Page 20 of Beauty and the Rake (Endless Love #1)

Riding as fast as she thought safe, Roxanne soon arrived at Graham’s stables. A single lamp shone, and apart from that, she couldn’t see anyone. As she swung her leg over her mount’s back, a stable boy appeared out of nowhere. His face looked as though he’d been crying.

As she headed for the open door, the boy spoke up. “You don’t want to go in there, milady.”

“I’m here to see…”

“He’s at the house.”

“Oh, my,” she whispered half to herself. “Thank you.”

She walked toward the house. Deciding to enter by the kitchen, Roxanne pulled the door open. There were a few gathered at a table in the room. All heads rose upon seeing her enter.

“I’m sorry to disturb, but I’m looking for Hawksbury,” she said.

“You’ll probably find him in his study, poor man,” a man she recognized to be one of Graham’s footmen said.

“Thank you. The stallion couldn’t be saved?”

All heads shook. “No.”

“I was afraid of that. Don’t let me disturb you any further,” she said, heading to the stairs that led up to the main floor.

There was no response when she knocked on the door to Graham’s study. After pounding a third time, she heard a voice telling her he didn’t wish to be disturbed. Well, like it or not, he was going to be disturbed. She hadn’t ridden out at this time of night just for him to push her away.

She opened the door slowly and walked in. The only light was coming from the hearth. Sitting in one of the well-worn brown leather wing-back chairs sat Graham, a glass of brandy in his hand as he stared into the flames. As she walked closer, he still did not acknowledge her presence.

“I came as soon as I heard,” she whispered.

He nodded ever so slightly. “You didn’t have to. He went down and no one could get him up. You know he’d have never recovered once that happened, so I made the decision to put him out of his misery.”

“I know that had to be the hardest decision to make.”

“It was the only decision at that point.”

“Look at it this way, he’s out of pain and misery,” she said, sitting in the chair next to his.

“He is, but it still wasn’t an easy decision to make. I’ve had him all his life. He’s known no one else.”

“I know,” she said, watching his face closely. She stood. “If you’d rather I leave, I can.”

He glanced up at her and shook his head slowly. “No, I’m glad you’re here.” He set his snifter down and unfolded himself from the chair. “Would you care for a brandy?”

“Yes, yes I would.”

Taking his glass, he poured them both a glass of the amber liquid. When he neared, he handed her a snifter. “Sit,” he said.

Roxanne held the crystal with both hands and sat down again on the chair in front of the fire. She took a swallow of the smooth French brandy. Graham always kept some of the best liquor from the Continent.

“How is the babe?” she asked.

“To be honest, I don’t know. I got so caught up in Zeus’s ordeal that I never made it to the nursery. I’m sure she is fine.”

“That’s understandable.”

“Humph.”

“Would you like me to go to the kitchen and see what I can find for your dinner?”

He shook his dark locks. “No, not right now. I’m enjoying your company. Thank you for coming.”

They sat in his study by the fire and talked for a long time about Graham’s memories of his beloved stallion.

In one instance he recalled when Roxanne hounded him about riding Zeus.

No one rode Zeus. No one until that summer afternoon when Graham spoke to Arthur about letting her try.

He let her get relaxed atop him. It was then that the animal snorted, pulling aside and running.

Arthur watched in dismay as he eyed his sister trying to regain control of the situation.

One thing was for sure, she had no control, and the stallion certainly wouldn’t cease his bad behavior.

Roxanne slid out of the saddle and directly her bum hit the ground. She moaned as she got to her feet and dusted her dress off. She never let on if she were in any pain.

Walking past Arthur and Graham, who were still laughing, she mumbled something about that stupid horse. Neither heard her comment. Exasperated by both, she walked past them and headed towards the house.

“I suppose we were a little insensitive, but if you could have seen yourself flying off Zeus…” He snorted, then took a drink of brandy.

“I’m sure it was quite amusing to you and Arthur, but my bum hurt for several days afterwards.”

“Served you right.”

Slowly, with both hands on her face, he drew her towards him. He leaned down and caught her lips with his. Her hand curled around his nape, running her fingers through his hair while the other drifted up to his chest. She shivered as he nibbled at an earlobe.

“Someone might enter.”

“No one dares enter without first announcing themselves,” he replied.

