Seducing Anne (6 page)

Once she was seated comfortably—seated like a man, rather than sidesaddle—he managed to get atop her horse, directly behind her.

He wrapped his arms around her waist. “You weigh nothing more than a small stack of reeds,” he remarked.

“And you still need a bath.” She chuckled, clicked her tongue, dug her boots in and the horse took off.

He leaned his head down, put his lips at her ear, then nipped. “Feel free to wash me anytime you wish.”

She pushed the horse harder, racing through the woods like a wild woman.

Before long, he was caressing her wrists and the backs of her hands, mindful of the fresh wound from the whip.

“Who taught you to ride thus?” He nipped at her ear again.

Her shoulder caressed his chin as it rounded up.

“Tell me. I have a care to know.” He ran his lips over her shoulder.

Her scent enveloped him when she turned her head a little and leaned her back into his chest. “I will tell you this—I had great teachers, but none of them would allow me to ride like a man, so I had to teach myself the way a male might do.”

He had to chuckle. This was a brave woman—playing a high-stakes game in a group of nothing but frothing-mouthed men.

She was a breathtaking creature.

Her horse whinnied as she broke it into a breakneck pace.

Yes, this horse was a lot like her. Silently pushing on, fighting the good race and quietly suffering under a heavy load.

This palfrey wasn’t meant to have two people on it—least of all a man of Guy’s size.

At six foot one with an athletic, well-muscled build, the horse was being challenged to a spectacular degree.

“Your horse tires. You may bring us back to Carew’s,” he told her.

“Fuck Carew,” she hissed. “You’re afraid, and I must exploit your fears to my own advantage.”

He sucked in a tight breath of air, shocked at her coarse language.

“You have an agenda today?”

She snickered. “I do, indeed.”

A moment later, she pulled the horse to a stop in a thicket of trees.

“Get down and help me after,” she said.

He gripped her wrists. “Though I like a woman that knows her mind, I must decline.”

She slapped his hands off her wrists. “Why?” She craned her neck over her shoulder to look at him.

“
Why
?” His lips twisted into a large grin. “Is it not obvious, fair lady?”

She pressed her lips together, and her eyes narrowed.

“If we get down, there is no way in hell you are leading this horse once we are seated again. A man can only take so much of allowing a woman to be in charge,” he replied.

“Even if that woman is sought by the most powerful man in the land?” she asked, voice tight.

“You say that as if it’s a curse,” he observed.

“That is for you to interpret.” Her eyes darted away from him.

“Look me in the eye and tell me you want his affections, and this ride is over.” He brushed her long, dark hair over her shoulder so it ran straight down her back and brushed up against his chest.

“Why should that be?” She hunched her shoulders and squirmed for a second. “I do not intend to inform him of this outing.”

He sucked in a sharp inhale. “Regardless of what you intend to do, I insist on knowing if I am riding with a woman besotted so fully, she cannot abide to be near another man.”

“I am atop this horse with you—am I not?”

He nodded, searching her eyes that held some type of pleading in them.

“Very well . . .” Things shifted in that moment from flirty and even a little dangerous, to somber and slightly melancholic.

There was more to this woman than he’d anticipated.

“How can I assist you?” He set his hand on her hip and squeezed.

She sighed and dropped her gaze. “The king desires me, ‘tis true, but his affections wane quite easily. I need to secure my future happiness. I think you are the man to help me.”

“Do what precisely? Shine his boots while you are batting your lashes at him?” He smiled.

Her face pinched. “No—unless you enjoy such tasks.” She placed her soft hand over his on her waist and squeezed, making his grip go tighter. “I desire him to be jealous. He must see I am sought by others. Thomas Wyatt tries, and at times he succeeds, but he is far too soft in his approach. You have proven to me today you are a reckless sort and take no heed to anything other than your own base desires. You are attracted to me—yes?”

He bit his bottom lip through a further spreading grin. Had he ever smiled so much in his life? He doubted it. His facial muscles wanted to spasm from tiring already.

“No need to answer, my lord—it is etched in your eyes. And they’re very nice. I rather like the look of them.” She brushed her fingers over his brow, caressing it. “Yes, rather dark like my own, only yours are more like the night before it turns to pitch black. There’s an unsavoriness about a color of blue like that.”

“You mean to wound me with your insult? To what end?” He removed her hands off his face and interlaced his fingers with hers. “How would that help you gain what you seek? If you are telling me my eyes are hideous, then—”

“You misunderstand—I said I like the look of them. I meant it as a compliment when I said the color was unsavory. I was trying to convey they’re dark, unbidden and filled with lascivious secrets. They suck a woman in.” She released a small gasp. “Can you play as if you desire me? Sneaking stolen moments—kisses and maybe illicit gropes where others might see? I do not mean to put you in a difficult situation, but I would reward you handsomely.”

He blinked, and his lips parted. What was he supposed to say to this?

“Say I want more and it is not enough. What then?” he finally responded.

“I have money at my disposal, just say—”

His right hand flashed out and gripped her chin. “I speak not of riches.” He leaned forward to see what she’d do—would she allow a kiss?

Fuck, he wanted to.

For some odd reason, he wanted to play with this fire.

He liked fire play, along with whips.

His lopsided smile faded when she sat still and did nothing to discourage him.

A moment later, his lips were barely an inch away from hers. “What if I desire to have you for my own? What say you to that?”

“You know nothing of me to warrant a desire like that,” she whispered. “But come to court, and I shall see to it you have a pleasant stay, that your lodgings are comfortable and that you find favor with those in power.”

