Countess Curvy: A Curvy Girl's Earl

by Reed, Kristabel

  It was all simply exciting. An earl, London, could she get any luckier?

  She finished breakfast and quickly showered and dressed. She needed to find a store that sold her size and something fun, only slightly practical, and definitely flirty for her date this afternoon.

  Audrey swallowed and paused in front of her room door. What the hell was she doing? She was getting too wrapped up in this date; there was no future here—nothing beyond a few exciting dates with the man. She shouldn’t be this worked up, this giddy, over seeing him again. It bordered on embarrassing.

  Duncan might be an earl, but she was a New Yorker.

  At the concierge desk she asked where she could find a store, trying to use whatever subtlety she could to also convey the fact she needed it to be a plus-sized store. But the man behind the desk didn’t so much as blink before searching his computer. Ten minutes later she had the address of what sounded like a department store and a small boutique three blocks away.

  Once in the boutique, she spent considerable time picking out three outfits and tried not to go overboard. No matter what she told herself, it didn’t matter. And when she saw the lingerie department, her feet happened to take her in that direction. After all, she’d only brought an oversized T-shirt to sleep in, certainly not suitable if she planned to allow herself to be seduced.

  Was she going overboard? Going too far on one kiss and several very vivid and heated fantasies? Audrey shrugged and fingered a flimsy piece of satin; she didn’t care.

  She could hem and haw for days if she really thought about it, about what risks she exposed her heart to. But Audrey had to do this with open eyes: It was a fantasy. Duncan was a billionaire earl from London, and she was a New York girl. Duncan was scrumptious on a stick, and she wasn’t exactly the latest Victoria’s Secret Angel.

  Who cared?

  This was every woman’s fantasy, and Audrey intended to live it out to the fullest and to the best of her ability. Every waking, delicious, sexy, salty moment of it.

  Audrey looked up at the mirror opposite her and licked her lips, watching the movement in her reflection. Was there even a possibility? She looked back at the dark blue satin between her fingers. It didn’t matter; she had to buy it. She made her own possibilities, and she’d be damned if she didn’t enjoy these next few days with Duncan to their fullest.

  You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. She’d take that particular Mae West quote and embrace it. Because right now, she planned on enjoying her date with Duncan.

  Back in her room, packages dumped on every available surface, Audrey looked at the clock; there was a five-hour time difference between here and New York. She didn’t care if it was barely seven there, and dialed her roommates.

  Impatiently tapping her foot as she waited for one of them to pick up, Audrey forced herself to sit on the leather couch by the wall of windows. She had entirely too much energy since agreeing to see Duncan yesterday and she shifted to one of the many shopping bags next to her, carefully pulling out her purchases.

  “Hello?” Sabrina asked around a mouthful of what had to be breakfast.

  “Hey, Sabrina,” Audrey said. “It’s me.”

  “Hey, you,” her friend shot back. “How’s the world traveler? And how do you like the hotel? I spent a lot of time developing that property. It’s coming up on the four-year anniversary, and I want it to be as fabulous now as it was then.”

  Unable to contain herself, Audrey gushed—and was highly embarrassed that she’d done so. “I met an earl!”

  Good Lord, she sounded like a giddy schoolgirl on her first date with a crush. Audrey felt her cheeks blush and tried to keep said giddiness from her tone, though it was too late now. How many times had that phrase, I met an earl been uttered in a romance novel?

  On the other end of the phone, Audrey heard a slight intake of breath then the click of a glass as the other woman set down her morning smoothie.

  “What? In my hotel?” Sabrina laughed. “You met an earl, as in a Downton Abbey and ‘Your Grace’ earl?”

  “Your Grace is a duke,” Audrey corrected, inordinately pleased that she sounded more like her even-keeled self.

  Audrey could almost see her friend waving her hand in dismissal. “Fine,” Sabrina said. “Yes. Well? What happened?”

  That giddiness surged back, with giddy arousal and anticipation. Audrey decided to embrace it. Uncaring about the embarrassment she should feel about being so giddy, Audrey continued. “And,” she said, “we went on a date.”

