I thank you for the reviews on the last chapter, and I apologize for the delay in getting this one posted. Life has just been too hectic, and yet I know we all need our hot Lord Derek fix...but now here it is, steamy and sinful...

Chapter Fifteen
Alone at Last

Derek carried Meredith into their bedroom, and forcefully shut the door with a kick of his boot heel, keeping her in his arms. Whirling around, he lowered her to her feet and for a long moment, they stared into each other's eyes before he drew her fully against him. Then his gaze dropped to her mouth. "Now...where were we before all of the drama?" he murmured softly.

He kissed her mouth hungrily, intent on seducing her just as surely as he had on their first night together. It was a fiery kiss, that sent flames of desire spreading under her skin, spilling through her veins to pool in her core. Her breasts ached with sudden need, as he pressed her back against the door. The kiss deepened, his tongue searching and pleasuring as he took his time to draw the moment out. His hands slid over the length of her body, completely possessive and demanding. The hot ridge of his erection was hard against her skirts, so hard she felt it through the layers of petticoats.

Lifting his head, Derek smiled seductively at her. "We are not doing this here, vixen..." he told her. "After waiting for this, I want to take my time with you and make you happy and pleasured again and again...until you cannot take anymore...and then and only then will I lose myself inside of you..." He kissed her forehead, and her temple and her cheek, skated kisses along her jaw before pressing his lips to the sensitive spot beneath her ear. "And I want to do it all over again after that..." he murmured, dipping his head to follow the line of her throat to where her pulse thudded at its base. He licked, and sucked lightly, so that she shivered in pleasurable anticipation. As his fingers expertly opened the tiny buttons on her shirt, he kissed her skin as it was exposed. "You are so absolutely luscious..."

Meredith's knees went a little weak, as always she was consumed by the need she felt for him. Her hands rested on his hips, pulling him closer, inhaling his masculine scent and tasting the salt of his skin as she kissed his chest.

"Are you ready to play?" Derek asked, his fingers in her hair, reveling in the thick silk and the scent of lavender that always clung to her. Without waiting for her answer, he started to undress her, with maddening slowness. As each piece of clothing dropped to the floor, he kissed the skin uncovered, until she was shaking. "Now...I believe I will leave the jewellery in place..." His fingers traced the lengths of gold chain and faux gemstones that circled her throat and dipped between her breasts.

It felt naughty and decadent to stand there, naked except for her garters, stockings and shoes, with the necklaces cool against her chest. The room was lit with only a few candles, and soft light flickered across her face. "What else would you like, my lord?" she asked softly, reaching for his hand.

"Oh, so many things, my love..." he grinned, easing her backwards against the bed. "Just lay back for me, let me appreciate how beautiful you look."

Meredith reclined against the bedding, warm and aroused under his hot gaze. She toyed with the necklaces, letting them trail over her skin, knowing he was watching every move she made. "Like this...?" she teased him, just as his hands skimmed over her calves and moved higher, up along the damp curls at her pussy. She was already dripping wet, already so aroused and she whimpered, as Derek dropped to his knees on the bed. He spread the lips of her pussy apart, his tongue moving wetly over her clit, again and again, making her nearly scream in delight. His tongue stroked leisurely over her clit, his fingers teasing her at the same time, just enough to keep her in a continuous spiral of pleasure.

"Derek..." Her voice was husky with need, and her body was at the mercy of his mouth. The climax was building with every touch of his tongue, exploring deeply, as her wetness spilled out of her. She couldn't form any other words, as she surrendered to the moment, and the waves of satisfaction that crested over and over.

Releasing her slowly, Derek moved up along her body, placing a kiss here, a lick there, stroking the damp skin of her breasts before he kissed her mouth. It was a strong, masterful kiss that gave her no doubt of his passion that united them.

"You are my saucy pirate wench tonight, aren't you?" he breathed, capturing her hands over her head. Her body lifted, wordlessly inviting him again, and he slid one knee between hers, his other hand cupping her, and sliding inside of her. He filled her welcoming mouth with his tongue while between her thighs he filled her with his fingers. She moaned, the sound trapped between their lips. Writhing, hot and desperate, she tugged at his hold, but he kept her hands tight. A shudder wracked him, when she used her curves and womanly flushed skin to tempt him, wanting him inside of her.

