Set in Stone: A Contemporary Adventure Romance Novel (Legend Book 1) Page 5

  I decided I would call that number in a few days to discuss delivery of his piece, as well as talk to him about the commission. That settled it. I would create the duke’s piece first even though I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.

  I washed my face free of the heavy makeup and looked back at my reflection. The diamond bracelet was still on my wrist. A smile crossed my lips as I fingered the gems carefully. Perhaps he wasn’t as bad as the rumors made him out to be. Perhaps there was more to the Black Duke than just his myths?

  For a moment, I was in awe of the room laid out before me. A gorgeous four-poster bed took up most of the space, covered in fabrics that screamed power and wealth. Damask, silk, and rich velvets beckoned my fingers to touch. The crackling from the fireplace caught my ear, and I turned to watch flames dance in the hearth.

  I ran my hand along the mantle of the fireplace; hand-carved flowers and vines twisted in the rich mahogany wood. Everything that adorned the walls reminded me of the chambers I had seen at Hever Castle or Hampton Court. The fire crackled on the hearth, casting shadows on the walls and corners. A familiar feeling crept up my body, filling me with both dread and anticipation. He was here. Closing my eyes, I swallowed back the fluttering in my chest.

  He closed in, like a wolf stalking his prey. I was the hunted. My chest rose and fell as my body froze in place. Once again, I couldn’t turn to see his face.

  The heat from his body seeped through my thin nightgown, warming me all over. His hand brushed my hair to one shoulder. My fingers curled into fists as my resolve to fight his advances weakened. His breath tickled my skin, and lips placed feather-light kisses against my ear.

  “What do you want?” I didn’t even recognize my voice. It was thick with desire—a desire I didn’t want him to know I felt.

  He caressed around my waist, thumb stroking along the curve of my stomach. His hard body molded against mine. I could hear his breathing, rough against the back of my neck. I wanted to smack that grin off his arrogant face, but I couldn’t move.

  “What do you think I want?”

  Oh, God . . . that voice. My knees trembled as vocal velvet wrapped around me. He would be able to have his way with me if he wanted to.

  “Why are you here?” I answered his question with one of my own.

  “You don’t want me here?”

  His tongue trailed from my shoulder and along my neck. I shivered visibly.

  “I don’t know what to think.” That was the truth.

  “I can make it easy.” His body heat disappeared for a moment. When he returned, he held a black sash in front of my face.

  “What—what are you going to do with that?” My voice trembled.

  “Making it so you don’t have to think.” He pressed a kiss to my hair. “May I?”

  “I-I don’t know if I can trust you.”

  God, I wish I could move!

  If I could move, I could turn around!

  “I would never harm you. You have my word.”

  For some crazy reason, I believed him.

  “What are you going to do after you put it on?” My voice shook.

  “I’m going to kiss you.”

  My eyes squeezed shut, and I nodded.

  This was crazy.

  This was insane.

  I had never been able to feel so vividly in dreams. He controlled me in this realm. He carefully tied the sash around my head, and it was as if chains fell from my body. My arms and legs immediately started to listen to my brain’s commands.

  Strong hands turned me to face his direction. I placed my hands on his bare chest.

  Oh, my.

  He was made of pure muscle. I gave a small gasp when he hooked his index finger under my chin and raised my head upward. Lips parting, I wondered what he was thinking. There was so much I wanted to ask.

  How is this happening?

  Who are you?

  Why do you want me?

  Momentarily flinching as he caressed my cheek, I was shocked by how gentle and warm he was. As he brushed over my cheekbone, I found myself leaning into his touch. He was calming. He burned, but for every burn, he also soothed.

  “Trust me.” His lips danced oh-so-close to mine.

  All I could do was nod.

  And then he was claiming me. His lips crashed against mine, molding our mouths in a desperate tandem. His hands held firm, one at my waist while the other cupped the base of my neck.

  He seemed so real. I could touch, taste, and hear him. His breath lingered inches from my mouth. His voice made my body hum, and his hands created a trail of gooseflesh across my skin. Everything about him was tangible. I could even sense his desire. He wanted me.

