and fresh linens, enough for a couple of days. Would you like to stay
here with me?"
"Oh, my yes." She could live in this place forever.
Prentice smiled at her answer. "Good. Come, let me show you around."
They went outside, where she discovered that the folly sat near a shallow grotto.
The setting stole her breath. They were on a hill, something she hadn't noticed as they
negotiated their way through the woods. The rise overlooked rich, verdant fields, which
spanned as far as she could see.
Before she could conceive of doing anything different, she turned to Prentice and
hugged him, bubbling over with excitement. He hugged her back, twirling her around
and around. No doubt, she'd never forget this moment. When he finally set her down,
he kissed her deeply, his tongue delving into her mouth with hunger and need.
Desiree had never imagined a man with such passion. His mind seemed to rarely
leave the realm of the flesh. Before she knew it, her dress was falling to the ground. The
sun bathed her in golden warmth; her skin was quick to heat.
"I want you naked," he said, shucking out of his coat. He danced on one foot and
then the other as he removed his boots.
"Here? Now?"
"Yes, here and now."
She removed her chemise and stood nude before him, basking in the sun's
warmth. It was glorious.
He laid her down in the soft grass, the sensation alone as sensual a feeling as any
she'd ever experienced. She saw hunger in his eyes, but then the man was forever
ravenous. His hands were everywhere at once, firing her blood and filling her senses.
She waited as he took the pains to sheath himself with a French letter, and with
little warning, he came over her and entered, hilting himself with one deep thrust. He
rode her hard, taking his satisfaction with enthusiasm. She soon came, shouting her
delight to the heavens. He roared as he pounded into her, his face strained, eyes closed.
She'd come to realize how demonstrative he was, and she rather enjoyed it.
Temporarily sated, Prentice rolled off Desiree and onto his back, placing his arm
over his eyes to shield them from the sun. He lay partially naked beside her, and
realized he didn't want to be anywhere else, at least not at this moment.
Up on one elbow a moment later, he looked down at her, his body providing
shade for her eyes. "Have you never made love outside before?"
"Never!"
"Want to do it again?"
She looked down at his cock and was amazed to see it at full attention.
"Are you ever not ready for sex?"
"Not to my recollection. Get used to it, my dear; I am a man who is steeped in the
pleasures of the flesh. Let me know if that isn't to your liking, but I see no reason to
change now."
Her eyes widened and he only realized what he had said, or rather how he had
said it, when the shock registered in her eyes. He hadn't meant to make it sound as
though he intended anything permanent by this forest foray, but even to his own ears, it
sounded as though he'd meant more.
"As far as our agreement goes, my lord, I am quite content with your abilities."
Prentice breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't hear it the way I did. Good.
They rested for a while few moments in companionable silence, enjoying a
perfect day spent in a perfect setting.
"I feel like a swim. What about you?" Prentice finally spoke. She agreed the water
would feel good, and accompanied him as he made his way to the pond. He dragged
her into the water. They romped, splashing each other, him dunking her and her
fighting to do the same to him.
They laughed like children, carefree and genuine. Prentice was enjoying her
company. She seemed willing to participate in any venture he suggested, which pleased
him, because he had some thoughts as to how he could take their sexual games to new
heights.
They were in the water for nearly an hour before he took her by the hand and led
her to the grassy shore. He was aroused, which was becoming a way of life for him,
especially around
C. J. Cherryh
Learning to Kill: Stories
John O'Riley
Brenda Sinclair
Christopher George
Stephen Lloyd Jones
Karl Iagnemma
Celya Bowers
Jill Gregory
Aria Cunningham