Lovers' Tussle (19 page)

She slipped away before anyone could enquire after her or, worse yet, some chivalrous swain offered her his elbow for company. The night air brought a welcome chill to her heated cheeks. She breathed in deeply and instantly regretted it. The scent of her mate filled her lungs until she felt she was practically breathing him in. Strong, powerful, male.

He was close. But where? She squinted as she searched the darkest corners. Was that not the safe haven of devils? “Show yourself.” She injected a haughty challenge to her tone even as she tossed her chin out defiantly. “Coward.”

Tienna winced. Was he laughing in the face of her fury?
“Can you not feel my kiss against your skin?”
Tienna wrapped her arms around herself protectively.
“Can you not feel my touch against your puckered nipples beneath that virginal-white gown?”

Her eyes widened and she instinctively took a step back.

“Now who’s the coward?”
His amusement faded fast enough.
“Come.”

Tienna swallowed as she stared down the dark path that led deep into the shadows of the Leavenworth estate. She was acquainted with these gardens, but by the light of day.

“I am waiting, Tienna.”

Tienna jumped. Roth was losing his patience fast. She wondered if she would make it back indoors. The entrance and brightly lit room beyond looked so inviting.

“I’ll follow you right in.”

She turned back to the darkness. Deep within the looming, stygian blackness she could imagine glowing amber eyes. Eyes and teeth that would devour her. She took one step. Then another. With each large tree she passed she almost expected him to reach out and grab her. Eyeing them in anxiety, she kept a safe distance.

“You are taking too long.”

Actually, by her calculations, she was not taking nearly long enough. Deeper and deeper she walked into the surrounding darkness until she finally came to a fountain. Pausing uncertainly, she searched the area. Nothing stirred beyond the hypnotic bubbling of trickling water.

“Thank you for coming.”

And then, as though he had casually handed her a written invitation instead of scaring her into compliance, he stepped forward. Tienna choked back her alarm as she swung around.
How did he do that? He has been following me the entire way. Dear God, truly he moves like the shadow of the devil himself.
She responded stiffly, “I do not care to be whisked away from my entertainments.”

“My dear,
that
is hardly entertainment.”

Her fingers fisted. She knew exactly the entertainment he was capable of providing. She just had to keep reminding herself of the consequences such entertainment came with. “What do you want?”

“You.”

Tienna inhaled sharply. He could never pass for a civilized nobleman, but his crass manners never ceased to surprise her, excite her. Her nails bit into her palms.
No.
She could not reach out and touch those glossy locks of sinful black. “Well, I clearly remember telling you, you can’t have me.”

His low chuckle was unbelievably sexy. “I was not asking for permission.”

Oh Lord.
She was in trouble. Could she make it back down that deadly path back to reality? She eyed the pathway longingly. Since when had she become a slave to her body? Her brain clearly screamed for her to flee, but her limbs refused to obey.

Roth took a step closer. His scent and warmth surrounded her immediately, cloaking her like a protective sheath. His hand reached into his trouser pocket.

Tienna stared at the dainty, velvet box in his large palm. It looked utterly ridiculous sitting there, like an ant waiting to be crushed by a giant. “What is that?”

God only knew how his huge fingers got that tiny contraption open, but he managed the feat quite admirably. Little diamonds sparkled from within. Heat suffused her body as she finally croaked out, “A ring.”

But he then did something she would have never imagined in a thousand and one years. He lowered himself onto one knee, right there on the dew-dampened grass beneath the moonlight. God knew she was a glutton for tough, game meat, and staring down at this offering was doing incredible things to her insides. For one thing, it was grinding her resistance to pulp. This was something she would have expected from Aiden, not stern, stalwart Roth.
He couldn’t possibly be…Could he?
“What exactly are you doing?”

He stared up at her with solemn, earnest eyes. “Proposing marriage.”

Every beat of heart, each breath screamed, “Yes!” but she forced it down with steely resolve. She was not willing to give up Aiden. “No.”

“No?”

As her heart cracked, her voice thankfully didn’t. “No.”

Roth sighed dolefully. “Aiden will be disappointed.”

Tienna blinked. “What?”

“Why, he had his heart set on a lovely evening wedding with flowers, high-class catering, top-notch musicians, and the works.” He shook his head ruefully. “Lucky he did not post banns as yet.”

“Aiden?” Tienna practically shouted out the name. What the devil was going on here? Was Roth proposing on behalf of Aiden? This was too ludicrous for words.

“He will be heartsore, I tell you. Poor man does not take rejection well, soft, pampered skin you know.”

Tienna’s mind was swirling with confusion. “Are you actually propositioning me on behalf of Aiden?” Her incredulity laced her words clearly.

“Of course.”

The crack in her heart became a gaping hole. Was Roth withdrawing and simply handing her over to his brother? “Where will you be through all of this?” She waved her hand, vaguely indicating the ring he still held.

“At his side where the best man belongs.”

Tienna gasped. That was the only way to relieve the hurt that shot through her entire being. Roth was handing her over as though she were no more than a wedding gift. “I see.” Pride dictated that she remain strong. Everything else wanted to fall apart and cry over her wounds.

