Page 36 of Enslaved to the Seduction of a Lady
Chapter Fourteen
Alison lay, tossing and turning in bed. She couldn’t sleep, no matter what she tried. Counting sheep hadn’t worked, and neither had reprimanding herself. And dreaming of Luke until she drifted off had the exact opposite effect. Her heart pounded harder whenever she thought of him, her body thrumming with excitement and passion and love.
She turned again, burying her head deeper into the pillow, and forcing her eyes closed. The navy-blue brocade that was draped over the windows was open a crack, and bright moonlight flooded in. She rolled over again, laying on her back on the big hay mattress, and stared at the ornamental moldings on the ceiling, shimmering in gold.
It was a large room and highly decorated. The walls were a pale blue, the hardwood floor covered in a blue carpet that reached almost to the edges of the room. The bed took up most of the space, allowing Alison to spread out widely as she slept—or as she didn’t. There was a dressing table, too, with an oval looking glass and a tabletop littered with jewels and scents and all manner of womanly things.
She normally felt so peaceful in this room—her own little hidden piece of paradise. It was a space that couldn’t be invaded, that was hers and hers alone. But sometimes, that feeling of being alone overwhelmed rather than thrilled her. Sometimes, she wanted someone next to her.
Luke.
She sighed heavily. All she could think of was the way Luke felt when he was pressed up against her, the hardness of his chest and the thrill she had felt throughout her whole body. Their kiss had been so perfect. She had heard horror stories from other ladies of awkward kisses, of teeth hitting together or tongues being bitten.
But with Luke, the kiss had been just right, and that was further proof to Alison that they were meant to be together. He had been soft when she wanted it and hard when she craved it. He had tasted sweet and salty, sweat from his day’s work on his lip.
Oh, to taste you again, one more time.
She imagined running her tongue over his lips, pulling his shirt out from the waistband of his trousers and pushing her hands beneath it. She could almost feel the shape of his–
No!
She wouldn’t—she couldn’t—think of him in such an improper way, no matter how her mind drove her to distraction.
Alison groaned and rubbed her face in frustration. She wanted to sleep but she could not. All she could think of was Luke: his voice, so soft and sweet; his laugh like a rippling brook. She thought of the way he calmed her fears, the way he made her feel as though she could do anything.
He made her strong and he made her weak all at the same time, her knees almost failing to hold her up when he was around, while his heart told hers that she was the greatest gift God had bestowed on him. For Alison, Luke was the most caring, gentlest, funniest man she had ever met.
He was proud, yet humble. He was kind, yet strong. He was witty, yet serious. He was intelligent, yet jovial. He was everything she had ever wanted, all wrapped up in a package that was both handsome and striking. She couldn’t put a finger on a single reason why she loved him, and yet she loved him for every little thing he did.
Oh, Luke.
Eventually, and with another groan of frustration, she swung her legs from the bed and sat, for a moment, considering what to do. She couldn’t lie there like that any longer. In an instant of firm decision, she got up, slipped on the same gown she wore the day before—although without her stays, for she didn’t want to disturb the maid—and she slipped out of the door.
She tiptoed down the stairs and out of the house without anyone noticing, and before she had even fully thought through what she was doing, she was skipping across the lawn and towards the stables. She had thought, perhaps, to see Luke, but seeing the stars flickering in the black sky, she realized how foolish that was.
He will not be there at this hour.
Still, she could talk to Bess, and that always cheered her up. Her father often mocked her for thinking the horse could understand, but Alison knew she and Bess had a special connection.
Just as I do with Luke.
When she got to the stables, she went straight to Bess, patting her flanks and smoothing her neck.
“There’s a good girl,” she whispered.
“Girl? I’m not a girl!”
Alison jumped, letting out a little squeal.
“Hey,” Luke said, laughing. “It’s all right, it’s only me. And the last time I checked, I am most definitely a man.”
“Indeed you are,” she said, smiling as she caught her breath. “How silly of me!”
Alison’s heart raced faster. Now that they had been honest with one another and declared their love, she felt shy in his company, and she looked up at him through her lashes.
“What brings you here so late?” he asked.
“I could ask you the same question,” she countered.
