What a Wicked Earl Wants

by Vicky Dreiling

  She reached for the pleasure beckoning her, and then he inserted another finger inside her. “I’m stretching you,” he said.

  Mindlessly, she kept moving and she could hear the wet sounds as he continued. She dug her nails into his shoulders and then ecstasy wracked her. Her inner muscles contracted again and again. Then he positioned himself and slowly slid inside her. She couldn’t help but cry out.

  Bell kissed her on the mouth and bent her knees to her chest. Her eyes looked dazed and her mouth was kiss swollen. He got even harder as he held still inside her. Then he gave into the urge to thrust. She was hot, wet, and tight. He watched her face as little feminine sounds escaped her. “Come for me again,” he said, reaching between their bodies, and she gasped as her back bowed again. As her rhythmic contractions gripped his cock, he came and barely managed to withdraw in time.

  He collapsed atop her, still breathing hard, and then remembering himself, he rolled to his back. His eyes grew unfocused and then he gave in to the little death.

  She pulled the sheet over them both and turned on her side to watch him sleep. His lips were slightly parted and his breathing was slow and even. His lashes were thick, and she detected a slight bristle along his jawline. She wanted to touch him, but she didn’t want to wake him. “I love you,” she whispered, knowing that she dared not tell him when he was awake. She knew he did not return her feelings. He liked her, and he desired her, but he kept a part of himself hidden. She suspected there were demons inside of him that he’d closed off long ago when he’d lost his family. She wished that she could heal his inner wounds, but she knew that it would prove as impossible as her attempts to heal Phillip.

  It wasn’t that she thought he was incapable of tender feelings; it was that he refused to confront the tragedy that had changed his life forever. He would not speak of his family, except for a few terse words, but there had been that moment during their waltz when his face grew grim as he uttered, My mother.

  Laura wished with all her heart that they could forge a life together. He would be a good father to Justin, but he’d made it clear that their time would end with the approach of summer. She would never regret this night, even though she’d been taught that lovemaking was sanctioned only in marriage. But tonight she could not think of their lovemaking as sin. To her, it had been beautiful, playful, and erotic. He was a special man, and she knew that in years to come, she would be glad that she’d shared her body with him. No one but the two of them would ever know.

  His eyes opened, and he gave her a sleepy smile. “Thank you for the birthday gift.”

  She was taken aback. “Is it your birthday?”

  He stretched his arms. “I’m thirty years old.”

  “Practically ancient,” she said.

  He rolled over her, holding himself up on his elbows, and she spread her legs to accommodate him.

  “I can prove my youthful vitality,” he said.

  “Oh, my,” she said, looking down at the long length of him.

  “Hold on,” he said.

  “What?”

  He rolled to his back and pulled her atop him. “Straddle me.”

  Her eyes widened as she did his bidding.

  He reached between them and inserted two fingers. “Mmm. Still hot and wet.”

  She inhaled on a constricted breath.

  “Put my cock inside you.”

  Desire flooded her at his words. She reached for him and slowly pressed down his hard, long length.

  He put his hands on her hips. “Ride me.”

  She began to move, and he pulled her forward. When he took her nipple in his mouth, she cried out again. She looked into his eyes and saw his glazed expression. He moved with her in a slow rocking back and forth. Then he cupped her breasts and circled his thumbs around her sensitive nipples. She bit her lip and concentrated on the exquisite pleasure. It was as if she were enveloped in an erotic fog. Then suddenly, without warning, she came apart and collapsed on his chest.

  He rolled her over and entered her again. Laura wrapped her arms around him and held on tightly. She loved watching him. The expression in his eyes was fierce and determined. “You feel so good,” he said. He kissed her lips and eased inside her. “I want to savor you,” he said, and continued the slow tempo. She caressed his chest, amazed anew by his muscular body. His eyes looked a bit glazed in the candlelight. His breathing was a bit rough. Then he started moving quicker and soon he was thrusting faster. She watched his face as he closed his eyes and suddenly he stilled. With an exhalation, he withdrew and collapsed atop her. Laura ran her hands over his slightly damp back. He lifted up on his elbows and rolled to his side, bringing her back up against his chest. His arm came around her and he cupped her breast. “Sleep,” he said.

  She lay there, loving the way his body curled behind her. His deep, even breathing indicated he was sleeping. Lethargy claimed her and soon she could no longer stay awake.

  He awoke disoriented. His hand was cupping Laura’s breast and his erection was hard as a rock. Three of the candles still burned, though two had guttered. “Laura,” he whispered.

  She opened her eyes and gave him a sleepy smile.

  He pushed her hair back and sucked on her neck. Her shattered breathing let him know she enjoyed it. Then he pressed her to her back and pinned one of her wrists above her head. This was how he’d imagined her that day on the wrought-iron bench. “Guide me,” he said.

  Her lips parted and her eyes held a lethargic, sated look, but he meant to awaken desire in her again. As she guided him inside her body, he hissed in a breath. At first he took his time, but the lust took over and he rocked into her faster and faster. She locked her legs around him and cried out. Her rhythmic contractions felt so damned good and then wave after wave of pleasure shook him. He strained and spilled his seed inside her. Then he wrapped Laura in his arms.

  He awoke to the sound of birds chirping. A crack in the drapes showed it was dim outside, but dawn was not far off. He turned to face Laura. Her lips were slightly parted. Ribbons of her blond hair fanned out on the pillow. She looked younger and a little vulnerable to him, but he knew that was an illusion. Laura was a strong woman, and even though he knew she could manage on her own, he still felt protective of her.

  He’d never felt that way about a woman before, but then, he’d never known a woman like Laura.