“I am rather disappointed as well.”

“I bet you are.” Tienna wanted to flee this place. She never wanted to lay her eyes on either brother for as long as she lived.

“I was rather looking forward to living our lives together.”

“What?” Tienna was acutely aware that she was beginning to sound scatterbrained. But that was exactly how she felt.

“Long blissful nights with you lying between us. Some nights we go out and hunt together.” His smile turned sly. “Most nights we wouldn’t.”

Each breath was a struggle. Stopping the hammering of heart was impossible. “What are you saying, Roth?”

“I’m saying marry Aiden. I’ll be right by his side. That’s the only way we can marry together, if only in spirit. Take the Kendrick name. However abandoned, it still labels the blood flowing through my veins.”

Tienna tried to still the hope that was suddenly pumping through her, futilely. “What about you?”

“Hold Aiden’s elbow through the days, but I will come to you at night like a shadow in the dark. That will be enough for me.”

While she pictured him easily enough as the devil’s shadow, she also understood the enormity of what he offered. It was not an easy task he set for himself. This great being who thrived on being his own man was accepting the sharing of her. A mighty beast who ruled by dominance was once again sacrificing for her. Had he not sacrificed the breaching of her virginal virtue, not once but twice? He could have demanded that she marry him and relegated Aiden to visit nights. But he hadn’t. Surely every natural instinct within him raged against this course, and yet he offered. “You sacrifice much.” So much.
Too
much. Her heart melted for this powerful man who professed an inability to convey his feeling in words, and yet his actions brought tears to her eyes. His physical caress could melt her instantly, but his unspoken deeds touched her so much deeper.

He rose slowly. “I would have you remain a titled member of society. Aiden can give you that. I offer you the only thing I have to give, my protection and unconditional love and devotion. There will be nothing I will deny you, Tienna, nothing I would not sacrifice for you.”

“Oh, Roth.” She curled her lips between her teeth as her tears surfaced. “I do so love you. But you ask that Aiden take the place by my side as my husband.”

Roth nodded. “Your place by my side in bed will suffice.”

“Do you regret turning the reins over to Aiden? Had you not, you would not have been in this position.” She needed to know. Would he come to resent Aiden in time?

His finger trailed her cheek gently almost as though he sensed the need for tears down that path. “No, Tienna. I was a man born into a world where I did not belong. A long time ago I put things to rights. It is enough that I have my pack. I will also be a strong leader to your pack.” His brow creased thoughtfully. “Aiden’s pack he can keep, however.”

Joy burst through her like sunshine after a long storm. Tienna could hardly believe everything was finally falling into place. “You will be an amazing Alpha to our pack, after my father of course.”

“Yes, well, I will admit there may be times when we will want to gnash our teeth, but rest assured I plan on learning everything he has to teach first. So there may be peace for some time yet. Now”—he caught her in his arms—“I believe the only way to seal this agreement would be a kiss.”

She smiled against his lips. “Only a kiss?”

“My dirty, little vixen. A kiss would never be enough.”

As Tienna melted into his embrace, she wondered just how deserted this area was. Roth was delicious on her tongue, and she soon didn’t care about anything else. He stroked the flames within her, expertly, until she was panting hard.
“Aiden.”

“I’m right here.”

Tienna turned to face him as she felt his heat on her back. “You agree to all this?”

Aiden laughed softly “Did you really imagine that this oaf could come up with such a suave plan all by himself?”

Tienna scowled. “It is he who sacrifices, so remember that before you taunt him.”

Roth chuckled against her shoulder as he pulled her gown down her back. “Yes, remember that, Aiden. My mate guards me well.”

Aiden ran his finger teasingly over the pulse at her throat. “Will you show me your claws for my impudence?”

“I’ll show you a lot more, lover.” She wished away her clothing, except the hot-red, silk stockings. That was a present for Roth.

Tienna sighed in satisfaction at his hiss of appreciation before the sting of his teeth sinking into her shoulder coursed through her raging body. As he sat on the fountain’s edge and pulled her onto his hard, swollen cock, spreading her legs wide for Aiden, she marveled again at this man. He was her mighty, dangerous beast. But he humbled himself for her, sacrificed for her pleasure. And as Aiden knelt before her to bestow his intimate kiss on her weeping pussy, she appreciated the gentle soothing that he would offer after each violent storm. Between her dashing cavalier and her daring knave, this was just where she belonged. “Finally.”

THE END

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

India-Jean Louwe spends her time surrounded by the love of her family, a loving, supportive husband, and two adorable sons. She always finds time to dream and the hour of day doesn’t matter one bit. Most of her inspiration comes from her frequent nature hikes in the wild, reading erotic romance novels, and feeding her addiction for comedies and chick flicks. India-Jean wishes all her readers prosperous lives filled with adventure, happiness, and most of all, love. Remember the motto
Carpe diem—
Seize the day.

Visit her website at
https://sites.google.com/site/indiajeanlouwe/
.

For all titles by India-Jean Louwe, please visit

www.bookstrand.com/india-jean-louwe