“I’m not used to this.”

“What? Being with a man outside the bedroom?”

He stood and headed across the room.

“Where are you going?”

“To lock the door. I’m going to make love to you.”

He dropped to his knees in front of her and lifted her skirts. Quickly removing her undergarments and parting her legs, he gazed down at her. Her breath hitched in anticipation of what came next. He ran his fingers over her hipbones before running his tongue along her folds.

She moaned low as his tongue pressed against her nub before sucking and making her quiver with anticipation.

He lifted her legs and raised them over his shoulders and continued to tease her with his tongue.

Finally, all the buildup exploded, taking her over the edge.

She reached for his cock and found the tip wet.

She smeared the wetness onto her thigh, then guided him to her opening.

Another small orgasm raced through her as he penetrated her. He pushed farther.

“Don’t stop,” she whispered.

He continued deeper into her and pushed until he was seated to the hilt. He began to slowly thrust in and out as they established a rhythm together.

“You feel so good,” he gasped.

“Graham!” She cried out his name as she met him stroke for stroke.

Finally, he exploded inside her. Her name and filthy words flew from his mouth as he finally slowed and pushed one last time.

They remained like that for a few moments.

He didn’t know if it was mere seconds, a minute, an hour, or a day.

He was in utopia and never wanted it to end.

He wanted to carry her upstairs and take her again, this time completely naked, where he could taste her breasts and feel the rest of her flesh against his.

“I want more,” he murmured. “I want to touch every part of your body. I want you to touch me.”

“I do too.”

“You do?” He hadn’t expected that from her.

“Yes. Is the tower far from here?”

“Far enough, but it sounds like rain is hitting the windows.

“Drat,” she replied. “I suppose we’re left with no choice but to stay in your chambers, milord.”

He laughed and kissed her. “Get dressed.”

They put themselves to right and then left the library and stepped into the hallway. It was eerily quiet, but then Graham’s servants knew how to disappear into the woodwork. Taking her hand, he led her up the stairs to his chamber.

As soon as the door closed behind them, he locked it and bent down.

His mouth covered hers, and he kissed her deeply, his tongue slipping past her lips to toy with hers.

He tasted like liquor and perhaps cigars.

She felt his fingers working her clothing until she was down to her chemise.

Slowly, he pulled it over her head. His hands reached for her breasts, stroking them tenderly before he pinched her nipple.

He led her to the bed and quickly undressed before kissing her neck.

“Graham,” she moaned.

She ran her hands down his back. He was nude, his skin hot to the touch. He lay atop her, his weight settling between her thighs.

She felt the tip of his cock nudge her as he found her entrance and thrust inside.

He shifted back and rocked, gently, each small thrust pushing him deeper.

He hooked his hands under her knees and lifted them over his shoulders.

He kissed her mouth, then feathered kisses to her breasts, torturing her.

He was in control and would make love to her in the manner he desired. She arched up, silently asking him to touch her more. She ran her hands through his hair and hung on, kissing him back and moving submissively under him.

He groaned as his hips worked a little faster, his cock deep inside her. She felt each thrust and moaned, wanting more. She arched her back and met him with equal fervor. She wanted this man more than life itself.

He broke their kisses and slid his fingers down her side, between their bodies. He pressed his thumb down on her throbbing nub.

“Come with me,” he rasped. His shoulders were bunched with muscle, strands of hair clinging to his face as his eyes stared wildly into hers.

“I can’t.”

His thumb circled her nipple as his cock continued to fill her.

She arched her head and cried out, his mouth catching the sound.

She’d never experienced anything like this before.

He propped himself up on his elbows and kissed her gently as he made love to her, then threw back his head as his body jerked into hers.

He called out her name as his seed flooded her.

“My God, Roxanne, what are you doing to me?”

Slowly, he withdrew and lay on his side, pulling her close to him. Roxanne had never felt such bliss before. She absentmindedly ran her fingers through his chest hair, feeling his chest rise and fall as he settled.

“I could ask you the same thing.”

“What?”

She sat up. “I’ve never experienced the closeness I felt when we’re one.”

He smiled. “Good to know. There is so much more I want to teach you. That is, if you’re interested.”

“Yes, I’m interested.”

“I was hoping you would be.”

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