The Good Sister: Part One (24 page)

“Um … what are you doing?”

Ashton placed his foot in the stirrup then mounted Phantom. He picked me up and sat me down on his lap, chest to chest.

“Put you arms around my neck,” he said, “and hold on.” I placed my arms around Ashton’s neck, interlocking my fingers. Ashton took Phantom into a trot. “Find the rhythm.”

I closed my eyes and found the rhythm, only this time when my hips came down it was not the front of the saddle that met me, it was Ashton’s manhood stretched hard through his riding breeches.

“Oh,” I gasped. He grinned at me when I opened my eyes.

“Stay with it, my dove. Allow your body to relax into the movement. Allow yourself the pleasure,” he said.

I looked into his eyes, and relaxed into Ashton. He nudged Phantom into a gallop. My hips swayed to the motion, my secret place rubbing intimately against Ashton. Ashton kissed my lips softly then he molded his mouth to mine. I opened to him, and felt the gentle swipe of his tongue enticing me. It was unbelievable. The way he kissed, I felt it everywhere. Unlike Reid's frantic somewhat hard kisses, Ashton's kisses were firm yet gentle. Without any further thought or hesitation I gave my will over to Ashton’s.

Ashton’s pressed himself forward into my spread legs, giving me more, adding more pressure. I moaned. He held my moan within his mouth as if it were sacred. We were kissing, rocking, swaying against each other. Soon, I felt the burn, the tingle, the waves of bliss as they overtook my body. Ashton pulled back from my mouth, not fully leaving my lips as he spoke.

“Give yourself over to me,” Ashton said. I shivered. “Feel my desire for you. Rock your sweetness against me and come for me, my dove.”

I stared into his eyes. I saw the burning need. The pure unbridled hunger for me, for my pleasure. I wanted the heat of his body to mix into mine. I breathed in the sweet scent of his cologne, placed my nose into the crook of his neck, and kissed. Ashton groaned. His silken hair brushed against my interlocked fingers. The sway of my hips against his hard cock brought me to the point of no return.

“Ashton!”

“Yes,” he replied in a breath that gusted warmth across my throat.

I came, and bursts of color sparked behind my closed lids. He pulled me closer, allowing me to feel his strong arms around me. He ground his manhood into my quiver. His mouth engulfed me. I shook against his body, trembling, tongues dancing, bodies pressing against each other. I felt the swell of my womanhood, the hard tight tips of my breasts as they pressed against all the material concealing them. Heat surged. I could not contain the feeling. Another wave of bliss rocked my body, coming to the surface, overriding my last climax. I exploded for a second time…

“Again,” I said, body shaking, my voice small and breathy. “You are making me come again.”

Ashton pulled my hips forward with his hands, giving me that oh so tantalizing pressure to my swollen clit, and then he pulled back, kissed my mouth long and with a deep passion. My lips tingled, my thighs shook, and my body buzzed like sparks of light penetrated through me. I wondered if I were glowing.

“Did you enjoy that, my dove?”

“Oh yes,” I said, licking my lips.

“Good,” he said, “because we are almost home.” I glanced over my shoulder to see the estate in the background. “Lift up,” he said. I somehow found the strength to lift up even though my legs shook. “Swing over,” he instructed. He lifted me then helped me around into the correct position on the saddle. “Hold on,” he said. The horse cantered, slowed then high stepped before slowing to a walk.

Ashton brushed back my hair. His mouth caressed my neck.

“Ashton,” I moaned.

“You are so radiant when you come,” he said. I shivered, not only from his words but also from the soft whisper-like kisses he placed into the hollow just beneath my ear. “We shall continue our pursuit of pleasure, I assure you, but for now,” he kissed my neck once more, “we should dismount Phantom. Can you dismount?”

“Yes, but I may need some help.”

He let out a low laugh at my confession then without much effort he lifted my compact body up and off of the saddle.

“Swing down,” he instructed.

When my feet hit the ground, I took in a breath. I tried to steady my noodle-like legs. Ashton dismounted, patted Phantom with a low murmur then handed the reins to one of the stable hands.

“Make sure you cool him properly, as well as brush him,” Ashton instructed the stable hand.

“Yes, milord,” the man returned.

Ashton took hold of my hand, spread out my fingers palm side up, and placed a small box into the middle of my palm.

“For you,” he said, “happy birthday, my dove.”

A tear ran down my cheek, and he brushed it with his fingertip.

“Thank you, Ashton.”

“It is just a small trinket to remember this day.”

“I doubt I shall ever forget it,” I assured.

“Open it,” he encouraged.

I peeled back the paper to find a blue jewelry box. I looked up at Ashton from beneath my lashes. I witnessed the cool silver-blue of his eyes as he smiled at me. I needed to learn his smiles, for he had many. I looked back down at the box in my hand and lifted the lid. Inside was a platinum charm bracelet with a diamond studded horse charm. This was not a small trinket.

I think my mouth formed an O before I found my words. “Oh my.” Slowly I ran my fingers over the sparkle of the charm. “These are real diamonds.”

Ashton chuckled, amused again. “Yes.”

“This is too much,” I said. “I have never owned diamonds before.”

Ashton reached in, pulled out the bracelet, and clasped it around my wrist.
“A tragedy which has now been rectified,” he assured. He twisted his finger through one of my long curls, and followed it to its conclusion. “You, my sweet Trinity, should be swimming in diamonds.”

I looked down at my wrist and twisted it.

“It’s so beautiful. Thank you, Ashton.”

Ashton leaned down and kissed my lips. “You have nothing to thank me for.” He picked up my hand. “Perfect.” He studied the bracelet upon my wrist. With a crook of lips he kissed the top of my hand and murmured, “Absolutely perfect.”

Briarwood Manor.

