A Woman Made for Pleasure (39 page)
Chase lifted Millie onto the grassy shore and started rubbing her limbs. She was breathing, but she was a frightening shade of white. “Come on now, love. Wake up. I know you are cold, but I need you to open your eyes and speak to me. I thought you said you were an excellent swimmer.”
Chase stripped off her one remaining boot and her breeches and began to furiously massage her legs and feet. He moved to her arms. There was no response. Chase smoothed her hair away from her face. She was so pale, and her lips were an unnatural bluish gray. Tears began to fall. He leaned over and kissed her. It was soft, full of longing and love not yet realized. “Please, Millie. Please don’t leave me.”
Millie felt so cold and so tired. She didn’t want to wake. She wanted to be left alone in her misery. But the voice was pleading with her, and something inside her knew she had to respond. “I am an excellent swimmer, Charlie. It was the damn chest. It dragged me down, and I couldn’t let go until I knew he would go for it.”
Chase sat back, pulling her with him. She was going to make it. Millie had more fight in her than any man he had ever met. Sheer pride would see her through. “Indeed, my love. You are an excellent swimmer . . . without a chest.”
“I killed him.”
“No, the waters killed Edward. That and his greed.”
Millie shook her head against Chase’s chest. “No. I kicked him. I saw blood.”
Chase kissed her hair and replied, “You did the right thing, Millie. There is no way he could have survived these cold waters this long without help. It’s done. It’s over, my love.”
Millie coughed against his neck. She was still cold, but Chase’s brisk rubbing was helping to thaw her frozen limbs. She sniffed. “Aimee and Jennelle will be quite miffed about missing all the excitement. Never was there an adventure to compare with today.”
Glad she was alive, Chase could not find it in himself to be angry with her. “And never shall you experience an adventure like this again, my love. Not if I have anything to say about it.”
“I know you will not believe me when I say this . . . but I think I have had enough excitement for a while.”
He chuckled and kissed her wet hair. “I pray you are incorrect. I was hoping the adventure of becoming the next Marchioness of Chaselton might be of interest.”
Millie could not believe it. She was wet, cold, and shivering, and still she found herself physically drawn to this man. Suddenly she wanted nothing more than to strip naked, tear his clothes off, and make love to him. Too bad her limbs were too numb to agree. “I don’t know,” she drawled out in an obvious and mischievous manner. “Will it be interesting?”
Chase grinned and whispered into her ear, “I cannot guarantee the excitement of your days, but I promise you the evenings will forever be full of pleasure.”
“How about stimulating?”
“Very,” Chase said roughly, his pulse quickening.
“And thrilling?”
“Positively breathtaking.”
“Promise?” she asked, lifting her face to favor him with a blindingly bright smile.
“Yes, love. I promise,” he whispered as his lips closed roughly over hers, claiming them for his very own.
Epilogue
Chase stepped through the door into the dimly lit room. Despite the lack of light, he knew Millie was not there. His eyes darted toward the bedroom door. It was still locked. He tied his robe and went to the large glass doors that opened onto the balcony.
Chase caught his breath as he stepped through. He never thought he would ever again see anything more lovely than Millie when she had walked to his side earlier that day. The ceremony had been small, with just close friends and family, and she had looked breathtaking. But as his gaze took in the ethereal creature before him, he knew he had been wrong.
Millie’s hair hung down past her waist in waves of curls freed from their earlier constraints. The moonlight caught her face, highlighting the delicate cheekbones and perfectly shaped lips. He could barely think as he took in the tempting outline of her breasts, the pink erect nipples, and the dark triangle of black curls. He wondered if she knew how transparent her nightdress was and quickly decided never to tell her.
Unaware of Chase’s presence, Millie leaned against the column as she looked out at the Chaselton lands. Then she heard the click of the balcony doors and twisted slightly to watch Chase approach. Her deep lavender eyes were big and questioning in the shadows. She turned away, giving Chase a view of her vulnerable nape and her shapely figure.
He stepped in and hugged her from behind, nibbling at the inviting earlobe. “Why are you out here, love?”
Millie closed her eyes and bit her lower lip. She had thought to deal with her unease alone, but she had made promises today. Promises she believed in and would forever uphold. “I don’t think I can do this, Chase.”
