Compulsively Mr. Darcy (14 page)

He showed her to a guest room. She gave him a puzzled glance but didn't say anything. He said good night and left her.

He performed his nightly routine, securing the house. He checked all the locks and windows on the ground floor, then set the alarm. He was halfway up the first flight of stairs when he doubled back and rechecked the doors and windows again. The third time, he made it near the landing of the second floor before he again descended. Elizabeth was now in his home. That warranted one more safety inspection.

Finally, he made it to his room. He headed straight to the bathroom sink.

After the third hand washing, about to turn off the faucet, he caught sight of his face in the mirror. The telltale nervous spasm on the right of his eyebrow—subtle and faint to others but always flashing and blaring to him like the semaphores at Penn Station—reminded him he was a man loaded with baggage.

What if she didn't want to commit herself for life to such a man?

In the crowd of white coats that surrounded her at the end of her lecture, it didn't escape his attention that most were men. One of her life's dreams was to work for Doctors Without Borders. What if one of those humanitarian doctors, a man not burdened with excess baggage, shared her humanitarian passion for saving the world? Wouldn't such a man be a better partner for her?

Lost in his anxiety, it took him a while to hear the knocking above the noise of running water. He opened the door.

A glaring Elizabeth stood on the other side. “It took me forever to find the right room.” She entered and faced him with her hands on her hips. “Okay, spill. You're obviously worried about something.”

He swallowed. “I… uh… I…”

“Listen, if you've changed your mind about me staying here, in your home, it's fine. But I want to know: what the hell am I doing here? Why am I here? Why did you want me here?”

“I want you here, in my home,” he said through a dry throat. “I don't want you ever to leave here. Leave me.”

“Then why were you so cold just now? You left me in my room so quickly—as if you couldn't stand to be around me anymore. And why the hell am I in a guest room?” she yelled.

“Because I want to marry you,” he said without thinking.

“Is that a proposal?” she said with an incredulous expression. “You want to marry me, so you act cold all of a sudden and you don't want to sleep with me? Is this because I'm a virgin? I can't help that. I've been trying to get rid of it and you haven't been helping. You want to wait until we're married? Is that it? I'm fricking twenty-eight years old. I don't want to wait anymore!” She was shouting at the end.

“Do you want to marry me or do you just want to shag me?” he shouted back.

“Both,” she screamed. They stared at each other for a moment before she laughed and collapsed on his bed. “That has got to be the worst proposal and acceptance in the history of mankind.”

“But it's still a yes.” Relieved and more than a little shocked at her easy acceptance, he grinned and joined her on the bed. She did want to marry him!

“At least you didn't begin with ‘In vain I have struggled…'” She tenderly pushed a strand of hair from his forehead. “So what happens now?”

He kissed the hand caressing his hair. “You accepted me. Now I shag you.”

Her hand stilled. He sat up and kissed her soft cheek. Slowly, he moved his lips to her opened mouth. Sweet heavens, he had missed how intoxicating her lips were. She wrapped her arms tight around him and enthusiastically kissed him back.

Leaving her mouth, he pressed his lips against that spot behind her ear he loved, inhaling her heady scent. She was a breath of fresh air in his stale life.

Her fingers impatiently tugged at her shirt. He pulled back and helped. Buttons popped and flew. She laughed. Her laughter abruptly stopped when his face delved into the crevice of her breasts. While she encouraged him with moans and sighs, he greedily suckled.

Aching with need, he reached down. His hand encountered her skirt. They were still dressed, he realized. He needed to calm down or he wouldn't last long. “We must slow down.”

“No, no slowing,” she said in a firm voice. She rose and took off her clothes with quick and decisive movements. “No stopping.”

At the sight of her beautiful nakedness, all the blood in his body went south. He gawked.

She got on her knees and pulled at his shirt. He came to with her vigorous jostling and all thought of going slow left him. He pushed her hands off and stood to undress himself. She followed and hampered him with her attempts to help.

At last, naked, he pulled her body against his. They both sighed in pleasure at their first full contact unencumbered by clothes. The hard buds of her nipples rubbing against his chest felt so wonderfully arousing. Closing his eyes, he tilted his head back for a moment then lifted her so that the softness between her thighs cuddled his hardness. She wrapped her legs around his waist. When she moved her hips in a frantic movement, he groaned and laid her back down.

She reached up and pulled his head down to her chest. He nibbled and kissed her breasts before he again took a nipple in his mouth. She whimpered her pleasure. When his hand slipped between her legs, she loudly moaned her approval and pressed against his fingers. He caressed her until she thrust her pelvis frantically against his hand and her body broke with release.

