The Earl's Bride

by Joanne Wadsworth

  She barely bit back her squeal at his shocking move. She certainly slapped one hand over her mouth before she alerted the entire household to her current visitor. With her heartbeat racing, she whispered between her fingers, “You are all I’ve ever wanted.”

  “You’re all I’ve ever wanted too. I also wish for you to lie back and relax. It’s time to enjoy your bath.” Grinning, he added a second finger and pushed in deep, touching a spot that had her arching her back. With his voice a sultry whisper, he murmured, “You’re so beautiful, Sophia. I can hardly believe you’ll soon be my wife.”

  “Keep touching me,” she whispered in return.

  “I want to do more than touch you. I want to devour you.” He swished her hair from her breasts and caressed both mounds, his touch deliciously firm and tantalizingly sweet, his thumb tracing over her heart-shaped mole.

  A fiery tingle radiated out from her sensitive nipples and she moaned.

  “I need you closer.” He clasped her bottom, lifted her out of the water and sat her astride his hips. Gently, he trailed kisses along her jaw and neck then moved lower and mouthed one breast. He sucked her nipple deep between his lips, pulling at first one and then the other.

  “May I touch you in return?”

  “Yes, wherever you please, particularly my cock. It’s hungry to be gripped by you.” He caught her hand and pushed her fingers under the water, wrapped them around his cock and guided her so she stroked him in long pulls. As she continued with the movement, he groaned in her ear, his cock getting harder.

  “I like bringing you pleasure.” She swiped her thumb over the plump head.

  “I’ll only ever find pleasure at your hand. I promise you, Sophia, only ever yours.”

  “James?” She nuzzled his neck, drew the soft skin deep into her mouth and sucked as she pumped him below.

  “Too much,” he groaned, his voice all hard and husky. “I’ll never be able hold on if you continue touching me like that.”

  “Isn’t that what should happen, for you to come as you did the other night?”

  “A man should be able to withhold from finding his own pleasure until he has well and truly sated his lady’s. You can come again and again, not just once, as a man can.”

  “How wonderful.”

  “Would you like to see exactly how wonderful?” He lifted her hand from his cock and placed both her arms around his neck, then he shifted restlessly underneath her before dipping one finger through her curls and caressing her nub. “Move to your knees.”

  She lifted up a touch and he took his cock in hand, then massaged the head back and forth over her nub until she wriggled and squirmed for more. “I adore having you so close.”

  “Remember, again and again.” He pushed both fingers inside her and rubbed.

  Tingles built into rapid bolts of pleasure that fired through her core, then she soared to the heavens and floated amongst a glorious array of stars.

  Dreamily, she came back down to find herself being carried by James from the tub. He laid her on her bed and slid his body wetly over hers.

  Taking her mouth in a ravenous kiss, every incredibly hard and defined inch of him gliding over her, she got lost again in such sweet pleasure.

  Nothing separated them any longer, not his investigations, not his need to seek justice, not a world of death and darkness. No, he’d promised himself to her, and she’d promised herself to him.

  Spreading her fingers through his damp locks, she allowed her instincts to take over and she pushed her hips toward his hips. “I wish for you to show me what it’s like to join as one.”

  “I’m happy to wait until we’ve spoken vows. We could reach Gretna Green within the week and once we’re man and wife, I promise you, there will be no holding back as I ravish you from that day on.”

  “I can’t wait that long, not for a full joining. I want you deep inside me now. Willful, remember?”

  “Are you certain?” He swept his thumb over her nub and sparks of pleasure pulsed through her.

  “Yes, very certain.”

  “You intoxicate me.”

  “My heart is yours, James.”

  “I love you, Sophia.” Kissing her, he stroked her harder and faster and she bucked, her pulse jumping out of rhythm and her desire and sheer need for him catapulting to the skies.

  Chapter 17

  Kissing and touching Sophia had James on the brink of no return. His cock throbbed for release, although he would see her come a second time before he took her innocence and drowned himself deep inside her. Her pleasure would always come first, each and every day from this day forth.

  He slid down her body, tracing her skin with his mouth and tongue as he imbibed on her. He sucked madly on her full breasts, scraped his teeth over her pebbled nipples until she arched her back and whimpered for more.

  After kissing her beautiful heart-shaped mole, right over her left breast, he teased his way down to her navel. He indulged himself on her creamy flesh, pushed her legs apart and lowered his head to her entrance. He wanted to know the taste of her, every single delicious inch.

  Touching his tongue to her nub, he caught her shocked gaze as she elbowed up and watched him. She didn’t halt him though. Thank heavens. He wrapped his mouth around her sensitive core and razzed the tip with his teeth.

  This woman was his. She belonged to him, just as he belonged to her.

  “Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it.” She gasped and clutched his shoulders. “It feels incredible.”

  “This is how I want to love you, to know your taste on my tongue, then to bury my cock here between these luscious pink folds.” His mind went dark with lust and he nudged her legs wider and opened her up more fully for his touch.