“Do what?” His question was casual as he continued kissing her neck and then her shoulders. Her scent was like the lavender of her eyes. Intoxicating.
Millie twisted in Chase’s arms, and her eyes clung to his, imploring him to understand. “I cannot sleep in there. And I certainly cannot sleep with
you
in there,” she said, pointing at the wall concealing her bedroom.
you
in there,” she said, pointing at the wall concealing her bedroom.
Chase frowned, not comprehending.
Millie pursed her lips and tried again to explain. “That is your mother’s room. I have known your mother all my life. She befriended, believed in, and guided me.
She
is Lady Chaselton. That is her room, not mine. How can I possibly fill her shoes?” Tears started spilling. “There is no way I can sleep in there, Chase. Please do not ask it of me. I cannot do it.”
She
is Lady Chaselton. That is her room, not mine. How can I possibly fill her shoes?” Tears started spilling. “There is no way I can sleep in there, Chase. Please do not ask it of me. I cannot do it.”
Chase released a soft chuckle and hugged her gently to him. “Then you shall not.”
Millie pulled back and wiped away her tears. Her eyes were very wide as she searched his face. “I won’t?”
Chase smiled and brushed her lips with his own. “No, you won’t,” he whispered as he cradled the nape of her neck in his large hand and deliberately deepened the kiss.
Millie shivered in response. She wanted to know where she would sleep, but she couldn’t find her voice as Chase began to expand his assault on her throat.
A deep satisfaction swelled in Chase as he felt an undeniable wave of desire flare within her. Chase’s eyes burned with need. He caught Millie’s face between his palms and kissed her brow and the tip of her nose before capturing her mouth for a tender but possessive kiss.
Instinctively Millie curled her arms around his neck and pressed in close as his tongue probed the warmth of her mouth. A moan escaped her lips as she met his passion with her own.
His fingers closed around her in a crushing grip that spoke volumes about the fierce emotion coursing through him. Millie’s gasp only fueled the wave of desire exploding in his veins. Tonight he would make Millie his wife in every way.
Chase’s lips never left hers as he scooped her up in his arms and carried her through the balcony doors. Millie tensed, but whatever she was going to say was lost forever as Chase continued to seduce her mouth in a slow, seductive, and mind-numbing kiss.
He kicked open the door between their rooms and walked into his adjoining chambers. By the time he laid her down, crushing her into the soft bedding, Millie was barely aware of anything but him. She clutched his shoulders, her nails biting through his robe, and arched her back, pressing her breasts against him. Her body was eager to experience the incredible pleasure they had shared before.
His hands began to shake as they found and massaged her breasts through the fabric of her chemise. He brushed his thumb across her nipples, teasing them until they hardened into taut nubs. Millie shivered and moaned aloud.
“Chase, my God, what you do to me.”
Chuckling, he whispered, “Millie, it is you who has no idea what you do to me. I am going to know every morsel of you before this night is through.” He leaned in and framed her face with his hands. “Tomorrow morning, you will no longer wonder whether you are truly Lady Chaselton.”
Millie sighed, welcoming the gleaming possessiveness of his gaze. “I am not so sure, Chase. But I have no doubt whatsoever that I am yours.”
Chase looked into her lavender eyes and swallowed. He was drowning in the love swimming in those purple pools. “I love you, Mildred Aldon Wentworth,” he whispered, and bent his head and kissed her with a slow, inviting passion that prevented either of them from further discussion.
Slowly he exposed her bare skin as he began removing the delicate undergarment. His mouth was amazingly gentle as his tongue caressed every inch of skin he uncovered. She was so soft, so willing, and so responsive.
He trailed kisses along her jaw and neck, working his way down. He cupped her soft, perfect breast in his hand and sucked on the nipple. It hardened instantly. “Millie . . .” Her name was a soft growl as he gently eased her gown completely off, dropping tender kisses across her silken abdomen.
He removed his robe and forced himself to slow down. It had been a difficult feat to refrain from making love to her again until they were married. He was not going to rush things now that Millie was finally in his arms. The past few weeks had been hell—seeing her, knowing what it was like to touch her, but never being able to.
