Page 76 of Surrender

“That’s it, mo ghràdh. Now imagine it’s my tongue licking that sweet, plump bud,” Theo rasped.

Genevieve moaned softly as she stroked herself. She’d never played with herself before. She’d never had any desire to. The past hadn’t allowed her to believe pleasure was something she could experience. She’d always believed her body was nothing more than an instrument men had used to achieve their own pleasure.

Not until that day in the croft, when a blinding need to find a release from all her pent-up grief had taken hold of her senses, had she realized she’d been wrong. It was the first time she’d ever experienced pleasure, and it had shocked her. That day in the croft, she’d thought making love to Theo had been nothing but carnal need. But in that first moment when she’d experienced passion, pleasure, and desire in his arms, everything had changed.

That was when the first shackle binding her to the past had been broken. With each and every touch since that day, Theo had managed to break one link after another. Tonight he was helping her break the last one.

“I want you to imagine you’re on top of me, mo ghràdh. Imagine you’re riding my cock as you stroke yourself harder and faster.”

The strained note in Theo’s voice made her look at him from where he watched her on the opposite side of the board, a rapt expression on his face. As she obeyed him, her eyes fluttered shut and a burning sweetness sped through her veins, riding on a rising tide of pleasure. Fire licked at her insides, and in her mind she could see Theo beneath her as her body began to writhe against her fingers in fast-paced strokes.

The flames reached her belly and as they streaked down toward the heart of her, her hips arched upward in a hard jerk as her body reached a familiar pinnacle, and she released a cry of satisfaction, which she silenced by clamping her hand over her mouth.

“Christ Jesus, mo leannan. That was one of the most erotic things I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Theo’s words vibrated with a dark hunger that made her open her eyes to stare up into his stormy-blue gaze. A look of tormented need hardened the line of his jaw, pulling at his facial muscles until a tic appeared in his cheek. With a grunt, he fell back onto his side of the mattress, and as she adjusted her nightgown to cover herself, she heard a soft rustle on the opposite side of the bed.

Sitting up, she stared down over the board to see Theo holding himself in one hand, sliding it up and down his hard erection. Fascinated, Genevieve drew in her breath at the sight. Eyes closed, Theo’s handsome features were taut with a savage expression as a guttural sound blew past his lips.

Neck muscles corded and pulled tight, he increased the power and strength of his strokes. The speed with which his hand moved made Genevieve draw in a sharp breath. A second later, he jerked, then spilled his seed onto his stomach with a restrained cry of release. For more than a minute, he lay still, his eyes closed, dragging in deep, ragged breaths.

“Theo—”

“We will not be doing that again. Ever,” he rasped. “And the first family member who thinks to suggest this form of sleeping arrangement before we’re married will wish to God they’d not opened their mouth.”

Unable to help herself, Genevieve released a soft snort of laughter. Theo’s eyes flew open to meet hers, and he glared at her for a moment before he chuckled. As his laughter went silent, she saw the adoration and love darkening his gaze as he looked up at her. Happiness wound its way through every cell in her body.

“I love you, Theo.”

“And I you, mo leannan,” he said softly. “But for the love of God, do not let anyone convince you to wait several months to marry me.”

Another laugh escaped her as she shook her head.

“Would a Christmas wedding at Callander Abbey in two weeks be all right with you?”

“Knowing our mothers and our aunts, that will not be soon enough to ensure you’re tied to me forever. I’m sure they’ll think you’re likely to run as you did a few weeks ago.” There was just enough of a hint of uncertainty in his voice that made Genevieve shake her head.

“All I want is to run to you, Theo,” she whispered, her fingers wrapping around the edge of the board between them. “I love you, and I have no wish to live without you.”

Theo’s fingers slipped beneath the rope hovering close to the board between them to cover hers. He didn’t speak, but this time he didn’t have to. Everything in his gaze told her all she needed to know. She was loved in spite of every dark moment of her past. It was a love that would keep her safe, and despite what Theo thought, in time, his love would help heal all the broken pieces inside her.

Epilogue

“Oh Genevieve, I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride,” Louisa Rockwood exclaimed as Genevieve’s mother adjusted the veil with the Rockwood diamonds and white sapphires.

“She’s right, sweetheart,” Rhea whispered as she straightened, and with a loving smile, caught Genevieve’s hand in hers and met her gaze in the mirror.

As she’d done with Genevieve’s cousin Amalie, her aunt had been the one to find the right dress for her wedding. Now, as she stared in the mirror, fear shot through Genevieve. She didn’t see the woman her mother and aunt did.

What she saw was the small child with auburn hair she’d once been with Ruckley standing behind her, an insidious smile on his face. The image made her shudder, and Genevieve whirled away from the mirror, pulling the tiara and veil off her head. The hairpins scraped painfully against her scalp as she thrust the headdress toward her aunt.

“I can’t do this. I can’t let Theo marry me.”

Panic filled her voice as her aunt accepted the veil and crown with a look of pained dismay. As Genevieve reached behind her back to begin undoing her gown, Rhea Rockwood tugged her arms away from the buttons.

“Stop, Genevieve,” her mother said in a calm, steady voice as she glanced at her sister-in-law. “Louisa, go let everyone know there’s been a slight delay. Say there’s been a wardrobe malfunction or whatever. It’s pre-wedding nerves. She just needs a few minutes.”

As Louisa nodded and hurried from the room, Genevieve met her mother’s sympathetic gaze. Rhea clasped Genevieve’s trembling hands in a tight grip, and the moment they were alone, her mother shook her head.