Enticing the Earl

He chuckled deep and low into the pillow. “You are starting to sound like a wife already. Honestly, I just want to sleep.”

Seeing his boyish face, she couldn’t resist him. She struggled to help him remove the rest of his clothing before snuggling into bed next to him. As he curled up next to her, he kissed her forehead before falling asleep. She was quite certain she could get used to feeling so protected and loved.

When morning arrived far too soon for Mia, she found herself still wrapped in his arms. She hadn’t admitted to anyone that other than the last two nights, she hadn’t slept well. Every night she’d tossed and turned, afraid to fall asleep and have Davies find her in a weakened state. Last night, she’d given that worry to Simon. Judging by his still-closed eyes, he hadn’t worried overmuch about it.

She stirred slowly to allow him to continue sleeping. As she eased away, a thickly muscled arm brought her back against his chest. She smiled and savored his warmth as he showered light kisses on her temple.

“Valiant effort at getting away but it didn’t work,” he whispered in her ear.

“I noticed.”

“Where do you have to be on such a glorious morning?”

Did she have to leave her bed and him? Perhaps not yet. “I don’t believe I have anywhere I must be. Maybe a few places I should be.”

“Name one.” He pressed his hips against her bottom until she felt his rigid manhood between them.

“The breakfast room. You have company and one of us should be down to greet your brother.”

A low chuckle was his comment. “If you think Charlie is out of his bed yet, you are mad. The boy will be up far closer to noon than eight.”

She reached behind her back and stroked the top of his cock. He gasped at the light touch. “I’m certain I have something else I must leave this bed for.”

“Don’t you dare.”

She turned and faced him with a sensual smile. “Are you sure?”

“Very much so,” he said with a groan as she stroked the long length of him. “Dear God, if you stop, I will chase you down until you finish this.”

“Then I believe I had better stay.” She watched as his molded lips came closer to hers and then shut her eyes to the passion of his kisses. If only she wasn’t having her monthlies. This would be a wonderful way to wake up. Once she married him, she could wake in this manner.

“Mia, you are amazing,” he whispered and then lay back against the pillows.

She couldn’t help but watch his face and stare as pleasure overtook his body. He reached down and covered her hand with his to stop the movement as he reached his pinnacle.

“Mia,” he called out as he shook with pleasure.

She continued to stare at his strong jaw and then moved her gaze to his muscled chest and arms. How did a gentleman develop muscles like his? Neither Davies nor Paul had been built like Simon.

He blinked his eyes open and smiled at her. “You are never leaving my bed again.”

Her heart warmed. She didn’t want to leave his bed or his side. The man she thought to marry just for the protection of his name was becoming far too important to her. It was becoming hard to imagine her life without him near.

He took a handkerchief from the jacket she’d dropped on the floor last night and wiped her hand. Then he brought her close. She rested her head on his chest. His strong heartbeat pounded against her ear, comforting her with its steady beat.

“Now what did we have to do today?” he asked.

For a moment, she couldn’t think of a thing that had to be done. Then she remembered and lifted her head to look down at him. “We must dig at Mrs. Perkins’s cottage today. We have to get there before Davies finds something and alerts others. If that happens who knows what type of people would descend on your lands and take what belongs to you.”

“All right. After the dressmaker is finished we will go investigate Mrs. Perkins’s garden. I am not convinced we will find anything, Mia. I believe you found those pieces strictly by chance.”

“I don’t need a special dress and you don’t have the funds for it.”

Simon chuckled. “I believe I

do.” He reached over to the table and grabbed the coins. He dropped them one by one into her hand. “Your gowns will not cost anywhere near this.”

“Gowns?” she asked quietly. One dress would do for now until they found more items to sell to Mr. Hertzog.