“My dove, dinner will be served promptly at six. I shall escort you to your quarters where you can take a bath, rest, prepare for this evening,” Ashton said as we made our way back to the estate house.

“Should I dress for dinner?”

Ashton nodded, smiled. “Yes.”

I studied this smile, the deep lines at the corners of his mouth, the perfection of his teeth, and the way this smile seemed to crook higher to one side.

“Ashton, you have a nice smile. You have many different smiles,” I said. “I have decided I want to learn them.”

He stopped. He placed the pad of his thumb against the curve of my lips. “Thank you, my dove, but I am sure each and every one of my smiles pales in comparison to yours.” He moved his thumb slowly, outlining my mouth.

“What is it?” I asked, unsure of his expression.

“I am flattered you wish to know my smiles.”

“I wish to know many things about you, Ashton.”

“Then we shall learn much of each other and revel in the knowledge,” he assured. Ashton moved his hand to grip on to my arm. “Watch your step, I do not wish to see you take a tumble.” He’d pulled my away from the edge of an icy spot.

“Thank you,” I said. He must have noticed my gawking.

“What is it, my dove?”

“I … it’s nothing.”

“Please, tell me,” Ashton encouraged.

“Your eyes are amazing.”

“So today, my dove. What have you decided? Am I truly a devil?”

“Angel or devil, I’m still unsure,” I mused.

Ashton’s low laugh filled in the space around us. “Ah … my dove, you are a breath of springtime air,” he said as he opened the door to his estate.

When we passed the estate staff they bowed their heads, and some of the female staff curtsied. I was unsure of what I should do.

“Should I bow?”

“No,” Ashton assured, “they are staff employed to serve the house of Archer. They bow to you.”

“But I’m no one of importance.”

“You are with me, therefore you will be treated as I am treated, my lady.”

I giggled, unable to hold back. “My lady?”

“Yes.”

Once Ashton reached what I assumed were bedrooms, he stopped. “Your sleeping quarters are across from mine,” he pointed. “If you require anything I shall be in my quarters.”

“Will you escort me to dinner?”

“Is that your wish, my lady?”

“If it is your wish.”

“My dove, what is your wish on the matter?”

“I wish you to escort me to dinner.”

“Then it shall be done,” Ashton said, kissed my lips softly then turned and crossed the hall.

I opened the door to my room and stood silently. The room was beyond anything I could have imagined. I placed my foot over the threshold. The door closed behind my with a
click
as it latched. This room was opulent, everything gilded in gold. The furniture looked like it belonged in a museum instead of in a room where people would actually sit or lie upon it. Beneath my feet was dark hardwood adorned with fabulous rugs, in muted color palettes. Overhead were high carved ceilings molded in gold, and intricate crystal chandeliers along with a mural of angels floated within a blue sky.

I walked over to three large windows and turned. On the far end of the room was a dressing area with several full-length mirrors, an antique settee along with a gorgeous silk screen adorned with cherry blossoms within the design. By the screen was a huge bouquet of snow white roses setting atop an intricately carved table. The top of the table had been inlayed with tortoise shell.

The bed was probably the largest bed I’d ever seen. All hand carved dark wood with tall ornate spindles attached to an overhead canopy. It was encased in deep cherry colored silk and lace so the bed could be shut off completely by sliding the material back from their swags.

On each bedside table were more bouquets of snow white roses. Across from the bed a large fireplace protruded from the wall. The mantel was ornate, carved in a scrolling pattern glinted gold. Placed in front of the hearth was a pink velvet covered Queen Anne loveseat, flanked by two armchairs with buttoned upholstery of deep cherry red.

I meandered into the bathroom. It was fitted with a large claw footed tub that sat in a windowed nook. Over the tub hung another spectacular chandelier. Off to the side, a separate glass encased steam shower stood. Fresh cut flowers were placed upon an oval table sending the smell of roses through that room as well. There was another fireplace in the corner of the bathroom with floors shining of white marble. On the vanity sat all of my toiletries along with my perfume and my make-up. But as I gazed around the room there seemed to be one crucial item missing. I continued my quest to find the toilet was in a room separate from the bath and shower.

I wondered about my luggage. I hadn’t seen any of my bags as I toured my room. I walked over to the armoire, and opened up the doors to find all of my clothing. They were hanging or placed into the drawers on the bottom of the finely carved cabinet. My shoes were placed into a silk lined drawer, as were my unmentionables. Everything was in its place and a place seemed to be made for everything I had.

There was a knock at my door that interrupted my exploration. I went to answer.

“Come in, Alec.” I took him by the hand, pulling him in with vigor. “Is your room anything like mine? I have never seen anything like this,” I said in a rush of words.

Alec laughed. “My room is very nice as well,” he said. “I take it you are having a good time, my beauty.”

“Yes. How could I not?”

“How was the ride?”

“It was great. I never rode until today.”

Alec lifted my wrist. “I see Lord Archer gave you a bauble. For your birthday?”

“Yes. It is way too much, but he was insistent I have it.” I twisted my wrist, allowing the horse charm to sparkle. “It’s so beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but it pales to your beauty.”

“I feel like I am in a dream. Like I went to sleep, and I haven’t woken up. I’ve never seen such things. I have never even imagined such things for me.”

“Lord Archer is smitten by you. I imagine there is nothing he would not give you.”

“I don’t want things from him, Alec, but it is nice to know they actually exist, and it might be possible for me.”

“Anything is possible for you, my beautiful Trinity.”

“Dinner is at six. I need to get ready.” I said.

“Wear the black dress Amelia picked out.”

“The black one?”

“Yes. You will be ravishing.”

“Aren’t you coming to dinner?”

“No. I have an errand to run for Jacqueline. Once I heard Gavin was not here I was much less worried for you.”

“If he had been here, what would you have done?”