I was completely absorbed in my little game when Vance came to join me on the rug, setting his empty glass on the table behind me.
He lifted my damp hair away from my neck, leaning in to kiss me there.
“You look enchanting sitting here in the firelight,” he whispered, and he nibbled and licked my skin.
As usual, I tipped my head back to give him better access to the spot.
“So beautiful,” he said while he ran his fingers through the wet strands of my hair.
I closed my eyes, just enjoying his touch and the magical moment he was weaving around us.
He turned my face toward his and kissed me gently on the lips, parting them with his tongue, before he wrapped an arm around my waist and carefully laid me back onto the rug.
He kissed me like that for several long minutes, holding me softly, looking into my eyes. The rest of the room began to melt away until all I could see was him.
I reached one hand up to thread it through his hair, and the other I placed on his sculpted cheek allowing my fingers to trail lightly over the surface.
“I love you so much, Vance,” I whispered to him, completely wrapped up in his spell, always his willing captive.
“I’m glad. Loving you makes me happier than I could’ve ever imagined,” he replied as his eyes traveled over my face. “You cannot possibly know what it means to me to have you as my wife.”
“Then why don’t you show me,” I suggested to him, as I moved my fingers up to trace over his brow.
I felt the pull almost instantly, as his mind opened up wide and linked with mine. All of his thoughts and emotions poured into my head, causing a rush of sensation to move throughout my body. The feelings he gave me were so intense that I gasped out loud.
He chuckled softly at my reaction.
“You asked for it,” he said, a seductive grin lighting up the masculine dimples on his face.
“Yes, I did,” I replied, my breath quickening as sensations I had never felt before danced through me. “Whatever you’re doing, please don’t stop!”
“We’re doing this, Portia, both of us,” he explained as he sucked at my neck and my breath caught in my throat again with the intense emotions he caused by adding that physical touch. “This is my passion reacting to yours, each of us echoing back and forth off one another.”
“But I have no idea what I’m doing! Why hasn’t it been like this before?” I asked. I threw my head back, as he licked up the side of my throat.
“I guess because we were never mentally linked during our previous times together,” he mumbled against my skin.
“For heaven’s sake, why not?” I exclaimed in exasperation, wondering if he had been holding out on me on purpose.
“Too preoccupied … didn’t think of it … didn’t want to rush you,” he spoke in between kisses. “And I’m learning, too,” he whispered in my ear right before he nibbled at my earlobe, sending little waves of pleasure over me.
“Teach me everything you know. Don’t leave out a thing,” I begged him, wanting to make him feel exactly as I did.
“That could take a while,” he laughed softly.
“I don’t care,” I replied, right before he took my mouth with his.
We ended up spending the whole night right there on the floor in front of the fireplace.
Chapter 6
We awoke in the morning to a soft knock on the door to the suite.
Vance quickly jumped up, pulling me with him, swinging me off my feet and carrying me over to the bed. When I was safely tucked in with the covers up to my chin, he donned his robe from the night before and opened the door.
Colin was standing outside with a tray of food.
Vance stepped aside to let him enter.
“Thank you, Colin,” he said while watching Colin carry the tray over to the area we had just vacated. “We would’ve come down for breakfast, though.”
Colin gave a small smile.
“Madame has ordered breakfast for your room during your stay here. She said that was most appropriate for honeymooners.”
“Ah, I see,” Vance said with a knowing grin as he winked at me. “Please tell her I said thank you.”
“Is there anything else I can get for you this morning, sir?”
“No. I think we’re good,” Vance replied, as he followed Colin back over to the door, closing it behind him.
I blushed a thousand shades of red at the thought of us nearly being caught sleeping together on the rug.
Vance laughed as he retrieved my robe for me, bringing it over to the bed and laying it next to me.
“I must say I’m thrilled to see that I still have a blushing bride this morning. Especially after her wonderful displays of affection last night.” He grinned, and I knew he was baiting me.
Having him call attention to last night certainly did nothing to ease the state of my flushed skin, and I blushed even harder.
“Don’t be embarrassed,” he said and he kissed my flaming cheek. “Last night was amazing, and I loved every second of it.”
“Me too,” I admitted softly.
“Glad to hear it, because I’m greatly anticipating a repeat performance sometime in the near future,” he replied with a wink, and I wondered if my skin would forever carry the stain of this color.
“Would you care for a drink?” Vance asked, and I looked to see a carafe filled with orange juice on the tray as well as another bottle of chilled champagne.
“They sent champagne for breakfast? Isn’t it a little early in the day for such a beverage?”
Vance laughed slightly while he poured a glass of orange juice and then turned to hand it to me.
“I think Fiona is enjoying celebrating our nuptials with us,” he said with a slight shrug, and he turned back to pop the cork on the bottle before proceeding to pour himself a glass. “And I can’t think of anything else in the world I’d rather celebrate!” he added with a grin and a wink before he clinked his glass with mine then quickly downed the contents.
