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allowance for Aunt Patricia. It must be substantial, too."
Lyon leaned back in his chair. He closed his eyes and prayed for patience. "Do
you really think I'm going to provide for that… that…"
"She cannot help what she is," Christina interjected. "She's old, Lyon, and
for that reason alone we must provide for her. It isn't necessary that you
like her."
Christina smiled at their visitors. "At first I believed that my aunt could
come and live with us, but I see that wouldn't work. No, she would never get
along with Lyon. Of course, if my husband doesn't agree to finance her, then I
suppose she'll have to stay with us."
He knew exactly what she was doing. A slow smile pushed his frown away. His
gentle little wife had a pure heart, and a mind worthy of a diplomat. She was
manipulating him now, hinting at the ridiculous possibility that the Countess
would have to live with them if he didn't provide for her.
At that moment though, with her smiling so innocently at him, he decided he
didn't want to deny her anything.
"Henderson, if you've the stomach for it, I would like to put you and Borton
in charge of the Countess's account. Let me know what is needed to keep
Christina's aunt content enough to leave us alone."
While Christina patiently waited, the details were worked out. She then saw
the gentlemen out the door and hurried back into the library.
"Thank you, husband, for being so understanding," she said as she walked over
to stand beside him.
Lyon pulled her down into his lap. "You knew damn well I'd do anything to keep
that old bat away from you. God's truth, I'd even quit the country if I had
to."
"Thank you for not calling my aunt an old bat in front of our guests,"
Christina said.
"I was about to," Lyon answered, grinning. "You knew that, of course. It's the
reason you interrupted me, wasn't it?"
Christina wrapped her arms around Lyon's neck. "Yes," she whispered. She
leaned forward to nuzzle the base of his throat. "You are such a shrewd man."
Lyon's hand rested on her thigh. His other hand was busy pulling the ribbon
out of her hair. "Christina, what weapon does the Countess hold over you?"
The softly spoken question caught her unprepared. "I don't understand your
meaning, Lyon. My aunt doesn't have any weapons."
"Christina, I saw the fear in your eyes when the Countess said she'd tell me
everything. What did she mean?"
He felt the sudden tension in her, knew then she understood exactly what the
threat was. "You're going to have to tell me the truth, Christina. I can't
protect you unless I know whatever secrets there are."
"I don't want to talk about it now, Lyon," she announced. She started to
nibble on her husband's ear, hoping to distract him. "We are newly married,
after all, and I'd rather be kissing you."
He told himself he wouldn't let her waylay his topic, tried to ignore the
surge of desire hardening his loins when Christina moved against his arousal,
but when she boldly whispered into his ear how much she wanted him to touch
her he decided to give in to her demand before asking her any more questions.
His mouth had never felt as wonderful to Christina. The fear of his rejection
when he learned all her secrets made her feel almost desperate to take and to
give as much as she could now, before the truth was turned against her.
His kiss was magical, soon robbing her of all her frightening thoughts. Yes,
it was magic, for Lyon made her feel so desirable, so loved.
The kiss exploded into raw passion. His breathing was harsh when he pulled
away from her. "Let's go back upstairs," he rasped.
"Why?"
"Because I want to make love to you," Lyon answered, trying to smile over her
innocent question. He was literally shaking with his need for her.
"I want to make love to you, too," Christina whispered between fervent kisses
along his jaw. "Do we have to go back upstairs? I don't want to wait that
long."
His laughter confused her until he lifted her off his lap and started
undressing her. Then she decided he was pleased by her idea.
They came together in wild abandon, fell to the floor in one fluid motion.
Christina was stretched out on top of Lyon, her legs tangled with his. Her
hair fell to the floor, on the sides of Lyon's profile, acting as a shield
against the outside world.
She was content to stare into her husband's eyes for a long moment, to savor
the anticipation of the splendor only he could give her. Lyon's hands stroked
shivers down her spine. The heat of his arousal warmed her belly, and the
hairs on his chest tickled her nipples into hardening.
"I'm shameless, for I can't seem to get enough of you," she whispered.
Lyon cupped her soft, rounded bottom in his hands. "I wouldn't want you any
other way," he told her. "Kiss me, wife. Christina, all you have to do is look
at me and I start throbbing."
Christina kissed his chin while she slowly, deliberately rubbed her breasts
and her thighs against him.
He groaned with pleasure. His hands moved to the back of her head. He forced
her mouth upward to seal it with his own. His tongue plunged hungrily inside
to taste again the intoxicating sweetness she offered him.
Christina was more impatient than he was. She moved to straddle him, then
slowly lowered herself until he was completely inside her. She leaned back, [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]