Enticing the Earl

“Oh.”

He kissed the nape of her neck until she moaned. The redolence of her jasmine perfume seemed to urge him on. He wanted to sink into her silky depths and forget about everything that had happened tonight. Tracing a finger up her bottom, she trembled. He unbuttoned his breeches and rubbed his cock against her derrière.

“Simon, anyone might walk in on us.”

“Dinner takes hours and this won’t.”

After separating the slit in her drawers, he dipped a finger between her folds. “And based on how wet you feel right now, I don’t think you will mind this being quick.”

His finger delved deep into her womanhood until she gasped with pleasure. Feeling how hot and ready she was for him, he removed his finger and pressed his hard cock into her. Filling her completely, he groaned from the sensations growing within him.

“God,” she whispered. “Why haven’t we tried this position before now?”

He thrust into her and out, as his pleasure slowly overrode the irritation he’d felt earlier. He didn’t care if this was rougher than she was used to. Hearing her moans of pleasure urged him to go faster. Now the only thing that mattered was getting her to come so he could follow her over the edge of ecstasy.

Her body quaked as pleasure rode her roughly to the summit. “Simon,” she called out as her inner muscles clenched and quivered against him, sending him over the edge too.

“Mia,” he cried and forcefully thrust once more to the hilt.

Her spasms continued to rack her body as he spilled his seed into her. He rested his head on hers until his breathing slowly returned to normal. After a few minutes, he pushed away, drew her skirts back down over her, and then buttoned his breeches.

She turned slowly around with a frown. “What exactly was that about?”

“It’s been a few days,” he muttered the excuse.

“Indeed. So you decide you will have me here, in the billiard room where anyone could walk in on us, in the middle of your sister’s country party. Have you lost your mind?” She emphasized her ire with her hands on her hips.

“Yes, I’ve lost my mind. Ever since that first time in my study, you’re all I think about, Mia. I want you constantly and tonight my frustration gave out so I took you a little rougher than usual. I must apologize for that.”

Mia tilted her head. “I didn’t say it wasn’t enjoyable. I was only asking why now at this moment.”

Simon’s lips twitched. “I will apologize for that. It was all the pent-up anger and irritation from hearing about Lambert. I wanted the man who hurt you brought to justice.”

Mia shrugged. “I believe shooting yourself in the head is a damn good punishment. Probably better than he deserved.”

“You don’t feel sorry for him?”

“No, the poor mistress who had to get the bastard’s blood off her coverlet has my sympathy, not him.”

Simon couldn’t help but laugh. “You are a little heartless, my dear.”

“Perhaps I am,” she admitted. “I normally hate to see anyone or anything suffer. But I would have made an exception for him.” She closed the distance between them and traced the design of his lapels. “I hated him for what he did to me, Simon. I have never felt such complete dislike for another human being.”

“That is understandable, Mia.”

“Yes, but I wished him dead, Simon... and now he is,” she whispered.

“By his own doing,” Simon said in a soft tone. “You have nothing to feel guilty over.”

She nodded slowly. “I suppose you’re right. So why do I feel like this was my fault?”

“I cannot answer that, my dear. Perhaps if we ever find the person who paid Lambert, we might discover the truth.”

“I’m beginning to think we never will,” Mia whispered so softly Simon almost didn’t hear.

Chapter 22

The next day, the first of the guests arrived. Mia began to notice that Simon wanted to spend more time away from the house. He insisted they ride for an hour to a small lake and have a picnic luncheon. Later, he thought a walk would relieve the soreness she might feel from the ride. She didn’t have the heart to tell him that she wasn’t the least bit sore.