Time Will Tell

Time Will Tell - Part 24

Their hotel room door closed with a final click and noise from the bustling Galt House lobby died, encasing them in silence. Colin drew Libby closer, wrapping his arms around her. She smiled. He seemed to be himself again. Engulfed in his warmth, she breathed in his scent—one of horses, leather, and sweat. Totally male and totally Colin Thorpe.

Her spine relaxed one vertebra at a time as his strong hands worked out the knotted tension. A nice ending to a day that had begun so horribly, she thought dreamily, shoving any remaining images of her attack to the far reaches of her mind, along with all of the doubts that had hounded her during dinner.

His lips caressed her face, a gentle and soothing balm for her hurts. Eventually, his mouth found hers. The kiss went on and on. Libby could stay in this suspended state of pleasure for a lifetime. Only she didn’t have a lifetime, she remembered. But she wouldn’t dwell on that either.

He lifted his head and turned her. Playing the lady’s maid, he undid each button, taking his time, adding feather-light caresses along her bare arms or fingering the lace before dipping beneath with a soft touch where the mound of her breast met material. His warm, moist mouth slowly followed. Her head fell back, giving him more access. Exquisite ripples of heat rushed to her core, extending outward, sending warmth from head to toe.

Her dress dropped to the floor.

With hands on her shoulders, he gently repositioned her to face him. Then he worked on untying the nineteenth-century corset that worked with vice-like effectiveness on her midsection. Inhaling deeply, once freed of the hated garment, she focused on what his hands were now doing, languishing in more sensations.

As many times as they’d made love, Colin’s actions felt different tonight. He still kissed and touched, but the quality in his hands seemed altered. There was a reverence in his touch, a hesitance in the slow and tentative contact. She fought to discern this new mood. It seemed as if he were trying to mark her with his hands while also trying to remember her with those same hands. But as soon as the thoughts were out, they dissipated. She couldn’t concentrate when he used his skillful mouth and fingers so well, kissing and caressing. As her last item of clothing floated to the floor, Colin picked her up, carried her to the four poster bed, and gently laid her down.

He quickly divested himself of clothing before joining her. Still, Colin seemed in no hurry, keeping his pace slow and deliberate. Kissing…caressing…touching…stroking…making love with painstaking precision. Libby moved in response to his touch, offered herself up to his glorious lips. His skillful hands. By the time he stretched out, leaning over her, she was desperate to have him inside her. Once there, she craved to find the release she knew was forthcoming. Still, Colin kept his strokes unhurried, as if savoring every lengthy, extended, exquisitely slow thrust, tormenting her further. Libby fought to take the lead and increase the rhythm. But Colin would not yield control, continuing his deliberate in and out.

She moaned. The sensation of pleasure built, went on forever with each thorough stroke of her insides. When the wave came and absolute ecstasy engulfed her, she and Colin launched into simultaneous orgasms that didn’t subside for long moments. Libby felt drained. She’d given him her body and soul, just as he had.

Fully sated and unable to move in the afterglow of their lovemaking, Libby’s thoughts drifted to her earlier emotional meltdown that Colin witnessed after saving her from being brutally attacked. Or worse. Neither mentioned their fight or what preceded it. Remembering his preoccupation during the day and at dinner, everything now converged, permeating her brain in tormenting images. How could she have disregarded his warnings? She shouldn’t have gone out alone and she shouldn’t have been so upset over his autocratic attitude. His anger and concerns had been totally justified, given the era. In hindsight, she understood that now. But everything had hit at once and she’d reacted without thinking.