Frost Fire, page 20
All thoughts were lost as his fingers pulled the gown loose, and his dark curly head came down upon her breasts, his lips closing gently over one tender peak. She jerked as if touched by a fire that shot into her very core.
Her fingers threaded into his thick dark hair, tightening there as he continued to explore her quivering body, the gown slowly lowered inch by inch, her flesh kissed and caressed until she felt herself aglow with heat and need and never-ending waves of pleasure. He moved atop her at last, bracing his elbows on either side of her head, taking her lips again, molding, tasting, tantalizing, until his mouth pressed softly into her small, shell-like ear.
"I'll only hurt you this one time, my love, I swear it," was his gruff whisper. But Tyler barely heard him, thinking only of his heavy body pushing her into the soft featherbed, and of the exquisite sensations he was arousing everywhere he placed his hot, moist lips.
When he moved suddenly, pressing himself into her, she stiffened in his arms, groaning from the stab of pain, aware not only of the hurt but also that he was inside her, that they were joined together as one. The very magnitude of such intimacy frightened her, but as he thrust into her again, her fear was quickly quelled, forgotten by his long, intoxicating kisses that numbed her mind and fired her blood.
They moved together then, his fingers entangled tightly in her flowing hair, and she found it not the least uncomfortable or painful, but right and good, as if they were created to fit together in such a close, special way. She held tightly to him, feeling wanted and needed and cherished as she never had before, and he moved slowly above her, kissing her until she felt his body go rigid, saw his lips open in a groan against her temple, breathing her name and words of love.
Great shivers of joy passed through her. It pleased her that even in her innocence she was able to satisfy a man as experienced and virile as her masculine, handsome husband.
For long moments they lay entwined, arms tight around each other, and Tyler felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders. She had survived her worst fears. Not only survived, but enjoyed and shared, just as Gray had told her.
He turned suddenly, holding her close, his whisper low in her ear.
"Was it so bad, sweet?"
"Not so bad at all," she murmured, her lips touching his chest. It surprised her that her kiss caused a quick intake of his breath. "In fact, I think Uncle Burl must have been quite ignorant about such things as this."
Gray laughed softly and put his lips on hers for several enjoyable moments.
"And there are many more pleasures for you, Tyler. More than you ever dreamed of."
"Oh, it can't be better than that," she returned without hesitation.
Gray lifted his head, smiling tenderly at her. "You have only taken the first taste of what I will show you."
"Show me now," she whispered, then was immediately appalled at her eagerness.
"I intend to," Gray assured her, taking her lips again.
And he did, all through the night, slowly, expertly, carrying her to the burning brink of her own sweet fulfillment and then beyond into ecstasy—over and over, until Tyler moaned and cried out in disbelief and wonder, as the sky slowly streaked red with the dawn of a bright new day.
15
Carlisle Kincaid lifted her foot to the tufted red velvet bench at the foot of the bed and quickly tied into a jaunty bow the lavender ribbon securing the top of her white silk stocking. She had overslept, of all things, and on the day of her voyage! It was little wonder, though, that she was exhausted; it had been nearly dawn when Chase had insisted she accompany him home.
She wrinkled her dainty nose at the thought of him, anger shooting through her at the way he had brazenly challenged her to kiss him in the carriage. The pompous wretch! And she was going to have to live at his hacienda for months while in Mexico.
Unbidden thoughts of that rather thorough kiss came with disconcerting clarity, but she quickly blocked out the memory. He had no doubt had a lot of practice. Now all she wanted was to find Tyler and make sure she was all right. Even more, she wanted to know the secrets of the marriage bed from someone with firsthand experience!
After pausing to give a few quick instructions to the maid packing her huge trunk for the sea journey, Carlisle hurried downstairs in search of her friend. She found Tyler sitting calmly at the dining room table, looking not at all as if she had just gone through the most frightening and momentous occasion in a young woman's life.
"Tyler!" Carlisle cried, rushing in with a swirl of lavender lace. "Where's Gray?" she asked, glancing quickly around the deserted room.
"He's instructing the staff about closing the house. We're leaving today, too, because he's decided to take me to Rose Point for our wedding trip. Isn't that wonderful? And Chase is—"
"I don't give a fig where that no-account blackguard is! I want to hear all about last night. Did Gray hurt you? Was it as bad as we thought? I got scared when I came home, because when I passed our door I heard you moaning and groaning like he was killing you!"
Tyler's eyes grew enormous and a surge of color darkened her cheeks to poppy red. Her gaze darted across the room just as Chase's deep voice floated to them.
"Buenas dias, Señorita Kincaid."
Carlisle whirled as he rose from a chair half hidden by a potted fern. She nearly wilted beneath the amused smirk on his bronzed face.
"Why didn't you make yourself known?" Carlisle demanded.
"I guess because I'm a no-account blackguard," he replied evenly, obviously enjoying her plight.
"Excuse me, please, I've packing to finish," Tyler mumbled, so stricken with mortification that she fled the room.
