Dark Passions

11.

"Meredith!" Derek's voice swam through the haze in her mind. "Wake up, Meredith..." Her eyelids fluttered open, and she looked up into his intense blue eyes, now filled with concern. "Oh, thank god," he murmured, kissing her forehead.

"Derek..."

"You fainted, my dear," he said. "Was my proposal such a shock?"

Meredith closed her eyes briefly, remembering that he had asked her to be his wife. She opened her eyes again - no, this wasn't a dream. She was in his bed, in his arms, and he was looking at her expectantly. "Oh, Derek," she sighed. "I cannot do this...I cannot marry you..."

"Can you tell me why?" he asked softly. "Do you doubt me?" Despite the impetuous proposal, something he hadn't even considered until the words came pouring out of his mouth, Derek suddenly realized it was the truth. He loved her, more than anything, and he wanted to make her his wife.

She looked at him again, seeing the intense passion in his expression, and her heart was torn. More than anything, she wanted to scream her acceptance, and throw her arms around him, never letting go. He was so perfect, so good and strong, so sure of himself.

"I do not doubt that you think you love me, but I am not what you need. You need someone who is better suited to this life, someone who understands the ways of the court, and the running of a household such as this. You do not need a girl with my damaged reputation, who was no virgin. You have to understand..."

"Meredith, none of that matters to me," he assured her, taking her hands again.

"But you hardly know me!" Meredith pulled away, and slipped out of the bed. She paced towards the window, staring out at the rain coming down. The chill in the room made her shiver, and she wrapped her arms around her body. Within moments, Derek was behind her, pulling her back against his body, instantly warming her. She felt the familiar pull of desire as their skin touched, and she drew a shuddering breath. How could she live without his touch, if she was bereft after only a few moments?

"Meredith, please, look at me," he said softly, and she turned slowly. He took her face in his hands, and she lifted her eyes to him. "I love you. Whatever happened in your past is just that - your past. I want your present and our future." He dropped to one knee, taking her hand in his and kissing her fingertips. "Again, I ask you, Meredith - will you marry me?"

"Oh, my... oh, Derek..." she whispered, a few tears streaming down her cheek. "Yes, my answer is yes...I love you...."

Derek stared at her for a second, not sure if he had heard her correctly. "Yes? You will?" He grinned happily at her, standing up and swinging her into his arms. "My love, you have made me the happiest man in all of England!" He carried her back to the bed, setting her down, and crawling in beside her. His lips covered hers in a hot, sweet kiss, taking her breath away with its intensity. He trailed kisses along her jaw, and down her throat, along the delicate skin of her collarbone. She clung to him, laughing and weeping at the same time, as his lips burned over her skin.

Her body was on fire for him suddenly, as he kissed her breasts, and sucked on her nipples until they swelled hard and erect for him. She shook, and clutched at his back as he kissed her belly, and along the inside of her thighs, seeking her hot center. His mouth devoured her, stroking her clit, giving her wrenching tremors of orgasm over and over.

When he finally slid into her, his cock filling her, she was lost, consumed by the exquisite sensation of being with him, body and soul. Their mouths met, and tongues caressed softly, as he delved into her with long, demanding thrusts. She could not deny her surrender to him, the only man she had ever let herself fall in love with.