Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

Phillip had two more days of this. Now he remembered why he hadn’t done these parties often in England. It was exhausting. And he couldn’t believe how needy guests could be. Except one.

Fyre.

She did her best not to create any more work. He had spoken to Abbie, asking her if she needed anything more for Miss Parker, but all the maid had done was shake her head and tell her that other than a bath, she did not ask for anything.

He sank behind his desk with a groan.

“Party woes?”

Without looking, he sent a gesture to Kolby that was not remotely polite. The man chuckled.

“You have news?”

“I do. But I have to say first, a heads-up about your woman leaving last night would have been nice. We are going to be a man down here because we are covering her once more. I took that upon myself because you said she was safe while here, but as she left…”

It took a moment for the news to sink in. Hands spread on his desk, he shook his head and took several deep breaths. “She left? When the fuck did this happen?”

Kolby eyed him like one did a dangerous animal—with extreme caution. “Last night. Davie and Abbie took her in a wagon. Archer followed and watched over her last night. Zander took the position early this morning.”

She never said a word.

Phillip wanted to roar for his horse and ride to her side, demanding an explanation. He stayed right there and forced his jaw to unlock.

“What about the books?”

“In regards to those, we found the woman responsible for trying to get in.”

He blinked. “Woman?”

“We let her get the information because we were not sure if you wanted to have her followed to see who she is meeting to give this to.”

“Who the fuck is stealing my information?”

“Mrs. Parker.”

“Fyre’s sister-in-law?”

Kolby nodded. “I do not know if she is working alone here, but she picked the lock like a professional and knew exactly where to go for your books. There was no changing of the lines this time, but she did seem interested in that latest entry.”

His gut churned. That was the line he’d had Fyre add about selling people.

“She take a copy?”

The man nodded, tunneling his fingers through his dark, unbound hair. “Yes. She was in and out in moments.” He shifted his weight on his feet. “I do not know where she went after that, I could not see her once she left the room. Damon was on her and he will be here shortly. With Archer sleeping after keeping an eye on Fyre at her place we did not want to leave the room unguarded.”

“Thank you,” Phillip said, getting to his feet. “Tell Damon to meet me here when he can. Get the sleep you need. I know you have been watching this room all the time.”

Kolby canted his head to the side. “Not all the time, my lord.”

“When were you not?”

“When you and Miss Gwen were in here the other day, utilizing the desk for something other than writing.”

Shit. He’d forgotten about them the second she had touched his cock. His skin heated at the thought of her bent over his large desk as he fucked her from behind.

“Do not mention that to her.”

The man grinned and held up his hands. “I did not see a thing.”

“Keep it that way.”

Kolby left, and about twenty minutes later Damon arrived. After talking with him about Cara and where she had gone after being in his office, he knew one thing for certain. Cara was not working alone. But it didn’t sound like her husband was in on it.

He hoped he wouldn’t have to take both parents from the kids, but if that was what had to happen, so be it.

So right now his question was, who had Cara met after breaking into his office? If Damon hadn’t seen anyone leaving, chances were it was a staff member who knew the passageways to move through to get unseen from place to place.

While he hoped none of his people were involved, he was not looking past that. He pushed those thoughts away while he made his way down to share breakfast with his guests.

As they talked, laughed, and tried to one-up one another in tales, he thought about Fyre. He couldn’t help but look over to Elonne and Cara throughout the meal. She didn’t seem to give a damn one way or the other, but Elonne was watching him with a suspicious look. As was Caulfield.

* * * *

Later in the early afternoon, Phillip had some boats set up for them to take a spin around the lake on his property, while there would be snacks along the shore.

“Where is my sister, my lord?”

He took his focus from Cara, who sat with another wife, and settled it on Elonne. “Afternoon, Mr. Parker.”

“My sister?”

“I was informed this morning that your sister had decided to return home. My guess is that is where she is.”

“What did you do to her?”

“Watch your tone, Mr. Parker. I do not like people assuming I did anything. I have not seen your sister since I checked on her after she fainted in the entryway.” He glared at Elonne. “Why did you not check on her?”