A pink hue flushed over her in the aftermath. Before she completely recovered, he plunged his tongue into her mouth. As he deepened the kiss, her hand slipped between them and circled his hardness. Lifting up his hips slightly, he placed his hand over hers to guide her. He taught her to massage him in a circular motion against her, then up and down in a stroking motion. Clenching his teeth in an effort to control himself, he nudged his tip gently forward. Barely inside her, he allowed himself a few shallow thrusts. She moved her hands to his back, restlessly widened her thighs and opened herself more to him. The warmth and moistness of her undid his control. He lost it. He plunged himself fully into her. She stiffened and cried out in pain.

Embedded in her now, he opened his eyes in remorse at having been so rough. Not knowing how to undo his invasion, he stayed motionlessly suspended in her and fought the primal urge to thrust. After what seemed like an excruciatingly long moment, he began to retreat.

She shook her head, wrapped her legs tight around his hips, and tried to push him back in. “Please,” she whispered. “I want you. Don't stop.”

At this, he slowly pushed back into her. When he was deep within her again, he closed his eyes and stilled his body, trying to breathe slowly. The softness of her enveloping tightly around him felt so good. At the thought of how privileged he was to be her first—and God willing, her only—lover, he almost passed out. He began to move gently. After several long moments, his head against her temple, he paused and fought for control, afraid if he continued with the stronger strokes his body was demanding he would lose it and hurt her again.

Her hands lifted his head to face her. With a determined expression in her eyes, as if she was in charge, she said in a fierce tone, “Move.”

A chuckle escaped him. Even in passion she made him laugh. Then laughter left him as his hips obeyed her. She whispered encouraging nonsensical words—intermittently mixed in with “my love” and “my William”—against his neck. Thrust after thrust, he entered her. With each, his body liquefied into crashing waves against the steady shore that was his beautiful Lizzy.

He forced his eyes open and locked his gaze with hers. He tried to tell her without words how wondrous she was.

At the moment of sweet surrender, he released himself into her safekeeping and spilled into her depths.

Fingers twitching at Elizabeth's left breast roused her. A low-pitched rumble blew behind her ears.
He
snores
. She smiled, glad, for some inexplicable reason, he was not perfect.

Quietly, she slipped out of his arms. When she returned from the bathroom, she paused at the edge of the bed to marvel at the sight of him.

Under moonlight, his long lashes laid crescent shadows over his cheeks. His lips, fuller in sleep than when awake, parted slightly, as if waiting for a kiss. She blew him a kiss before sweeping her eyes down. Soft sheets draped and outlined a very male body underneath. She hesitated for the briefest second before lifting the sheets. She sighed with appreciation.

With the sleek body of an endurance athlete and just enough well-defined muscles to convey underlying strength, he was a beautiful specimen. Slipping under the covers, she inched close to him. Even as she admonished herself for taking advantage of a sleeping man, she gently rubbed her breasts against his chest.

His eyes opened.

She stopped her rubbing. Holding his gaze, she boldly climbed atop him. “Hi.”

“Are you okay?” he said, his voice full of concern. “Did I hurt you? Are you sore?”

Though she was, a little, she answered, “Do I look like I'm hurt or sore?”

She shifted and trapped his muscular thigh between her legs. His eyes flared but he remained still, though she felt him hardening against her belly. Shamelessly, she rubbed herself a few times against his leg and grinned at him. “Woof.”

Growling, he suddenly moved. She was flipped over onto her back and her body covered by his.

When he was done, she barely had enough energy to utter, “Wow!”

“Wow,” he agreed, kissed her cheek, and settled himself against her. Seconds afterward, even breathing emanated from him. Contented, she fell asleep to the lulling sound of his soft snores vibrating against her temple.

***

When she next woke up, bright sun rays beamed through the translucent drapes. She glanced at the bedside clock. “Shit!”

He stirred. “What?”

“The time!” Wincing at the soreness between her legs, she ran into the bathroom. Ineffectually, she fumbled with the shower fixture, muttering, “Damn rich sod and his fancy shower.”

A male hand reached in and turned on the shower for her.

“I'm supposed to be at the hospital in less than forty minutes. I haven't had a chance to look through the patients' list this morning to prepare myself.”

“I'll get you there in time,” he assured her and left the bathroom. She stole a glance at his naked backside and cursed her bad luck at having to leave for work. Toweling herself dry a scant five minutes later, she walked into the bedroom and saw that he thoughtfully had her suitcase opened. He had even brought her briefcase and laid it nearby.

