Now, as she made her way to the greenhouse located on the other side of the gardens, she pulled her wool cloak tighter. She wished she’d thought to wear her bonnet and gloves. Her teeth were already chattering from the cold, and her breath clouded in front of her with every exhale.
Snow still covered the earth, and with the moon shining brightly, she could only pray that no one glanced outside. A shadowy figure would be rather easy to spot sneaking away from the manor.
Sweet warmth enveloped Lyra as she pulled open the door to the massive, brick greenhouse and slipped inside—before a gasp fell from her lips at the sight before her.
It was just like the sketches of the rainforests of South America that she’d read about in her books. Tall, towering plants of green reached as far as the ceiling, a few with leaves as large as an elephant’s ear. Some even had mini bananas on them, while others boasted large, flowering blooms that naturally perfumed the air. Even though Lyra wasn’t a botanist, she could certainly admire the beauty of such a glorious retreat.
“You’re late.”
Lyra turned to see Alister leaning against the doorframe to another section of this magical wonderland. As he pushed away and moved toward her—his movements predatory, his eyes feral—she could easily picture him as a wild creature of the jungle coming to claim her for his own.
Lyra knew she should be asking him questions about the cipher, but when that strong, muscular body stopped before her, she couldn’t resist reaching up to bring his mouth down to hers.
Alister seemed taken aback at first, but he quickly deepened the embrace. “Oh, God, Lyra, I’ve missed you,” he growled in her ear, causing her to shiver in delight.
“I want you. Now.” She panted as she reached up to push his jacket off of his shoulders. Laces were undone and buttons were scattered until Alister’s shirt hung open, his cravat discarded along with his jacket. Lyra’s cloak and gown were in a forgotten heap beside them.
Lyra was left in her chemise, stays, and drawers, but the earlier chill that had invaded her was wiped away as she placed her palms on Alister’s hot flesh. She dared to lean forward and nip at his chest with her teeth, gaining a rewarding sound from his throat that could only be described as a satisfied rumble, like a lion’s purr.
In the next instant, he had his hands under her backside. As he lifted her, she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist and their mouths fused together once more. Alister stumbled, kicking over something that clanged against the stone floor, as he carried her into what she could only assume was a potting room. Whatever it was, Lyra didn’t care as he braced her against the wall. Able to free one of his hands, he exposed her breasts to his hungry gaze. She clutched his hair as he began to suck her aching nipples.
The torture continued until she finally begged, “Please…”
He didn’t say anything, merely reached down and undid his trousers. She only had a glimpse of his engorged length before he was inside her. She cried out, the sheer pleasure of being joined with him again too much to contain. She felt as if she was going to break apart as he teased her, slowly sliding out, before thrusting back, his rhythm gradually gaining speed and strength with every glorious stroke.
Just when Lyra thought she couldn’t take any more, she felt the familiar storm beginning to build. As she crashed around him, he ground his hips into hers one final time, before their bodies eventually stilled.
Their breathing steadily came back to normal, and Alister withdrew from her.
As he put himself to rights, Lyra knew a moment of blind panic, remembering the last time they had made love and how he’d left her so abruptly.
But when he merely gathered up her clothes and came back to her, kissing her ever so gently on the lips, she knew this time would be different. “As much as I hate to say it, you should get dressed. We have some things to discuss, and if you stay as you are it will be rather difficult to keep my hands off of you.”
Lyra felt her cheeks heat as she put her gown back on. It wasn’t from embarrassment or shame, but pure feminine delight. She loved the fact that she could distract Alister to such a degree that he forgot all reason.
He certainly had the same effect on her.
Once they were both presentable, Alister led her over to a scrolled iron bench, where they sat down. He gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, but he didn’t say anything at first, simply looked his fill.
After a time, Lyra took the initiative. “You were going to tell me something about the cipher we found?”
“Yes.” With a reluctant sigh, Alister let his hand fall away.
“Was your contact able to decipher it?” she asked urgently, but when he gave her a side-glance, she figured it out for herself. “Ah. That would have been you, I take it.”
He reached out to take her hands in his, as if he couldn’t keep from touching her. “I’m sorry for everything, Lyra. I hope that in time you will forgive me and realize that I had no choice.”
“I already have,” she admitted. “And I’m the one who should be sorry. I was just too…hurt to hear any explanations.” She wanted to say more, but that seemed to be enough, for he leaned over and gave her a brief kiss.
“I know,” he said softly. “As far as the cipher goes, I was able to figure out that it is referring to latitude and longitude.” He added somewhat sheepishly, “I was actually intending to pursue a lead in Chatham this afternoon.”
“What happened?”
His lips twitched. “Nothing. I fear I was distracted from my original course by a lovely woman.”
Her cheeks heated. “Surely I wasn’t the cause.”
That dimple made a confident appearance. “Always.”
