“He cannot force them to live withhim and if they choose to remain as independent as they have all oftheir lives, they can take up residence here and you would be ableto see them often.”
The house would be perfect forGenviève and Hélène. They could remain a family, just the three ofthem, if they wished.
“Even if they choose to remainwith Bentley,” Acker continued. “They could still escape here ifBentley became overbearing, which he has a tendency to do.” Helaughed.
It was all too much and Juliettedidn’t know what to say.
“Juliette Mirabelle, will you dome the honor of becoming my wife?”
There was such sincerely in hiseyes, and love. Juliette wanted to blurt out that “yes, I willmarry you,” These past weeks, after he had been gone with no wordmade her realize how much she did love and need him. He was hercomfort and strength and friend. But, did he still wish her to giveup the stage? Was this his way of offering a way for her tocontinue dancing without performing?
“What if I were to continue toperform?”
He shrugged as if it didn’tmatter.
“I know you said I may not begiven an opportunity because of who I am, or when people learn whoI am, but if I am, would you deny me the chance.”
A smile pulled at his lips andJuliette had hope that he had changed his mind and then she couldhave everything.
“My mother pointed out what a foolI had been.”
Did that mean he would let herdance?
“Even though a lady taking part inany type of production was unheard of and may cause all kinds ofgossip, she also noted that you would be a huge draw to thetheater.”
Juliette frowned. “I don’tunderstand.”
“Those very people in Society thatmay gossip behind their fans would also be the first to purchase aticket for the performance. My mother said any production would bea fool not to cast you simply because it would fill thehouse.”
Disappointment settled about her.“I don’t want people to come to the ballet because I am a lady andview the entire production as an oddity.”
“No, you misunderstand.” Ackertook her face in his hands. “That would be the original reason theyattended.” He placed a chaste kiss on her lips. “But, once they seeyou dance they will fall in love with you the same way I did when Ifirst saw you on stage.”
“If we marry, you will let medance?” Tears swam in her eyes and Acker became a blur.
“I will be in the audience everynight. That I can assure you.”
Joy burst inside. “Oh, Drake, Ilove you.” Juliette threw her arms about his neck and kissed himfully on the mouth.
After a moment he pulled away andsmiled down at her. “As you finally called me Drake again, can Iassume you will agree to marry me?”
“Oh, yes,” she cried and pulledhim back to her.
Acker couldn’t believe thatJuliette had finally agreed to be his wife. She would be his and hecould watch her dance as often as she performed. Her enthusiastickisses were also heating his blood. Was it really necessary to waituntil they wed? It wasn’t as if he was going to walk away from herafter she was his. He wasn’t a cad. And, the bed was rightthere.
He slipped his hands up her backand began loosening the fastenings on her gown as he maneuvered herbackwards. When the back of Juliette’s legs touched the bed she wasunbalanced and fell backwards, taking Acker with her. He landed ontop of her perfect body, exactly where he wished to be, except toomany clothes were between them. He shifted so that they lay ontheir sides, facing each other, and he continued to kiss her neckand shoulders as the gown loosened. Juliette’s breaths were comingin short pants. He loved that sound. Soon, very soon he would haveher unclothed, bringing her pleasure before burying himself deepwithin her warmth, making Juliette his completely.
In their current position Ackercould not draw the dress down as he wished and he broke the kiss,rolling Juliette onto her back. Slowly he pushed the sleeves of hergown down her arms, taking the chemise with it until her breastswere exposed to his view. She moved her hands to cover each perfectmound. Acker chuckled and moved them away before his head dippedand took one pert coral nipple into his mouth, suckling it whilehis hand caressed the other. It was just as he imagined. Perfectfor his hand. Not so large it overflowed, but not small either.Perfect for a ballerina and for him.
Juliette moaned and arched herback. Acker shifted and gave more attention to the other breastwhile he brought a leg between her thighs, pressing against herwomanly mound. She pushed against him which heightened his desirefurther. His cock throbbed painfully and if he was not insideJuliette soon he could very well embarrass himself.
Acker slid the dress from her bodyand let it drop to the floor. Juliette lay naked before him and hehad never seen a more beautiful sight. Her waist tapered to a sizehe could practically span with his hands before her hips flared,though delicate. She had a dancer’s body, long, lean and smooth. Hecaressed his hand down the flat planes of her stomach and hermuscles contracted beneath the tips of his fingers. Was Julietteticklish or as sensitive as he? He slid his fingers through thelight russet curls guarding her womanhood and parted the folds. Hetightened his jaw and bit back a moan when he found her alreadydamp for him.
The throbbing of his cock wasbeyond painful.
Juliette gasped as his thumbbrushed across her nubbin. He had to bring her pleasure first,Acker kept repeating to himself. No matter how much he wished toplunge into her warmth, he would bring her pleasure to the likesshe had never experienced.
He brushed across it again asbefore and received the same reaction. She was more sensitive thanhe dared hope.
Acker took her lips with his andcaressed her to the point that it was impossible to kiss any longerbecause her head was thrashing from side to side, her moans grewlouder and her lips lifted off the bed as she reached for herrelease. With one flick Acker sent her spinning and Juliette