Carlisle wanted to follow posthaste, but she knew if she did, Chase's mocking laughter would follow her. Her pride would not allow that. Instead, she proceeded with jerky steps to the sideboard to pour a cup of warm chocolate and was appalled at her scarlet face as she caught: a glimpse herself in the narrow mirror above the silver coffee urn. She had been so amused at the way Tyler was always blushing around Gray, and now she was doing the same thing around Chase! Although she couldn't see him now, and refused to look at him, she knew Chase was probably still wearing his infuriating crocodile grin.
"You know, Señorita Kincaid," he drawled as she sat down at the table, as far away from him as possible, "if you really want someone to explain the wedding night to you, I would be happy to volunteer. Now that I've taught you how to kiss, I could show you a few other things as well."
Carlisle leapt to her feet, nearly overturning her cup and saucer.
"When elephants roost in trees, Juarista," she gritted out harshly, then stalked furiously from the room.
His laughter followed her.
Headlong in flight from Carlisle and Chase's disconcerting conversation in the dining room, Tyler ran smack-dab into Gray, who was just coming from the servants' quarters in the back of the house.
"What's the matter?" he asked at once, grabbing her shoulders and eyeing her pinkened cheeks.
"Nothing," she said too quickly, embarrassed that she was embarrassed, and certainly not wanting Gray to know why.
He searched her face, but all she could think about was the night before in his bed and all the wonderful things he had done to her there. She swallowed hard as erotic shivers nearly overcame her.
"Good God, woman, you look like you're about to faint," he noted with concern. "Here, sit down."
His hand on her arm made her heart thud, and she began to wonder if every night of married life would be like the first. If that proved to be true, she wasn't sure she could bear it!
"Shall I get you a glass of water?"
"No, no, I'm fine, really. I was just going to finish packing my trunk."
"I've already had that done for you. Actually, I'm ready to leave. Are you up to it, or would you like to rest awhile?"
She shook her head, thinking he was being much kinder than usual. Perhaps their night together had made a profound impression on him as well.
"All right, but you better sit here a moment while I round up Carly and Chase. We're to take them to the docks before we board the train."
Tyler watched him walk away with long, graceful strides. He had moved like that the night before when he poured them both a glass of wine—except then he had not been dressed. More heated blushes warmed her face, and she wondered if she would wear such a revealing flush every time she looked at her husband, for the rest of her life.
By the time the foursome stepped down on the long wharf alongside the muddy Mississippi River, Tyler had managed to attain a certain degree of self-control. The thought of Carlisle leaving made her sad, and she embraced the other woman warmly. They stood at the base of the gangplank that led to the launch which would take the passengers to the Mayan. Gray and Chase conversed quietly several yards away.
"Oh, Carly, I wish I were coming with you and Chase," Tyler murmured.
"Me, too, but tell me quickly about last night while your hateful cousin isn't lurking behind some potted plant."
"It wasn't"—Tyler hesitated, darting a quick look at Gray—"bad. Not bad at all. Actually, it was really, well, almost, quite nice."
Carlisle smiled. "Then you must love Gray a little after all. I'm so glad." She hugged her again. "I think he loves you, too. I guess he'd have to—to want to marry you so fast. I might even be married next time you see me, if things go well. To Javier, I mean."
"What? Are you really thinking of marrying him?"
"Oh, I don't know," Carlisle said airily. "He's desperate for me, and if the marriage act really isn't, horrible like the nuns said, I might say yes. He's very charming, don't you think?"
"Yes, he is," Tyler agreed, but they had no more time for private conversation, as Chase drew Tyler aside.
"Gray has assured me he'll take good care of you," he told her, smiling, "but if things don't go well and you need me, send a telegraph message to the hacienda. But give yourself a chance to be happy. And no more tricks or swindles, you hear me?"
"Yes. Oh, Chase, I wish I were going to Mexico, too."
"Gray's already said he'll bring you down for a visit, perhaps when Carlisle's ready to return home. How's that sound?"
"Wonderful," she said wistfully, watching Gray give his sister an affectionate good-bye hug. Despite all their differences, she knew Gray and Carlisle were deeply fond of each other.
A moment later, Carlisle rushed up to embrace Tyler one last time.
"Oh, Tyler, I almost forgot," she whispered. "I've decided to send that letter to Emerson Clan's cousin in Alabama after all. I'm sure that if I do, Stone will be able to catch him."
"Wait, Carly, I don't think you should. Where will you tell him to collect the inheritance?"
"I don't know yet. Probably our house in Chicago. Remember? We discussed it."
"No, that's not a good idea," Tyler protested, but Carlisle's attention was drawn to the whistle calling passengers to board the waiting vessel.
"Well, maybe I won't, then, I don't know, but I still think it's a wonderful idea. Good-bye, Tyler. I'll miss you so much. I'm so glad you're my sister now!"
Another quick hug followed; then, after a scathing look at Chase, Carlisle flounced down the gangplank toward her adventure in Mexico.
Chase and Gray exchanged grins and clasped each other's hands in a warm handshake.
"Good luck, my friend," Gray said. "You'll need it."
