Part Four
Smoke hung in the air, clinging to every available inanimate and animate object to be found in the vast expanse of the game room. From the street, the building appeared as one of any anonymous homes of the wealthier society of Lexington. Offset from the bustling road and shaded by enormous magnolias, the colonnaded porch gracefully decorated the colonial style mansion. On the inside of this stately home, however, was known to all of the Lexington society men as "Miss Lilly's". A place, although it's only advertisement was by word of mouth, catering to single and married men alike, both in games of chance and the intricacies of sexual gratification.
Clay, hesitant about knocking upon such an establishment's door, stood on the porch, arm extended in a frozen motion while he debated with his conscience about upon what kind of foray he was embarking. While Clay wrestled with temptation, a tall, dark-skinned man dressed in scarlet livery swung the door wide open and set his warm, ebony gaze upon the young man. Gabriel had seen many a young man on this doorstep, but he had to chuckle to himself over this one's appearance. He knew who the boy was - it was the youngest of Ned Logan's two sons. Gabe gave Clay a brilliant smile, his pearl white teeth gleaming in the background of his ebony complexion, and gestured for him to come inside.
Clay had heard all about "Miss Lilly's", but he had never in his wildest dreams imagined the scene that played out before him. Many of Lexington's wealthier men were milling around either the gaming tables or were being entertained on plump velvet sofas and divans by some of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. Clay distractedly handed his coat and hat off to the man who had greeted him at the door. Low-cut bodices revealing milky white skin, see-through gowns of ethereal material, unbound tresses of every color imaginable. Clay stared at the occupants, unsure of what he should do next.
Gabe realized the young man's nervousness and slipped off quietly to relief himself of his burden, and to speak with the head mistress of the establishment. Although almost everyone in Lexington knew who "Miss Lilly" was, rare was the man who had actually been granted her favors or attention. It was widely known that the renowned madame (and the wealthiest female in Kentucky) refused payment from her sexual exploits.
Lilly was speaking with the bartender concerning some of her higher priced stock, when Gabe slipped up next to her and explained the sudden appearance of the son of one of the most well-known, not to mention well respected farmers in the Lexington area. As Gabe indicated the handsome, dark-haired young man who currently occupied her foyer, Lilly arched one delicate blond eyebrow and contemplated the situation. She surveyed Clay from his dark, tousled curls to his dusty riding boots. Lilly excused herself from the two men, and glided up right behind Clay.
Clay turned around at the sound of whispering silk, and sucked in a quick breath. An inexplicably beautiful blond angel stood before him, her flaxen hair artfully piled atop her head with a few wayward curls framing her heart-shaped face. China blue eyes, like the edging around his mother's cherished serving ware, gazed back at him softly. Lilly had to admit, Ned's son was even better looking at close quarters. She had always admired Sean, not only for his handsome appearance but also his genteel mannerisms and easy-going demeanor. This one, this Clay, however, he was a challenge. Keen intellect and a fiery personality were apparent in his stormy blue eyes, overpowering the insecurity he was currently exuding. Nice broad shoulders, narrow hips and well-muscled thighs spoke of his many years riding and training horses.
"You must be Clay Logan," Lilly drawled softly, offering her hand for him to kiss. Clay looked at her delicate hand for a moment, mesmerized by her silky voice. He wasn't quite sure what he was going to do with her hand, so he folded into his larger, calloused one and shook it firmly. Lilly winced inwardly at this little faux pas, as well as the strength he demonstrated in his grip. She gently extricated her hand from his and regarded him shrewdly, trying to determine which of her ladies would best service him.
"You have the advantage, ma'am." Clay responded, uncomfortable with the fact that everybody here seemed to know him. He looked around the room rapidly to see if any of the other patrons were paying any attention. Everyone else seemed oblivious to their conversation. Some of the crimson that stained Clay's fair cheeks began to diminish. Lilly looked somewhat surprised that Clay did not know who she was. How refreshing, she thought, for her reputation not to precede her.
Lilly smiled up and replied sweetly, "I'm Savannah." She tucked her arm in his and led him over to a discreet nook, occupied by a plush chaise lounge in a very tasteful mauve. Lilly was steadfast on the matter of interior design. She may run one of the best (and the most renowned) bordellos in Kentucky, but the interior of her house did not have to appear as one. "So, Mr. Logan, Clay if I may?" She didn't wait for his assent to her familiarity before plunging on. "What brings you to our fine establishment this beautiful autumn eve? Pardon me, for saying so, but I do believe that I have never seen you here before." She batted her dusky blond eyelashes, playing the sweet southern belle to the hilt. Her hand drew lazy circles on the forearm of his sleeve, as she drew up strategically closer to him.