She wasted a few minutes looking for the right hallway to the stairs, snarling at the maze of rooms and doors in her way. Briefcase in hand, she yelled good-bye and rushed to the front door, hoping to find a taxi soon. She was about to pass through the door when, out of nowhere, he appeared and blocked her exit.

“I need to find a taxi,” she said.

“The car and driver will be here shortly to take you. You'll get there in plenty of time.” He put down a travel mug and a bagel on the side table in the foyer, and took her briefcase from her and placed it next to the food. “Coffee and breakfast for you.”

“I'll eat in the car.” She walked back and forth a few steps then stepped close to him to whisper, “Am I walking funny?”

“No, why?” he whispered back.

“I'm a little sore,” she confessed. “I don't want it to look too obvious what I was doing last night and why I'm late. They all knew I was going to meet up with my boyfriend last night.”

“Fiancé this morning,” he corrected. “Sorry about the soreness.”

She laughed at the pinkish tinge on his cheeks and teased, “I'm not. I demanded you
shag
me twice.”

His face paled. “We forgot protection last night.”

Jolted, she raised her finger to her lips. “I can't believe I didn't think of it.”

“No, I should have thought of it. I don't think I even have any condoms here in the house.” He rubbed her shoulders gently. “Sweetheart, I'm sorry. Is it a vulnerable time of your cycle? Are you in the middle?”

“No, I just had my period. It's a safe time. I'm always regular.” Disconcerted at his uncharacteristic frankness, she wondered if he was very used to discussing this topic with other women. She bit back the jealous question on the tip of her tongue and reminded herself she was an infectious disease specialist. In her best detached-professional tone, she said, “I assume you have been careful in the past about using condoms? Any history of diseases?”

He visibly shuddered. “No. And yes, I've always used condoms before. I'd be happy to get tested.”

“I'd appreciate that. Okay, for now, I don't want to hear any more details about your past.” She definitely did not want to think about his former lovers, most of whom she was sure had more experience than her. “You can be in charge of getting condoms.”

“Call me when you're done today. Don't leave the hospital until I send a car for you.”

“I can take a taxi back here.” At his emphatic head shaking, she sighed. “All right, I'll wait for the car. Damn, I'm going to be late.”

“The car's here.” He put the coffee and bagel in her hand, picked up her briefcase and pulled her through the door. After he helped her into the car, he kissed her and whispered, “I'll kiss it better tonight, your soreness.” He chuckled when she blushed and pushed him away, glancing at the driver.

The sound of his chuckles ringing in her ears kept her company all the way to the hospital.

***

“Come in,” Georgiana answered soft knocking. She had just finished a difficult piece on the piano.

“That was beautiful.” Elizabeth's smiling face appeared. “I listened outside the door. Didn't want to disturb you.”

“How was your first day at work?”

“Fine. Probably the easiest day I'll have for a while. There were very few patients and I finished early, but you don't want to hear about my work.”

“I do. I really do,” Georgiana assured her. “What exactly will you be doing this month?”

“Starting today, any new patient who needs an opinion on any infectious issue will be under my watch. I'll be the attending physician in charge and the one to blame if anything goes wrong. My name will be the one on the chart the malpractice plaintiff lawyers would zero in on,” Elizabeth said with a laugh.

“I'm sure nothing will go wrong.”

“Not if I can help it.” Elizabeth peered into the opening of the grand piano. “Your brother wasn't exaggerating when he bragged you're a virtuoso at the piano.”

Georgiana blushed. “Oh no, not at all.”

“I say you are. Besides, your brother said so, and I'm sure he would never allow himself to be wrong.” Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “I just met Mrs. Reynolds. She's such a sweet lady.”

“She's been humming and cleaning all day. She wants everything perfect since we now have a fiancée in the house.”

“How sweet.” Elizabeth's head disappeared into the opening of the piano. “Can you play some notes so I can see how things move in here?” Georgiana did as requested. When Elizabeth's head reappeared, she tugged her ears. “My, that was loud in there. What was I thinking?”

Georgiana giggled. “I can't believe you're marrying my brother. He's so serious, I was sure he'd marry someone boring.” She put her hand to her mouth. “I'm sorry. It's not only Will. It's me too. We Darcys are usually serious… and boring.”

Elizabeth's eyes twinkled. “So, besides you two, how many of you serious and boring Darcys are there?”

“There's my father's sister, Aunt Catherine. She's Lady de Bourgh. Her husband was Lord Lewis de Bourgh. And there's Aunt Catherine's stepdaughter Anne, Lady Anne de Bourgh. She works with William and Richard at DDF.” Georgiana suddenly noticed her fingers nervously tapping at the piano keys and stilled her hands.

