Secluded with the Rogue

Chapter 5

Five

T he moon cast its silvery glow upon the Rosewood Inn as the snow continued to blanket the surrounding grounds, leaving all inhabitants of the village nestled in a world of their own. Bradford stood outside Lady Skye’s chamber door, his heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. He raised his hand, hesitating for a moment before finally knocking softly on the wooden panel.

“Who is it?” came the muffled voice from within.

“Lord Greenwich,” he replied, his voice barely audible.

The door creaked open, revealing a vision that stole Bradford’s breath away. Skye stood before him, her golden curls cascading around her delicate shoulders, framing her porcelain face. Her sapphire eyes held a hint of surprise, but also something else—an unspoken yearning.

“Bradford,” she whispered, her lips forming the words with a tenderness that sent a shiver down his spine. “What brings you here at this late hour?”

“I... I needed to see you, Skye,” He admitted, his gaze locking with hers. “May I come in?”

She stepped aside to allow him entry.

As he crossed the threshold, he extended his hand. Skye hesitated, her heart racing as she placed her trembling fingers in his strong, warm grasp. The sensation was electrifying, sending shockwaves through her body. She had never imagined such a simple touch could hold so much power.

“Your hand is cold, my lady,” Bradford murmured, his concern genuine. “Have you been near a window?”

“Indeed,” she confessed, her cheeks flushing at the thought of being caught gazing longingly at the moonlit garden below. “I find the beauty of the snow-covered grounds quite captivating.”

“Yes,” he agreed, his fingers gently squeezing hers as if to warm her chilled skin. “The snow has a way of transforming even the most familiar surroundings into something magical.”

“Indeed,” she echoed, her eyes flickering down to their entwined hands before meeting his gaze once more. “But sometimes, it is not just the scenery that changes, but the people within it.”

“Very true,” Bradford replied, sensing the weight of her words. “Sometimes, the most unexpected circumstances can reveal aspects of ourselves we never knew existed.”

“Or aspects of others,” she added softly, feeling as though she were standing on the precipice of a great revelation.

“Indeed,” he agreed, his eyes searching hers for a moment longer before releasing her hand.

As Skye’s heart continued to race, she couldn’t help but wonder what this newfound connection with Lord Greenwich truly meant—and whether it would be strong enough to weather the storm brewing around them.

“Bradford,” she began hesitantly, her voice barely more than a whisper. “There is something I must confess.”

“Please,” he urged gently, his eyes filled with concern and curiosity. “You may speak freely with me.”

Taking a deep breath, she looked into his blue eyes, finding both solace and trepidation within their depths. “Since our meeting here, I have found myself quite... affected by your presence.”

“Affected?” he repeated softly, his own heartbeat quickening in response to her admission.

“Indeed,” Skye continued, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of desire and uncertainty. “I cannot deny there has been a growing... connection between us. One that both excites and frightens me.”

“Skye, my dear,” he murmured, his tone low and husky as he stepped closer, bridging the gap between them. “I too must admit my feelings for you have grown stronger with each passing moment we’ve spent together.”

His confession sent a shiver down her spine, and Skye’s gaze moved to his lips as they curved into a warm smile. “And what might this mean for us, Bradford?”

“Truthfully, I am uncertain,” he replied, his honesty endearing him to her even further. “But I know I wish to explore these feelings, to see where they may lead.”

“Even if doing so leads to scandal?” Skye questioned, her eyes meeting his once more, searching for any hint of hesitation.

“Especially then,” he responded without pause, giving her a roguish grin, his determination clear in the unwavering intensity of his gaze. “This pull I feel toward you is too strong to deny.”

As the last syllable of Bradford’s bold declaration lingered in the air, Skye found herself entranced by the depths of his eyes, her heart pounding wildly within her chest. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind, each one more dizzying than the last. Yet, in that singular moment, all she yearned for was to feel the warmth of his embrace.

“May I?” he whispered, a glimmer of uncertainty in his eyes as he sought her permission.

“Please,” Skye breathed, the single word carrying the weight of her unspoken desires.

No sooner had the word passed her lips than Bradford leaned in, bridging the scant distance between them. His breath fanned warmly against her cheek, teasing at the delicate wisps of hair that framed her face. And then, their lips met in a tender and passionate kiss, the sensation igniting an unfamiliar fire within her very soul.

Lost in the exquisite taste of him, she felt her fingers tangle in his golden locks, drawing him ever closer as their kiss deepened. Their bodies pressed together, and she could feel the heat emanating from him, searing through the layers of fabric that adorned her form.

