Here's the link to the first chapter: The Cost of Love
The next morning, Liz woke to a gentle massage on her shoulders. “Mmmmm.”
“Good morning,” Jem whispered into her ear. He kneaded a knot of tension in her shoulder.
“Oh!” She arched her back; the pain was so intense after last night. Damien had hurt her more than usual.
“I’m sorry.” Jem kissed the spot, and then continued a trail of kisses up her throat to her mouth.
Liz threw herself into the kiss, everything she felt for Jem was on display. The passion kept rising until he drew back.
“Where did this come from?” He stroked her chin, and smiled into her eyes.
She just smiled back and brushed his hair back from his face. She loved looking at Jem, his strong features with the blond hair and blue eyes had a most devastating effect on most women, including her. She was lucky to have him, and she had almost lost him. She had never though her flaming red hair and green eyes would make her pretty. She had been called a temptress by others, but she was far from it.
She had grown up near the ocean, the castle that her family owned stood at the top of the cliff, looking down onto the rocks and the waves. Liz had loved the sea, and it broke her heart to be away from it, but Jem was more important to her.
He was so important, that he never needed to find out about what she had done with Damien the night before. Or the previous times she had been in his company. Although, she wasn’t willing, she was still a part of it, and she had no way of stopping it on her own.
She now looked into Jem’s eyes and just shook her head.
There was a knock on the door, causing both of them to look. Jem pulled on his robe and walked over to the door. “Yes?”
“Your Grace, you are needed in the parlor. Lord Blackburn has asked for your presence,” the butler replied. He promptly turned and strode down the hall.
Jem turned back to her, “I’m sorry, love.”
He bent down to kiss her, “We’ll finish this later.”
Liz hummed her agreement into his mouth, and then watched as he put on his shirt and waistcoat, followed by his jacket and his boots. He gave her one last smile then closed the door behind him as he went to meet with Damien.
Liz sat and wondered what was so important that Damien had to meet with Jem right now. She gave up, knowing that she would chase herself in circles, and started to get dressed. She rang the bell for the maid and when no one answered, she rang it once again. When there was still no response she called out. Coming to the realization that she was on her own she tried to start putting on her many layers.
She was struggling with her corset when she felt hands over hers, taking the cords and pulling them tight. “Oh, Penny, I thought you had gone out.”
There was no response, and Liz turned to look at her. But her gaze never met Penny’s; Liz’s eyes met the gaze of Damien. She turned forcefully, causing him to let go of her cords. “What are you doing here? I held up my end of the bargain last night. What more do you want?”
Damien smiled,” My dear, I will never have enough of you. It has always been that way, and it always will.”
“You still have not answered my question, Damien,” Liz narrowed her eyes to slits. She didn’t trust him at all.
He held up his hands in a sort of truce, “Do not worry. I will only take what I want at night, but right now I came to renegotiate our deal.”
“There will be no more negotiating here. We settled the matter.” Liz turned from him and walked to the window, she could see her past in the reflection. Three children frolicking in the grass next to the cliffs, they had been best friends, where had they gone?
So please PM me when you've got more out!