“I did not know.”

Phillip faced Elonne and glared down at him, unimpressed with this man now. “When we first met, I admired how you protected your sister, took care of your family. Not anymore. You have dared to lay a hand on her and have made her cry. Let me tell you something, Elonne Parker. Your sister is a fucking treasure and you should be thankful you have her in your life.”

“She is my sister.”

Phillip lifted an eyebrow. “I believe I just stated that. But while she is your sister, she is going to be my wife. And unlike you, I promise you I will protect my own. From whatever the danger, even if it comes from within her own family.”

“You cannot marry her. She is promised to Mr. Caulfield.”

Phillip snorted as he tried to control the raging fury the mere thought of that man touching Fyre created within him. “That man will die if he lays a hand on her. And you would do well to stop trying to sell her. I know when a man is in financial hardship, just like I know you expected your sister to take care of your issue. She paid off a large debt of yours. I put the money back in her account and paid off the rest of your IOUs, but if you get in trouble again, no one will save you.”

Elonne’s eyes widened. “Why would you do that?”

“I told you, your sister is going to be my wife, and I will do whatever is necessary to protect her.”

Elonne held his tongue for a moment and Phillip waited, sure he would be coming with something else. He wasn’t wrong.

“You cannot marry her. I will not allow it.”

“Mr. Parker, it is past time you realize your sister is a grown woman with her own thoughts and desires. You cannot tell her anything.”

“I do not know how things are in England, my lord—”

Was there a bit of a sneer on ‘my lord’? Phillip believed there was.

“I am sure you have a point to make.” His tone was cold and sharp.

“Here, on this island, family is everything. And Fyre will put family first, no matter how much money you dangle in front of her. My sister will never take your side over mine.”

Gah, it bothered the fuck out of him to think Elonne may be right about that. But Phillip hadn’t exactly inherited anything meek or cautious from his father.

Biting off his proprietary words when others joined them, all he could do was smile at Elonne. The prick grinned right back, clearly sure of his position.

Phillip shook his head. No, she wouldn’t turn her back on him and what they could have together. He had nothing to fear.

Did he?

* * * *

Her own bed wasn’t as comfortable as the one she’d enjoyed at the party. And it was lonely without her earl in it with her. She sighed heavily as she shifted to her side and snuggled down deeper beneath the blankets she didn’t truly need on a night like this.

Phillip had put out so much heat with his own body that she had been on a different level of warmth lying beside him. Now, alone, she shivered. Not that it was cold, but she was.

I am a mess.

After tossing and turning for a few more moments, she swung her feet over the edge and walked to the kitchen. Realizing she didn’t want anything that was in there, she huffed in frustration and went back to her bedroom.

“Missing something?”

She screamed and jumped at least a foot. He was there when she came down, strong arms wrapping around her, his scent filling her, bringing comfort and arousal all in the same breath.

“Phillip.” His name fell on a gasp from her lips.

He tunneled his fingers into her hair, tipped her head back and kissed her.

There was no holding back. When his tongue swiped along the seam of her mouth, she opened immediately, needing him back inside her. His growl of approval reverberated through her.

She chased his mouth when he pulled away, even though she couldn’t see him.

“You left me. Without a fucking word.”

His grip flexed in her hair, but there was no fear in her. As tight as his hold was on her, it didn’t hurt, and his fingertips massaged her scalp lightly even though he had no give on her hair.

“Why are you here?”

The rumble leaving his chest grew louder. “Are you sure that is the question you want to go with? Not telling me why you ran from my party without a word, sneaking away in the dead of night?”

“I was going to come back in the morning for the last day.” She’d realized her mistake the moment she’d gotten home and all day she’d been miserable.

He kissed her again, nibbling on her lower lip. “You never should have left.”

Phillip trailed his lips down along her chin to her neck. Shivering where he licked and laved, she tightened her grip on his shoulders, trusting him to keep her upright.