  “Have mercy.” She collapsed back, her hand fisting against her mouth.

  He drank her in and she convulsed, her core rippling under his lips.

  No more waiting. He lifted up, moved between her legs and teased his cock along her wet folds. Claiming her mouth with his, he pushed against her thin barrier, tore through her innocence and plunged deep inside her.

  “Oh, James.” She sighed into his mouth, her fingers fluttering over his back. “You feel incredible inside of me, as if there isn’t an inch of me not filled with you.”

  “Is there any pain?” He eased up, then slowly pushed back in.

  “To begin with, yes, but the pain is already easing.” She kissed him, and he slid slowly out of her then thrust deeply back in.

  He pounded longer and harder, making her take all of him, every last inch and her inner walls hugged him, welcoming him.

  “Don’t ever leave me again, James.” She clawed his back and his thoughts scrambled into a million pieces. He got lost, utterly and completely, her channel clamping down tightly on him and her inner muscles dragging him deep within her.

  His release exploded violently from him, and she came right along with him, his seed shooting deep inside her. He rocked between her thighs until she’d taken every last drop he had to give, then breathing against her lips, he murmured, “My love, there is no one who can ever part us again. You belong to me, just as I belong to you.”

  It was time to sweep her away into his awaiting carriage.

  Gretna Green their destination.

  Her heart, his to always hold.

  Chapter 18

  A fortnight later, after returning from an elopement to Gretna Green where they spoke vows before an anvil priest, Sophia stretched out on James’s bed at Donnelly House, the ornate blue and gold brocade curtaining surrounding his bed swaying in the morning breeze flowing through his partially open window.

  At the end of the bed sat a settee with scrolled ends supported by sphinx heads on lion’s legs, which was where James had made love to her when they’d first walked into his chamber late last night, the two of them not even making it to his bed in their dire need for each other.

  They’d loved each other well this morning too, James awakening her as he slid into her body
and took her swiftly to the heights of ecstasy. He stirred her desire now, plucking at her nipples and sucking the beaded tips deep inside his mouth. Insatiable man.

  She sank her hands into his dark brown hair and reveled in the silky strands sliding between her fingers. “I do wonder what I ever did with my days before becoming your wife.”

  “You found a great deal of trouble, or do you need reminding?” A teasing smile as he sucked then released her nipple with a soft plop, the tip now a vibrant rosy red.

  “That’s right, I did.” She guided his head to her other breast. “This one is missing out on your attention.”

  “An atrocity for certain.” He sucked her other nipple deep between his lips, his cock stiffening and jabbing into her hip. A groan, his eyes sliding shut, his next words rumbling all husky and hard. “Do you like your new home?”

  “Yes, very much.” She smiled, butterflies taking flight within her middle. “You’ve yet to show me where my bedchamber is located. Is it close to yours?”

  “We Donnelly men keep our wives in our beds and never allow them their own chamber.”

  “Well, since I have a deep attachment to both you and your bed, I believe that is a wise move.”

  “I crave you, Sophia.” He swept his hands underneath her bottom and caressed her bare skin. “And I love every inch of you, from your sweet mouth to your exquisite mind.”

  “I love you too.” She caught his face and covered his mouth with hers. Kissing him, a wild and frenzy need overtaking her, she climaxed without even his fingers upon her below. Pleasure rippled through her, wave after wave and she floated somewhere between heaven and earth. “James, come inside me.”

  “I’m on my way.” He surged into her in one sure and strong thrust, then rolled his hips against hers in a timeless dance of love, one she couldn’t survive without now he belonged to her. When his own release powered through him, his seed spurting free and coating her womb, she skimmed his wide shoulders and held on as she flew with him.

  A little later, she stirred, her husband intimately kissing her neck.

  His breath fanned her ear. “I forgot to show you my wooden box last night?”

  “The one you collected from your study?” He’d done so after speaking about it, his eagerness to share its contents sparking her curiosity.

  “Yes. Wait right here while I fetch it from the side table.” He rolled out of bed, and she almost cried out at the loss of his weight on her.

  Easing onto one elbow, she satisfied herself instead with the sight of his firm buttocks and long muscled legs on view. He strode across the room, then when he turned from the side table with the box in hand, she admired every inch of his shaft swaying between his legs. She flushed with heat at the carnal creature she’d become.

  Grinning, he returned with the box, carefully settled it on the bed between them and handed her a key. “Open it, my vixen.”

  “Tell me what’s in it.” She fluffed her pillow behind her then rested her back firmly against the headboard.

  “Since the first night we met, I’ve been writing you letters.”

  “You have?”

  “Yes, and they’re inside this box. My secret thoughts, now shared with you.”

  “Oh, James.” She unlocked and lifted the lid. Hundreds of letters lay inside, and her heart squeezed in on itself. “You surprise me every day with how passionate and loving you are. I can’t wait to read these letters.”

