Chapter Forty
Lord Kendrick, Duke of Alton
The maidservant had dimmed the lights in the master suite. A fire glowed in the fireplace, a luxury I indulged in. The bed was turned down. Two chairs were situated near the fire, and a bottle of champagne chilled on a side table, along with a cheese plate and fruit. I hadn’t eaten all day, yet the thought of food turned my stomach.
Lillian hadn’t finished her toilet yet, and I hadn’t seen Colt for hours. He’d dispatched Gavin, and although I was most eager to find out how he accomplished that feat, I was more interested in welcoming him home properly.
The soft creaking of the connecting door opened, and Lillian appeared. She wore a cream-colored dressing gown, the chemise beneath it sheer silk that showed her nipples and the triangle of hair between her long legs. Henry had proven to be a master at choosing clothing that enhanced her lithe frame.
“You look beautiful,” I said, reaching out my fingers to her. She laid her palm in my hand and allowed me to bring her into my body. “That gown, or lack thereof, is very becoming on you.”
“Thank you. It was delivered this week when you were gone.” The scent of lilies surrounded her. She leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my lips, her breath warm against my skin as she spoke. “It felt like a lifetime. Do you think Colt will think me too forward?”
I lifted a strand of hair and fingered the silky length. “I think he’ll think it perfect.”
Colt entered the room in his shirtsleeves and trousers. He shut the door behind him. A lock of hair fell over his forehead, and the distinctive line of stubble on his jaw enhanced his appearance rather than detracted. Like me, he had been traveling all day, but there was an aura of vitality surrounding him.
“Where have you been?” I asked, anticipation for the upcoming night wiping away my exhaustion.
“I was taking care of some last-minute details. Suffice it to say, Gavin will no longer bother you.” He flashed an impish smile. In the time since I had seen him last, he’d changed, and I couldn’t pinpoint how. Or perhaps I was really seeing him for the first time.
“What happened?” Lillian asked, the smile leaving her eyes.
“I would rather not talk about it tonight.” He used his knuckle to bring her chin up. Compassion softened his expression, along with determination. “The subject matter is upsetting, and frankly, I have another more immediate concern to discuss with you. It would seem I have lost my old room to Henry. Wherever shall I stay?”
Lillian tilted her head at his teasing, her solemn expression lightening. She cupped his jaw with both hands, spreading kisses across his mouth and cheeks, her enthusiasm contagious. “Oh, Colt, I missed you. Missed you so much.”
Colt drew her into his embrace, holding her tight. He buried his hand in her thick curls. “I missed you too, Lillian. You’re my muse.”
“The feeling is mutual.” She pulled back and brushed her thumb over his bottom lip. “I love you, Colt. My life isn’t complete without you in it.”
“I love you too, Lillian. That’s why I returned to London.” His voice had deepened, and a glimmer of profound emotion enhanced his amber eyes. “I hope you don’t mind that I live here with you? Kendrick was rather persuasive, and I, well, you know how I feel about him. You have always known.”
Warmth flooded my entire being at his earnest words, and I swallowed before rallying. I had been on an emotional wave for far too long. The waters had finally settled, and I wanted to enjoy what was before me, the two people I was madly in love with. “Tonight is a time for celebration. I have ordered champagne. Let us toast our good fortune before I bugger you until you scream.”
“You will bugger me?” Colt lifted a brow while shaking his head. He unfastened his waistcoat, stripping it off and throwing it on the chair behind him. Eagerness oozed from him, imitating my own desire. “I believe Lord Golden kneels at the dark knight’s altar, not the other way around.”
“Moran changed the title from Achilles to Lord Golden. I’m afraid Kendrick is right. However, I have come up with my next title. Would you like to hear it?” Lillian arched her neck and pressed her mouth to the underside of his jaw. Slender fingers moved to the buttons of Colt’s trousers.
“You have begun your next book?” Colt lowered his lashes at her ministrations. Color rode high on his cheekbones as he removed his shirt, leaving his chest bare. Broad shoulders tapered to a lean waist, the muscles of his stomach taut.
Lillian unfastened Colt’s trousers, her mouth moving down his chest. She tongued his nipple and tugged the wool off his hips. My cock swelled at the sight of her seduction. I was envious of the way she skimmed her mouth down his rigid belly.
He licked his lips, eyes glazed with unfulfilled need. I ached to touch both of them. It had been more than weeks since I bedded him and a week since I had made love to my wife; forlove her I did. Yet still, I held off joining them. The sight of them together fired my blood, adding to my growing desires. “What is the title?” I asked.
“Take A Dive into the Dark Knight.” Lillian straightened and, placing her hands on his shoulders, pushed him into the chair. She projected newfound confidence and showed no hesitation in her seduction of our mutual lover. “It is one of my cleverer turns of phrase.”
I was glad she found her voice. I just wish she didn’t have to endure abuse from Gavin. My fury over the ordeal sparked anew. I pushed away the anger. Gavin had wasted enough of my time. I had other, more pressing matters to attend to. “It is rather brilliant if I do say so myself.”
“Sheis brilliant,” Colt said, pressing a kiss to her mouth.
She moved her hand to his cock. I untied the sash to my robe and grabbed the bottle of champagne; my eyes glued to the chair’s inhabitants. With a twist of my wrist, the cork popped off.
Lillian broke the kiss and knelt before him. Honey brown curls fell down her back. She never looked more beautiful or desirable. Without an ounce of hesitation, she dragged her tongue along the underside of his cock before swirling it over the head. Colt watched her out of half slit eyes, his mouth parted.