  There were more choking sounds, and Audrey laughed. When was the last time she’d been this happy? Been this…free? It felt good, and no matter what did or didn’t happen with Duncan, this was going to be a fantastic vacation.

  “How did this happen?” Sabrina demanded, her voice sounding weak as she cleared her throat. “Who is this guy?” And Audrey could all but see her friend narrowing her eyes as she asked wryly, “Is he like one of those Italian princes who have no money?”

  “No.” She laughed again, embracing this feeling. “He’s not like that, and he’s not Italian. It’s Duncan Collins, Earl of Thornhill.”

  Audrey waited a moment for the name to sink in. Then she heard strange hissing sounds, possibly choking sounds. Maybe something in the smoothie caught in Sabrina’s throat. Her news probably should’ve come with a warning label: “Best friend’s news may be hazardous to your breakfast.”

  Still nothing from her friend. Frowning into the phone, Audrey looked at it. Had they lost the connection? But, no, all those bars still glowed brightly.

  “What’s that noise?” she demanded.

  “Oh my God,” Sabrina said more clearly this time.

  Ah. Audrey nodded. “I know! Something I didn’t expect,” she admitted. “But it was a great date.”

  “Did it end in bed?” Sabrina asked slyly.

  “No.” The word was simple and honest, and even now Audrey felt that jolt from Duncan’s mouth. Softly she added, “But what a kiss.”

  “Wait a minute,” Sabrina said, cutting off Audrey’s memory of that incredible kiss. “Am I going to lose one of my best friends to the Brits?”

  She shook her head, banishing the feel of Duncan’s arms beneath her fingertips and hips, his mouth against hers. “No,” she said. “After one date?” She shook her head. “No. This is just a fantasy, a holiday romance, but what a hell of a fantasy. And I intend to take full advantage of it!”

  Tucking her legs beneath her, Audrey looked at her purchases and shrugged. She held up the blue negligée and smiled. Yes, she planned to take full advantage and indulge in her every fantasy.

  “We’re going out in an hour.” She glanced at the clock and stood. Less than an hour, actually. “We’re touring London, doing the sightseeing thing.”

  She talked with Sabrina for a bit longer before letting her friend get to work. Audrey would’ve liked to share her news with Eliza as well, but her other friend worked unreasonably early hours at the TV station and usually left for work around 4:30.

  With a deep breath and a final glance at the clock, Audrey was dressed in a skirt that was just above the knee, black tights and boots, and a form-fitting V-neck sweater. She added more of the chunky jewelry she normally wore and a trench coat.

  Feeling very British, she double-checked her makeup, took one last deep breath that did nothing to calm the anticipation at seeing Duncan again, and headed downstairs.

  When she stepped off the elevator, she noticed Duncan already there, waiting for her. Audrey couldn’t help her smile. Duncan offered his arm again and escorted her outside to the waiting black cab, with the same driver from last night. Not a coincidence, then.

  “Is this the earl’s limo?” she asked as he held the door open for her.

  “No,” he said when he slid in beside her. “Just thought it’d be more fun to do the whole tourist thing in a London taxi. Our own London taxi,” he added with a wink.

  Audrey glanced at his mouth and really trie
d very hard not to fantasize about what those lips would feel like on her skin. Blinking, she turned slightly on the seat as the cab pulled away.

  “You spoil me.” She laughed.

  She didn’t ask him where they were going; she didn’t care, and it didn’t matter.

  “I must admit, I love my city,” Duncan said, looking directly at her in that way that made her feel as if she was the only one who mattered. “But I rarely get out to enjoy London. Especially with such charming company.”

  “I know exactly what you mean,” Audrey agreed. “I’ve lived in Manhattan for seven years and have yet to see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty in person.”

  Duncan laughed, a warm sound that caressed her skin. “Isn’t it amazing how there are so many beautiful things within our reach, and we hesitate to take full advantage of them?”

  Audrey shivered at his words and tried her best not to read too much into them. She really did, but her imagination got away from her. Again. “He, or she, who hesitates is a damn fool, and we’re damn fools for not taking in the treasures in our own cities.”