“Skye,” he murmured against her lips, the sound of her name on his tongue sending shivers down her spine. “You have bewitched me utterly.”

“Bradford,” she replied, cherishing the intimacy of using his given name. “There is no turning back now, is there?”

“None,” he agreed, the mischievous glint returning to his eyes.

Is it possible? Skye mused, her heart swelling with hope even as doubt nipped at the edges of her thoughts. Could there be a future for them? Regardless, she wanted him and would take what she could for now. “Your being here, in my room. It is a monumental risk.”

“Sweet Skye, have you not heard?” he teased, his breath hot against her ear. “I am no stranger to defiance, and I would gladly challenge the stars themselves if it meant a chance to hold you in my arms.”

“Oh,” she whispered, sealing their fate with another searing kiss. As their lips danced in perfect harmony, Skye dared to believe that perhaps, just perhaps, they could indeed defy the world and find true love amidst the snowflakes and shadows.

The room seemed to shrink around them, the flickering candlelight casting shadows that danced in tune with their racing hearts. Skye’s fingers remained tangled in his hair as he began a slow exploration of her body, his hands and lips steering her skin.

“Bradford,” she sighed, her voice barely audible over the sound of her own heartbeat. As his hands roamed over the curves of her waist and hips, she felt a familiar fire consuming her from within. It was a flame born of passion, fueled by desire, and fanned by the tender yet insistent touch of the man before her.

“Skye,” he murmured in reply, a question in his tone, seeking permission for their shared journey into the depths of desire.

“Yes,” she breathed, granting him all that he sought—and more. For as much as fear and uncertainty clawed at her, Skye could not deny the intoxicating allure of this newfound passion.

His lips found hers once more, his kiss deepening as his hands continued their gentle exploration. He traced his fingertips along the curve of her hip, up her side, and along the soft swell of her bosom. The delicate fabric separating them offered little resistance against the heat of his touch; it was unlike anything she had experienced before.

As his lips trailed down her neck, each heated kiss leaving an invisible mark upon her skin, Skye’s breath hitched in her throat. Her thoughts raced, a whirlwind of emotions and fears battling with the undeniable pull of the man who held her, posing a real danger to her heart. She had cared for her late husband, and enjoyed their marital bed sport, but never had she felt such intensity. Such a deep connection.

“Is this truly what you want?” she asked, her voice quivering with the weight of her uncertainty.

“More than anything, love,” Bradford replied, his eyes locked onto hers, revealing the depths of his own vulnerability. “But only if it is what you want as well.”

“Bradford, I—” she hesitated, suddenly overcome by the enormity of their decision. What they were contemplating went against everything that was proper. And yet, as she gazed into his eyes, Skye could not imagine sending him away.

“Skye,” he whispered, his voice gentle yet insistent. “I would never force you into something you do not desire. But if you wish to take this path together, I promise you I will protect you with every fiber of my being.”

“That is a bold promise,” she replied, her decision made, her heart swelling with newfound courage. She was a widow, after all. Her innocents had long been surrendered, and it had been far too long since she had experienced the joys of lovemaking. “Make love to me.”

“I shall,” he vowed, “and I will not stop until you are weak and sated in my arms.”

At a loss for words, she pulled his lips back to hers.

Their kiss was a gateway into a world of wild abandon. In his arms, she felt safe, as if no harm could befall her, as this was where she was meant to be. No longer the proper widow who had lost her beloved, she was now the woman who had found true passion—a passion that would, regardless of the consequences, live on in her heart forever.

Bradford carefully undid her dressing gown, his devil-may-care demeanor momentarily replaced by a tenderness that belied his rakish reputation. As the garment loosed its hold, a tantalizing glimpse of her alabaster skin was revealed, sending shivers of anticipation through both of them.

“You are stunning,” he whispered, his blue eyes, usually so vibrant and confident, now held a depth of emotion she had never seen. “Tell me you want this. You want me.”

“More than ever, Bradford,” she replied, her voice steady despite the tremors coursing through her body. “I wish to be with you—to share this part of myself with you.”

“As do I,” he murmured, resuming his work with renewed purpose.

Her chemise slid from her shoulders and pooled at her feet, leaving her vulnerable and exposed before him. But rather than feeling embarrassment or shame, Skye reveled in the sensation, emboldened by the passion that ignited within her like a blazing fire.

“Beautiful,” Bradford breathed, his hands hesitating for a moment before gently tracing the contours of her body, each touch igniting sparks that danced across her skin. “So very beautiful.”

“Bradford,” she gasped as his fingertips grazed along her collarbone, down the valley between her breasts, and further still. The sensation of his hands exploring her, the warmth of his touch, was unlike anything she had ever experienced—a heady combination of excitement and desire that left her breathless.

