Chapter 14

Dominic followed Marie into her house, taking note of the humble furnishings that gave the simple cottage an inviting feel of welcome. He couldn't put his finger on it, but the same scent of vanilla that had attracted him to Marie hung in the air.

"May I take your coat?" Marie asked him and held out her arms.

Turning around, Dominic allowed her to shimmy his ruined coat down his arms, wincing slightly as the fabric brushed against the gash that still oozed a bit of blood.

"I will have to wash the wound before I can dress it. You will mend, but I'm afraid, I can't say the same for your coat," Marie said gently and folded his coat over her arm.

"The coat doesn't matter; you can throw it out." He felt his heart tugging in his chest as a gentle smile spread over her lips. The sound of her laughter in front of her shop still lingered in his ears, making him drunk on the delightful sound.

"You had better follow me then." She turned and walked away from him with the coat in her arms, swaying her hips gently as she walked.

Lust flowed through his veins as he took in the way that she walked. He quickly cleared his throat and followed suit before his thoughts had a chance to run free. He had been so close to kissing her again in that alley. Her insinuation that he wouldn't be able to keep his hands to himself if they took the carriage hadn't helped much either.

The kitchen was just as homely and cluttered as the front of the house, drawing his attention to the large amount of things on the shelves.

"Please excuse all of the clutter; my grandmother fancies herself as a healer. She often makes tonics and salves for anyone that needs them." Marie placed his coat over the back of a chair and gestured for him to take a seat at the table before lighting a candle.

He noted her hesitation as she made her way to the hearth and lit the fire, filling the small kitchen with light and warmth.

Does she think I am judging her?

He leaned back in the simple wooden chair and tried to make himself comfortable despite the searing pain that shot up his arm. "Is your grandmother any good? At healing, I mean, if she makes all kinds of potions and elixirs." He found himself being utterly captivated by her life. He wasn't sure what he had pictured before, but it wasn't this little house.

Marie, the matchmaker, seemed like such an organized woman who needed everything to be in its place. The Marie he was seeing now interested him far more than the former.

"She makes tonics and salves, but please don't entertain her stories. She fancies herself as something of a gypsy. Although I do not have any knowledge of her life before she married my grandfather, I'm not certain if she wasn't one." Her eyes lightened in the flickering light of the fire, hinting at the fondness she harbored for her grandmother.

"I'm not sure about your grandmother, but I can see you being a gypsy." He spoke freely in her presence now, taking in her expression and the way she moved her body as she gathered all that she needed to clean his arm.

"Why on earth would you say something like that?" Her brow creased into a frown as she reached for a bowl and filled it with water from the kettle hanging over the fire.

Feeling amused by her embarrassment and shock, he decided to ease her curiosity. "You look like one. You have mysteriously beautiful eyes and curly hair that never seems to behave with those tiny strands hanging around your neck. And you do meddle in people's lives for a living; I think that can be likened to casting spells."

Sighing heavily, she shook her head lightly and carried the bowl of water to the table, placing it beside a few scraps of linen and bottles. "You know, I can't tell sometimes if you are teasing me or being serious." She pulled out a chair in front of him and took a seat before reaching for his injured arm.

"Isn't that good? It will keep you on your toes when you finally say yes to my proposal." He felt the pit of his stomach tightening again when she smirked at him.

"You're so sure of yourself, Your Grace." Marie rolled up his sleeve until the gash on his arm was fully exposed. Most of the blood had dried up around the wound that started at his elbow and ended halfway down his arm.

Scooting closer to him, she reached for a scrap of linen and dipped it in the water before gently dabbing it around the edges.

"Now you're teasing me." He searched her face as she worked, taking in the gentle lines of her smile and the delicate curve of her neck as she tilted her head to see better. The urge to reach out and brush the stray curls was growing too strong, so he decided to focus his gaze on the wound.

What kind of spell has this woman cast over me?

He never seemed to be able to focus in her presence; all he could ever think of was taking her in his arms. From the very first meeting, he had wondered what it would feel like to kiss her perfect lips and make her yield to him.

"That is quite an astute observation, Your Grace. I do have good news for you, though: your arm will heal; the blade didn't cut too deep. I don't think it even needs to be sewn shut. Tight bandages will pull the wound closed. You will have to have it cleaned once or twice, but I don't think you will have any lasting effects other than a scar." She reached for a clean piece of linen and gently dried his arm, taking care not to hurt him.