  I didn’t even know this man. Yet somewhere in the deep recesses of my soul, a spark flickered to life. A long dead ember, awakened by his masterful touch.

  His tongue slid along my lower lip, asking for entry. When I hesitated, he gave a soft nip. That ripped a moan from my throat. My mouth opened, and his tongue slipped inside. I wouldn’t let him win me over so easily, so we sparred at that moment. My hands clung to his strong back, nails digging into his flesh. I was able to sneak a nip to his lips, eliciting a moan from him. A thrill raced through me.

  Out of nowhere, he picked me up. Instinct told me to wrap my legs around his waist, so I did. My back rested carefully against a wall. He took both of my hands and held them above my head as he continued his delicious assault.

  “You’re so bloody beautiful.” His voice was low, guttural as he kissed along my neck.

  My cheeks burned as I struggled against his solid grip. His mouth moved lower and lower. He kissed over the tops of my breasts, making me curse out loud; he put both of my wrists in one hand. That free hand now ran along the curves of my body. My back arched, and I fought back a scream.

  “Easy, kitten.”

  His rough chuckle turned me on. This stranger knew everything about my body, it seemed.

  “Who-? Who are you?” I managed to moan out.

  His rough hands pushed the material of the nightgown up my thigh. His fingertips left trails of heat in their wake as he caressed my skin. I was drowning in the pleasure he offered. If he put me on a bed right now, I’d be helpless and would willingly spread my legs wide for him to sink into me.

  I wrestled my hands free and let my fingers twist in his hair. He had long, silky-smooth thick hair. For a moment, I let a fantasy take hold. It was my dream, after all. I pretended the Duke of Avalon was taking me in his estate. I was his newly crowned duchess, though he treated me like a queen. He would take me day and night, confessing his love like a Knight of the Garter to a lady-in-waiting. He’d take me and make me his. He’d gift me with his body and all the world had to offer. He’d be my dragon, and I’d be his master. He’d be my knight. I’d be his lady.

  “Avalon . . . ” Without warning, the word slipped as my fantasy stole me away.

  Every muscle in his body froze, and he tensed.

  “Excuse you?” His voice grew rough.

  Shit.

  “I’m . . . I . . .” I didn’t know what to say. I had slipped. This wasn’t good.

  “Who is Avalon?” His voice was dangerous. He fisted my hair and pulled with a controlled warning.

  I panicked. “No one! Please! I’m sorry!”

  “Were you thinking about another man while I pleasured you?” His anger was clear.

  “I’m so sorry. I don’t even know why I said his name.” Tears slipped from my eyes. Damn. This perfect moment was ruined. Avalon ruined it!

  “I do . . .”

  He snarled and set me down easy. My feet found the floor. I couldn’t see him to comfort him. He sounded hurt. I reached for him, but his hand slapped mine away.

  “I’m sorry.” I slipped to my knees.

  “No, you are not.” His voice cut me.

  “Please, what’s your name?” I reached up to pulled the sash away from my eyes, but when I did, I awoke. I was back in my bed, in my room. There was no
trace of the man from my dream, only the burn of his touch. I felt empty. I grasped a pillow and let the tears run down my face. The diamond bracelet on my wrist glittered in the moonlight cast through my window.

  “What’s your name?” I asked the darkness.

  No reply.

  Six

  Avalon

  I stared at my ceiling with wide eyes, completely in shock by what had just transpired. My hand covered my mouth as I recalled the way she’d said my name. She had said my name. Little did she know what she was doing to me. I rubbed my chest where the ache set in. She had caught me completely off guard. I never in a million years thought she’d wish for me to be the one to take her. The way she acted around me—defiant, uncaring, cold. Then in her dreams, she’d called out to me.

  The hand over my mouth traced my lips, eyes sliding shut. God, she could kiss. She didn’t roll over for me as I claimed her. She fought me every step of the way. She was worthy of everything I had to offer her. So damn worthy. She had a passion beyond anything I had ever known. This Alexandria York was my match.

