The Bookseller and the Earl (The Merry Misfits of Bath 1)

She shook her head, and then to his amazement, wrapped her hand around the back of his head and pulled him down to meet her lips. If Addie was indeed a bit nervous it did not show in the way she enthusiastically, albeit innocently, devoured his mouth.

Not wanting to deter her, he allowed her the freedom to explore his mouth, her soft tongue tentatively touching his, then moving to reach further inside his mouth. Her lack of experience, along with her eagerness stirred him more than any mistress or courtesan ever could.

It became obvious she didn’t know where to go from there, so he took over, pulling her close, feeling the warmth and softness of her breasts pressed up against his chest.

Her heart beat a thunderous rhythm against his body, and slight moans came from her as he plundered her mouth. Grayson pulled away and scattered kisses over her jaw, behind her ear and down to the tops of her magnificent breasts. He slid the two thin straps over her shoulders and moved back to watch the satin slide slowly down her body, revealing inch by inch what he’d been dreaming about for weeks.

She was magnificent. A goddess waiting for her subjects to worship at her feet. Every inch of creamy skin was there for the taking. “Damnation, you are beautiful. I could stare at you all night and never get enough.”

A slow blush crept up her body from her soft middle all the way to her face. “I’m not comfortable with you staring at me.”

“Oh, darling, you better get used to it. I could gaze at you for days.” She was soft in all the places where he was hard. She had full, magnificent breasts with pouty pink nipples. Her slightly rounded belly, full plump bottom, and strong legs that he couldn’t wait to feel wrapped around him drove every single drop of blood in his body to his cock.

He bent her over his arm, giving him access to her breasts which he suckled, teasing their peaks into hardness with his tongue.

“Shouldn’t you be undressed, too?” Her raspy, breathless voice stirred him into action.

“Indeed, I should, and shall.” He picked her up and walked to the large, comfortable bed in the middle of the room, dropping her so she bounced. And giggled.

Before he could loosen his belt, she rose up on her knees and stopped his movement. “Let me.”

Yes. This virtuous wife of his had a wanton streak in her that he planned to encourage. She studied his face, her eyelids heavy and a satisfied smirk on her lips, as she undid the belt to his banyan and opened the flaps to push the garment off his shoulders, leaving him as bare as she.

She ran her palms over his chest, stopping to rub his flat nipples with her thumbs. He sucked in air between his teeth and closed his eyes. She was going to kill him. He wanted nothing more than to push her back onto the bed and thrust his aching cock into her until she screamed with pleasure.

But this was her wedding night, and she was a virgin. He wanted it to

be as pleasurable for her as possible since this could very well set the tone for the rest of their marriage.

Slowly, he eased her onto her back and rested on the bed alongside her, partially covering her with his body. “I want you to enjoy this. I assume your mother has told you what would happen tonight?”

“Yes. And I pray she was wrong.”

A soft smile played at his lips. “Why?”

“Because she told me it was not very pleasant, but it was my ‘duty’ so I should lay back and—”

“Think of England,” he finished.

They both laughed.

“I don’t want you to think about anything except us, our hands and mouths, and the pleasure we will give each other.”

She grinned. “I’m ready.”

He pushed back the hair that had fallen on her forehead. “Oh, yes, my love. And so am I.”

Chapter Thirteen

A week after the wedding, and a very rambunctious and pleasurable wedding trip, Addie and Grayson returned to his London townhouse, both of them anxious to see Michael.

Addie was amazed at how well she’d taken to marriage and to the marriage bed. They’d spent more time in bed than they did taking in the sights in Brighton Beach. Because it was well into autumn, they couldn’t partake of the waters anyway, but that only gave them more of an excuse to remain indoors.

In bed.

So far, marriage had been wonderful. Grayson was a thoughtful and considerate man, who treated her well, constantly asking after her welfare. They dined in the best restaurants, strolled along the beach, and eventually ended up in bed wrapped in each other’s arms.

Now she was ready to assume her position as Countess of Berkshire. Getting through the court hearing for Michael and making sure she could communicate with the boy effectively was the priority upon their return. Grayson had learned some sign language, but she had picked it up much faster, even more so than Mrs. Banfield.