed and his heavy tread could be heard on the stairs more than once. Perhaps he’d taken the dogs for a walk. Regardless, she did not leave her room, not even to prepare supper for them both.

Phil
knew
their time together would end with a heated argument and high words. Bloody hell--he nearly declared his love for her. Why couldn’t he understand that what she did was for his benefit more than hers? She loved him enough to protect him from the life he would have if she stayed with him.

Oh, how she hurt. Her insides roiled as wave after wave of nausea clutched her tight. Alone in the darkened room she wondered if she made the right decision. Spence called her a coward, and had the right of it. She was scared sick. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. The plan had been for her to remain impartial and emotionally removed from the paid task. How and when did it all go wrong?

She pulled the quilt over her and rolled into a ball. The first time she met him, his voice aroused her, then the next flutter of attraction happened when she’d cut his hair and shaved him several hours later. He captivated her in all ways. With regard to her deeper, hidden emotions, they stuttered to life when she cupped him intimately in the kitchen and he spent in his trousers. The potent mixture of virile male and muted vulnerability touched her deep in a part of her soul she thought long dead.

Those complicated feelings grew from there with each roll and pitch of his rich, baritone voice, gentle touch, and caring actions. Never mind his lovemaking only increased in depth and significance each time they joined. She moaned as she remembered how a few hours ago he laid her on his desk and rogered her quite masterfully. Weariness claimed her and she drifted off to sleep as the tears dried on her cheeks.

* * * *

Phil awoke with a start. She lay in complete blackness. After fumbling for the matches on the end table, she struck one and lit the candle. Holding it aloft, she scanned the room. The ancient clock on the wall read fifteen minutes past seven. Her stomach grumbled, reminding her she had not eaten since breakfast.

She pulled the gown over her head and laid it at the end of the bed. The garment was made in such a way she could slip it on and off without undoing all those blasted buttons, though she didn’t tell Spence that little tidbit of information New Year’s Eve. Instead she allowed herself to enjoy the slow and deliberate way he touched and kissed her as he unfastened each button.