An Inconvenient Arrangement

Chapter 49: Rafe

The tower of the old castle on the grounds came into view, Rafe watched in satisfaction as Sylvie's mouth parted in wonder at the ruins of what must have been a grand keep several centuries ago, though it was all little but rubble now. Only the lookout tower remained intact, rising above the surrounding trees, looking entirely gothic in the scant light of the crescent moon that adorned the night sky above them.

It had been around before even the first Marquess of Graham had made it his home some five hundred and fifty years ago, falling to ruin as it lost its battle to time and Mother Nature. Too expensive to renovate, and far too drafty to live in, later generations had abandoned it in favor of more modern architecture and construction.

"Oh my! How big it must have been in its heyday," Sylvie exclaimed softly as he set the lantern he had been using to navigate to the ground and helped her dismount. The necklace he had gifted her made a small jingling sound as her feet contacted the ground. Feeling somewhat mischievous, Rafe let her go a touch too soon; before she had gained sure footing, causing her to tumble forward into his arms. "Oh, you insufferable scoundrel!"

"You knew what I was when you let me in your bed," he winked at her. He reached up, searching through her hair for pins, deftly pulling them from her hair so that the lovely golden tresses were spilling about her shoulders. Any protest she would have made was silenced by a quick, soft press of his mouth to hers. "There now, that is better. Would you like to see your first present?"

"First?" She said in disbelief. "Rafe, just how many things did you buy me? The necklace from the afternoon, and now more?"

"Oh, merely two more little things," he replied with a casual shrug, though he felt far too eager to see her reaction. He reached into one of the large pockets next to the saddle and pulled out a box. She pried it open gingerly, her mouth falling open in horror as she pulled out the contents, letting the box fall to the floor.

"Raphael, what-?! What is this?" She choked out as he bit down on the side of his cheek to keep from laughing at the mortification on her crimson face. "It doesn't even look slightly functional!"

The "it" in question was a lovely emerald night rail made of the most expensive silk money could buy. It was held up by two thin straps at the top tied with delicate love knots- the kind that could easily be unraveled by a lover's teeth. And his personal favorite part; the front of the night rail had a flimsy bodice made entirely of very delicate lace, practically a window through which he could view her adorable little bossom. Suckle her sweet little nipples until they were wet and swollen pink, leave little love bites on the underside of her breasts, and watch them bounce and strain against the netted fabric while he took her on her back, be it sweetly or with hard, rough thrusts.

"Well," he took the fabric from her, holding it against her body. "I can admit this is more a present for me than it is for you."

"When would I even wear it?!" She demanded, looking so thoroughly scandalized he could not help but rub his nose against hers in an affectionate gesture. "It's not as if I am clothed when we are making love!"

"We'd make an exception for this one."

"I really don't-"

"Just imagine," his breath played with her ear, an answering shiver running down her spine. "You, in this, riding me, the lace on your nipples, right along with my tongue and fingers. You'd come all over me because it would be just the right kind of uncomfortable. What if we tied your hands behind your back so that you couldn't tell me how hard you wanted it? What if I had my way with you and you just had to trust me to look after your needs? You'd like that, wouldn't you, Sylvie? You like being at my mercy."