Lovescape

Chapter 1-3

White-hot desire shot through Vidal, and his s*x hardened. Whether from a desire for revenge, overwhelmed emotions or the aching tenderness caused by her tenacious sympathy, he didn’t care. It was enough that desire had arisen.

He tugged on Rosalind’s shoulder gently, trying to pull her against his body, but their side-by-side position complicated the alignment. She pulled away, kicking off her shoes, and scrambled up on the bed to lie back against the pillows. Vidal followed and she pulled him into a lush embrace. This time, her tongue explored his mouth with a boldness that further incited him. He slid his arms under her back and lay over her, her breasts squashed against his chest. She clung to him with equal fervor.

You’re taking advantage, his conscience told him. You’re doing your dear friend a terrible disservice. She deserves better than a clandestine encounter whose sole purpose was to help you forget another woman. If Rosalind is to have a lover, it should be because a man cannot help wanting her. Well, he did want her, but not for the right reasons.

You’re taking advantage,You’re doing your dear friend a terrible disservice. She deserves better than a clandestine encounter whose sole purpose was to help you forget another woman. If Rosalind is to have a lover, it should be because a man cannot help wanting her.She moaned against his lips, and his argument collapsed. I cannot resist her. I simply cannot turn down her offer. He pulled back, staring down into her luminous eyes. Their light drew him back. Back into her siren’s embrace, where he could drown in her tender affection. His lips claimed hers again. Right or wrong, I must accept what she is offering, but I must make it as pleasurable for her as it is for me.

I cannot resist her. I simply cannot turn down her offer.Right or wrong, I must accept what she is offering, but I must make it as pleasurable for her as it is for me.To that end, he worked one hand around and began caressing her breast. Even through all the layers of fabric, he could feel her n****e tighten. He captured the bud between his fingers and pinched gently.

She hummed with pleasure.

* * *

Oh, that’s nice, Rosalind realized with a start. I had no idea this would feel so good. Desire, already stoked by every kiss, flickered higher. Memories of pain and humiliation faded into a quiet hum at the back of her mind, with passion a full-throated roar through her whole body.

Oh, that’s nice,I had no idea this would feel so goodI can scarcely believe that this day is ending here, in Vidal’s bed, with Carmen gone for good, when yesterday the two of them were all but wed. She hated herself for gloating over the event that caused Vidal so much agony, but it was the only reason she was with him now. Good riddance.

I can scarcely believe that this day is ending here, in Vidal’s bed, with Carmen gone for good, when yesterday the two of them were all but wed. Good riddance.He isn’t mine, she reminded herself fiercely, and he isn’t likely ever to be. Still, he desires me, and there will be this night if nothing else. Maybe in time… she didn’t finish the thought. It won’t do to hope too much.

He isn’t mineand he isn’t likely ever to beStill, he desires me, and there will be this night if nothing else.Maybe in time… It won’t do to hope too much.Vidal eased the bodice of Rosalind’s dress down and began pressing soft kisses between her partially bared breasts. A twinge of new anxiety shook her. Would her unattractive body repel him? The hand with which he still embraced her was busily unhooking the back of her dress.

In the meantime, she busied herself with the buttons of his jacket. If I have to be revealed, he does too. The niggling tremors of anxiety in the back of her mind wouldn’t be silent., but if she wanted to undress him, and with such fierce fervor that she was clawing clumsily at the buttons of his coat, then perhaps her terror would abate soon.

If I have to be revealed, he does too. Within moments, they had reached the point at which there was no way to continue undressing each other while they were pressed so tightly together.

Releasing her with a groan, Vidal rose up on his knees, and Rosalind followed. He reached for the hem of her dress and pulled it over her head, then shrugged off his jacket, struggled out of his shirt, and dropped his trousers.

* * *

Slow down, man, Vidal ordered himself. Here you are ripping your clothes off, and you’ve taken no time at all to savor your lady. At this rate, you’ll be finished before you start. When did this woman I scarcely thought twice about become the object of such passion?

Slow down, man,Here you are ripping your clothes off, and you’ve taken no time at all to savor your ladyAt this rate, you’ll be finished before you start.When did this woman I scarcely thought twice about become the object of such passionClad only in a shift and stockings, she revealed more than she concealed. Her erect n*****s pressed against the thin fabric, clearly visible, as was the patch of dark hair between her legs. He reached toward her and pulled the pins that held her bun in place. Thick, lustrous black tresses cascaded around her shoulders and back, transforming her instantly from prim employee to delicious wanton. When did willow-thin become so utterly desirable? He began his savoring by indulging in a long, lingering appraisal.