  Guilt crept over me. When she’d caught me off guard, she had torn through my defenses and pierced me. I had immediately done what I always had and became withdrawn, cruel. I allowed the dead part of me to rise and take control. She had begged to know my name, the one who pleasured her. I could hear her tears, and I never wanted to hurt her in that way. I ran a hand through my hair.

  I pushed myself up, walked over to the window, and looked up at the quarter moon.

  “Please, watch over her. Let no harm come to her. Please let her forgive me for leaving her like that. She’s my only hope. I’m begging you to protect her when I’m not there. She’s different, and I can feel it. And I am different because of her.” I lowered my head, clasping my hands together. “Please, Lord, don’t take her from me again.”

  The next few days, I walked around the estate in a daze. I had meetings for charities here and there. I even had to sit in at a Parliament citing, which I found boring as all hell. I was watching the city limits of London disappear as the countryside crept up from the backseat of my car. The driver was silent. With a sigh, I pulled out my phone and started playing mindlessly through the different applications. A number I didn’t recognize stopped my fiddling.

  I answered. “Hello?”

  “Is this the Duke of Avalon?”

  Alexandria’s voice made me sit up straight, and I gripped the leather seat.

  “Speaking.” I licked my lips.

  “This is Alexandria York.”

  I sensed her unease, her pause.

  “Ah, Ms. York. How are you?”

  “Very well, yourself?” Her voice was clipped, short.

  I smirked.

  “I’m hoping you can make my day a little less boring.” A smile crept across my lips. “Tell me, do I own an Alexandria York original?”

  “Yes, you do. I was calling to see when you’d like it delivered.”

  “Fantastic! That makes me so happy.” I brushed non-existent lint from my slacks. “Can you have the movers bring Legend to me tomorrow?”

  “Yes, I can.” Her voice was tight. “Also, would you want to speak about the commission piece tomorrow, as well?”

  “I would like to very much.” The smile that slipped across my lips was genuine. “How do you like your roses?”

  There was a pause. I could almost see her beautiful face growing red. I enjoyed toying with her.

  “They are beautiful. Roses are my favorite flower. Thank you for the kind sentiment and, again, for the generous contribution in your price for Legend and the bracelet.”

  “The bracelet looked like it was made for you.” I had it made for her the week before. She would wear it, eventually.

  “Well, I thank you. I will see you tomorrow at about, say, one in the afternoon?”

  “I shall have lunch ready when you get here. It was so nice speaking with you, Ms. York.” I was surprised when my voice wavered.

  Emotion . . . she already had a hold on me.

  There was a pause before she said, “Please, call me Alexandria.”

  I opened my mouth to speak, but common sense told me to keep it as formal as possible. My body had needs, but my heart still needed to be shielded.

  “I look forward to seeing you, Ms. York.” I hung up the call quickly. I glared at my phone, but it wasn’t the bloody phone’s fault I had cracked.

  Either way, I had a lunch for the staff to prepare and a business contract for M to draw up. We hadn’t gotten this close in a very long time. I was sure he would be more than willing to help me expedite this venture.

  I saw the spires of Caliburn Estate looming in the distance. It would be a good day to take Phoenix out for a gallop. I picked up my phone to call Brandon, the stableman, and instructed him to get my red mare ready. Most people avoided mares for their temper, especially red mares, which people said were crazy. But I wasn’t like most people; I wasn’t normal. And I liked my mares how I liked my women—defiant.

  The next day, I waited by the front entrance for Alexandria. A part of me wondered if she would bring Elaine with her. I sneered. That would most definitely ruin this part of my plan. When I saw her pull up in a large van through the windows where I waited, I breathed a sigh of relief. She was alone. I would let M greet her with four of my workmen, who were skilled in moving large and expensive statues. They would make quick work of unloading the piece.