“Tell me what you like,” he whispered against her ear, the huskiness of his voice sending shivers down her spine. “I wish to bring you pleasure.”

“Your touch is everything I’ve ever wanted,” she admitted, her heart pounding in time with the rhythm of their newfound intimacy. “Please, do not stop.”

“Have no fear, love,” he murmured, his lips brushing her temple as he carried her to the bed. Joining her, his hands resumed their exploration, each caress stoking the flames of their passion ever higher.

A sliver of moonlight cast a silvery glow upon them entwined within the bed as the wind gusted against the window. He gently cupped her face in his hands, then he sought her lips once more in a passionate embrace. Their breaths mingled as their bodies moved in unison, each touch and caress drawing them closer together, until the boundaries between where one ended and the other began blurred.

Bradford trailed his fingers over her. Traced intricate patterns on her skin, igniting a fire within her that begged to be quenched. He lowered his lips to her neck, marking the path down to her collarbone with soft nips and kisses that left her gasping for air.

“Bradford, please,” she breathed, her body writhing beneath him with a primal need that could no longer be denied.

“Are you certain?” he asked, the concern in his voice barely masking the desire that threatened to consume them both.

“More than anything,” she whispered, her eyes shining with an unspoken plea.

All reservations vanished, their passion growing hotter by the moment. He reached down to pull off her silk stockings one by one, massaging her calves with deft fingers before trailing kisses up her legs. She gasped at the sensation, her toes curling in anticipation.

Her breath hitched as he moved lower still, kissing his way along her inner thigh, inching closer to where she ached for him most. She clutched at his hair, urging him onward, moaning softly when he brushed his tongue against her sensitive folds. The sensation was delightfully wicked, and she knew she should push him away, but desire forbid her to refuse either of them, no matter how scandalous his action might be.

His fingers found their way inside her, stroking and teasing until she was panting his name. He delved deeper, seeking her sweet spot, sending waves of pleasure coursing through her body. She cried out, arching into him, her fingernails digging into his shoulders as all thoughts of propriety fled.

She felt him hard against her opening, and with a slow thrust, he filled her. A shudder ran through her body as their eyes met. They smiled together, their hearts beating in perfect rhythm as they moved together in a dance of desire that would last long into the night.

His lips found hers once again, their kisses growing more urgent as they moved together in a frenzy of passion. Skye clung to him, her nails leaving their mark on his back, digging into his skin as he pushed her higher and higher.

As they reached their climax, their bodies locked together, and they cried out each other’s names. The world around them disappeared, and all that mattered was the heat and passion that consumed them both.

“Bradford,” she said, her voice laced with passion as her body trembled beneath his expert touch. “I never knew...”

“Nor did I,” he admitted, his own gaze clouded with wonder and awe at the intensity of their connection. “We have found something truly remarkable.”

Slowly, their breathing returned to normal, and Bradford held her close, running his fingers through her hair. “I’ve never wanted anyone like this,” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. “I do not know what to make of it, Skye.”

She nestled her head against his chest, feeling his heartbeat against her. “I feel the same,” she whispered. “I needed... you.”

He traced her jawline with his stubble-covered chin, his touch sending shivers down her spine. “Here, tonight in this place, in this room, I am yours,” he replied, his voice low and husky.

The fire crackled in the background, casting flickering shadows on the wall, and outside the snow continued to fall, creating a world of its own. But for now, they were safe in each other’s arms, lost in the moment's magic.

The warmth of their joining lingered in the air as she nuzzled against his chest, inhaling his scent - a mix of pine and musk. “Then let us never leave this room,” she said softly, her eyes still closed, savoring the moment.

He chuckled, kissing the top of her head. “My lady, I think that might be impossible,” he teased. “But this shall not be the end for us. We will find ways to sneak away from prying eyes. Do not fret.”

Their lips met again in a tender kiss, their passion now replaced by a slow, sensual dance of tongues that left them both breathless once more. As they delighted in each other, they felt the warmth of the fire on their skin, the snowflakes softly tapping against the windowpanes, and the promise of passion yet to come.

With a sigh of contentment, Skye allowed herself to be enveloped in the warmth of her lover’s embrace, her body still tingling from their earlier escapades. And as the snow continued to fall outside, blanketing the world in its serene beauty, she realized that the possibility of happiness with Bradford Seymore, Marquess Greenwich, was a chance she was willing to take. For it appeared the entire universe had conspired to bring them together, amidst the swirling dance of snowflakes and the warmth of their newfound affection.