Lilac Temptress (59 page)

“
I intend to prevent you
from saying you don’t want me.” Drake whispered raising his head to
meet her eyes before kissing her lips again. To his great
satisfaction Sierra surrendered, opening her legs to him; her body
arched against his inviting him inside her. Releasing her arm and
gently lying her flat on her back, he groaned his pleasure when he
lunged himself into her. The intense sound of his own voice
reverberating heavily within his chest astonished him. Sierra could
make him cry out like he never had.

Drake’s masculine body felt better to
Sierra than the last time, because his hidden feelings were
exposed. He loved her as much as she loved him. She moaned in
rhythm with the rising and falling of his buttocks and clung to
him. When his thrusting became deeper she grabbed for him
enthusiastically. Her hands were on his hips, and then moved along
his back. Her fingers gripped at his shoulders, and finally became
entrenched in his tousled hair.

She reveled in his passionate kisses,
erratic and unrestrained. His body spoke volumes to her, revealing
his predatory lust. Thrilling vibes shot through her limbs, her
movement perfectly matched to his. Her hands returned to his
muscular back and her fingernails dug into his flesh. Without
subtlety she held him, high and intoxicated, her mind lost to
sensual bliss. She didn’t complain when he expertly assisted her
into an upright position, sinking her onto his erection.

He held her in place over him, keeping
his tempo steady; slowly increasing his intensity as he jerked and
raised his pelvis. He massaged and softly squeezed her breasts with
his hands, and then he gripped her hips to keep her in unison with
him while she bounced against him.

She lowered herself against his chest,
remaining connected. Her instincts took over and her hips wound in
circles, pushing hard against his shaft.

“
Sierra...” Drake moaned
her name. “Sierra…” he said it again, and again.

The richness of his voice sounding her
name in his rapture compelled her. She parted her ready mouth and
drew his kiss. His eyes emanated heat, passion, and other things
akin to his worship of her.

Drake soaked in her image. Pearls of
moisture glistened on her skin as she wrapped herself around him
like a glove. He breathed in the heady scent of her, the perfume of
flowers. He ran his hands through her rich auburn hair, and then
with masculine strength he rolled her over onto her back again. He
locked his heavy gaze onto her questioning eyes.

“
Drake, should I really
rely on you?” Sierra breathed, her eyes glazed, her skin
flushed.

Drake smiled on hearing her stunningly
erotic and enraptured voice. “Yes,” he said, using his body to
convince her. His strokes became harder. He exerted his power and
her body sprung up against his. He caught her head in one hand
while supporting her back with the other, bringing his lips to hers
in a mad rush. “Marry me and become my wife,” he pressed his demand
with his kisses, deep inside her now and pushing between her
legs.

Filled with Drake’s body and
overpowered by his determination, Sierra could barely think much
less speak. Her body reacted faster than her mind—she became his
slave, and all that escaped her were sounds of pleasure.

“
Stay with me, marry me,”
Drake persisted. He needed an answer; his heart raced. Every moment
with her was filled with exquisite pleasure and immeasurable
torment—his thoughts telling him that he might still lose
her.

“
I will marry you!” Sierra
cried out, climaxing against him—coaxing out his warm
release.

Drake shuddered, every fiber of his
being, invigorated. He covered her face in slow and tender kisses
expressing his deep sense of happiness that she was becoming his
wife.

“
Drake—” Sierra spoke, winded, her face close to
his.

“
Yes, my love,” he
whispered, slowing down his kisses and gathering his
senses.

“
Promise to never stop
loving me.”

Drake smiled at her. “My feelings are
so strong for you now, that I am embarrassed to say how much... you
have made me a very happy man.” He kissed her deeply once more
before releasing her, and rolling to his side.

Resting beside her for a
moment with his head held up by his hand, he watched her; overjoyed
to have her next to him, and he realized that she would always be
there in his life...
next to
him
. He placed his hand between her breasts
and smiled at her when she covered his hand with hers. He let his
body cool down while feeling the pulsations of her heart.
Reluctantly, he stood to dress.

“
You must promise me
something as well,” Drake said turning to her as he pulled his
pants over his legs.

Sierra sat up on her elbows and
quirked her brows. “And what might that be?” she suspiciously asked
not withholding her warm smile.

“
If I displease you—please
never strike me again, you have a wicked blow.” Drake chuckled,
while throwing on his shirt and closing its buttons.

Sierra giggled. “I’ll give it some
thought,” she teased. “How else will I keep you on your
toes?”

“
Indeed,” Drake laughed
wholeheartedly. “We have to go now.”

He took her hand, guiding her from the
bed onto her feet, and then gently turned her around, back-facing
him. He began dressing her, pulling her garments over her head and
lacing her strings. He quickly kissed the exposed side of her neck
and locked his arms around her waist holding her for a moment,
taking in the scent of her.

Sierra almost buckled at the strength
his arms locked around her midriff giving her sensuous chills. With
her head and back resting against his frame, she didn’t know if he
could see the tears of joy forming in the corners of her eyes and
staining her cheeks. She knew they were sharing a moment of deep
understanding—that they had come so far and had finally allowed
themselves to be together.

“
I love you,” Drake
whispered, momentarily nibbling on her earlobe, and then he kneeled
and slipped on her shoes. He took her hand and guided her to the
door, unlocking it. He pulled her outside the bedroom, and never
letting go of her hand, he began moving with haste.

Sierra couldn’t understand Drake’s
hurry, but she trusted him with all her heart, and rushed alongside
him regardless. She would let him whisk her away without
questions—she didn’t want to ruin the moment. She followed him
outdoors, and realized that they were leaving when she caught sight
of Drake’s Concord. She glanced at Ben, who smiled and winked at
her, sitting in the box seat.

