Page 89 of The Moonstone Hero
“No, he and Ella will have more to say to each other. They are still betrothed and have the right to some privacy.” She then surprised Ella by nudging her father out of his study. He was not happy about it, but this was how their marriage worked. She supported him in every way, and in turn, he denied her nothing because she demanded so little of him.
Also, her father had to realize that everyone already believed she and Caden had shared some intimate moments. He was a gorgeous man and a war hero. Who was going to resist him? She was certain to be accused of giving herself to him, so why should she not be permitted something out of it?
“Keep this door open, Ella,” her father warned. “Merrick is going to be standing right outside and will hear everything that goes on.”
“Yes, Papa.”
“I won’t stay long,” Caden assured him. “Your butler is eager to close up the house and return to his bed.”
The moment her parents and Imogen went upstairs, Caden drew Ella out of view of the doorway and lightly pinned her against the bookshelves lining the back wall. He placed a finger to her lips to warn her to keep quiet, then replaced his finger with the exquisite touch of his lips.
His mouth was so beautifully shaped and fit against hers perfectly.
“Ella. My sweet, lovely Ella.” He deepened the kiss, turning it fiery. At the same time, he took her hands and held them above her head in an unmistakable gesture of possession.
Yes, he possessed her heart. This man overwhelmed her, and she burned for him. How could she ever desire anyone else?
She inhaled the manly scent of him, the sandalwood on his skin and the hint of brandy on his breath.
“Don’t move, love,” he whispered as she squirmed against him, trying to get closer. He kissed her again, then moved lower, kissing her throat, her neck, the swell of her bosom. “Mercy, Ella,” he said with a soft chuckle, “you will push me over the edge if you keep wriggling against me.”
He licked along her throat.
Oh, that tongue of his…so hot and teasing.
She melted against him, no longer able to hold herself up. He held both of her hands in one of his so the other would be free to trace the curves of her body. She shivered with pleasure as his calloused fingers stroked and glided along the silk fabric and then slid into her bosom to caress her warm skin.
Her eyes flew wide open. “Caden…”
“Hush, love. I want to memorize you.” He kissed her on the lips again. “No matter what is decided tomorrow, I want this remembrance of you.”
He then shocked her by nudging down the bodice of her gown. Her eyes widened further, and she stared at him as he put his mouth to her breast and turned her body molten with the suckle of his lips and the flick of his tongue. An intense heat suddenly formed between her legs, an ache to have him touch herthere. But he did not move his hand lower, and instead eased off her with a groan, then lovingly readjusted her bodice.
She moaned softly and closed her eyes. “Oh, sweet heaven, Caden.”
He groaned. “I had better stop.”
“Don’t.”
He shuddered. “Ella, I am never going to walk away from you.Never.We will be married. Whether it happens at Christmastide or later, itwillhappen.”
“Sooner is also a choice. Tomorrow, if you are willing, because delaying the wedding only places me more at risk.”
“Yes, tomorrow. If your father agrees to it. Upon my word of honor. Now close your eyes. I want to kiss you again before I leave,” he whispered, and then seared her with a farewell kiss that left her shattered, because she sensed he had already made up his mind. He was going to insist on breaking off their betrothal, just as her father wished.
She whispered his name and buried her fingers in his hair. “Don’t leave me, Caden. Please. I don’t mean just for tonight. Ifyou love me, then fight for us. Don’t let others tear us apart, even my own well-meaning father.”
How could he abandon her when he loved her and his touch was so exquisite?
“Ella, love,” he said with a whispered ache, “don’t make this more difficult than it needs to be.”
“Difficult, Caden? Dear heaven.” She wasn’t certain, but a book might have fallen off a shelf as she began to cry. The soft thud as it hit the floor must have brought him back to his senses. He drew off her with an aching groan, his eyes dark and wild as he stared at her body. He kissed her again, the touch of his lips light and reverential.
“Don’t cry, sweetheart. Please, it will all turn out right. I give you my word of honor. Do you think this is any easier for me?” He released her and eased away. “Your hair has come undone.”
All of her had come undone, not just a few wayward strands of hair.
She stood there feeling so helpless.