“With two young men as your guardians, it's good you have close female relatives, even if they do have such lugubrious titles,” Elizabeth said. “Your brother hardly ever mentioned anything about your relatives, though men rarely share such details, I've noticed. What about your mother's side?”

“She only had one brother, Uncle Matt. He took over as CEO at DDF when our father died. He retired a few years ago and William became CEO. My uncle and my aunt gave their share of DDF to Richard and now they live on a yacht in Greece.”

“I'm glad your brother goes by William instead of Fitzwilliam. It would be a mouthful to be yelling ‘Fitzwilliam' whenever I'm mad at him.” Elizabeth chuckled. “You look shocked. What? You mean to tell me you've never felt like yelling at him? Ever?”

Georgiana shook her head. At Elizabeth's raised brow, Georgiana amended, “A little, sometimes.” Elizabeth's brow stayed raised and Georgiana admitted, “Maybe a lot.” She took a breath. “Actually, lots of times.”

“Atta girl,” Elizabeth said. “As wonderful as your brother is, he can't be cheated out of his fair share of illogical male logic. Six women in my family, and most of the time we can't comprehend my father's male logic, or lack thereof.”

Feeling a little like Laurie in
Little
Women
, Georgiana said, “I can't imagine growing up with that many sisters. Are you the oldest or is Jane? What do they all do?”

“Jane is two years older, formerly a social worker and now an orphanage director, both perfect jobs for the quintessential very responsible oldest child. Then comes me, the ultra-responsible alpha child.” She paused while Georgiana laughed. “Then Mary, who's three years younger, supposed to be in grad school studying computer science, and she's well… eccentrically responsible. Three years younger than her is Kitty, graduating from Stanford this year and who's resentfully responsible. And then there's Lydia, the youngest, who's very irresponsible for being born at all.”

“Why?”

“Kitty's always complained that when she started school, Lydia slipped in and stole her spot as the youngest. Lydia's a happy, exuberantly bouncy little thing. She competes in club cheering squads.”

William entered. “This is where you two have been hiding.”

“You're off early? Don't rich CEOs work long hours?” Elizabeth teased him.

“I couldn't concentrate at work, knowing this bit of mischief is home already.” He gently tweaked his fiancée's nose, and gave her an intense look and a gentle kiss on her cheek.

A little disconcerted at her brother's behavior, Georgiana hid a smile and pretended to be busy with the music sheets to give the couple some privacy as they chatted about their day.

Richard entered and headed straight toward Elizabeth. “My cousin here will be tied up tonight at some museum thing, Doc. But I'm free.”

William turned to him. “I'd forgotten that the Frick's function is tonight. Would you take my place?”

“Sure, I'll be here with Doc.” Richard gave Elizabeth a smile Georgiana knew he considered his wow-them smile. Snorting, Georgiana wondered if he realized how ridiculous he looked. Reminded of her presence, he added, “And Georgiana, of course.”

William frowned at him. “No, I mean go with Anne.”

“What? Me go with Dragon Lady to some boring museum event? I don't think so. I'll be here with your fiancée.” Richard turned back to Elizabeth. “Congratulations on your engagement, by the way, Doc. My cousin moved fast.”

William stepped in between Richard and Elizabeth. “My swinging arm is also very fast if you don't behave.”

Richard rolled his eyes. “Fine. So you wouldn't have to deal with a woman on each arm, I'll join you to even out the number. But I'm not taking Anne off your hands. I'll keep Doc company.”

“But Elizabeth won't have time to get anything fancy to wear,” Georgiana worried, remembering the contents of the suitcases she had helped pack at the hotel. She looked at Elizabeth's curvaceous body. “I don't think I have anything that would fit her.”

“Would you mind going out tonight, sweetheart?” William put his arms around Elizabeth and turned her away from Richard, who was assessing her curves also. “We'll go shopping to get you something to wear now, if you'd like. I don't want to leave you on your first evening at home here, but I've agreed to escort my cousin Anne.”

“I'm the full-blood, real cousin; she's a stepcousin with no blood connection, remember that, Doc,” Richard inserted. “I'm more important than she is, no matter what she says.”

“Ignore him,” William said. “If he keeps flirting with my fiancée, he's going to be a distant cousin soon.”

Elizabeth said, “I'll go, but I hate shopping. I might have a traditional dress from Vietnam that would do. I'm looking forward to meeting this Anne.”