Page 40 of Watching the Earl

He swallowed hard at her words, his Adam’s apple moving up and down clearly.

Just as she realized that with cravats, men hid their Adam’s apples, his fingers found her nipple again, and he lowered his mouth to hers, this time to take it over. The sheer command of his mouth would have caused excitement, but his fingers playing with her nipple also had her arching toward him.

When his mouth left hers, she grabbed the back of his head, wanting more, but he lowered his head to her chest, just above her breast. When his tongue came out to trace a path downward and around her nipple, she held her breath, anxious for him to kiss her there.

Philip didn’t disappoint. His tongue stroked over her nipple, around it, the abrasive texture making it harden all the more. Then his mouth covered it and he sucked gently.

Desire, keen and hard, swept through her and settled between her thighs. She grasped his head, not wanting the feeling to stop. It was more, better, stronger than what she’d known. As he continued to play with one nipple and suck at the other, she writhed in pleasure, hungry for it now that she knew what it was. She could feel the area between her legs grow moist, but she didn’t care. All she wanted was to feel more.

Then Philip let go of both breasts.

“No.” She reached out for him as he slipped from beneath her hand to stand.

“I’m not going anywhere. But if I’m to bring you to fulfillment, I need to lie next to you.”

Immediately, she scooted over in the bed. Anything to get him to continue.

He lay next to her on his side, the bed dipping beneath his weight. Despite his dressing gown, she could feel his hardness against her thigh and she tensed, not wanting to be disappointed again.

As if he sensed her fear, he laid his hand on her stomach. “Remember, tonight is to show you passion and satisfaction.”

She’d already forgotten he had said he wouldn’t consummate the marriage. At his words, she relaxed. “I believe I now know passion.”

He chuckled softly. “Yes, the beginnings of it.”

Beginnings? If these were mere beginnings… “I want to know all of it.”

“And so you shall.” He leaned over and kissed the side of her breast.

The scent of spruce filled her nostrils and she sighed. She felt safe with him, which made it easy to trust him. Then his mouth found her nipple again and she gave herself up to the pleasure he elicited. When his teeth tugged at her hard nub, she moaned, arching into his mouth.

His hand on her stomach moved lower, his finger riffling through the hair on her mons. He was very close to her sex, but she didn’t care. If he could nibble at her breast all night, she would be happy. But then his fingers moved down to her folds and she stilled, confused.

He spoke against her breast. “Let me in, Georgina.”

Her heart skipped a beat and she relaxed her legs, allowing his hand access.

As his mouth began to suck again, his fingers found the wetness between her folds. Then she felt one finger slide inside her. The feeling was so erotic that her senses fairly danced with joy. As he leaned over to suck upon her other breast, his finger moved out and upward, touching the hard nub at the apex of her sheath.

“Oh!” Her exclamation filled the bedchamber as her body seemed to catch on fire. But Philip didn’t stop; he continued to brush against her nub and suck on her breast, sending so much pleasure through her that she spread her legs and arched her back, greedily wanting more and more.

Suddenly, all the feelings inside her wound up and burst into a spinning inferno of exquisite joy. She screamed out her ecstasy as her body pulsed with fire and light, taking her breath and filling her with pure happiness. As her body began to unwind, she could feel her pulse, hear her breathing, even feel the light hair on her arms relax.

Opening her eyes, she found Philip staring down at her, his face tense, his eyes hungry, and in that moment her dream was realized.

She was wanted.

She lifted her hand to touch his face, though it took every ounce of effort, since her breaths were still ragged. “You.”

He gave her a nod, then moved from the bed. After tightening the sash around his waist, he pulled the sheet and quilt over her.

Disappointment shot through her, but she was too weak to protest.

He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Tomorrow.” Then he turned and left the room.

She couldn’t even begin to sort out everything she was feeling, but she was quite sure there was love mixed in there somewhere. She’d figure it all out tomorrow, as he said.

Chapter Twelve