Dominic had been so distracted by her that he hadn't even realized how quickly she removed all the dried blood. Her movements were nimble and sure as she opened a jar of sweet-smelling salve and gently dabbed it over the wound.

"Will you change the bandages for me if I come back?" He felt his heart leap into his throat when she looked at him with questioning eyes.

She is beautiful.

The flickering light of the fire only proved to enhance all of the beauty that he had seen in her before.

"Would you not be better off seeing a physician, Your Grace?" She tucked a stray curl behind her ear before reaching for a roll of linen and wrapping it tightly around his wound.

"I trust you, and I don't think you would invite me back here for another reason." He felt his breathing deepen when she looked up and met his gaze with a soft look in her eyes.

"I had better throw these bandages out." She took a deep breath and stood, turning away from him.

Reaching out, he held her wrist, keeping her from walking away from him. "Wait, don't do this again," he spoke softly, feeling a little drunk in her presence, as if he weren't in control of himself.

Marie looked back as her lips parted with a gentle gasp. "What do you mean?" she spoke in a breathy tone, not giving any indication of resistance.

"You always walk away from me when I start to see glimpses of who you truly are." He pulled her gently toward him, guiding her onto his lap.

Marie gasped softly as she placed her hand against his chest, allowing him to firmly place her on his lap. "And who is that?" Her eyes fell to his lips as his hand moved up her thigh and cupped her hip.

"A sensual woman with needs," he growled deeply before placing his other hand behind her head and drawing her closer. His lips found her neck as he buried his face in the sweet scent of her skin.

The gasp of surprise and pleasure that escaped her lips drove him wild as he began to give in to his carnal desires. Moving his hand over her hip, he gently cupped her bottom before giving her a gentle squeeze.

Responding in kind, she moved her hand over his chest, allowing her fingers to undo the button of his collar before her fingers roamed over his skin.

Dominic found himself losing control as his tongue flicked over her neck, kissing a passionate path to her jawline before she angled her head toward him. Their lips met, softly at first before his tongue parted her lips.

Her breathing deepened as he searched the warm depths of her mouth, causing her to respond in kind as her hand left his chest and cupped his face.

Realizing that she wanted him as much as he wanted her, Dominic lifted her in his arms, gently guiding her away from the table until her back was pressed against the doorframe that led to the sitting room.

"Your Grace!" she gasped passionately in a breathy tone and tilted her head back when his hand cupped her breast through the fabric of her dress.

The urgency in her voice drove him wild with desire as he pressed his body into hers, feeling the fullness of her breast in his palm. Dipping his head, he hungrily kissed her neck, venturing lower until her cleavage met his gaze. Her dress was low enough to allow him a glimpse of the gorgeous mounds that lurked beneath her garments.

Surprise tugged at his lips when Marie's fingers tangled in his hair, pushing his face closer to her chest. The warm scent of vanilla filled his senses as he buried his face between the mounds, bringing both his hands up to caress her chest. His lips and tongue danced over her flesh, searching for the places that made her moan.

Her hands moved over his back as he lifted his head and drew her closer, guiding her toward the front room where a chaise longue sat beside the doorway. Her eyes met his for a moment as he lowered her onto the piece of furniture in the dark room. The only light filtering in from the kitchen allowed him to see the hunger that lingered there.

"I'll stop if you want me to." His breathing deepened as he lay her down and positioned himself above her.

"Please don't stop," her voice was filled with longing now as she gasped for a breath, causing her chest to rise sharply before falling again.

Pressing his lips against hers, he kissed her passionately, feeling the longing that had plagued him for so long course through his veins. His hand moved down her body lifting her dress as he worked through the layers of fabric in search of pleasure.

The strings of her undergarments gave way easily as he pushed her chemise up and snaked his way between her thighs.

The blissful look of utter pleasure on her face when his fingers dipped between her thighs drove him wild as her lips parted with a gasp. Her back arched slightly when he began to move between her folds with soft, lust-filled strokes.

Leaning down, he kissed a path over the top of her breasts before lingering at the base of her throat. "I must have you," he growled against her skin, relishing in every movement as her hips moved with every stroke of his fingers.

Marie's moans grew louder as she gasped for breath, bringing herself to her elbows until her body was pressed into his.

Dominic couldn't fight the urges any longer as he reached down with his free hand and yanked on the neckline of her dress, exposing the corset over her dress.

