Beth had never felt that way before, not that she had had any sort of experience to compare with, still it was exhilarating. She felt consumed, though she was not sure which was consuming her. The wine, or the kiss? Lord Carlisle's hand moved to the small of her back, while the other went still, away from her body. Good gracious, he was a marvellous kisser. She was pressed against his side and when he pulled her to himself, her hand fell onto his thigh.The fire crackled and the wind picked up, but Beth felt nothing from the outside, the fire within her had her heated, and his lips had her completely engrossed. She was hot, and deep between her thighs, she was starting to feel an ache, a sweet and upsetting ache that somehow she knew only Lord Carlisle could ease. His hand upon her waist contributed greatly to the sweet ache. Unconsciously, she wished he would move the hand underneath her skirt to ease the ache.He sat up straight, bringing her with him, kissing her deeply and more se
Her mouth opened up slowly, as it had dried up. The air was suddenly not enough for her to breathe. She licked her lips. His words, they set her heart and her body in motion, returning the ache with an even greater force. The weight on her lower abdomen dropped further. Her knees buckled and Lord Carlisle caught her waist, his hand pressing her to himself.Her hands fell on his muscled chest and she pressed her legs together. She could feel him, all of him. Beth was on fire and rightly so. She let her eyes linger again on his perfect lips and it was all she could do not to reach out. He kissed her.He did not regret it. He did not regret her. She was glad. And he desired her! He wanted her as much as she wanted him and his vulgar explanation was enough to make her want him even more. They could have the night; they could own the night. It would be filled with desire, illicit pleasure and wanton satisfaction. It would be theirs as the hill they stood on.But, the morning would be empty
He watched her blink and turn her face away, knowing she had blushed. Bethany Fitzgerald had never been kissed before. She had never known any man before. An unfamiliar feeling surged in him. Although almost impossible, his loins tightened even still.Of course he had suspected. She was always guided around people, protesting against marriage, and the kisses they had shared told him, but Charles had told himself otherwise, that whoever she had had before him was not a skillful kisser, and maybe not a great lover. He had been wrong. She looked innocent because she was innocent.She had never known passion, never known the pleasure a man could give her in bed. She had never felt the pleasure he wanted to give her at the moment. He groaned, already close to rapture. She was killing him even with her words.She chuckled peculiarly, regarding him closely, anxiously. "You are my first."Charles groaned quietly. How could her words be so careless? He removed his hands from her breasts and pl
He pulled out immediately and reared up over her, kissing her body, all the way to her wide-opened legs. "I want to make love to you, Beth." He kissed her centre. She exhaled and tried to move her legs, but he held her in place. "I desperately want to come inside you." He wanted to make her his. "But I fear I will hurt you."Shaking her head, she urged. "No, you won't. I once read that it hurts, but only for a moment. I am not scared, Lord Carlisle."He nodded to himself, promising to replace her book knowledge with true experience. He lifted his eyes. "Call me by my given name." He commanded; demanded. Then, he moved to lie by her, rubbing his throbbing head over her wet sex, knowing that she was his. He would make sure of that. "Call me as you did earlier."Beth obliged. "Charles."He covered her with his body and pushed in through the pressure. Looking deeply into the eyes, he drove in. He drove home.* * *The starless sky covered them with its dark cloak so no one would be privy
"You egocentric, half-witted man in heat!" Alexander cursed."Save it. There is nothing you could possibly say to me that I haven't said to myself." Charles drawled.Alexander scoffed. "I highly doubt that, you self-absorbed heartless bastard.""Enough with the name calling, Alexander." He asked of him, already a room away from rage.Charles was angry. He was beyond angry. There was tranquillity on the surface, but underneath, he was going berserk. How could she leave like that? How could it have easily ended for her? How could it end when he was only beginning? She regretted him when she had told that she didn't want him to regret her. It had been two days.Charles sat opposite the King in the study in his home, whilst Brand leaned against the wall by his brother. They were getting on his nerves, Alexander with his words, and Brand with his smile. Waking to find himself alone was surprising and upsetting enough, he couldn't entertain the patience for Alexander to further taunt and pr
"Did you force your thoughts on her?" He heard from a distance.Charles was disgusted and he couldn't hide it. "She asserted." He held back. "She was a mutual participant.""Which is why you still live. If you had forced yourself on her," they held their glares. "we would not be having this conversation."Through clenched teeth and controlled anger, he said. "I am not a monster.""But one you most certainly will be, if you marry without the littlest of affections. Our parents were proof enough." Brand said."Father loved your mother." Alexander countered.Brand returned. "And hated yours who was his wife and Queen.""Father never shared any emotions whatsoever with my mother, but Carlisle is friends with the Lady in question here. Unlike Lady Cossington who he has not spoken to since the marriage contracts were drawn." The annoying smile returned.Silence reigned.A knock. Then the door opened. "Your Grace, your cigars have arrived." Thomas strode into the room and placed the box of c
Alexander disdainfully gave him a onceover. "How should I have the knowledge?"He had been played again. Charles grounded his teeth. "Alexander!" He called, getting up, totally enraged. He was being mocked. He stopped breathing, the rage choking him. With a deep exhale, he said. "I am not in the mood to be mocked!" He heaved. "If that is all you are going to do, I would rather you leave."Alexander's head tilted. "Are you asking your King off your Estate?""I am asking my friend, my very annoying friend, off my land."Brand was frozen in place, staring, anticipation in his gaze. He was waiting, bidding the moment they would come to blows, but Charles refused him the entertainment. The latter walked away, wondering why he was enraged. Nothing, no one could faze him so why was the very idea of Beth being ridiculed annoying to him?"Shame. I was expecting a duel." Brand said. Charles turned furious to see Alexander sparing the young Prince a mean look as well. "Alright then. Best we all
"What?!" Her skirt dropped as her eyes popped; he feared they might about fall out of their sockets.A harsh sound escaped him. "And I did fraternize with her."She grabbed hold of the table. "I beg your pardon!""And she could be with my child." He finally added."Charles!" Lady Marjorie collapsed into her chair, then held up her hand to stay whatever he was to say next, but Charles was done. He was now more scared of Beth's reaction. His mother supported her head with her hand and massaged gently on her temple. "If you intend to humour, this is not funny." He made no movement. "You couldn't possibly be serious?! How can you sit still after telling me so much in so little time?!" She exhaled, fanning herself with her hand.There was a storm inside him, but he would be damned if he let anyone see it. He rose and walked to the other side of the table, only to sit on the edge of it, his hands resting on it. "Mother_"She put her hand up to stop him. "Let me a minute, would you?" She tap