“And I love you. I found my mother, and now, after losing Milly, I’m not alone.”
“Is that why you want to marry me? Because you fear loneliness?” I asked, uncertain where to park my emotions. A part of me needed to hear that Blake couldn’t live without me, while the other craved independence and wanted me to succeed by my own means.
He drew me close. “No. I don’t have a problem being alone. I just can’t imagine my life without you.” His words breathed a warm, moist stain onto my neck—a reminder of his dirty little utterances when he was deep inside of me. “I’m a very private man. I’ve given you so much of myself that it weakens me.”
I stared into his eyes. “How has that made you weak? It’s courageous to let a person in.”
“You’ve witnessed my vulnerabilities. I’m not the strong heroic type that a beautiful woman like you deserves.”
“That’s bullshit, Blake. I don’t need someone flying through a window, brandishing a weapon to save me.”
His lips curled, and the lines on his brow smoothed. “You’ve been watching too many sword-fighting movies, I think.”
I smiled sadly. “I like the fact that you’re complicated. I’m touched that you’ve entrusted me with your painful secrets. I know how difficult that must feel.” I paused for a response, but his eyes just burned into mine. “In many ways, we’re very similar, considering my not-so-pretty life growing up.”
He took my hand. “We’re kindred spirits, Penny. With you by my side, I can conquer the world.”
“Is that what you want to do?” I asked.
“No. It’s a figure of speech.” He led me along. “Come on. Let’s get back. I’m hungry.”
“But we’ve eaten,” I challenged.
He cocked his head and grinned. I wanted to eat him there and then.
An owl’s hoot aroused in me the magic of the forest at midnight.
In the distance, a gentle breeze swayed silhouetted trees as they performed an arboreal ballet. Coated in a diaphanous veil of mist, the scene was set for a glorious Gothic tale. A howling wolf was all that was missing.
I crushed Blake’s palm. “I’m so glad you’re here, though. I’d be too chicken to do this alone.” The sound of rustling made me jump.
“Don’t worry. It’s only a creature.” Blake pointed at a rabbit. “I used to come here often at night.”
“Really?”
He played with a strand of my hair and nodded. “You’re a natural fit in here. I can see you in a flowing gown.”
“Now who’s going all classic movies?”
He laughed. “More Grimm’s Fairy Tales, I think.”
Another owl hooted, which made me smile. “That’s so magical.”
“I also love them. As a teenager, I had a Harry Potter moment and tried to train one as a pet.”
“Really? I love hearing stories about your life growing up here.”
He sniffed. “They’re nicer in the telling.”
“What was your pet owl’s name?” I asked.
“He wasn’t domesticated. He’d perch on the tree outside my bedroom window. I named him Orson. Orson Owl.”
I giggled. “That’s sweet.”
The freshness of the night awakened my face. A large bird flew just over my head, startling me into Blake’s strong hold.
“That was only a raven.”
“It was so large.”
“They are. Amazing creatures. They’re everywhere here.”
“Hence the title,” I said.
“They used to frighten Milly and many of the women around here. They’re all very superstitious, and heavily into folklore.”
“Witchcraft, you mean?”
He nodded. “Siobhan, one of the maids, practiced. My mother would go to her for advice. She read the tarot. I never believed in any of it myself.”
“But this is the setting. The ambience is ripe with druidic history.”
“It is. I think having you here makes me appreciate it more.”
We stood on the grounds of the estate. The lunar-illuminated gray-stone edifice painted a grim picture. I almost expected to find vampires and maidens in transparent robes floating about with teeth marks on their milky necks.
I pointed to the turret, which the moon had flooded with mystery. With that dreamy atmosphere storming my senses, I experienced a creative orgasm. I fidgeted for my cellphone.
“That’s an image that I hated and loved as a boy.”
“It’s one that’s going into my sketchbook,” I said, aiming the phone toward it. “It will probably be a bit hazy, but wow, even better.”
Blake smiled. “Thanks.”
“For what?” I frowned.
“For being you.”
49
* * *
BLAKE
PENELOPE SAT UP IN the four-poster bed, her thick dark hair free and her full breasts spilling out of a red silk negligee. I brushed my lips with my tongue, as my heart pumped blood-hot desire to my dick.
I removed my clothes and walked toward the bed, dropping them along the way. Penelope lifted the cover for me, and I slid up close.
Moving over slippery silk, I rubbed her erect nipples and stared into her softened dark eyes. Our lips touched, burning and melding together. It was a kiss of love as much as passion, which soon turned into a blaze of need as her curves danced against my body.
I lowered the thin strap of her gown and caressed her breasts, trailing kisses over her milky soft skin. I sucked her nipples until they were so erect that my cock went to steel.
My addicted body rubbed against hers. We hadn’t made love since the morning, and the desire to be buried deep inside of her had taken control.
I parted her curvy thighs and placed my head between them, licking her clit until her sweet, juicy orgasm spurted over my tongue.
Rolling her over, I lifted her nightie. She went to remove it, but I stopped her. I loved the red silk dripping over her curves.
Her tits fell into my hands, and I positioned myself behind her. As I slid into her slick cunt, the fit was so tight and resistant that I sucked back a slow breath between my clenched teeth.
It was slow and deep, making pleasure shiver through every pore of my body.
Her muscles contracted tightly. Her moans deepened the harder I penetrated. Her ass danced on my belly as her wet pussy sucked my dick impatiently, imploring me to thrust harder.
I pulled back her hair gently and bit her neck. “Come for me, Penny.”
The friction was so intense, with her pussy swallowing my cock whole, that my eyes watered.
Blood rushed through me, and color exploded before my eyes, overcome by a mind-shattering climax. At the same time, Penelope moaned loudly as her creamy pussy convulsed around my dick.
We fell into each other’s arms, breathing heavily.
Stroking her soft hair, I felt complete and content. “I love you, Penny.”
* * *
THE ROOM WAS AWASH in black. As I sat there, admiration flushed through me. Penelope was the first person I’d seen who looked sexy donning a robe and cap.