Mahogany Is The Color Of Devotion

Chapter 21

Nicholas turned toward her, he cupped her chin gently, his thumb running along her parted lips. "What charade would that be? We are married, legally and with witnesses. No game is being played here."

She so wanted to lean into his touch but his words haunted her. A marriage in name only! 

She reached up, stopping his caress. "You're cruel, Nicholas Anderton. I never figured you to be."

He grit his teeth, pulling his hand away and sighing. "I'm doing what is right."

"You're doing what is convenient!" She snarled.

Their heightened volume was drawing attention to them and Nicholas cursed, running a hand through his hair.

"I think you two should take this to your private courters." Leo's voice was firm, as he sidled close to them. He put a hand on Nicholas's shoulder, squeezing warningly. "This is not the place for a bloody lover's spat. Not when you're supposed to be unequivocally smitten with each other. Excuse yourselves to be for gods sake."

There was a smile on his face but his voice stern. "Go. Now."

Lafayette did not argue, she hadn't the strength to. She moved to turn but stopped when Nicholas grabbed her round her waist and pulled her close. "This has been a glorious night but I can wait no more to put the new, Mrs. Anderton to bed!"

All who heard cheered, laughter ringing through the air as he pulled her along beside him. They walked hastily out of the room, and into the long, wide hallway.

Finally, away from prying eyes, Lafayette cried. Her tears were large and plenty as they rolled her her cheeks and under her chin. She sniffled, sobbing loudly as Nicholas continued up a flight of stairs, his arm still firmly around her waist.

"Shhh," he soothed, the hand around her waist gently rubbing her clothed side. His attempt to pacify her tears did not stop them. She cried harder at his gentleness, unable to stop the despair she felt.

They reach the top of the staircase, taking a left and reaching a row of connected rooms. He opened the door, walking them both inside and closing the door firmly behind him.

Lafayette wiped at her face, her eyes swollen with tears. "I did not want this!" She screamed.

He turned to face her, sighing as he leaned against the closed doors. He unbuttoned several of the buttons on his top coat, before yanking it loose. His jaw clenched. "What would you have me do, Fay?"

"I will not be a burden that you have to tolerate!" She cried, her tears continuing to spill. "I want more than that!"

He suddenly stood straight, his stance rigid as if he had been slapped. "Is that what you think?"

"That is what you have made me!" 

"I have done the honorable thing!"

The sadness she felt was quickly turning into something else. Something red with fury. She turned from him, searching the large bedroom they were in for something, anything to throw. She spotted a book shelf and ran toward it, grabbing a book and tossing it in his direction. 

"You have done what is convenient for you! For your cowardice!" She snapped as she threw another book.

He dodged the onslaught, moving toward her with firm strides. "You could be pregnant, damn it!" He grabbed her wrist, "You expected me not to marry you after I have compromised you so thoroughly?"

"I want your love, damn you!" She pounded his chest with her unbound hand. "That is all I have ever wanted from you! You think I have chased after you like a love sick puppy for you to push me aside in a marriage with no affection? No tenderness? No love?" 

Her rage quickly dissolved into softness. She looked up at him with big round vulnerable brown eyes, wet with tears. He cupped her face in his hands, his brows furrowed. He leaned down, his lips mere inches from her.

The silence that passed between them was broken as he spoke, his words fanning her eager mouth, "You think I would be cruel to you? You think I would offer you no tenderness? Or kindness?"

She leaned closer, her eyes peering up at him through passionate lashes, "You offer me cordial coupling. I want more. I need more, Nicholas. Don't you understand?"

  Before he could say more she closed the gap, leaning up kiss him. He groaned, unable to fight the urge. One of his hands gripped the back of her neck, the other slid down her body, gripping her bottom. 

Her arms slid around his neck. Their kissing grew frenzied, their hands touching and caressing wildly.

Her back hit the wall of the book shelf, knocking books down. The books hitting the floor was like a cold shower because Nicholas pulled back, the look in his eyes crazed with arousal.

He put his face into his hands and he made a pained sound. Lafayette pushed the tendrils of her kinky hair that had escaped her chiffon from her face as she watched him with hooded eyes.

"I can't have you!" He moaned, pushing his hand through his hair. "Lafayette, listen to me. We will never lay with each other again. I should never have touched you in the first place. You think I mean to torture you? When it is I who feels like I will burst into flames if I can't breathe you in?"

He reached for her, gripping her shoulders in his hands, "We should have never even crossed this path. You were never meant for me to have, the sooner you understand that, the better."

"I won't accept that." She whispered.

He shook her lightly, "Your father will receive the news of our marriage in a few hands of days. And when he arrives it will be hell to pay."

"This is not about my father!"

"It is, Faye!" He snapped, "I have not only compromised you but I've compromised years of trust between us. All because I could not fight off my lust for you! So when your father comes, I will face him as a man tortured! That is what I deserve."

"So, I am to be without you, wholly without, because you will not choose me over your pride."

Their eyes locked. He released her, taking a step back. Suddenly he turned on heels, running  hand through his messy hair. "Go to bed, Lafayette. I will sleep in one of the other rooms."

He moved toward the door and helplessly she followed behind, the feeling of dread that had washing over her once more. This felt too familiar, as if she were back to square one again. But she had come so far. She knew him now. She knew his scent. She knew his touch and his tender caresses. She knew his laughter and his anger and his pain.

She stopped in her tracks. Watching as he grabbed the door handle. She raised her chin, her eyes, piercing, her voice firm, "It is our wedding night. If you intend to bring me pain the name of your torture game, the most that you can do is stay with me tonight."

There was a courage to her voice that she did not feel. But this was her last chance. If he denied her, she would accept her fate, she would accept that she was wed to a man that truly did not love her. But if he accepted, it would answer her woes. It would give her renewed courage. Because she knew he wanted her, she knew it!

His hand stayed there on the door handle, his body was rigid. The moonlight was right in the wide room, the windows around were adorned with white curtains, illuminating the room with a ghostly glow. 

He opened the door and she sucked in a breath but stayed silent, the choice was his. He yanked it open and walked out, the door closing eerily behind his retreating frame.

She released the breath she was holding, her body sinking onto the floor. "You coward," she mumbled as tears rolled down her cheeks. 

*comment, like, and follow! Before yall come for Nicholas, cause I know these comments gone bash him, imagine if you were in his position??!!*