  “You can begin right now if you like. I’ll entertain myself while you read.” He laid down beside her, caressing her belly with swirling fingers. “The letter on the top is the latest one, which I wrote during our trip home from Gretna Green.”

  “This is beyond wonderful.” She couldn’t wait a moment longer. She broke the seal on the letter topping the pile, her fingers all jittery, then out loud, she read his letter,

  “My dearest Sophia,

  You’re sleeping right now, your head on my shoulder, the carriage bumping along. My heart overflows with heavenly peace which you’ve brought me. When I hold you in my arms, my love for you grows stronger. You are an angel sent to me from my father and brother. I’m certain of it.”

  She sniffed, tears trailing down her cheeks.

  “Keep reading.” He kissed her tears away.

  “My love, you have planted an ache within me, one of the very heart and soul, and I beg you for your promise, that you’ll forever be mine, as I’ll forever be yours.

  Loving you endlessly,

  James.”

  She set the box aside and holding his precious face in her hands, kissed him with sweet abandon. “Yes, I’ll be yours, always and forever.”

  “I’ve never known such happiness as this.” He lifted her up and holding her hips, eased her down over his hot, rigid length.

  “To heavenly peace and all it entails,” she whispered raggedly. May their love overflow their lives for all time to come.

  She kissed the man who she’d never relinquish.

  He was her new home.

  Regency Brides Series

  I hope you enjoyed The Earl’s Bride. Please feel free to search for the other full-length novels now available in the Regency Brides series.

  Series Order:

  The Duke’s Bride, (Book 1) Ellie’s Story

  The Earl’s Bride, (Book 2) Sophia’s Story

  The Wartime Bride, (Book 3) Harry’s Story

  The Earl’s Secret Bride, (Book 4) Winterly’s Story

  The Prince’s Bride, (Book 5) Olivia’s Story

  The Duke’s Bride, Book 1

  The Duke’s Bride, (Book 1)

  Ellie’s Story – Available Now

  The Wartime Bride - Book 3

  The Wartime Bride, (Book 3)

  Harry’s Story

  The Earl’s Secret Bride - Book 4

  The Earl’s Secret Bride, (Book 4)

  Winterly’s Story

  The Prince’s Bride - Book 5

  The Prince’s Bride, (Book 5)

  Olivia’s Story

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  Other Series by Joanne Wadsworth

  ~ooOoo~

  The Matheson Brothers Series

  Highlander’s Desire, (Book 1)

  Highlander’s Passion, (Book 2)

  Highlander’s Seduction, (Book 3)

  Clan Matheson Series

  Highlander’s Kiss, (Book 1)

  Highlander’s Heart, (Book 2)

  Highlander’s Sword, (Book 3)

  The Fae Series

  Highlander’s Bride, (Book 1)

  Highlander’s Caress, (Book 2)

  Highlander’s Touch, (Book 3)

  The Matheson Warriors Series

  Highlander’s Shifter, (Book 1)

  Highlander’s Claim, (Book 2)

  Highlander’s Courage, (Book 3)

  Highlander’s Craving, (Book 4)

  Highlander Heat Series

  Highlander’s Castle, (Book 1)

  Highlander’s Magic, (Book 2)

  Highlander’s Charm, (Book 3)

  Highlander’s Guardian, (Book 4)

  Highlander’s Faerie, (Book 5)

  Highlander’s Champion, (Book 6)

  Highlander’s Captive, (Short Story Book 7)

  Billionaire Bodyguards Series

  Billionaire Bodyguard Attraction, (Book 1)

  Billionaire Bodyguard Boss, (Book 2)

  Billionaire Bodyguard Fling, (Short Story Book 3)

  Princesses of Myth Series

  Protector, (Book 1)

  Warrior, (Book 2)

  Hunter #2.5, (Short Story)

  Enchanter, (Book 3)

  Healer, (Book 4)

  Chaser, (Book 5)

  Pirate Princess, (Book 6)

  Joanne Wadsworth

  Joanne Wadsworth is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author who adores getting lost in the world of romance, n
o matter what era in time that might be. Hot alpha Highlanders hound her, demanding their stories are told and she’s devoted to ensuring they meet their match, whether that be with a feisty lass from the present or far in the past.

  Living on a tiny island at the bottom of the world, she calls New Zealand home. Big-dreamer, hoarder of chocolate, and addicted to juicy watermelons since the age of five, she chases after her four energetic children and has her own hunky hubby on the side.

  So come and join in all the fun, because this kiwi girl promises to give you her “Hot-Highlander” oath, to bring you a heart-pounding, sexy adventure from the moment you turn the first page. This is where romance meets fantasy and adventure…

  To learn more about Joanne and her works, visit:

  Website: http://www.joannewadsworth.com

  Amazon Author Page: Here

  Copyright: The Earl’s Bride

  Copyright © 2017, Joanne Wadsworth

  Cover Art by Joanne Wadsworth

  First electronic publication: December 2017

  Joanne Wadsworth

  http://www.joannewadsworth.com

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