“Even the king himself?”

“No, not him.” She grimaced and pulled back a little. “I need him to find you a threat.”

“Kiss me now, and you will have your answer. Convince me you can play the part in turn to make him jealous. Otherwise the answer will be no.”

She leaned forward, placed a gentle kiss at the corner of his mouth, whispered her lips down across his jaw and then kissed his neck several times until she was breathless.

“My mouth is up here,” he told her, pointing at his face. “Do that on my lips, and we can proceed.”

He picked her up and turned her around with some struggle.

She was rigid when he gripped her.

“Face me, and see if you can handle the way I show my ardor.” His fingers dug into her upper arms.

She scooted closer, and even wrapped her legs around his, though it was awkward with her thick skirt.

Out of nowhere, she blushed and her eyes softened. “In truth, I am not much good at this.”

“At what? Turning yourself over to a man?”

She smiled, but it was timid. Her lips twitched. “Kissing.”

“Then, we shall have to practice much, yes?”

She nodded, gave a shy smile and then leaned forward, gripping his shirt.

He wrapped her up in his arms. “Hold on to me. I’ll take charge, and then you do not have to worry at all. Only feel. Allow my affectionate lips to seep through your pores and sink into your bones. You will not be required to pretend. I will stir your senses better than any king ever could.”

She melted right into him, and his chest heated at the feel of her this close.

All at once, his spine went stiff.

Instead of kissing her, he put her at arm’s length.

He shook his head. “I do not waste this kiss here.”

“My lord?” Her face fell.

“Not because I do not desire it. I do—very much.” He stroked her shoulders and threaded his fingers into her hair at the nape of her neck. “But let us make a sport of it.”

She smiled, and her eyes sparkled from the challenge. “Must I wager who will crack first?”

“You may, but I think I’ve already proven to you—I never lose.”

“How do you know I did not let you win on purpose? A wise woman knows when an ego must be stroked, and when it is time to dash it to pieces, and since I had a need of your services . . .” She smirked and shrugged.

“Oh, wicked woman.” He shook his head, chuckling. “I like you, and since I am never one to back down on a bet, I shall accept it.”

“What do you wager with?” Her voice shook a little.

“You first.”

“I wager if I kiss you first, then you may have any of my fine horses I possess. I daresay you need one, and I shall throw in a bath to go with it, including some lavender to soak in the wash water.”

He laughed so hard for a moment he almost lost his balance on top of the horse. “Very well.” He sighed, fighting to regain his breath. “A night with me in my chambers, and I am to dictate what shall take place.”

“I am not a mistress to any man,” she said, her jaw flexing.

“You will be to
me
.” His voice went low and husky.

“Ass.” She snickered and tried to turn herself back around on the horse unsuccessfully.

“Yes, I am. And you are, too.”

She gasped. “What did you say?”

“I said you are just as much a stubborn jackass as am I. But never be vexed about it—you are in good company.” He grabbed her sore hand, kissed it, then helped her flip back around to facing forward. “Touch those reins on the ride back and you lose the deal. ‘Tis time you experience a man taking charge and leading you about.”

“I get enough of that—so much my belly aches over it and my humours turn sour.” She groaned.

He pinched her thigh through her skirt, took the reins and rode off before he lost the bet by kissing her senseless—the wicked woman was getting to him.

* * *

Guy arrived at court a day later, sauntering onto the grounds and heading straight for a wide-eyed Anne Boleyn, playing a game of bowls with a few other ladies and that sap, Thomas Wyatt, who was obviously trying to woo her.

Nick told Guy all about Wyatt last night, so Guy knew what to look for based on the description.

His high forehead, thick brow and dark, bushy eyebrows that made him look perturbed gave him away, along with his pink cheeks and lips that almost clashed with his auburn hair. He almost had a comical look about him, and his eyes shifted from looking like an angry unibrow school marm to a lost, sad dog, begging for Anne to keep her attentions constantly on him.

He was short with a stocky build and carried himself like he was unsure he owned feet beneath him.

Guy groaned and rolled his eyes. He had learned all about his competition, and though Wyatt was an esteemed poet, he was overly sentimental and sensitive.

Unfortunately, he was unsure if Anne would find that more appealing than Guy’s aggressive, dominant ways.

Didn’t matter now. Guy was walking straight up to her without any warning.

She gaped as he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her aside.

“You are to show me to my private chambers. You made a deal, and I expect you to uphold your side.” He guided her forward.

“I was in a game,” she squawked, looking over her shoulder at her friends she was now being forced to leave behind.

“You may return to it after you have shown me where I stay, and it better be close to your chambers.”

She stiffened. “What is the matter that you talk to me in this impertinent manner?”

“No reason other than when I am nearby, you will pay strict attention to my needs. When you do, I’ll see to it you are taken care of as well. Ladies first,” he said, quickening his pace.

She stopped and placed a hand on a wall, her breathing harsh. “I understand you are in a hurry to find your place you will abide, but I need to breathe.”

He scooped her up in his arms, carrying her bridal style. “Then how about a ride? Tell me where to go.”

She stared at him, her mouth agape, and stopped breathing.

Her hands wrapped around his neck. Was this for support? Or did she want to start the illusion right now that there might be a dalliance happening here?

“You will come into my chambers and help me inspect them.”

She huffed. “I will enter your chambers only after you have broken down and kissed me, because that is the night I will be trapped behind your door.”