Page 96 of Taming Ivy
Sebastian shrugged. "You are quite transparent. At least to me. Don’t you know that?"
“No,” she responded slowly. “All of London believes me to be made of ice. Perhaps you are right. Perhaps only you see through me. Regardless, I don't know why you think anything could be wrong. I only thought Raven must enjoy his rest, considering the hour you returned...and we rose so late this morning...” Her voice trailed off while another unfortunate blush colored her cheeks.
His smile was perceptive. "Come here to me, darling.” Ivy accepted his hand, allowing him to tug her against him. Widening his stance so she fit between his legs, she squirmed at his perusal as he asked, "Are you remembering what we experienced together?"
The flush on her face was answer enough as she remained silent and stiff in the circle of his arms.
"Are we moving too quickly?" Sebastian dreaded her answer. He did not intend to give her up, but he possibly could control himself so he was not making love to her three times a day. Besides, even with his renowned stamina, he doubted his ability to keep such a pace. Especially with Ivy. Every orgasm experienced thus far was soul draining and exhausting. She wrung him dry and he loved every minute of it. An insistent voice in his head immediately screamed his endurance would be maintained as long and as often as necessary. Clearing his throat, he asked, “Do you regret making love?”
"No.”
Her husky little whisper was surely designed by the Devil himself, designed to drive him mad with want. Tilting Ivy's chin, Sebastian recognized a spark of yearning in the gold flashing depths of her eyes. "Do you wish me to kiss you?"
Her eyes fluttered shut for a heartbeat, thick, sable lashes brushing like delicate fans against her skin. She sagged a little in his arms then steeled herself. "Yes,” she whispered, almost angrily, eyes snapping back open. “I shouldn't, but I do. I should have some control over myself and my emotions."
Sebastian chuckled, wrapping both arms about her, pulling her as close as her full skirts would allow. Soft and restless, her fingers traced the shape of his shirt’s buttons and he found himself filled with bemused desire. "There’s no need for restraint. In fact, I forbid it. Anytime you want to be kissed, sweet little wife, you need only say so. Or, better yet, you kiss me.”
When his lips settled on hers, Ivy melted into him without hesitation. Her hands gripped the front of his shirt, twisting the fabric. The aching sweetness he tasted on her lips fired his blood. With a little growl that came from somewhere in the back of his throat, or maybe his gut - he wasn't quite sure, his hands moved to cradle her face.
The loud bang of someone dropping a feed bucket on the cobblestones broke them apart.
"That's probably for the best,” Sebastian ground out. He eased her away as she gazed up at him in wonder. “I can’t seem to control myself when I’m with you. Another minute and I’d have you on that cot…or maybe even across this desk…”
Exhaling slowly, he closed his eyes and willed his body to a more manageable state. Ivy's words from that morning regarding different places he could make love to her needled and pricked him like a thousand bees. Suddenly, it was all he could think of.
He could make love to her here, in the stable master’s office. Oh, and the hedge maze, hidden behind a wall of glossy, emerald green boxwood. He would lay her across one of the many decorative concrete benches and push her skirts high, exposing her to his gaze and the deep blue sky. The orangery would be perfect too, surrounded by lemon and orange trees, the air perfumed with citrus. Butterflies would flutter about, paying tribute to Ivy, to the countess of butterflies, as he took her amongst the lilies and the roses, the scent of her, the lushness of her filling his head.
Or, perhaps the century-old apple orchard. Sweet, green grass would serve as their bed and fragrantly soft apple blossom petals would shower their naked bodies every time a warm breeze sifted through the trees...
"Sebastian?" Ivy’s soft voice snapped him from his pleasant daydreams, her expression quizzical. "You are suddenly a million miles away. Where were you just now?"
Staring at her, feeling a bit dazed, a broad grin slowly spread across his face. "Do not worry, my love. In time, I’ll take you there and show you.”
CHAPTER 34
Ivy practically skipped along the gravel path leading to the stables. Walking in a dignified manner proved difficult in her excitement. Clad in a plum-hued riding habit and matching hat with jaunty pheasant feathers of rich auburn and gold, she hoped her appearance pleased Sebastian.
Glancing back, she pondered his somewhat distracted mood. He’d met with Gabriel last night before retiring, and his preoccupied manner manifested as they prepared for bed. Feeling self-conscious enough, she wondered if Sebastian now found some fault with her. He made love to her with great care, but she still worried at his reticence when during the night, she brushed her lips against his and he held her away.
“I’ve ill-used you for the past two days,” he explained. “I’m only thinking of your comfort. You’re hardly accustomed to this sort of activity, and I’ve no wish for you to suffer from my attentions.”
The gentleness of his words failed to ease the sting of his rejection. Ivy felt it quite keenly. She had just given herself to him. Had he tired of her already?
When he wrapped those steel corded muscled arms around her, Ivy tried to hold herself aloof. Eventually, however, she curled into him like a sleepy kitten, basking in his warmth. Tangled in his limbs, she’d fallen back asleep with his breath stirring her hair.
It was so easy, slipping back into what they shared once before, this comfortable yet curiously charged atmosphere. Ivy did not realize how much she missed it, how much she missed his smile, his hand on her elbow. The way he tilted his head to listen to her. Intimacy added additional layers to the feelings unraveling in her half-frozen heart. Telling herself it was her duty to provide the next heir to the Ravenswood earldom rang patently false. Her pulse leapt to life any time he touched her, no matter by accident or by design. She was obsessed with him.
Sebastian cut a fine figure in his casual garb of charcoal grey breeches, ivory linen shirt and favored Hessian boots. He wore no coat or ascot today. The weather was growing warmer, and the informal style of clothing suited him well. Ivy longed for such comfortable attire. The riding habit was her winter one; it was sure to grow uncomfortable as the day wore on. Removing the jacket would allow her to ride in the blouse and skirt, but the boyish apparel she wore at their country estate, Somerset Hall was far more to her liking.
Seeing Gabriel at the entrance to the stables, Ivy called out a greeting. "Good morning, Gabriel. Shall you ride with us this morning?"
Finishing his conversation with the stable master, Gabriel executed a bow for Ivy’s benefit while Sebastian rolled his eyes at the courtly gesture. "Good morning, milady. Sebastian.”
All turned as a pair of stable boys, each carrying full buckets of feed, collided with one another. Oats spilled across the cobblestones as the two, embarrassed by their clumsiness, argued over who was at fault. With a cluck of his tongue, Samuel excused himself to intercede in the fray.
"Regrettably, I leave for London today,” Gabriel explained. “Ravenswood requested I personally oversee matters before your arrival in Town.”
Reminded of their short time remaining at Beaumont, Ivy felt a bit of joy evaporate from the day. In two weeks’ time, she and Sebastian would return to London to finish out the social season and she did not wish to go. Did not want to face the curious stares and wagging tongues speculating on their shocking marriage. And, truth told, no desire to face Lady Rachel Garrett.
