Dark Passions

4.

From behind the yew hedges, Derek paused, watching Meredith fan herself, seeing the sheen of dampness on her creamy skin. He had just returned from London, and he was anxious to see her. She had dominated his thoughts while he had been away. Even the sight of Lady Addison flaunting herself in front of him had no effect. She had tried to speak to him, get him to her bed, but he refused. If she thought he was going to come running back to her, she was sadly mistaken. Realizing that her lover was not as good a catch as Derek had been, she tried her best to get Derek back, but it was too late.

"Please, Derek, forgive me, it was foolish of me," Addison begged him, catching him alone one evening after dinner. Her emerald eyes shimmered with tears, and her voice quavered, but Derek knew she was just acting. Addison never cried, she was too coldhearted for tears.

He looked down at her, his eyes dark with anger. "True, it was very foolish, but you should have thought of that before fucking Sloan in my bed, in MY house. I never want to see you again, is that clear?"

She narrowed her eyes, and dug her fingernails into his arm. "You'll never find anyone to pleasure you as well I as did, m'lord," she hissed at him. "Your cock was hot and eager for me always, how can you deny that?" Her glance flicked across his groin, and she tried to stroke him there, but he caught her hand.

"Don't touch me," he hissed back at her, his eyes glittering dangerously. "I must have been insane to think I was in love with you."

Addison sucked her breath in angrily, as she glared at him. "Who is she?"

"She?"

"You've found someone else, I can tell. Who is the little bitch warming your bed now?"

Derek laughed, turning to walk away from her. "She is no bitch, she's more a lady than you can ever hope to be. Good-bye, Addison."

"You haven't seen the last of me, m'lord," Addison screamed at his retreating back. "Do not forget that!"

"Go back to your lover - you deserve each other," Derek replied, without bothering to look back at her.

Derek shook off the memory of the encounter - Addison no longer had any hold on his emotions. He adjusted the cuffs on his shirt, and ran a hand through his unruly hair, before stepping onto the garden path. Had Meredith come to a decision, he wondered. He headed towards her, and Meredith looked up in surprise as he approached.

She jumped to her feet, and curtsied deeply, her gown displaying even more of her cleavage to him as she did so. "M'lord," she said quietly, as he took her hand. "I did not realize you were coming home today."

"Miss Grey," he said. "Kate said I would find you out here." His deep blue eyes lingered on her flushed skin, and his pulse pounded in his veins. He lifted her fingers to his lips, but turning her palm up to kiss her there. Meredith was mesmerized, unable to tear her eyes away from his. The very air between them sizzled with sexual attraction, and she bit her bottom lip unconsciously.

Derek had a sudden vision of her in his bed, her soft curves naked, and skin flushed, her body pinned beneath his. His cock throbbed, and he moved closer to her. Meredith tugged her hand away and turned to look at the twins, to be sure they weren't getting into trouble. Suddenly, his lips were at the nape of her neck, and she gasped at the touch of his mouth on her. His hands spanned her tiny waist, pulling her back against him. Meredith shivered, despite the heat, as he pressed little kisses on her skin. She moaned softly, and closed her eyes in pleasure. "M'lord......."

"You look far too luscious to resist any longer, my dear," he murmured, his lips at her ear then. A rush of desire flooded her, feeling his breath intimately on her skin. "I trust you have made a decision regarding our mutual pleasure. Will you come to me tonight, my dear? I'll be waiting."

Meredith nodded slowly. "Yes, m'lord, of course." What else could she do, she thought. She could no more resist him than stop the sun from rising. "What time do you wish to see me?"

"At midnight," he replied, his voice silky and sensual. "Wear only the corset, and your dressing gown. And leave your hair up."

"Yes, sir." Meredith shivered again as he kissed her neck fleetingly, his fingers squeezing her waist. And then he was gone, leaving her breathless, her knees weak with desire. She sank down onto the bench again, fanning herself even faster. Sweet lord, what had she done, agreeing to this?

⚜️⚜️⚜️

At the stroke of midnight, Meredith knocked softly on the huge oak door to Derek's suite of rooms. Her heart hammered in her chest, and butterflies seemed to have taken over her stomach. The door swung open silently, and she walked in. The room was softly lit with many candles on every surface, casting flickering shadows across the walls. Her eyes took in the huge four-poster bed that dominated the space, piled high with pillows and bolsters, all in bold shades of crimson, sapphire blue, deep emerald. The walls were covered with rich tapestries, and soft rugs were scattered across the oak floorboards. She paused, uncertainly, looking towards Derek.

He lounged in a chair beside the open window, enjoying the cool breeze that swept in, lifting his black curls. His crisp white shirt was unbuttoned, displaying his lean chest, the dark trail of hair tapering down to his the waist of his velvet trousers. One leg was crossed over the other, propped at the knee. In his fingers, a crystal glass of amber liquid glowed warmly. Meredith's breath caught, just looking at him. Sweet lord, he was handsome.

"Ah, Miss Grey," he said as he rose gracefully to his feet. "Very punctual - I approve. Come here, please." Meredith smiled softly, feeling his eyes raking her from head to toe as she crossed the room. Suddenly feeling nervous, she dropped her eyes to the floor as she stopped in front of him. Derek paced around her, openly admiring her. Her honey color hair was still piled on her head, stray strands escaping here and there; her heavy silk dressing gown trailed around her loosely, giving him tantalizing glimpses of the corset, and her creamy skin. The corset was lavender silk, with rows of tiny buttons and ribbons, and the dainty garment was begging to be ripped open. The bustier was edged with lace, and pushed her breasts upwards into round globes. She also wore her silk stockings and garter belt, with tiny buckled shoes on her feet. A velvet ribbon circled her throat, the trailing ends tickling her cleavage in a sensuous invitation.

Derek took her hand and raised it to his lips. The touch of his mouth on her sent a ripple of pleasure down her spine. "Is m'lord pleased with my appearance?" she asked, finally meeting his eyes.

"Oh, very pleased, Miss Grey." He took a sip of his drink and offered the glass to her. She took it and drank some, the heat of the brandy spreading through her. "Please, sit." He waved towards a small table placed in front of the fireplace. A large bouquet of lush roses was in the dark grate, the vivid colors of reds and pinks imitating a fire's radiance on this warm summer night. Their scent filled the air with intoxicating sweetness. "I have wine for us, and some sweets, if you so desire." Derek thought it best to try and put her at ease, before anything else, even though the sole thought on his mind was not food.