Page 38 of Captivating the Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 5)

His arm was wrapped around Lizzie’s middle, their two bodies nestled together like spoons in a drawer. His hand had joyfully found its way to her soft, generous breast and was having a grand time fondling the lushness. Her nightgown had slid up, the warm flesh of her thighs resting against his legs, her bare bottom securely tucked against his growing erection.

He was of two minds. Continue with what he’d accidentally started, or slowly withdraw from the bed and return to the chair. To say the devil wrestled with the angels was an understatement. Good or evil. Satisfaction or denial. Pleasure or frustration. While he was trying to decide whether he wanted to take the high road, he realized Lizzie was awake.

Instead of shoving him away, her breathing had increased, and he did not imagine her lush bottom snuggling against him. Not to disappoint a lady, he ran his thumb over her nipple and was rewarded with a slight moan that had his cock fully erect and ready to play.

…

Lizzie should have been outraged that Hawk had joined her in bed, but waking up to his caresses was quite pleasant and were causing her strange—but not distasteful—sensations. His large warm hand fondling her breast produced a desire to push back against his hard body.

Whatever was wrong with her? When had she become so wanton?

Her lady parts tingled as Hawk’s moist breath touched her neck right before he placed his lips there and scattered short kisses over the area. “So soft,” he murmured against her skin.

It was now or never. She had to accept that she was aware of what he was doing, and where it would go. Either move forward, which was what her body was shouting approval for, or ease away from his warmth and comfort and leave the bed, which was what her head was nudging her to do.

Hawk would honor her decision. She trusted him. He would never continue if she told him to stop.

“Tell me to stop, Lizzie,” he murmured as he licked the sensitive area under her ear. Oh, Lord. Can he read my mind?

“What if I don’t?” She barely recognized that squeaky voice as her own.

He groaned and placed his hand on her shoulder and turned her, so she lay on her back, facing him. He rested on his elbow, leaning over her, his fingers playing with the strands of hair resting on her breasts. “I will stop right now if you’re not sure, or if you have any doubts at all.”

Lizzie hesitated. Here was her chance to stop what they’d started. That she didn’t jump at ending it made her think about her future. She had no idea what lay ahead. She might be sent to prison, killed by the person wanting her dead, or with a cleared name, return to Lord and Lady Wycliff to continue her employment. Whichever way this ended, most likely she’d spend the rest of her life as a spinster, with no memories of passion to keep her warm at night.

This might very well be her only chance to experience intimacy with a man. This type of activity could lead to her becoming with child, but the possibility after only one time was not likely. Although young ladies should not know this type of thing, she had spent enough time below stairs, listening to the maids at Wycliff Manor, to learn a few things.

It had been impressed upon her numerous times from Nurse, her governess, and chaperones that a young lady keeping herself pure for marriage was an absolute necessity if one did not want to be considered ruined and therefore, unable to make a suitable match.

Would she ever make a suitable match now? Hardly, with the scandal that would follow her for the rest of her life. Before she’d even decided, she whispered, “I don’t believe I want to stop.”

Slowly his head dipped, and he brought his lips to hers. His kiss was surprisingly gentle, then soon turned possessive and demanding. While he worked magic on her mouth, his hand hovered over her breast, producing slight shivers on her skin in anticipation of his touch.

She sighed with satisfaction when he cupped her breast and once again ran his thumb over her nipple. Tingles shot right down to her toes. Hawk nudged her lips with his tongue, and she opened her mouth, sighing with pleasure as he swept in, touching, tasting, and sucking.

Then it stopped as he pulled his mouth from hers and scattered kisses along her jawline, down her neck, ending at the neckline of her nightgown. “Let’s get this off you.”

He wanted her naked? Despite what she’d heard from the maids, she’d always thought that a man simply pushed up the woman’s nightgown to her waist, did what he needed to do, then left. Apparently, Hawk had different ideas.

She lifted her body so he could remove her nightgown, and discovered that being naked pressed up against a fully dressed man was quite exciting.

Hawk leaned back and looked at her, his eyes going slowly from the tips of her toes to the top of her head. She twisted her feet, rubbing them together. Never had she been so exposed, so vulnerable. Every imperfection on her body jumped to the forefront of her mind.

“You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” His eyes glowed with something she had never witnessed from a man before.

Lizzie enjoyed his praise, even though she didn’t believe it. With all the truly beautiful women he was rumored to have taken to bed, ’twas not likely she even compared, let alone rose above.

“Ah, I see from your face that you don’t believe me.” He took her hand and placed it on his stiff member. “Does this convince you that I desire you? That I find you beautiful?”

Not comfortable talking about herself in an intimate way, especially as exposed as she was, she pulled his head down for a kiss. At least in this she felt adequate since she’d enjoyed his kisses before, and he seemed to enjoy hers as well.

He nudged her lips, and she opened to allow him entrance, tangling with his tongue. She pressed herself against him, then whispered against his lips, “Perhaps you could remove some of your clothe

s? Am I to be the only one without them?”

“I will be happy to.” Hawk eased back and brushed curls from her forehead. “I was reluctant to take the time to do so.” He kissed her on her forehead and rolled off the bed.

She’d never seen a man remove his clothing before, but surely Hawk held some type of record for speed. Within seconds he was fully naked and climbing back onto the bed with her.