LucienHe strode into the room, oblivious of the electrifying effect he always had, carrying himself with authority, fierce pride, and a confidence that was hard won.He had made the decision to break off his journey and return home before he had spent half a week in Brussels. His associates had been disappointed but he had brought James Schwartz with him and Handsome James, though not as powerful a substitute, could be safely trusted to make sure that his allies could be counted upon and the final deal inked without any hassles.The thought of his Woman in danger had actually made him change his mind. He was aware that he was growing old and with the kind of life he was leading, walking on the cusp of danger and violence, he did not know when he would be killed…he wanted to make the most of his life with the one person he loved dearly. True, he loved his children and yes, also Paddy, in a detached sort of way. But Proserpina? She was the one he lived for, he reflected as his cavalcad
LucienHe strode into the room, oblivious of the electrifying effect he always had, carrying himself with authority, fierce pride, and a confidence that was hard won.He had made the decision to break off his journey and return home before he had spent half a week in Brussels. His associates had been disappointed but he had brought James Schwartz with him and Handsome James, though not as powerful a substitute, could be safely trusted to make sure that his allies could be counted upon and the final deal inked without any hassles.The thought of his Woman in danger had actually made him change his mind. He was aware that he was growing old and with the kind of life he was leading, walking on the cusp of danger and violence, he did not know when he would be killed…he wanted to make the most of his life with the one person he loved dearly. True, he loved his children and yes, also Paddy, in a detached sort of way. But Proserpina? She was the one he lived for, he reflected as his cavalcad
ProserpinaWe lay in each other’s arms for a long while after we had made passionate love. Lucien had tried to be as gentle as he could possibly be and I had felt the tears rolling down as I reveled in his attempts to be tender.‘Woman…,’ he groaned as he thrust into me, trying not to be forceful till I gripped his face between my hands and giggled,‘Lucien Delano, I am not made of glass, you know.’He looked at me, a look of astonishment briefly flitting over the craggy features before he thrust into me powerfully. I threw my head back as he plundered my womb and I felt the excitement grow, the familiar tingling spreading to my toes.’This is what you need, eh?’ he grunted hoarsely as I lay beneath him, panting and writhing, totally at his mercy, my body welcoming his rough invasion of my wet, throbbing sex.Later, spent and satisfied, I watched the long shadows of the evening slip in through the curtains as the world outside darkened.Lucien lay, a hirsute arm, heavy and muscled, th
Hila came awake slowly, feeling as though her entire body was wracked with pain. She had been delirious, sobbing, screaming, and every time, she felt warm arms enclosing her, holding her and smoothing her hair, whispering softly, soothing her. Her eyes fluttered open and with a sinking feeling, she realized that she was in a familiar place. The place where Piers Delano had kept her imprisoned, the Delano Town House.Her throat was dry and she tried to call out weakly, but then, a figure rose from a corner of the room, and Pies Delano appeared in the circle of lamplight beside her head. He looked as handsome as ever, she thought, her body reacting to him immediately, and the dark growth of beard on his handsome face only made him look …sexier? A yearning grew in her, to see this man every day of her life but she clamped down on it hard.He moved to her, a glass of water in his hands, and gently lifted her head. The straw in the glass made it easier for her to drink and she inhaled the
Proserpina I sat numbly, as the horrible things Lucien had said played back in my mind.We had been together for many years now but it still wounded me when he said things that hurt.And yes, the way he had blamed me for Piers’s actions…I was furious with my son, true. But somehow, the manner in which Lucien had chosen to blame me entirely for that, made me feel wretched.I sighed and picked up Rudi. Turning to the nurse, I said quietly,’ Let’s go.’*Piers picked up the phone wearily.Ria’s angry voice assaulted him and wincing, he held the instrument away from his ears as she spat at him.But the last words took him by shock,‘…and Pappa blamed Mumma for it. You little…’He stopped her,” Wait, Wait, Ria. Why did he blame Mumma?’“Because she has been your biggest supporter, you idiot,’ she snapped, “And Pappa feels that you have been spoiled by her, all this while. Which is true.’She slammed down the receiver just as the doorbell chimed. Before he could move, the door had swung op
Proserpina In the silence that folowed, I realized that Lisa was staring at the doorway, a look of confusion on her pretty face. I whirled around as best as I could, rolling over on my stomach, and felt my head whirl.Lucien stood there in the doorway, his face cold and hard like stone.How much had he heard?His suit was crumpled and his shirt, pristine white as ever, unbuttoned to his waist. I crinkled my nose and thought that he still looked so hot.But his eyes were like cold chips of steel, holding me fixed to the floor. My shirt had ridden up to my upper thighs and I was distantly aware that I had nothing underneath it.But I simply could not care.*How long had he been standing there?I could not be bothered.Lifting my glass, I sang out tipsily, scrubbing off the errant tears,‘Well, look who’s come to visit us! Is it our lucky day or what?’Melissa giggled, and then both of us rolled on the floor, laughing hysterically. Dimly, I thought I heard the voice of Tristan Lord as h
After a quick shower, I felt better.Shuffling back to the huge bedroom, I wrapped myself in a pink fluffy bathrobe, too weary to search for clothes. The room I was in was unfamiliar and only a grim-faced man, one of Lucien’s men, had been around.I could make out a balcony beyond the heavy drape but I felt too tired to step out and investigate.Ria would take charge of things at home, I thought with a sigh; as for Piers…I closed my eyes and refused to think about my eldest son. He had crossed swords with his father and this time, I was definitely supporting Lucien. Though my heart went out to my child…I sighed and leaned back on the bed. My breasts felt heavy and I wished I could feed Rudi.The door was suddenly flung open and I started as Camille walked in, my littlest son in her arms. She beamed at me, taking in my face with a searching look and I flushed. Nothing ever got past her sharp gaze.I held out my arms to take my little boy who eagerly threw his podgy arms around me and
Later, we lay, I with my head on his arm, lazily tracing the hair that ran from his chest down to his thick, sated member.‘Schwartz wants to leave,’ he said bluntly, and I felt the pain in his words. The two of them, Handsome James and my husband had been together since forever. But I had sensed that the Scotsman, who I suspected loved me, was dissatisfied now. He had told me once that he longed to be back in his native Highlands. He had had enough of this life. Loyalty to Lucien and the deep affection and respect he had for my husband had kept him with us all these years.Raising myself on an elbow, I kissed my husband’s cheek and asked quietly, ’Why?’Lucien gave a short, humorless laugh.’ Mid-life crisis, he calls it. But,’ and here his hand, which had been stroking my shoulder, firmly gripped me as he growled.“He is in love with you, woman. And he knows he can only have you if I die. ‘His eyes were like silver slits, and I sighed, licking his flat nipple. He grunted and I knew