Dark Passions

12.

"Meredith!" Derek called out from behind her, as she headed down the corridor. "There you are, my love. I have missed your company today," he said as he caught up with her. Meredith smiled at him happily, entranced as always by his intense gaze.

"It has not been that long," she teased him, reaching up to adjust his cravat, where it was loose. He looked as handsome as ever, in his white shirt crisp beneath the fitted waistcoat, his dark hair falling across his forehead invitingly. His dark trousers fit his muscular legs snugly, and he radiated strength and confidence. She was enveloped in his unique scent - the combination of his skin and the spice of his cologne.

"Far too long," he assured her, kissing her lips softly. "And far too boring, looking at dusty account ledgers all day. All I could envision was your lovely face, and other, more captivating, parts of your body..." He pressed her back against the wall, crushing her body with his. His mouth was hot and insistent over hers, and she whimpered as his tongue sought hers. She wound her arms around his neck, pulling him even closer, kissing him back eagerly. The hot tug of desire burned in her, her breasts heavy with want.

He finally lifted his head, his indigo eyes filled with passion, as he looked at her lips, now bruised from his kiss. Their breathing was ragged, and he could feel her body trembling. His lips brushed the column of her throat, and across the swell of her breasts. "You make me forget everything but your sweet love," he whispered. "You are most distracting."

Meredith sighed at the touch of his lips on her feverish skin. "Derek..." she moaned softly.

"I love it when you say my name in passion," he murmured. "I want to make you scream it out loud, in the midst of your climax." His words were erotic, and she shuddered, wanting him hot and hard, insistent between her legs and deep inside of her. But this was not the place, and she tried to think clearly.

"Ah, sweet jesus, but this is madness," she whispered. "We cannot be do this here... like this, Derek." But her eyes closed, as he continued to rain little kisses across her skin, his hands possessively at her waist.

Reining in his wild desire for her, Derek took a deep breath. His mind was fogged with his need for her, his cock harder than ever, taking control of his actions. She was right; of course, this wasn't the place to be ravishing her, and he willed himself to think coherently. "Forgive me, Meredith," he said, looking into her eyes. 'We need to wait until later for this. Kate will be expecting us for dinner soon."

"Us?" Meredith asked, confused, her thoughts still muddled with lust. "But why would she expect me as well? The boys..."

"I will get one of the maids to sit with them," Derek assured her, tucking a stray tendril of hair behind her ear. "I have spoken to Kate and told her that I asked you to be my wife. We should all have dinner together now, my dear. You are to be part of the family soon enough, and I want you there."

"Oh, you have talked to Kate already?" Meredith fussed with her gown, trying to calm her shaking hands. "I know you said she was suspicious about our relationship, but I did not realize you wanted to tell her so quickly."

Derek took her hands in his. "It was the right moment, and I want the world to know how much I love you. I do not want to keep this a secret."

"And was she upset?" Meredith asked, unsure of how Lady Kate would react to this. Would she think that Meredith was some gold-digger, only interested in Derek for his money and title? She bit her lip uncertainly.

"Well, initially she was shocked, I must admit. But I believe she is truly happy for us, and she will do all she can to help you."

Meredith sighed. "I hope you are right."