Page 69 of Master of Paradise
She squealed and begged him to stop.
He walked around to stand in front of her andheld out his arms. "Jump," he invited. "Trust me."
Always ready for a dare, she let go of theswing and sailed laughing through the air.
He caught her in strong arms and lifted herhigh as he swung her about, and then gathered her to his heart. Hisblood was up and it took all his willpower to stop himself fromsinking to the warm earth and ravishing her. With an effort he sether feet down, and they walked through the topiary trees that castpeculiar shadows across the lawns, some amusing, some sinister.
"Amanda," he hesitated, "has this marriagemade things awkward for you with your friends?"
She smiled a secret smile. "They have beenpea-green with envy, and I'm only just beginning to learn why. Theycovet you!"
"We mustn't let anyone know we are in loveAmanda. It would cause a scandal because of your age, and thoughthat wouldn't bother me in the slightest, it would hurt you.
"I savor the secrecy; it has a strangeexcitement," she admitted.
He murmured, "Love snatched in a garden isdoubly sweet." He brushed the tendrils back from her temples. "Yourhair fascinates me. I love to touch it and smell it." He lifted ahandful and touched his lips to it."
"I love your smell Nicholas. It's like wildcedar."
"The sense of smell has a lot to do with whomwe fall in love. In ancient Rome the young men were sosophisticated they used one perfume on the arm they would put abouta lady, and another on the shoulder where she might rest her head,and a different one yet upon the body."
"How would an ancient Roman kiss his lady?"she tempted.
"Like this." He drew her against his body.The kiss parted her lips and he caressed her with the tip of histongue. His embrace hardened and the kiss began to demand and thento take.
She drew back, wide-eyed. Her apprehensionwas mixed with anticipation, and he knew he must stop while hestill had a small measure of control.
Closer to the house, when he kissed hergoodnight, he made sure it was devoid of passion. He whispered hisdemand. "Tomorrow!"
She nodded her joyous acceptance.
Nicholas knew that once again he hadcondemned himself to the orgasm of a voluptuous dream, but he couldnot forego the delicious torture of these nights in the perfumedgarden.
Chapter Fifteen
Brandon showed up the next day and wasastounded to find Nicholas out on his land clearing the witheredstalks from the cotton crop. Also seedling pines and blackberrybrambles had to be constantly cleared out before they encroachedeverywhere. Things grew so quickly, it was a continuing battle tokeep ahead of the honeysuckle tangled with vines and smilax.
"Nick, 'fore God, I don't know what you dofor pleasure." He dismounted and handed the reins of his hunter toJim, his body servant.
Nick grinned. "Where are you off to?"
"I can't believe you've forgotten the horseracin' at the Vickers. Hellfire man, they have it every year on thesame day."
"I did forget, Bran. I intended to go." Hewiped the perspiration from his neck.
"Bettin' be high-- make yourself a pile ofmoney," Brandon tempted.
"I wanted to hear what the talk was regardingsecession." Nick reached for his shirt.
"You should have come to the corn roast lastnight. All the talk was of this fellow Lincoln that's campaignin'for President. Doc Caldwell thinks he's gonna win the election, butthe rest of the men think the Democrats have it sewn up."
Nicholas shook his head. "There's one hell ofa time coming if Lincoln gets in. If you can wait while I bathe andchange, we'll come with you to the races. I expect the girls wouldenjoy it."
"I can wait," Brandon said with a laugh, butmy sisters are another matter entirely."
"Leave it to me. You have to be masterfulwith women," he said with a wink. "Brute, take over here. Make sureyou do two more fields before you let them quit. Ben," he calledacross the clearing, "go wash up, I want you to drive the carriageover to the Vickers place."
"Lord God, Nick, you let a field hand driveour ladies? It's a wonder Jennifer doesn't refuse to go. Fieldhands stink musky!"