Eager to further inflame her passion, Chase brushed his teeth lightly across the taut nipples. Millie arched her back as a pleasant tension began to build deep inside her. She reached for him with a hunger only he could satisfy. She ached to touch him and have him touch her.
Chase could feel the curve of her hips press into his thigh and thought he would go out of his mind. He responded by moving his palm over the inside of her leg until he touched her damp softness. His hand possessively closed over her mound. Slowly he began stroking her in ways he knew would give her pleasure, teasing the areas where she was extra sensitive.
Millie flinched in response, but she did not pull away. She stretched and writhed under his light caress. Chase was barely touching her, and at the same time tormenting her, creating a rising need within her.
Chase let out a low, husky groan and entered her slowly with his finger. He could feel the heat of her, and he knew he would never have enough of this woman. Millie cried out softly when he at last eased a second finger gently inside her. He almost lost what was left of his self-control. She was tight, hot, and damp, and vibrating with liquid fire.
“Millie . . .” His voice was heavy with passion as he moved his fingers within her snug channel. “My lovely little Millie, how I need you.” He slid his finger back out of the tight passage and used her own dampness to lubricate her small, swelling button of desire. Again he slowly eased his fingers into her and then out, pausing to leisurely tease her female flesh. He did it again. And again.
Millie lifted herself against his hand, silently begging for more. Chase continued to stroke and tantalize her, riveted by her response. The delicious torment seemed to go on forever. Millie thought she would go mad. “Charlie, please. Oh, please . . .” she cried, clinging to him, pleading for more.
Chase’s manhood ached with pent-up need. Each time she arched her back, her breasts rubbed against his chest, and it throbbed even more. The desire he had worked so hard to conceal on the days leading up to their wedding had created a sense of urgency and aching hunger in him that only Millie could relieve.
He was shaking as his fingers urged her legs apart and he lowered himself over her. Straddling her hips, Chase stared down at her body, watching her chest rise and fall with her deep breaths. He had never experienced anything more rewarding in his life. “Millie, you are perfect.”
Millie felt the hard heat of Chase’s shaft against her leg. She gasped and instinctively opened her thighs farther. She wrapped her legs around him, pulling him toward her, urging him to make her his in every way.
His desire had become painful, and he could no longer restrain his release. Positioning his hips above hers, he eased himself slowly and deeply into her warm softness. Millie met him with an upward thrust of her hips. They were finally one.
He intended to go slow, but the sudden sensation of heat and tightness surrounding him was overwhelming. He plunged even deeper, sinking blissfully into the snug, wet channel of her body.
Millie felt him retreat slightly and then drive back into her. Her hands trembled as she gripped his shoulders. She had never felt this way before. Last time, Chase had held back. But tonight he demanded all, and Millie responded by giving her body and soul to him. She rocked against him, taking him deeper and deeper inside her.
Chase tried to control the depth of his steady thrusts, but Millie’s arms and legs gripped him. Her scent filled him, overwhelming his awareness. He plunged again, burying himself in her core, knowing that nothing in life would ever compare to making love with this woman.
He reached between her parted thighs, found the point where his body joined hers, and touched the sensitive female flesh. Millie’s body clenched in reaction. She twisted beneath him as Chase doubled his sensual attack with kisses. Pulled into a vortex of sensation and passion, she started quivering uncontrollably, her muscles clenching and unclenching in small spasms. And then, with a soft exclamation, Millie surrendered to the convulsions as her body pulsated with much needed release.
Hearing Millie call his name, Chase surged, climbing higher and higher. Suddenly the world exploded, and he felt himself shatter into a million pieces. Every muscle, every nerve, every part of his body exploded with spasms of sexual release. He knew he could never lose her. Ever. Only when he was with her did he feel whole. He sagged against her, releasing a triumphant sigh.
For several minutes, only the sounds of deep breaths could be heard in the room. Both lay limp in each other’s arms, awed by what they had just shared.
Gently Chase moved onto his elbows and looked down at Millie. Her dark hair was fanned out on the pillow, and the embers of their shared passion still kindled in her beautiful eyes. Her smile was soft and inviting, telling him in that timeless, feminine way she was his.
“I will never be able to get enough of you.” His voice was thick and raw.
“You promise?”
And as he took her again to the heavens, Millie knew that indeed his promise to her was the same as hers to him. Love, now and forever.
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