  Mae West had said something about hesitation and fools, and Audrey always loved those sentiments.

  “You’re absolutely right,” Duncan agreed with another smile. His gaze brightened with that smile, and Audrey’s breath caught.

  They went to the Tower of London first, took the tour, enjoyed the history, and had lunch from one of the sidewalk stands. Then they went to the London Eye and waited in line beneath a bright blue sky, with the breeze blowing over them as she commented on the height of the Eye.

  She didn’t outright say it, but Audrey was suddenly apprehensive about riding it to the top. Loathe as she was to admit it, and not normally prone to a fear of heights, looking up at it, she was uneasy. It was unbelievably huge, almost as imposing as a New York skyscraper.

  Duncan never took his eyes off her, never looked around, never acted as if he’d rather be anywhere than with her. Audrey had a hard time remembering how to breathe, more from his undivided attention than the height of the London Eye, as the door opened and they entered the oblong capsule. They were alone, the only two in the capsule, but she didn’t comment; she could imagine what he’d gone through to secure a private car on such short notice. He grabbed her hand and held her close to the windows as he pointed down.

  His breath brushed her neck with every word, his body moving against her back as he shifted them to see whatever he pointed out. Audrey barely saw anything, despite her interest in what he was saying. Every ounce of self-restraint she possessed was focused on not turning and kissing him senseless. And it took a great deal of restraint, despite the fact they were the only two in the car.

  At the pinnacle, Duncan pointed out a wharf area currently being revitalized. She half turned to make a comment to him about New York, but her breath caught and she forgot what New York had to do with anything. He watched her, not the stunning view or the wharf, but her. Once again, his entire focus rested on her; his eyes darkening to a stormy blue, he turned her to face him fully. He hesitated a fraction of a heartbeat, but Audrey didn’t stop him. Every nerve screamed for his kiss, his touch. No way was she going to stop him.

  His lips closed over hers, cool and soft. Duncan’s hands cupped her cheeks, holding her still as he tasted her. Audrey shuddered, kissed him back, and forgot whatever inane thing she’d been about to say.

  It didn’t matter.

  All that mattered was his mouth on hers and the sublime taste of him as she opened to his kiss. Audrey heard a whimper and somewhere in the back of her mind knew she’d made that sound, that needy, desperate sound, and didn’t care. He deepened the kiss. Below her, London melted away, replaced by Duncan. Only Duncan.

  She didn’t remember their descent. Hell, when they exited the London Eye, Audrey could barely remember her name. Aroused, hot, and wanting very much to feel his naked body against hers, she took the hand he offered and tried not to look like a dazed schoolgirl who’d just had her first kiss.

  But it was a hell of a kiss!

  Chapter Four

  “Hungry?” he asked, far too casually for her spinning head and screaming nerves.

  “After that kiss?” Audrey responded, her voice only slightly breathless. She looked up at him and brushed her lips over his once again. “Starved.”

  Duncan’s smile sent warm tendrils of need winding through her blood. Audrey looked up at him and saw him swallow several times, subtly clearing his throat. Good. Not as unaffected as he’d have her believe, then. She certainly wasn’t unaffected!

  “We could stop for some dinner,” Duncan offered. The look in his stormy eyes showed her just how that kiss affected him. Inordinately pleased, Audrey smiled up at him, a slow pull of her lips that was full of promise.

  “Yes,” she managed, pleased when her voice sounded as casual as his. It took effort, a great effort of willpower, but she smiled up at him and added in that same casual tone, “Yes, we do need to satisfy our hunger.”

  The look Duncan gave her was enough to make her forget about dinner and agree to anything he said—his place, her hotel, the nearest tree. All of the above. It didn’t matter. But then he took her hand, tugged her to his side, and purposely strode to the nearest restaurant.

  The cold breeze did little to cool her heated cheeks, but she could do nothing about it except hope he didn’t notice. When she envisioned her vacation in London, she hadn’t envisioned this.

  This was so much better than what she’d had planned.

