Dark Passions

29.

"Derek! You're home so quickly!" Kate called out as she met them at the door. She eyed his dusty riding clothes, and windswept hair. "And you rode?"

Derek laughed easily, kissing her cheek. "I could not wait to get here," he confessed. "The coach was taking too long, and I wanted to get home to my favorite women." He squeezed Meredith's waist, brushing his lips across her temple. Despite his words, his eyes were only on her, and Kate smiled softly, seeing the love between the two of them.

"I think you need to rest and clean up before dinner," she said knowingly. She took the little black kitten from Meredith. "I'll take care of this little one. I'm sure you two have much to discuss. I will see later, Derek."

Derek laced his fingers with Meredith's, and they headed towards her suite. Then he stopped short, and she looked at him, puzzled. He turned towards the footman standing at the foot of the stairs. "Please retrieve my saddlebag from the stable and bring it to Miss Grey's suite. Just leave it outside the door."

"Very good, sir."

He grinned at Meredith. "I have something for you, I did not trust leaving it in the coach with the rest of the baggage. And then in my haste to find you when I arrived, I forgot to retrieve it. All I could think of was finding you, my love. You were in my thoughts every moment," he told her, as he swept her up in his arms, and kissing her softly. She slipped her arms around his neck, meeting his mouth, desire curling through her veins like warm honey.

Ascending the curving staircase, cradling her close to his heart, Derek felt truly happy. This was where he belonged - with the woman he loved, soon to be his wife, having children and growing old with her. Nothing else was important to him any longer.

"You were in my thoughts every moment, as well. I hope all went well for you in London," she murmured, her fingers playing with the stray locks of his hair that curled over the edge of his shirt collar.

"Oh yes, very well," he assured her, as they reached her suite. He pushed the door open and strode quickly inside, slamming it shut with his foot. He set her down gently, tracing her cheek with the palm of his hand. He captured her mouth again, forcefully this time, taking her breath away with the intensity of it. She rose onto her tiptoes, seeking to be even closer to him, their tongues dancing and searching. His hands roamed down her body, igniting little points of heat everywhere. Her heart lurched, as the desire shook her from head to foot. "Forgive me, sweetheart, I do not wish to talk right now," he finally muttered, his voice husky with passion.
Meredith laughed, resting against him, secure in the circle of his strong arms. "Nor do I," she whispered, looking up into his face, seeing the look of love and longing there. Passionate fire burned in his eyes, as they stared at each other. Never releasing her gaze, he tore at the buttons on his shirt, so that they popped off and scattered onto the floor. He wrenched the material away from his body, and took her face in his hands again, kissing her deeply, and moving them slowly backwards.

Meredith whimpered - melting at the feel of his lean body pressed against her breasts and belly, and his tongue like velvet. Frantic need consumed her, as he started to work the buttons on her dress, brushing her skin with his fingers as he tugged the uncooperative little fastenings apart impatiently. With a muttered curse, he ripped the material, desperate to have her soft skin against his. The torn dress fluttered to the floor, and he pushed it out of the way, along with her petticoats, leaving her in her corset and garters and stockings. Meredith clung to him, laughing and moaning. His mouth covered hers again, warm and demanding.

Their clothing in a trail behind them as they moved towards the bed, Derek paused briefly, and pulled his riding boots off, returning to kiss her again, one arm around her hips, caressing the skin. His other hand tore at the waistband of his breeches, while her hands raced over his firm muscular back, their tongues still dueling. Then he picked her up again and carried her the rest of the way, letting her down onto the bed. She fell back against the pillows, her hair spilling around her like gold, her eyes drowsy with desire. She looked delectable, her breasts round and tempting at the edge of the corset, her skin like warm cream against the white sheets.