Gasping in shock at first, Marie met his gaze before reaching behind her back and expertly untying the ribbons of her corset.

The fabric gave way, releasing her breasts as they sprung into view. Her corset slipped down when he dipped his head, taking her stiff nipple into his mouth. Rolling his tongue over the rosy bud, he listened to her moan in pleasure, causing the heat in his breeches to course through his body on a wave of desire.

Her breathing came in short pants now as he moved from one breast to the other, kissing and suckling on the perfect buds while his fingers worked their magic between her thighs.

Looking up, he watched her beautiful face contorting in pleasure with every moan. She caught him off guard when she raised her head and buried her face in his neck, hungrily kissing the flesh just below his jawline.

"You're driving me wild," he growled in her ear, turning his head to kiss the side of her face.

She gasped in response and fell back down as her back began to arch. He could tell that her pleasure was building when her legs began to tremble. He slowed his pace purposefully, allowing her to soak in the pleasure that was undoubtedly rushing through her body like a raging river.

Her breathing quickened along with his pace when she began to whimper and pant. She shut her eyes after they rolled back in pleasure. "Oh, Your Grace!" she cried out and wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him down against her chest as she softly whimpered and shook.

Dominic pressed kisses against her chest, slowing his pace to a gentle caress until her panting turned to soft moans of ecstasy. "How did that make you feel?" he whispered in her ear after kissing a path up her neck. The warm feeling of her soft body beneath his as he gently withdrew his hand and fixed her dress ignited a hunger within his chest that he hadn't noticed before.

He didn't just want to touch her, he wanted to fill her being with his own, to push her over the edge while he pulsed inside of her. He leaned back down and kissed her breasts, savoring the taste of each nipple before pulling her corset and dress back up.

Her breathing slowed a little as she panted lightly for air. "I feel… wonderful." Her lips parted so sensually that he couldn't help but sink into her body. Shifting his weight to the side, he nestled her body against his and pulled her closer to his chest before kissing the top of her head.

"Will you admit that you find me attractive now?" he teased her gently, running the tips of his fingers over her bare shoulders.

A deep blush spread over her cheeks as she tried to hide her face; the glow on her skin after he had touched her so intimately added to the beauty of her pale complexion.

"Don't hide from me." He lifted her chin, noting the fine bumps that spread over her skin when he spoke in a commanding voice.

"I will admit… that I do not find you unattractive." She lowered her eyes demurely, avoiding his gaze when he pressed yet another kiss on her forehead.

Dominic wasn't sure if it was the gentle crackling of the fire in the other room or the lazy heat that filled the air, but he felt as if he could stay there forever. As long as she was by his side, he could have been in a deserted cabin in the woods and still find contentment. He longed to see her whole body naked before him, to use his lips and tongue between her thighs until she yielded to his will.

"Will you ever stop being this stubborn? You say that we have little in common, yet neither of us finds the other unattractive." He touched the tip of her nose lovingly as he felt himself falling into her gaze.

This woman will be the death of me.

He felt his chest tightening with longing when she slipped away with a faint smile on her lips. "It's getting late, Your Grace. I think we had better say goodnight before my maid catches us in a compromising position." She shifted to the edge of the chaise longue and reached behind her back, attempting to fasten the ribbons of her corset.

Sitting up, Dominic gently removed her hands, fastening the ribbons for her before brushing his lips against her back. "If it weren't for your reputation, I would say that I do not care who finds us together. This is yet another problem that would be solved if you agreed to be my wife."

A soft sliver of laughter escaped her throat as she stood and turned to look at him, dragging her lower lip through her teeth. "You are persistent, Your Grace, I will give you that."

Coming to his feet now, he closed the distance between them. "And I will continue to be until you agree. I will not stop until you are my wife, Marie. I will never allow another man to touch you like that. You are mine." He growled hungrily again as he caught her hand in his and brought it to his lips, brushing her soft skin with a kiss.

Marie gasped softly as she sucked in a sharp breath.

"Until we meet again, my sweet." He placed a single finger under her chin and forced her to look into his eyes before winking. He let go of her hand and made his way to the door, fixing his collar and shirt before turning to her again. "I presume we are still meeting on Sunday?"

Marie folded her arms over her chest, nodding in agreement as she chewed the inside of her cheek.

The shape of her figure silhouetted in the light from the kitchen burned into his mind as he stepped into the cool, evening air. The sweet scent of vanilla still lingered on his shirt as he made his way toward the carriage.