Clay moved slightly,
awkwardly as he attempted to withdraw from her close proximity. Unfortunately
for him, the back of the chaise prevented him from moving very far, at
least in a decorous manner. Why are you so afraid of her?
She's half your size, she couldn't hurt a fly. You came here for
a reason - now get it over with. Clay sat up straight, steeling
himself for the improper proposition he was about to make to a complete
stranger. Lilly trailed her hand up to meander through the soft hair
that curled under at his nape. She could feel the skin there beginning
to heat up, as she watched another blush creep across his face and down
into his hairline. The thoughts of those delicate fingertips caressing
him elsewhere excited Clay almost beyond measure.
"Uhh, Savannah?" he
whispered softly.
"You know, Clay, if it's a poker game or a special kind of drink you would care for, all you have to do is ask." Lilly offered seductively. "Or is it something else?"
Clay swallowed hard. Now was the time of reckoning. He wasn't great at words with women to begin with, but trying to explain to this beautiful woman what he had in mind, well, his mind and lips found that forming the words was much too difficult. Lilly leaned over and whispered, her warm breath silkily caressing the lobe of his ear, her rose perfume wafting gently past his nostrils. "Would your request have me in mind?," she mouthed as she sensuously slid her other hand up the defined pectoral muscles of his chest. She pulled his head close to her as her lips pressed a feather-light kiss to his. Clay responded hungrily, while not adept he certainly made up for lack of experience with enthusiasm. He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her to him, at the same time, taking advantage of her parted lips to deepen the kiss.
Somewhere in his unconscious, he knew that kissing her was nothing compared to the kiss he had shared with Moira in the barn. Damn it, she won't leave me alone, not even here. Well, she's nothing to me. I won't spend my life going after another woman who doesn't want me. At least, Savannah's interested in me. No, face it - she's getting paid to do this. Just don't think about that now. He tightened his grip around her waist and began to gently assault her mouth with his. Lilly responded in kind, pulling him closer, enjoying his newly formed involvement in their tryst. She was starting to doubt her considerable talents. Reluctantly, she broke off the kiss and stared into Clay's blue eyes, almost indigo with passion.
Lilly took his hand in her and led him up the long winding staircase next to their little niche. She made her way to the end of the carpeted hallway, dimly lit with a few sconces. She quietly opened the oak door to one of the numerous rooms that lined the hallway. Clay followed her to just inside the door, there he remained, hesitant. A large cherry bed dominated the tastefully furnished room. Ecru curtains and swags draped both the window and around the bed, creating an air of privacy. An ecru satin and lace counterpane covered the enormous bed like a soft blanket of snow. Lilly lit a lamp that rested on a nightstand, made of the same wood as the bed. Clay had to marvel at the opulence of the suite. No one at home had a room as nice as this.
Lilly's gold gown gleamed in the light provided by the lamp and the fire, burning in a very ornate fireplace decorated with heavy wood carvings and green marble streaked with gold. Clay focused his attention on the carvings, trying to ease his mind momentarily. He ran his long, capable fingers along the satiny wood finish, tracing the cherubic designs created by a master and his chisel. Lilly watched him for a moment, relishing vicariously as she followed his movements and imagining that his hands were doing the same thing on her skin. Slowly, she moved to stand beside him, drinking in the shadowed lines of his finely chiseled features.
Clay drew in a deep breath, then another. He didn't know why, but whenever he was near a beautiful woman, he felt as if he was drowning in a turbulent sea. Lilly placed her hand on his arm and guided his hand to her waist. He responded by pulling her roughly against his body. Clay was not quite sure how to continue from here, he knew it involved much more than just kissing. He just prayed fervently that his inexperience would not be noticable to Savannah. Her rose perfume captured his attention again, only this time it's fragrance reminded him of another dissimilar scent - lavender. Where in the hell did that come from? He nuzzled her exposed neck, tasting the creamy skin as he trailed small kisses down to the tops of her exposed shoulders.
Lilly responded to his
fervency with the persuasive caress of her satiny lips across his, teaching
him patience while also bringing his blood to a feverish peak. She
brushed her delicious body against his strong masculine one seductively.
Clay lost all control and swung her up in his arms, carrying her over to
the bed with him. He lay her down on the soft comforter, her gold
gown shimmering in the firelight against the stark contrast of the ecru
spread. He knelt beside on the bed, as she laced her arms around
his neck and pulled him to her. His hand slid....