  They ate an early dinner near Hyde Park then walked through the art fair there. She had no idea who any of the artists were but enjoyed the evening; the sun had long since set and the spring evening was cool, the breeze adding more than a hint of nip. They passed the Speakers’ Corner, an open-air debate area, near Tyburn, where, Duncan informed her, a gallows once stood.

  Old-fashioned Victorian lights illuminated the area, and Duncan tugged her onto a bench just out of a pool of light. He wrapped his arm around her, and they watched people walking along the path. She settled against him and closed her eyes.

  “Today has been the most fun I’ve had in a long time,” Audrey admitted. “But, I can’t imagine that the Earl of Thornhill has a full day during the week to waste on entertaining a tourist from New York.”

  “Audrey,” he said with a slight chuckle, “trust me. There was nothing wasted about today.” He moved, his body shifting against hers. She tried not to moan. Then his lips brushed her cheek and sent a shiver through her.

  “I haven’t enjoyed myself like this in ages.” He hadn’t moved back, and his voice whispered over her skin. Audrey turned her head just a little. His eyes were shadowed in the darkness, but his mouth was there, right there. “I particularly enjoyed our mucking up the traffic warden’s business.”

  Audrey laughed at the memory. She had no idea why the British called them traffic wardens; as far as she could tell, they were New York meter maids. But a traffic warden sounded far more serious than a meter maid, like the head of the prison. With a conspiratorial laugh, she’d dutifully distracted the warden guy with a roll of her ample hips and a slight view of her cleavage while Duncan slipped coins into the meter. When Duncan rescued her and pulled her away, she hadn’t missed the scowl he’d given the traffic warden as he wrapped his fingers around hers and tugged her close.

  “Yeah,” she agreed, her voice breathless. “And I see we’re both a little naughty.”

  His lips were cool from their day, and tasted of the wine he’d had with their dinner. Audrey deepened the kiss, wrapped her arms around his neck, and simply felt. Her body hummed with need, clawing for release. She’d felt it all day, the burning arousal Duncan ignited, and now, with his hands on her hips, his mouth teasing hers, she thought she’d explode.

  “I’d like to be more than just a little naughty,” Duncan admitted.

  The words caressed her lips, and she shuddered in his arms. Before she could respond or even think about formi
ng a response, his mouth was on hers again. He deepened the kiss, blocking out everything but him. Her entire body was focused on him, on his taste, on the feel of his hands on her cheeks, his thumbs brushing her skin.

  “So would I,” Audrey confessed in a voice that was barely a whisper.

  He stood and held out his hand, his eyes still shadowed. Without hesitation, Audrey took it. She didn’t know where they headed as they walked through the park, and she didn’t care. She knew where this was headed. Knew and wanted him.

  Oh, she definitely wanted.

  Need clawed through her, and it took quite a bit of focus not to walk faster. Or beg him to take her against a tree. Need shot into white-hot want, and Audrey bit her lip as her blood screamed through her, and a moan threatened to escape.

  It wasn’t a long walk, technically, but Audrey felt every step of the distance between that bench and wherever Duncan led them. His place, she assumed.

  Not only did every step make her ache to feel Duncan’s touch, his hands on her, his mouth caressing her skin, but each step made her even more grateful she’d bought new lingerie. Audrey licked her lips and Duncan’s fingers twined around hers; with tonight’s promise still lingering on her lips, he tasted of spice, an erotic memory she wanted to taste some more.

  Audrey was never one to second-guess herself; she preferred to live in the moment and take whatever came at her. Today with Duncan had made her wonder if this really was all a fantasy. She’d had one-night stands and semi-long-term boyfriends; she’d had lousy sex and sex that made her scream for more.

  But she’d never, ever, not once forgotten her name from a simple kiss. Though that kiss had been anything but simple. It made her feel as if she’d never been kissed before, the way his tongue slid over hers, the way his hands had held her so carefully, as if holding himself back from taking her against the glass in the London Eye.

  Then again, she’d never had an earl, either, though she doubted there was a correlation between the word earl and a kiss that made her forget her name.