His words seemed so genuine that it was tempting to let herself believe he might always feel that way. But experience had taught her well, and she refused to learn that painful lesson twice.
It was best to enjoy the brief time with Desmond she had allotted herself, and, since it was speeding along, there was not a moment to squander. Yet she could not permit him to believe there was any future for this affair.
"Desire must come to an end, I suppose. And when it does…" She shrugged.
"Perhaps there are people who suffer from a deficiency of desire, and you had the misfortune of encountering one of them."
"A deficiency of desire?" she laughed. "You make it seem as though it is similar to a lack of nutrients."
"It is." He gave her a kiss. "And then there are those, you and I in particular, who have so much desire, the ancients decreed the hanging of ivy in a vain attempt to cure our affliction."
"You may have a point," she said. "I think a demonstration might prove useful, to persuade me completely about this endless supply of desire you believe in."
"I am happy to oblige. I must set the scene, to ensure you cannot contest the results at a later date." He removed the shirt of his she had been wearing, exposing her completely to his view. "Such a beautiful display. I nearly forgot what it is I am meant to demonstrate."
She leaned in and gave him a slow, deep kiss, treasuring how quickly he responded. "I have an idea. Would you like to see what I had imagined, when I thought of us like this?"
Desmond clasped a peacefully sleeping Lorelei in his arms. The settee was not built to hold two adults lying side by side, though he wished it had been. Still, they had managed to make it work in their favor earlier, when she had sat atop him, facing the fireplace instead of him. And he had not been able to refuse the invitation when she had scampered to the other side of the sofa, leaning over it in all her naked glory.
Now, though, she slept in his embrace, thoroughly satisfied. He was satisfied, too, though he was slightly troubled by her admissions about her marriage. She had not repeated her earlier words to him, from the night they had first met, about only indulging in short affairs. She had not needed to, because he understood perfectly that was all she was offering, even now.
Normally he could content himself with that. He squeezed her just a little bit tighter. Unfortunately, now he wanted more of her. He would have to persuade her the best he could to see things his way.
"See things in what way?" Lorelei murmured, rubbing at her nose as she tried to wake.
"I was hoping to persuade you it was time to return to my bedchamber."
"Yes! That is something I can agree to."
Desmond helped her to her feet, and they made their way upstairs, giving him plenty of time to wonder if she would ever agree to more.
Chapter Seven
Desmond spurred his horse into a gallop. The snowstorm had not lasted as long as he had hoped, and it seemed much too soon that he had returned Lorelei to her sister's home. She had thanked him for the visit, yet had not given him any indication she would make room for him on her calendar in the upcoming year.
Why could he not persuade Lorelei to view their affair as something that could last beyond the holiday festivities?
He had chosen to ride hell for leather across the countryside in the hopes he could rid himself of his frustration. Before he realized it, he was nearing his parents' home. He had not intended to stop by, but if his mother learned he had been in the vicinity and had not come to see her…
Which is how he found himself sitting in her parlor, gnashing his teeth against the delicate teacup, wishing it contained something a lot stronger.
"Darling, why are you making those dreadful growling sounds?" His mother's words might have been chiding, but her tone was nothing but concern.
His father chuckled. "I'll wager he is biding his time until he can depart, without causing you to rail at him for leaving so quickly."
"No, it is not that…"
His parents, seated next to each other, watched as he tried to come up with an answer that would not provoke another round of questioning.
"I am a bit disgruntled about something that does not concern you."
"It always concerns me," his mother said, "especially if it involves your happiness."
His father lifted her hand and gently clasped it in his. It was a tender gesture Desmond had seen hundreds of times while growing up, yet today it irritated him, since it seemed to demonstrate he might never have that with Lorelei. At one time, the lack would have been because of his resistance, but now he was on the receiving end.
"I would rather hear how the both of you are faring," Desmond said, changing the subject. "You are recovering rather well, I see."
His father bristled at the mention of his recent injury, but finished with a grin. "Yes, I am doing quite well. A good reminder that I wish to remain here for many years to come." He lifted his wife's hand to his lips, pressing a deep kiss to it. His mother returned a smile that was not exactly beatific.
Desmond's lips twisted wryly. "It is a mystery why I do not have any siblings."
His mother chuckled. "You are as impudent as ever."
"I fear I am. And you two are even more devoted than before. I did not think it possible."
"A life-threatening injury will do that, I suppose," his mother added.
"It was not life-threatening," his father protested. "It did prevent me from some of my favorite activities for a while—"
Desmond held up a hand. "Please, try to remember this is your son you are conversing with."
"You are out of sorts," his mother said. "Perhaps you need a new amour."
Desmond did his best to halt it but the sigh escaped anyway.
"Yes. Of course," his father said. "He has a new amour, but there are complications. Surely we can assist you with these troubles."
Desmond grinned. His parents were avidly devoted to each other, and had been their entire lives. He imagined they would spend their afterlife equally enthralled with each other. Yet they loved their son just as much, if not more, and could not bear that he might be unhappy.
"Your love story is one that everyone still talks about. I cannot believe you know the first thing about complications when it comes to matters of the heart."
His father snorted, while his mother burst into laughter.
"It has been nothing but complications," she said. "Your father can be so maddening there are days it would have brought me great joy to toss him from his horse."
"It is true," his father said, nodding sagely. "And there were times I was ready to throw myself from my mount because she had caused me no end of frustration."
Desmond sat forward, eager to hear more. "Yet that has only been recently."
"Not at all. I was frustrated beyond belief when we were first courting." His dad's gaze stayed pinned to his wife's face. "She did not believe my intentions were honorable…"
"He was the most renowned scoundrel," she added tenderly. "How could I believe he meant to be anything but scandalous? Women everywhere were throwing themselves at him."