"Oh, vixen..." he muttered, his breathing heavy as she shifted under him again and he relinquished her hands.

"I want you now..." she urged him, spreading her hands over his shoulders, his chest, heading for the belt at his waist.

In response, Derek only lowered his mouth to her breast. The wet heat of his tongue expertly traced the sensitive peaks of her nipples, and it was both pleasure and punishment. She wanted more of him, and she could feel the heavy weight of his erection against her inner thigh, ready for her just as much.

"My lord...my pirate captain..." she purred, rolling against him. "Undress for me..."

In the dim light, he looked just as dangerous as any pirate, and he gave her a lazy smile. "Such impatience..." But he moved away from her, pulling the shirt away, and discarding it carelessly. His boots and pants followed, leaving him naked to her touch. Meredith let her fingers graze the muscular chest, following the dark hair down to his groin, where his flat abdomen clenched from her touch. Candlelight flickered across the sculpted muscles in his abdomen, and the perfect definition of his navel. Meredith licked her lip again, admiring the impossibly taut hips and thighs, and the hard cock that strained upwards against the mat of hair. Her breathing quickened, smoothing the velvet skin of his cock, so hot and heavy against her fingers.

"Do you really want me now...fast and hard?" he taunted her, his body taut with desire, as she stroked him slowly. "Or slowly...? Torturing you until we cannot wait any longer?"

"Torture me..." she breathed, wondering what he had in mind. The air was thick with the scent of their arousal, warm in the cocoon of the bedding.

"I hoped you would say that," he grinned, helping her to her knees and turning her over. From behind her, she felt Derek's hand gliding along her back, over her derriere , and between her legs again. His fingers teased her, sliding inside of her, just as his cock began to bump at her. Then his mouth skated along her hips, tongue weaving a sensuous path over her skin, over the small of her back. He pressed kisses there, lower and lower, finding the spots that made her arch her back and moan louder. His fingers never stopped moving, and heat pooled in her groin, rippling outwards, as she welcomed the sensations he was intent on giving her.

"Now, Derek...please...enough torture..." she begged.

His hands at her breasts, Derek was close to the edge of losing control himself and he could only nod. Without hesitation, he slid inside the heat of her body, welcoming the sweet sensation with a groan of relief. "So hot, so wet, sweet girl..." he muttered, kissing her spine, thrusting in and out with excruciating slowness.

Meredith moaned louder, her body shaking from the force of Derek's thrusts. It was an all consuming delight, and she couldn't get enough of it. The climax began again, going on and on, until all she felt was the hardness of Derek's cock and the softness of the bedding underneath her.

"Dear god...harder...harder..." she begged over and over again. The bed shook from the movements, and she was dripping with sweat and her own arousal, mingled with Derek's. Wet flesh stuck and moved together, his balls coiled and ready to explode. "Deeper...please, oh please..."

Her climax swamped her yet again, and it took him with her this time, his release roaring through his cock, flooding her as he fell over her back. She quivered around him, milking him harder, each clench making him hiss in delight. Aftershocks making them both twitch, they fell together in tangle, with his muffled curse at the sensation.

"Are you all right?" he asked, as they lay tangled together, breathing hard, their bodies still pulsing with pleasure.

"Mmm..." Meredith sighed happily, feeling sated and drowsy. As they moved to face each other, she smiled happily. His leg hooked around hers, pulling her against his body, intimate and comforting at the same time. With infinite care, he caressed her skin, and kissed her gently, loving the connection between them.

"Meredith?"

"I am always all right with you, Derek..." she smiled up at him happily. "I love you so much..."

"I love you, Meredith...and I believe we are not yet done with this..." he murmured, his hand resting at her hip. "We need to keep on with the baby making, don't you think?" His voice was a seductive whisper in her ear, his tongue tracing the curve so that she shivered.

"What else do you want?" she murmured, just happy to be there with his body over hers, his cock still hot between her legs.

"I want to keep you happy, my Duchess..."

"But you do, Derek...I could not imagine being any happier..." she protested.