When did willow-thin become so utterly desirable?* * *

Rosalind looked back, entranced as always by his handsomeness. Vidal had a dusky complexion she appreciated, darkened by generations of intermarriage with the Moors in bygone centuries, and tanned by the blistering Spanish sun. His hair and beard were dark brown and perfectly trimmed, his eyes the color of the sweetest chocolate.

Vidal regarded her without comment for so long, she began to feel self-conscious. Of course, he’s staring. My emaciated frame and dead white skin are not likely to appeal to a man with a taste for lush dark beauties. The urge to hide from his certain disappointment overwhelmed her, and she attempted to curl herself into a ball.

Of course, he’s staring. My emaciated frame and dead white skin are not likely to appeal to a man with a taste for lush dark beauties.“No, querida, don’t,” he urged. “Why are you shy now?”

“I’m afraid,” she replied, the corners of her eyes pinching.

“Of this? It isn’t too late to change your mind.” He looked strained as he said it, as though not sure of his willpower.

“No. I want this. I’m afraid you won’t like me.” Her lower lip trembled.

Vidal lowered his eyebrows. “Why would I not?”

“Well, I’m not very pretty…” she began.

“Let me be the judge of that,” Vidal interrupted. “In what way do you feel less than pretty?”

“Well, it’s my…” she blushed

“What is it?” he urged. “Don’t be afraid.”

“I’m so skinny. And my…my…my breasts are too small.” She closed her eyes in shame.

“I’ll have to see that to believe it.” He grasped the edge of her shift and lifted it slowly, drinking in every inch of flesh he revealed. Though blushing all over, she lifted her arms to help him remove the garment. He tossed it aside and studied her closely, his face revealing no emotion. She wanted to cry with tension. Finally, he reached toward her and pulled her into his arms. She hid her face against his shoulder. Her n*****s had become even more erect when the cool air hit them, and the hair of his chest tickled them deliciously.

He kissed her where her neck and shoulder joined and murmured, “There is nothing wrong with your body, my beautiful rose. You are lovely, just as I knew you would be. You are slender, not skinny. As for your breasts, querida, they are small but perfect. They suit your slimness. The symmetry of your body is exceptional.”

She met his gaze with huge, startled eyes. “Do you mean it, Vidal?”

“I do,” he replied simply.

“I’m not beautiful like…like she is.”

“No.”

Her heart clenched and she bit her lip.

“But in your own way, your beauty more than matches hers.”

She exhaled, shoulders relaxing. Even if that is a lie, it’s enough.

Even if that is a lie, it’s enough.* * *

It was not a lie. Talking about Carmen, even in this oblique way, had caused a stab of pain, but Rosalind needed reassurance. Hell, she’s giving herself to me. The least I could do is make her feel as desirable as any woman in the world, even that one. After all, she’s here with me.

Hell, she’s giving herself to me. The least I could do is make her feel as desirable as any woman in the world, even that one. After all, she’s here with me.He hugged her tighter, enjoying the feeling of her melting into his arms. Carmen is gone, never to return, and Rosalind is lovely and desirable. How can she not realize it when I’m about to ignite from the heat of her touch?

Carmen is gone, never to return, and Rosalind is lovely and desirable. How can she not realize it when I’m about to ignite from the heat of her touch?Vidal pulled back and stroked her breasts with gentle fingers. They were firm and round. Though not as large as some, he found the milk-pale globes lovely. They deserved reverence, and Vidal happily obliged.

* * *

Unexpected pleasure shot through Rosalind. His hands on me should not be so enjoyable. She fought not to remember the vulgar way in which she had been pawed. This has nothing to do with that. I refuse to allow my private demons to spoil this night. I might never get another chance to lie with Vidal, and I mean to make the most of the opportunity.

His hands on me should not be so enjoyableThis has nothing to do with that. I refuse to allow my private demons to spoil this night. I might never get another chance to lie with Vidal, and I mean to make the most of the opportunity.Still, she gasped in shock at the ferocious pleasure that swamped her when he leaned forward and kissed her n****e.

Unperturbed, Vidal drew the nub into his mouth and tugged it with his lips.

Her head fell back, and she wrapped her arms around him, pressing him closer. He nibbled and sucked, causing the wildest sensations to shoot through her body.

She almost wept when he released her, then sighed with deep satisfaction when he transferred his attention to her other breast. His hands cupped her naked bottom, pulling her lower body towards him. She followed his lead until she lay on the pillows again.

* * *

Vidal focused on Rosalind’s pleasure. She’s delicious, innocent and sweet. He wanted her urgently, yet he was unwilling to hurry. We may never have another night together, and I don’t want to waste this one by rushing. There was one thing he needed to know, however, so he could decide how to proceed. “Rosalinda…”

She’s delicious, innocent and sweetWe may never have another night together, and I don’t want to waste this one by rushingShe looked at him questioningly.