“I am sorry, I know I said I would be there to help you.”

“I do not give a damn about that. I care about you and me. Us.” A shuddering breath. “I cannot protect you if you are not letting me know what is going on.”

Fyre paused for a moment, pushing away the desire licking her veins and focusing on his words. And the tone.

“You were scared for me.”

“Yes.” His admission came with no hesitation.

She moved her touch from his shoulders to his face, touching the features she had memorized and could visualize even with no light. The gray eyes, hawklike nose, thin lips that delivered such passionate kisses. Lean features that more often than not scowled.

Until he looks at me.

There was this expression he got when he watched her. Kind of a longing, loving one. She couldn’t quite name it, but she never saw anyone else receive a look like that.

“Why were you scared for me?” He didn’t say anything, just held her tighter. She pulled back, scoring her fingers along his neck. “Tell me what is going on.”

Phillip lifted her and carried her to the bed. It didn’t take long and soon they were both lying there, Fyre once again warm in a way only this man could make her. Body draped on top of his, she snuggled close as he held her loosely against him, hands stroking along her back. Her legs were inside his, bracketed, and there was no way to ignore his hardness as it pressed into her while she lay upon him.

“Cara.” Phillip kept his voice low.

Seeking inside his shirt, Fyre closed her eyes in the darkness of the room, allowing her hands to skim along his heated skin until she pushed them behind his back, holding him as he held her.

“What about her?” It was sad, really, that she wasn’t shocked to hear her sister-in-law’s name from his lips. That woman had always been someone Fyre didn’t trust.

“She was seen picking the lock to my office and going in to get information from the books.”

“I would not be surprised. Especially if whoever she is working with or for were offering her money. Who did she give it to?”

“We have not seen her alone with any male other than Elonne.”

“Why have you not been checking out the women there? We are just as capable of being vindictive and conniving as are men.”

He nipped the shell of her ear. “Hard for me to follow a woman around without appearing suspicious, baby.”

“And I was not there to help you.” She sank into him. “I am sorry, my lord.”

“You should be. But not for that. You should be sorry because you had me scared and worried.” His hands moved down to her ass and squeezed.

“I needed space.”

Phillip thrust his hips up, pushing that erection into her more. “How much space? And starting when?”

Fyre sat and lifted her nightgown so it was out of the way. His fingers had already freed himself from his breeches. It didn’t take much at all for her to rise a bit more, curl her fingers around his thickness and guide him home into her as she sank back down.

“Not that much and later. Much later.” She rocked on him, biting her lower lip as he filled her.

Nerve endings alive and sparking, she took a moment to gather her breath. He gripped her hips, holding her in place.

“Fuck, you feel perfect on my cock, baby.”

Letting go of the bunched material, she leaned forward, bracing her hands on his chest. “Move,” she demanded.

His chuckle vibrated beneath her palms. “No. Take it from me. Ride me.”

She closed her eyes in frustration and need. “I do not know how, I have never…”

He released one hip and sank his fingers in her hair, guiding her down to him. A brush of his lips. “There is nothing you can do wrong here, baby. Try something. If you do not like it, try something else. Show me what you like. Teach me how to pleasure you how you want, in the ways you enjoy.”

Face hot, she sat back, knowing if there had been light she would not be able to do this. She was comfortable with him, yes, but taking the initiative like this? It was something she would have had to build up to, if he could see her. But as it was dark, she could pretend this was nothing more than another fantasy.

With Phillip.

“What if I do not know how I like it other than what you have shown me?”

He ran his hands up her side, thumbs swiping along her taut nipples before settling once more upon her hips.

“That is what we are learning now. I am happy with whatever you do to me, baby. My dick is inside your wet, tight pussy. No place I would rather be, so take your time if you want.”

She didn’t want. Fyre moved her hips and the groan that left his mouth was heaven to her ears. She wanted him to whimper and cry for her as she did him. Lips curling up in what she was sure was a vixen smile, she started rotating her hips, seeing what she liked the most. And how much she could torture the man beneath her before he snapped.