Smiling at him, I took a swallow of my fresh-squeezed orange juice, happy that he was so content with me and wanting to celebrate.
After we had eaten breakfast, we got ready for the day and ventured back out into the long hallway.
Vance had previously discussed the possibility of touring the grounds of Bell Tower today and perhaps finding a place where we could work on practicing our magic together.
I had agreed that those did sound like fun things to do, and we set out to find Fiona to see if we could make the arrangements.
Vance reached over and grabbed my hand, linking our fingers together as we made our way down the stairs.
Colin met us at the bottom and led us into the morning room where Fiona sat at a table, drinking a cup of tea.
Her head popped up at our arrival, and she closed her planner that she was working on.
“Good morning!” she said with a happy smile as she stood to greet us. “Come join me!”
We sat at the table with her, while Colin poured us two cups of tea.
“Thanks for the wonderful breakfast this morning,” I said, tipping my cup to take a sip of the steaming liquid.
“My pleasure,” she said, looking back and forth between the two of us. “I actually had a proposition for the two of you.”
“Okay,” Vance said, “tell us about it.”
“I was wondering if you’d allow your grandfather and me to throw a reception for you here. We’d love to introduce you to our friends and family, plus it would give us the opportunity to celebrate your nuptials with you.” She held her breath in anticipation of the answer.
Vance looked over at me with a smile, reaching out for my hand.
“Well, I always love an opportunity to show off my beautiful wife, but you don’t have feel obligated to do something like that for us,” he said, and he gave my hand a quick squeeze.
“Nonsense, I want to do it. We are family after all,” she replied, and I could see that she wasn’t go
ing to give up on the idea easily.
“What do you thing about it, baby?” he asked turning to look at me.
“I think it sounds kind of fun actually,” I replied with a smile.
“Wonderful!” Fiona said, clasping her hands together in delight. “I’ll have it set up for tomorrow night if that’s all right.”
Vance nodded his head. “That should be fine.”
“Is there somewhere we could go shopping for some new clothes, though?” I asked. “I don’t know that we brought any proper evening attire with us.”
“Absolutely!” she exclaimed and stood up. “I can have a car brought around right now to take you to Inverness this morning, unless you have other plans?”
“Nothing we can’t put off until later,” Vance smiled at her before turning to squeeze my hand again. “We can go now.”
“I need to grab my bag, though,” I said. I stood removing my hand from his. “You visit with Fiona. I’ll be right back.”
I left Vance with his grandmother as I slipped back out into the hall, hurrying up the stairs.
As I entered our room, I heard a sound and turned to find Colin coming out of the closet. I stopped in surprise.
He looked at me with only a second of shock registering in his eyes before his artful mask slipped back into place.
“Pardon me, Madame,” he said standing straighter. “Mrs. Cummings wanted me to check on the possibility of having the clothes in this closet removed for your convenience.”
“Oh,” I said. “I noticed the items in there.”
“Mrs. Cummings has a dear friend who comes for frequent visits. She has become accustomed to leaving her things here as a matter of convenience,” he explained to me.
“We can move to a different room,” I suggested to him. “I wouldn’t want our stay here to put anyone out.”
“You are not causing any problems,” he replied. “Mrs. Cummings is quite partial to this suite, which is why she put you here.”
“Oh, okay,” I said. “Well, unless you’re expecting Fiona’s friend soon, you really don’t need to trouble yourself about the items on our account. Vance and I don’t need that much space.”
He smiled and gave a curt nod of his head before he headed toward the door.
I went into the closet, grabbed my bag and both of our coats before heading back down the stairs.
Vance met me in the foyer, taking his coat from me before helping me into mine, and we stepped outside just as the car pulled up front. A smartly tailored driver stepped out and opened the door to the black luxury sedan with its dark-tinted windows, and we climbed inside.
The drive through the countryside was relaxing, and when we arrived in Inverness, the driver maneuvered with ease through the traffic, safely delivering us to the store Vance’s grandmother had recommended to us.
The sales people met us at the door, apparently having been informed of our impending arrival.
We were shuttled to a private viewing room, and our every need was catered to as we looked over several outfits the staff had already pulled for us before we had arrived. I realized then that Fiona must have called ahead to describe us in detail to the educated staff.
After trying on several different things, Vance settled on a lovely black tuxedo, with a white tie and vest, while I chose a long black satin dress, with a scooped neck and a dropped back that hugged every curve of my form. There was a slit up the back that went up to my mid thigh, and the edges of the dress were lined in silver threads.
I picked a pretty pair of black heels with a tiny silver buckle to match.
Vance paid for our purchases and walked with me out to the waiting car while our things were put in the trunk by the driver.
Vance spoke briefly with him outside the door before sliding into the seat next to me.
“What was that about?” I asked, curious about what they had been discussing.
“You’ll find out.” He smiled mischievously.
A few minutes later we pulled up in front of a fine jewelry store.
“What’s this?” I asked suspiciously, when the driver got out coming to hold our door open for us.