Chase smiled, a glint in his eyes. "Lady Luck's always been my mistress," he said. "Don't worry about Carlisle. I can handle her. And besides, you haven't met the duenna I chose for her. They call Senora Alvarez la aguila—for her eagle-sharp eyes. She's known far and wide in Monterrey for her strict supervision of young unmarried girls like Carlisle. You can rest assured that no man will be able to get within a foot of your sister without incurring the senora's wrath."
"That's good to hear. Don't worry about Tyler, either. I can handle her."
Chase laughed at Tyler's indignant frown, then strode off quickly after Carlisle.
Tyler and Gray stood quietly watching the boat until it was rowed to midriver and brought up alongside the sleek sailing ship anchored in the mighty stream.
"Come along now, Tyler. Our train is due to leave shortly," Gray said, leading her away with him. Tyler gave one last, longing look after Carlisle's boat before she allowed her husband to assist her into their hired carriage.
Dusk had long since fallen when Tyler and Gray sat across the marble-topped table in his plush, private railway car. The familiar clack-clacking of the rails hummed in their ears, the water in their long-stemmed crystal goblets quivering from the constant motion.
Tyler watched Gray surreptitiously, amazed at how much everything had changed since the last time they had dined together at this table, only days ago. That first trip had been a silent, angry one, and now they were husband and wife and had shared the closest physical intimacy that could exist between a man and a woman.
Tyler looked down at her plate, appalled at how often she had thought about their lovemaking. It was just such a wondrous thing, a surprise she had not expected. She still couldn't believe such pleasures existed.
"What are you thinking about?" Gray asked suddenly.
Yet another blush began its incriminating path up her neck. She told her half lie quickly, almost guiltily.
"About how different things are now. I mean, since the last time we were on this train."
"Yes, very different."
He said nothing else, but he watched her closely, a slight smile on his lips.
"I think we'll have a better time this trip," he remarked as he leaned over, pulling open a hinged door on a nearby table.
Tyler watched him take out a small package wrapped in bright green tissue paper and secured with a red bow. He laid it on the table in front of her.
"What's this?" she asked, unable to hide her surprise and pleasure.
"Your wedding present."
Tyler met his azure eyes, took in his warm smile, then shivered. "You shouldn't have," she murmured, toying with the narrow ribbons.
"Why not?"
"Because I didn't give you anything."
"Yes, you did."
Although his answer was vague, she knew what he meant. He had already told her it pleased him greatly that she had not lain with any other man before him. Though, she thought wryly, if she had known how truly magical it was, she might have been sorely tempted. She suddenly wondered if it was always so good, or if it depended on the man and woman involved. It must be a natural thing, she decided, if even enemies like her and Gray could enjoy it so thoroughly.
"Open it."
Tyler obeyed, tugging the bow loose, then carefully folding back the fragile paper. A familiar drawstring bag lay there.
"Mother's jewels," she said softly, swallowing hard, her heart touched by the gesture. She raised her eyes to him. "Thank you. You don't know what this means to me."
"I think I do," Gray replied. "There's more."
Surprised, Tyler picked up the jewelry bag and found a paper lying there, folded in thirds like a legal document. At first not understanding what it was, she picked it up, her face paling slightly as she read the neatly penned words.
"It's the deed to Rose Point," she said, shocked. "You've put it in my name!" Tears came unbidden, and she blinked them back, her voice choked. "You're going to give it to me? Why?"
"Because you want it," he answered simply.
Tyler couldn't believe her ears or see how he could actually be handing the vast estate over to her, just like that.
"Even after all I've done to you? You're just giving it to me as a present?"
Gray smiled. "You should have asked me for it in the first place. It would have saved you and poor Mrs. Stokely a lot of time and trouble."
"Are you saying you would have agreed to sign it over to me, a complete stranger, when I first arrived in Chicago?"
"If I had known then everything I know now, I think I would have done just that."
"Father would be so pleased," she said, her emotions rising again.
"Do you still miss him?" Gray asked gently, and Tyler dabbed a tear from her eye.
"Yes. He was the kindest, most wonderful man who ever lived. And he loved me so much. More than anything else in the world."
Tyler looked at Gray, seeing him again as the man who had caused her beloved father to take his own life. An expression flitted across Gray's face, one she couldn't identify, but it made him rise abruptly and cross the room to the bellpull. He gave the tasseled gold cord a tug.
"We're done here, aren't we? I have to finish some correspondence, so why don't you go on to bed? It's growing late."
His mention of bed pushed away any other thoughts, and Tyler hesitated. But as Homer, the steward, came to clear away the dishes, toting his round silver tray, she rose from the chair. Gray was already seated at his desk, no longer paying any attention to her. So, clutching the jewels and the deed to her beloved home tightly against her breast, she parted the portiere that led to the bedroom.
Feeling lonely all of a sudden, she glanced around, then sighed, looking down at the land deed again, still finding it hard to comprehend that Gray Kincaid had actually signed her father's plantation over to her.
Smiling, she carefully placed the jewelry and the document inside the locked drawer of her trunk, then went behind the screen to disrobe. She slipped into her nightgown as she had the previous night, but this time there was no fear in her heart, only a thundering, quivering; anticipation. Gray was being courteous by waiting outside, because she had asked him to let her undress in private. He was being nice again. And he was taking her home to Rose Point!