Drake turned and faced her
at the stagecoaches’ entrance. He kneeled on one knee and took her
hand in his. “Sierra, I’m going to carry you off now to make you my
wife,” he said devotedly, smiling from ear to ear. “Will you marry
me...
now
?
”

“
This is so sudden!” Sierra
gasped.

“
I sent servants ahead. All
the preparations have already been made. On the way here, I prayed
that you might become my wife this day. And I know that this is
sudden but I don’t want to take any more chances with your heart.
Besides you are the most spontaneous woman I know. Are you ready
for another adventure?” Drake asked, his eyes twinkling.

“
I... I...” Sierra tripped
over her tongue at a loss for words, overwhelmed by the swift
change of events. It was all happening so fast, but she was sure in
her feelings for him.

“
I promise you your dream
wedding when we marry the second time around. But, please—today,
elope with me. Give me your hand.” Drake grinned at her when she
nodded a yes. He stood, and helped her into the coach. Just as he
was about jump in, he heard Kyle shouting at his back. He turned in
Kyle’s direction.

“
You scoundrel, you will
not continue to make a sport of my sister!” Kyle aimed his fist at
Drake, barely missing as Drake sidestepped him.

“
Kyle, what are you doing?”
Sierra yelled at him.

Kyle’s eyes were heated and
unforgiving. “I thought I was defending your honor!”

“
We’re eloping,” Drake
explained, his words coming quick. “I intend to marry your sister
immediately—before she changes her mind. Come with us, Kyle. Let’s
not waste another minute. If you wish it, strike me after Sierra
and I are wed, but you should come with us now.” Drake wasted no
more time and hoped into the coach next to Sierra.

Kyle stood dumbfounded and
still angry with Drake, but nevertheless he agreed. His sister
deserved marriage after what Drake had done to her. And rather than
argue, he did not further hesitate, for fear that they both might
decide to leave him standing there. However, he was even more
surprised after leaping into the coach. Sierra and Drake were too
convincingly in love, which made Kyle shy away—keeping his eyes
locked towards the open curtained window. Then Rosaline entered his
thoughts when the coach began moving.
Rosaline is really going to hate missing this.

* * *

“
You are
beautiful
,” Drake whispered, mesmerized as
he watched Sierra glide down the cozy little chapel’s aisle,
wearing her modest jade dress—Kyle escorting her.
The simplicity of the ceremony made it intimate
and romantic. With only two in attendance, Kyle took a seat next to
Ben in the front pew.

Drake realized he had never been so
sure about anything else in his life aside from marrying her. His
heart beat wildly while he gazed at her standing before him. A few
strands of curling hair fell about her face. Somehow, in the short
time they had separated in the chapel, she had managed to pin most
of her hair up.

Her eyes sparkled with excitement and
her expression indicated her profound love for him. He wanted to
passionately kiss her straightaway. And he couldn’t take his eyes
away from her as the clergyman began to speak the first words that
would bind them together for all their lives. After taking his
vows, Drake wanted to cry like a sentimental fool, and then he did,
when the softness of Sierra’s palm rested against his
cheek.

Sierra beamed at the man that loved
her, his eyes intense, moist and feeling. He would always be there
for her; giving her all of himself, keeping his promise that he
made to her in Jadesville, to take care of her. And the
overpowering feelings of fulfillment that coursed through her
veins, confirmed her faith in him.

They devoted themselves to
each other in adoration and were each grateful for the cleric’s
benediction.
You may now kiss your
bride
, were the last words Drake heard
before he gathered Sierra into his arms and sweetly kissed her
after having waited so patiently. He didn’t let her go until after
the cleric had cleared his throat several times to regain his
attention.

* * *

It was not long after the ceremony
that Drake returned to Girard’s home to wait on Sierra and Kyle
while they gathered their belongings. There had been no sign of
Girard and Drake thanked his friend silently for not
interfering.

On the way to Newhaven, he explained
to Kyle and Sierra everything that had happened since they had
left. He didn’t want to think about any of it, but he knew he owed
them the explanation. It was late in the evening when they arrived
at Newhaven, which Drake noticed was now rather peaceful. Most of
the guests had gone. Only a few coaches remained in the courtyard’s
driveway.

Drake ascended the staircase, carrying
Sierra over the threshold. She giggled at his strength and it made
him wild. He only wanted to hurry to his bedroom with
her.

Kyle entered behind them with feverish
and eager eyes. He wanted to find Rosaline. As they rode, Drake had
told Kyle that Rosaline might not even be there when they
returned.

Drake heard Jeanette’s exasperated
voice calling out for him as he stood in the foyer. He turned to
see her swiftly walking down the corridor in his direction. He
placed Sierra on her feet.

“
Good Lord, after you
vanished, the place went into anarchy—what with the Marcos woman
married off to Daniel, pure pandemonium. It took your parents and
me all day to set things back in order, and then that man came.
Security thought he was a wedding guest and—”

“
Daniel and Isadora wedded
on my estate?” Drake interrupted, though he was not surprised since
in his anger, he practically told them that they should, and
Alexandre probably pushed the ceremony onwards before Daniel could
change his mind.

“
Master Randal quickly
approved the ceremony, wanting to remain in good standing with Mr.
Alexandre Marcos.” Jeanette sighed, clearly exhausted from the long
day.

“
Where are Daniel and
Isadora now?” Drake inquired. He hoped that he wouldn’t have to see
them tonight.

“
Long gone,” Jeanette responded as she glanced at Sierra who
leaned against Drake, her arms entwined with his. She smiled
inwardly at the fact that Drake was able to bring Sierra and Kyle
back. The day prior, watching Drake and Rosaline’s somberness had
been too much of a burden on her, and managing the household under
Isadora’s heavy scrutiny had made the day even more
difficult.