"Oh, well then...I do not have to do this..." he grinned, rising up over her again, the sinful intent in his eyes enough to make the arousal simmer between them.

"Ah...my lord and husband...I will never turn you down..." The little giggle in her voice was enough to make them both smile. Her hand slid between them, cupping the length of his cock in her small hand .

"And I would never have you any other way..." he observed, "...but I will have you again, little love...more than once...'

With that promise, they melted into each other, lost to everything else but their own pleasure...

The next morning, Meredith tapped on the door of Cordelia's bedchamber, listening for a moment before easing it open. The whole castle was quiet after the last night's activity, but she was sure it was only a matter of time before everyone was awake and discussing what happened. For the moment, she wanted to talk with Cordelia before speaking with the Queen.

The room was quiet, the curtains drawn, without any lamps glowing. Meredith could make out the slight figure of the young woman huddled under the covers and she could hear a soft sob muffled against the pillow. She quickly crossed the room, and put her arm around Cordelia, who looked up at her in surprise. "My lady..." Cordelia whispered, wiping her red-rimmed eyes with a hankie.

"Cordelia..." Meredith started, unsure of what to say exactly. "Can you talk about this..?"

Cordelia took a shuddering breath. "Oh, my lady...it was foolish of me to believe he loved me...I thought, oh, I thought it would be all right..." Her fingers twisted the linen hankie nervously.

Meredith's heart went out to the girl. "I understand how that can be, Cordelia." Her own virginity had been taken at a young age as well, by someone who claimed to care for her. Her only saving grace was that she had not gotten pregnant. "He should have been more careful with the fact you are young and innocent. Was he aware of your condition?"

Shaking her head, Cordelia sniffled into the hankie. "No...I only suspected it and now it's over. I had no idea what to do. I wished that Rowena was here, she would know."

"You could have come to me, Cordelia."

"I did not wish to trouble you, and I was not entirely sure..."

"Who were you involved with?"

"Does it matter now? It's over and there is no responsibility on his part." The girl's voice was slightly bitter.

"Of course he has responsibility. Whether there is a child or not, he has taken your innocence, and in the eyes of society he should stand by you, and marry you."

"Oh no, my lady...I do not wish to marry him just because of this. I know he does not love me, even if he told me he did. I was caught up in the desire and passion, I should have known better. He was just too charming and persuasive, it was like I was the only woman in the world, and I was thrilled that he wanted me." A slight blush crept over her cheeks as she recalled the time spent with him, and the intimacies they had shared.

A sudden realization came to Meredith and she covered Cordelia's twisting fingers with her own. "It was Lord Rhys, wasn't it? He seduced you..."

With a sigh, Cordelia nodded. "He did not force me, my lady. I was a willing partner, and it was exciting to be involved with someone so handsome, and to have a secret relationship. Part of me knew it was wrong, but..."

"Hush, I understand. Did Rowena know?"

"No one else knew, he made sure no one saw us together, and I did not tell even Rowena." She glanced up at Meredith. "He talked about you, my lady."

"What?"

"Oh, I can understand now he was not a good man in many ways, and he was likely bedding others besides me. You must know he wanted you as well."

Meredith frowned. "I was aware of his arrogance and his belief that he could bed any woman he fancied, but I had no interest in encouraging him. I am sorry you were caught up in his charms. However...the Queen will likely insist that you marry."

"No, please, can't you intervene? She likes you, Lady Meredith. She will listen to you," Cordelia pleaded. "I will leave court, live quietly at home with my parents, whatever it takes..."

"What will you tell your family?"

"I am not sure. Mother hoped I would make a suitable match, however..."

"Marriage is a wonderful thing, Cordelia. I was extremely fortunate to fall in love with Derek – he is a good man. Perhaps with you, Rhys could be that kind of man."

"Do you really believe that, my lady?" Cordelia smiled sadly.

"Rakes can reform," Meredith countered, thinking of Marcus and his love for Izzie. "However, I will speak with the Queen on your behalf." She patted Cordelia's hand. "Are you feeling all right physically?"

"Just sleepy yet."

"All right, try to rest. I will speak with you later."