Page 91 of Master of Paradise
"You, my darlin', have a rendezvous withdestiny. I believe the maze is still on the far side of the rosegarden."
"You didn't really expect me to meet youthere?" she asked in shocked tones.
"I do believe you're teasing, for which Iclaim a forfeit."
As they slipped inside the dark greenlabyrinth, she lifted her skirts and ran. He pursued her with alaugh deep in his throat. Each knew the maze by heart, and soon hehad her trapped by the fountain, which suited her purpose exactlyas it did his.
His arms went about her and he crushed her tohim, and felt the slow curl of heat in his belly.
She lifted her arms high behind his head andfitted her body closely to his. The force and power of his bodymade her feel totally feminine, and his vital energy and strengthmade her aware of her own defenselessness against him.
His head came down and his lips tookpossession of her mouth so fiercely, she thought she would bebruised, but she gave herself up to him, forgetting the pain, inthe pleasure his mouth brought her.
"My love, my love, I swear this ache hasgrown worse each day we've been apart." He freed one soft breastand dipped his head to taste the luscious fruit. "Let me undressyou," he begged hoarsely.
She demurred softly. "I'm afraid,Nicholas."
"My honeysuckle, no one will come." Hestripped off his shirt and breeches and stood naked before her. Themoon was hidden for the most part by sultry clouds, and the mazeformed a darkened chamber that enclosed them and shut out theworld. He reached for her hands and guided them to caress his barechest covered with its crisp pelt of curls.
She became more bold, and began to explorehis body as she had longed to do. She regretted that she could notsee his bronzed magnificence, but she could feel him and smell theclean, masculine skin. Then she licked his nipples that tasted ofsalt and sunshine. Her hands explored lower to his iron-likethighs, then she slid her hands up and cupped him.
Nicholas groaned with the exquisitesensations her touch brought him. He took her hand. "Let me showyou," he whispered. He circled her fingers about his shaft andshowed her how to touch him with featherlike strokes.
She made no protest this time as he began toundress her.
He always marveled at her response to him, sorich and passionate. He placed his hands on her thighs and liftedher high above him, then let her slide down his body and onto histhrobbing, hard cock.
She moaned at his entrance and wrapped herlegs about his back.
He clasped his hands behind her waist tosupport her back, and whirled her round and round.
The intensity of her climax made her collapseagainst him, and he went to his knees in the grass and cradled heruntil she had the strength to move.
Together they went into the fountain, and hecupped the water and lifted it to refresh her heated body. Suddenlythe moon came out to silver the water and trace its light acrossher silken limbs.
The sight of her sent desire flaming throughhim, and he lifted her from the fountain and tumbled her beneathhim. She felt the grassy earth at her back and the hard, flatmuscles of his belly pressed against her, and it was a deliciouslylong, slow loving to bring her to climax again.
A cry came from her throat for all the worldlike some night bird; the scream of a peacock.
"I want a child," she whispered.
"No! It's out of the question,sweetheart.
She pictured the beautiful little girl withthe turquoise eyes, Nicole.
"Nicholas, please?"
"My God, no! I feel guilty enough about you,Mandy. I've shamelessly seduced you, totally disregarding yourtender years, but I won't allow you to have my child for a longtime yet. Besides, there's a war on. God knows what our futureholds. It would be totally irresponsible of me to get you withchild."
He sat on the edge of the fountain and helpedher to dress. He kissed her ear and whispered, "I brought you apresent from England. You'll find it under your pillow. It's doublyprecious now it's been smuggled through the blockade."
Amanda smiled a dreamy, secret smile into theshadowy darkness. She knew the present she wanted. She also knewwhat Nicholas said about a child was perfectly logical, and yet...and yet...
Chapter Nineteen
Brandon's departure for Virginia was awrenching experience for family and slaves alike. He rode off soeagerly with his body servant, Jim, beside him, that it broughttears to almost every eye.
Amanda patted Mammy Lou to comfort her. "Weneed our spirits lifting. Why don't we give Jennifer an engagementparty before Beau has to leave for Virginia?"
