Emerald Desire (Emerald Trilogy) Read Online Free Page B

going to wed me!"
    "We'll see," Lydia replied.
    On the way home, the cool October wind whipped around their faces. Timothy laughed and joked and seemed very pleased, but Lydia was sullen and said nothing. Dera smiled to herself. Noticing the golden ribbon still on her wrist, she untied it and flung it into the evening breeze, watching it curl and float across the Irish countryside. It reminded her of Jem and Lord Fairfax and her conversation with Quint. She decided it was unlucky, and by throwing it away, she would erase the unpleasantness of the fair. She set her mind on Quint and the night to come.
    CHAPTER THREE
    Eager, full of love and hope, Dera waited for Quint in the meadow. Visions of herself locked in his arms occupied her thoughts. Then he was beside her, holding her and smothering her with kisses, almost before she realized he had come.
    "Darling," she whispered against the hardness of his chest; the manly scent of him enveloped her. Quint held her face in his hands and tenderly gazed at her for a long moment.
    "I've waited for you, Dera. You are the only woman I will ever love. Believe that." There was an urgency in his voice; he wanted her to realize he spoke the truth.
    She put her hand against his mouth. His lips were warm and moist on her fingertips.
    "We have no need for words, Quint. I know what you feel for me." She encircled her slender arms around his neck, cherishing the sweet warmth of him. He groaned into her hair, his hands beginning to explore her body. She pressed herself against him as he thrust his tongue into her mouth, causing delightful tingling sensations along her spine.
    Expertly he undid the lacings on the front of her gown. His warm hand stroked and kneaded her breasts. The warmth flowing through her body suddenly became like liquid fire and she clung to him as he lowered her onto the soft blanket she’d brought from her bed.
    She felt no embarrassment when he removed her clothing and then his own. He kissed her breasts, his hands exploring what she freely gave to him. Her body molded, naked and writhing against him. Desire coursed so strongly though her that she thought she would die from the ecstasy of it. He touched and kissed parts of her that she had never known could give such pleasure, and when she could stand it no longer she arched her body against him. He entered her,and the glorious pleasure turned to a momentary pain which she ceased to feel when desire again assaulted her in waves.
    They were carried along the crest, oblivious to everything except their mutual hunger. He tensed and shuddered. At the same moment, her own body exploded, and then subsided into a lulling calm.
    Quint lay quietly, his arm thrown across her waist. In the darkness, she felt his eyes upon her face. "Are you sorry?" he asked her.
    Dera stretched cat-like and smiled up at the moon. "I could never regret this moment, Quint. We were born for one another."
    "Aye," he agreed.
    "Do you remember your promise, Quint, about our marrying?"
    "I do," he said and released her, folding his arms behind his head. "We'll marry. Trust me."
    "When?"
    "Soon, but first I have things I must attend to."
    "What things?”
    "Nothing that concerns you, Dera. Don't question me further."
    "Does it have anything to do with Lord Fairfax and the hatred in your heart?" she asked.
    "I don't wish to speak of it." He turned away from her. "We shall marry one day."
    "One day" sounded a long time away. Tears formed in her eyes. Loving Quint had been the most wonderful experience she could ever hope to have. Perhaps she had lost him by letting him make love to her. "Perhaps my wantonness has driven you away already? Maybe you think I'm like my mother?"
    "Never, Dera! You are yourself and I love you. This changes nothing except to deepen my love for you." Quint cradled her in his arms and stroked her hair. He kissed her, the embers of their earlier passion ignited, and once again, they became one.
    Afterwards, they stood and dressed in