  M’s charming butler voice filtered through the front entrance. I took my cue and stepped out into the sun with a wide smile on my face. I choked on my greeting. She wore a simple cobalt blue dress tailored in at her slender waist to show her slight curves. The black tights she wore showed off toned calves and matching cobalt blue pumps completed her outfit. Her hair was down; massive tresses of waves fell around her face. She wore less makeup than she had at the gallery, and I liked this simpler version of her better. What made my stomach do a flip-flop was the sight of the diamond bracelet gracing her wrist.

  M’s eyebrows twitch in amusement as I hesitated. He seemed to know what I was thinking. I started again, clearing my throat.

  “Ms. York! Welcome to Caliburn Estate. I’m so happy to see this piece again.”

  The men moving the statue nodded at me as they passed.

  “Where are you placing it?” She kept looking anywhere but at me as she spoke.

  Warmth settled in my chest because she was too busy taking in my estate. Her gaze darted around the architecture of the ancient castle. She was an artist, through and through.

  “I am placing him in my library. I’m in there a lot, believe it or not.” I nodded at M. “I see you’ve met my friend and head of house, M. M, thank you.”

  “A pleasure, Ms. York.” M smiled warmly at the woman.

  “Please, call me Alexandria.” Her blush was endearing as she held out her hand at M’s formality.

  “Here, we treat all our guests with the upmost of respect, Ms. York,” M responded in kind.

  “We shall have lunch in about an hour. Is that all right with you?” I placed a hand on the middle of her back, guiding her forward.

  “Oh, yes, sorry, I’m, ah, just . . . ” She fumbled with the words.

  “Would you like a tour?” I flashed her a grin.

  Her blue pools washed over my face, and I could see her thoughts in her eyes. She was falling easily into the magic of my estate and my charm. This would be easy.

  Too easy.

  “Yes, please! If you don’t mind. I love old architecture, and to poke around a place like this would be lovely. You know, without guards telling me I can’t go a certain way.”

  Her smile was genuine. This woman was completely different from the distant one I’d spoken with a few nights ago. I liked this Alexandria. She was relaxed, calm, and unafraid compared to the guarded, stiff, professional I met at the art show.

  “I would love to show off my estate. It gets rather lonely up here, so I enjoy the company I get.” I frowned sli
ghtly at just how true that statement was . . . at how lonely I truly was.

  She followed me, hesitating slightly only at the start. Once we were deeper inside the building, all of Alexandria’s reserve melted away. I couldn’t blame her. Sometimes, late at night, I would wander the halls of Caliburn and imagine the fortress back when it was a castle. I would touch the stone walls and let them whisper their secrets. I carefully placed my footfalls, one before the other, remembering the people who once graced the halls.

  “When was this estate built?” She had wandered in front of me, her eyes taking in the great receiving hall directly off the entrance with its sweeping grand staircase.

  “The estate was finished to look as it stands now back in 1955. The original castle that it encases dates back to the eleventh century. It’s rumored it was a strong hill fort before then.” I leaned against a wall partition, shoving my hands into my pockets.

  “How many rooms?” Her fingers brushed against the priceless tapestries on the wall.

  “About sixty, give or take. There are twelve guest suites, the staff suites, grand dining hall, a kitchen for the grand dining hall, receiving hall, tapestry room, offices, a chapel, a library, a greenhouse, a second kitchen and dining room—smaller, of course—a music room, and an art gallery.”

  Alexandria listened intently, never taking her eyes off me as we walked.

  “Not to mention the ballroom and gardens. There is also a stable, of course, but I’m sure you guessed that with how we met.”

  Her eyes widened the more I rattled off what the estate held within its depths. A small smile twitched on my lips.

  “I know it’s a lot to take in. Come.” I placed my hand against her back. “I believe you will enjoy my tapestry room.”

  We walked up a set of stairs and down a long hallway decorated in medieval fashion. The coat of arms of the Knights of the Garter hung from the ceiling, with old suits of armor forming a line down the hall. My eyes surveyed her demeanor as she walked past empty metal men, tensing slightly.