What She Craves (7 page)

K
enneth carried a sleeping Hannah into the stockroom. Rupert would be angry, but damn it, he didn't care. He would not let her out of his sight. Not even for the short amount of time for them to prepare.

Someone dosed him tonight in an attempt to keep him from Hannah. He would kill before he let anything horrid happen to her. An irrational emotion, but he couldn't help the powerful urge to protect and possess her. Humph. Possessiveness, like his father, because of a woman. Maybe he was his father's son.

Rupert strode toward him, a frown on his face; but his eyes smiled. He wouldn't give him much grief for Hannah being here.

“I want her to be prepared in the same room.”

Rupert stopped in front of him and glanced at Hannah, who dozed lightly in his arms.

“Is that so?” He pointed to the other side of the room where three women stood. “Guessed that would be the case, chap.”

Kenneth's muscles tightened as he beheld the tall blonde who waited with Emma. “Why Jennifer?”

“Sorry, chap. You know the rules. One of your formers needs to be present to witness your devotion.”

“What about Emma? I have fucked her too.”

Rupert's head shot up. “Emma is mine. If I had not consented, it would not have happened.”

Shit.
“Sorry, Rupert, I didn't mean to offend.”

“I know. This is a big step for you.”

Kenneth placed his lips to Hannah's temple. “Sweet, time to wake.”

“Umm.” She snuggled her head closer into his chest, and he sighed, his cock swelling. Damn, everything she did aroused him. He smiled into her hair. He would enjoy being bound to her.

He strode across the room to where the ladies stood.

“Emma, Mary, Jennifer.” He bowed his head. “Take care of her.”

Emma smiled at him, then reached out and touched his arm as he slowly lowered Hannah from his hold. Hannah visibly trembled as his hands fell from her body; she swayed into Emma, who braced her. She would be fine. He trailed his fingers across her cheek. God, he didn't want to leave her. He inhaled in an attempt to control his desire. They would be apart for only a moment. She gazed up at him with sleep-laden eyes.

“Sweet, sweet. You will be fine,” he said, more for him than for her. “I will leave you in their care.” Bowing his head to Hannah, he rolled his shoulders and strode back to Rupert.

He stared at her from across the large room. For some, the brew held strong for a day or more. For others, the effects lasted only a few hours. She had fallen into a light slumber as soon as he'd scooped her off the floor. The pain was gone. He hoped the reprieve would last. With the battle her body and mind had gone through, the last thing he wanted was to cause her more pain.

He strained to hear her conversation as Rupert and Jerome slid his robe from his body. He sighed. Thank God. He could hear them. He wanted to know how she was feeling, and at the moment, hearing her talk was the closest he could get.

“You are the one who performed the theatric,” Hannah said to Mary. “How do you learn such complex poses?”

Kenneth held back a chuckle. Truly amazing. He doubted a question existed she wouldn't ask. When they were young, she'd been the one to ask him what a kiss felt like. Gazing up at him with those wide desire-filled eyes. He'd groaned and then covered her trembling lips with his. Her first kiss, his first feel. Damn, she was still the same Hannah in so many ways.

Emma lifted Hannah's robe from her body. His eyes widened. Large, deep-rose-colored nipples stood erect. Wonderful. Beautiful. He had known but…good God, what glorious breasts. His mouth watered. He couldn't wait to taste them.

“There's a book with pictures in it and with a bit of practice…” Mary shrugged her shoulders. “I was supposed to do one more posture, but the selection started early for you.” She continued to rub oil into Hannah's stomach.

Kenneth's heart constricted. That was the reason he was late to the selection. Rupert started early because she was in so much pain. When he found the person who tried keeping him from Hannah this night, they would end up in as much pain as she went through.

“What was the other position?” Curiosity poured from Hannah's voice, and he couldn't help but grin.

Jerome, his valet, poured oil into his hands and began to rub the slickness into his thighs. Burning tingles, changing to cool tickles, spread in his hands' wake. His muscles jumped.

“What is in that?” he asked Rupert, who stood setting candles into a candelabra.

“It is a mint oil. Good, isn't it?” The corner of his lip curved up. “You will enjoy using it in your play.”

Jerome continued to massage, and Kenneth turned to face the ladies again.

Hannah's eyes were wide; her body leaned forward trying to absorb every detail of her conversation. The same curiosity and awe on her face as…His stomach clenched. Damn, that look.
Sweet Hannah. After tonight, I will awaken your mind and body to pleasures you don't know exist.

“Sir, lift your arms please.” Jerome shook his head.

His body tingled as the oil rubbed up his underarms. With the friction from Hannah's body, this oil would be maddening.

“How…umm…” Hannah paused, waving her hands in the air as her hair tumbled down in a rush. A curtain of black velvet. Beautiful. He groaned, imagining the soft strands tickling his chest as she rode him. “With all your amours, what would you say brings a man the most pleasure?” Hannah's voice hitched in pain, and her hand spread across her belly.

Sweet Hannah. He closed his eyes. Shit. The urge to please still pulsed strong. He sighed. He had hoped the brew's effect was fading. He would do his best to not cause her further discomfort. Warmth spread through his muscles as he imagined her pleasuring him till he couldn't move. His lips quirked. After this, she would do it too.

“So you stretch before every encounter?”

“Sure do. Most of my amours like to watch.” Jennifer brushed a white cloth across Hannah's breasts. She was being nice to Hannah. He worried about that.

“Amazing. I…I never would have thought.” Hannah's hands clenched. Kenneth blew his breath out. Her pain increased.

“Ah, you know men. They like to look at anything naked that has a fine shape.” Mary ran a comb through Hannah's mane.

“So true,” Emma said.

“You have a lovely form, so tall and lean.”