“You need something pretty to wear around your neck with that dress,” he said, and his gaze glanced down to my throat.
“But I already have something,” I said and I fingered the chains that held the silver locket containing the clippings from his hair, as well as the one to my beautiful purple amulet.
“I love those on you,” he said reaching out to run his own fingers over them lightly. “But I want to give you something special for tomorrow. Is that okay?” he asked while he continued tracing a finger down toward my chest. “Would you mind taking them off for the evening? I’ll be right by your side, so you won’t need the silver locket, and as far as the amulet … well, I’ll do my best to protect you should the need arise.”
I nodded and kissed him lightly on the lips. He quickly threaded his hand behind my neck, pulling me closer and deepening the kiss, not caring that the chauffeur was standing right there.
When he stopped, I was breathless once again, and I blushed as I realized the driver was purposely occupying his gaze elsewhere to give us some privacy.
Vance chuckled at my reaction and turned to look at the driver.
“Give us a minute, will you?” he said, glancing out at him.
“No problem, sir,” the well-mannered man replied, and he shut the door.
“What are you doing?” I asked incredulously when Vance turned back to face me with a wicked glint gleaming in his eye.
“Finishing what I started,” he smiled, and he pulled me back to his lips.
I laughed and pushed against him, feeling my flaming skin rising in temperature.
“People will see!” I said, nervously turning to glance over my shoulder toward the sidewalk outside.
He shook his head with a grin.
“Not with the tint on the windows of this car,” he said, his lips mere millimeters away from mine, his eyes flashing with desire. “Now, are you going to kiss your husband, or are you going to make him beg?”
“I think … beg,” I replied, and a playful grin spread across my face.
“Wrong answer,” he said, and he crushed his lips to mine, holding my head tightly to his as he slipped his tongue into my partially open mouth.
I leaned into his embrace eagerly and brought my hands up to his chiseled face, touching his cheeks gently with the tips of my fingers. He twisted his mouth slowly and heatedly back and forth over mine, tasting me from every angle he could until I was practically smoldering with desire.
He broke away from me suddenly and stared into my eyes, his breathing ragged as he looked at me.
“What are you doing to me?” he accused, and I was completely perplexed by his meaning.
“Doing?” I replied.
“You’re intoxicating. I can’t get enough of you. How can you seem so innocently unaware of your affect on me? Surely you know what a seductress you are?” He pulled me up against him again.
I would have laughed at his words had his emotions not been overpowering me. I could feel his need as it washed through him. He was very serious.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I sighed, and he suddenly leaned my body back against the seat, resuming his intense kissing of me.
He pinned me there effectively, though I was a willing prisoner, letting his hands caress down my arms, over my face and through my hair.
After enjoying his attentions for several moments, I pushed him away from me slightly.
“Vance, we’re on a street out in front of a store. This is totally inappropriate,” I said, with a slightly nervous giggle.
“Since when have I ever cared about propriety?” he asked, and he pulled me back to him again, this time kissing down the side of my neck.
“Never,” I responded to him, and I tipped my head to the side while closing my eyes, enjoying the pleasurable sensations he was creating. “But I can’t in good cons
cience do this with that poor nice man standing right there against the door while cars are rushing by him on the street!”
Vance let out a deep sigh as he rested his head in the crook of my neck.
“Fine,” he said quietly, and I could clearly hear the disappointment in his voice. “You’re right as usual.”
He lifted his head then to smile softly at me.
“I’m sorry,” I replied.
He shook his head, grinning seductively at me.
“I’m not,” he said. “And don’t think you’re getting out of this that easily. I fully intend to pick up right where I left off!”
He turned and knocked on the window of the car, and I hurried to straighten my disheveled hair while the driver opened the door.
I blushed furiously, unable to look at the man while Vance helped me out of the car and then walked me into the store.
Vance had several gorgeous items brought out of the cases for me to consider, from the very simple to the extremely extravagant. I had a very hard time deciding what to purchase, mostly because he insisted on me trying everything on. He would put the jewelry on me, and every time his fingertips slipped over my skin I would recall our heated moments in the car, causing me to blush once again and become distracted.
While I felt like a bumbling fool, I could tell he was enjoying the display very much, so well that I became convinced he was distracting me on purpose. He was constantly in contact with my overheated skin, until I was sure the storekeepers must have assumed I had some sort of prickly rash moving over my body.
After all was said and done, I ended up choosing a tasteful teardrop diamond necklace on a sparkling platinum chain. Vance insisted I get the matching earrings also.
He paid for the items, and we headed out to the car.
“Thank you for the gift,” I said after we were settled back into the vehicle.
“I like spoiling you,” he replied with a grin as he traced one finger up my throat.
“So I’ve noticed. But you don’t have to. I am completely happy with everything just the way it is.”
“I know,” he replied. “I feel the same way, but I hope you won’t mind if I indulge you once in a while. I can’t seem to help myself.”