Hannah glanced down at her body. “Me…well…I…I'm quite short.” She inhaled. “My husband always said I was much too s-short for his liking.”

Kenneth's muscles tensed at the anguish and uncertainty inflected in those words. She was perfect. What kind of cork brain would tell his wife she was too small? His teeth clenched as anger flooded him. Ah, Hannah. What did your husband do to you? The bastard. Her strong urge to please came from something that bugger did to her.

“But look how well put together you are. Fine hair and eyes. You are quite pretty.” Mary smiled.

Yes, she was, and more, and he intended to prove how much she meant to him. Hannah bit her lip, eyes big and round, uncertainty and pain written plain as day on her features. He would show her in every action how much she pleased him. That was what this event was for. To worship her, to please her, and in the process to show her his pleasure.

 

“Do you need anything else before the ceremony begins?” Emma's eyes sparkled with…glee?

Hannah watched her, unsure what to expect during this event. A twinge hit her stomach, and she bit her lip. Not again, please. Her hand pressed into her slick, oiled stomach.

“The ceremony is intense. You should relieve yourself if you have to.” Emma waved to a door down the wall. “Jennifer can assist you. I know Kenneth does not want you to be alone.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Hannah walked into the room with the tall, elegant Jennifer. Her legs alone came up to Hannah's stomach. Those legs had been around Kenny. She was sure of it. Just as she was sure Emma's had.

You ninny. Does the fact that he futtered many women matter?

No. She didn't care. Kenny focused only on her. For now. That was enough.

The skin on her arms pricked, and a giggle caught in her throat. She wanted to cross her arm about her nipples. This woman caressed her stomach only a moment ago, yet an embarrassed heat caressed her skin at her stare. She could not piddle with the way Jennifer watched her. She needed a distraction.

“Tell me about this ceremony. What is the declaration?”

Jennifer stepped forward and pulled Hannah's hair away from her body as she squatted over the pot.

“I'd hoped to be in your place.” Anger poured from each word. Her fist clenched Hannah's tresses tighter, and pins spread through Hannah's scalp.

Ouch. Hannah stilled, leaning her body in the direction of Jennifer's hands. Why was she angry? And what place did she want to be in?

“You're hurting me.” Tingles touched Hannah's neck as a chill swept her.

“The pain is worth what you will have with that man.” A jealous lover was the last thing she needed tonight. But Jennifer didn't say Kenny's name. Did she want the ceremony?

“Tell me, Jennifer, what is it that I will have with him? This is my first time at this event. I have no idea what this group does.” She would never trade Kenny but…She turned her face to see Jennifer's; her lips formed a deep tight frown, and her eyes narrowed in smoldering heat. A growing unease slid through Hannah's veins, and her hands began to shake. She truly intended to harm her.

Jennifer's hand jerked her hair, and pain shot through her scalp. Blast. What did she think she was about? Kenny stood right outside this room waiting for her. She was daft in the attic. She needed to find a way to calm her.

“W-what would please you, Jennifer? Do you wish to trade places with me?” Her voice firmed and her teeth clenched. For twelve years she had wanted a man to touch her the way Kenny had. Her frustration made her blood boil. No way would she let this act push her to flee.

“Oh yes. I would be delighted to. But you have exchanged blood. You have tasted each other. Even if I wanted to, I could not step into your place.”

Thank God. Hannah wouldn't let her anyway.

“I never thought he would declare himself for you. I risked a lot in drugging him. I don't understand how he can know he wants to forsake everyone for a woman he just met.”

She drugged him? That was why he arrived late. Hannah's heart sped. How could Jennifer do something…something so devious? She was through being polite. Hannah reached up, placed her hand on her hair between Jennifer's fist and her scalp, and pulled. Catching Jennifer off guard, her hair came free of her clutch and she turned quickly away from her.

“Ah, that is where you are wrong.” She stared at Jennifer. “Kenny and I have known each other for years. He was my first love.” Yes, that was true. She had mourned when he left his aunt's so hastily. She never told him of her regard, but her heart had ached for months.

Jennifer stared at her hand that had been in Hannah's hair. Her lip trembled. “I will help you no more.” She spun around and left the room before Hannah could say another word.

Hannah leaned against the wall, the pain in her womb increasing. Good Lord, this night…what madness.

Jennifer had said Kenny wanted to forsake everyone for her. Like a wife? Her heart lurched and her lip quirked. How odd, wonderful, and utterly terrifying!

Could she keep him?

She wanted to cuddle with Kenny in her bed with his arms wrapped about her, to awake in the morning with no more pain and the knowledge that she had pleased a man enough to make him stay.

 

Where was Hannah? Jennifer left the door to the retiring room, but Hannah was not in her wake. He stepped forward and strong fingers wrapped about his arm.

“Don't, Kenneth. Give her a moment. She needs time. Tonight has been too much.”

He jerked from Rupert's hold. “How would you know? I need to make sure she is well.”

He stepped away from Rupert. Rupert stepped with him.

“Give her the moment she needs,” Rupert said firmly. “Are you ready for this commitment, chap?”

“Rupert.” His friend didn't understand what Hannah meant to him. But how could he explain?

Rupert's eyes softened. “I know she is the one, chap. The one whose name you call out at night. The one who makes you rush out to find cunt after you dream about her.”

Good God. He knew that? “Rupert—”

Rupert held up his hand. “I know you won't let her go. All I'm saying is this is a big step. She is in pain. I could see the effects coming back as she entered the retiring room.”

Bloody hell. He knew about Hannah. All these years and Rupert knew. He stepped forward and gripped Rupert's shoulders. The familiar scent of sandalwood caressed his nose. “Damn, Rupert. Why didn't you talk to me about this?”