  He wanted to make love to her again, but he would be considerate and let her sleep a little longer. It was a new experience for him. He’d never stayed all night with a woman, because he’d feared the blasted nightmare would return. Yet, he’d not even thought of it when he’d brought her here. All of his thoughts had been centered on her.

  She’d been anxious and unsure what to do, but she’d laughed at his silly rules. He’d worried a bit about her nervousness, but the moment she’d opened her arms to him, she’d let go of all her inhibitions.

  He’d let go of his own inhibitions about the nightmares, and deep down, he knew it was because of her. A peaceful feeling settled over him as he watched her sleep. He wished they could stay abed all day, but the light filtering in from the crack in the drapes was growing brighter. “Laura,” he said, and kissed her cheek.

  Laura rolled over and blinked at him as if she couldn’t remember where she was. “Andrew?” she said.

  She had never used his given name before.

  “Your beard is scratchy.”

  “Sorry. I have to take you home soon,” he said.

  She gasped as she clung to the sheet. “What time is it?”

  “Let me check.” He fumbled with the flint box, managed a spark, and lit a candle and squinted at the clock on the bedside table. “It’s five-fifteen.”

  “It’s early,” she said, holding out her arms for him.

  Of course he couldn’t resist. “How are you?”

  She blushed. “Wonderful.”

  “I watched you sleep.”

  She gave him a sleepy smile. “You didn’t snore.”

  He
couldn’t resist teasing her. “You did.”

  “I did not.” She sat up and the sheet fell, exposing her beautiful breasts.

  He cupped her breasts and circled his thumbs around her nipples.

  She inhaled.

  “I want you again.”

  “I don’t want to leave you,” she said. “But I must return home before Justin awakens and finds me gone.”

  “I will let you go on one condition,” he said.

  “What condition?” she said with a slight frown.

  “That you will come back again,” he said.

  “I want to, but I must be careful.”

  “We’ll be discreet,” he said. “Don’t say no yet. We’ll figure out a way.”

  “I won’t be able to resist you,” she said.

  He grinned. “Good.”

  She pulled the sheet over her breasts. “I should dress.”

  He cupped her cheek. “There is something we have to discuss.”

  Alarm flitted in her eyes.

  “I don’t want you to worry too much, but I accidentally spilled my seed inside you once. I hope there are no consequences.” If there were, they would be in a tight spot.

  “I doubt there will be,” she said. “I’m…irregular and I never conceived during my marriage.”

  She pleated the sheet with her fingers and looked a little sad.

  He remembered the baby gown she’d been embroidering for her sister. And because he didn’t know what to say, he kissed her cheek. He was relieved that they didn’t have to worry about pregnancy, but he knew that her inability to conceive must have devastated her.

  “I’m reluctant to let you go, but I don’t want you to be late arriving home. I’ll have a servant bring up hot water so we can wash.”

  “There is no time for that,” she said. “My butler will wonder if something has happened to me.”

  “He is a servant. He won’t question anything.”

  “But my maid will know as soon as she sees last night’s ball gown.”

  “Shhh,” he said. “Another half hour will make no difference. As for your maid, she’ll guess you were with a lover, but she will say nothing because she needs her position.”

  He walked naked over to the bell and rang it. Then he donned his drawers, trousers, and a banyan. “Wrap this around you,” he said, handing her one of his banyans.

  She pulled it on. He rolled up the sleeves for her. “It swallows you.”

  “I do not want your servants to see me.”

  “You could hide under the covers.”

  She swatted him.

  “Just turn on your side when the servant brings it up,” he said. He didn’t tell her that the servants had seen a number of women pass through the doors here.

  The hot water took twenty minutes to arrive. He managed to shave without cutting himself. She looked uncomfortable as she faced the washstand. He found her shyness a bit endearing. “I’ll slip downstairs for a cup of tea and give you privacy.” She looked grateful as he closed the door.

  After he left, Laura hunted for her hairpins, then washed and twisted her long hair in a simple roll in the back. She slipped her shift on and knew she would be embarrassed when her maid saw her. Now she would have to wait for him to help her dress. Restless, she walked over to the bed where she had lain with him. Deep inside, she could feel where he’d joined with her last night. She wanted to experience his lovemaking again, but she had to be cautious, because she could not risk discovery.

  A light tap sounded at the door. He opened it and smiled at her. “We’d better dress you.”

  Her one night was over, and she wasn’t ready for it to end. The servants would know no matter what time she arrived home. Dear God, was she really thinking of lovemaking again?

  “Laura?” he said, closing the distance between them. He looked into her eyes and smiled. “What are you thinking?”

  “Wanton thoughts,” she whispered.

  “Well, then.” He shrugged off the banyan. Then he lifted her onto the mattress. She started to scoot back, but he pulled her hips to the edge of the bed and lifted her shift up to her waist. “I’ve become shameless,” she said.

  “I’m glad to hear it.” He caressed the folds of her sex. Her breathing grew labored as he inserted two fingers. “You’re hot and wet again.”

  She watched as he unbuttoned the falls on his trousers and untied the ribbon on his drawers. When he sprang out, she grasped the sheets.

  “Wrap your legs around me,” he said.

  When she did, he took his cock in his hand and teased her all along the damp folds.

  “Do you want it?” he said in a rough voice.

  “Yes,” she said.

  “How badly?” he said.

  “Please,” she said.

  He inched inside her. “Slow or fast?”

  “Fast,” she said.

  He held her hips and thrust inside her over, and over, and over again. His blue eyes were intent on her as he moved faster and faster. “You like it like this?”

  “Yes.”

  His eyes lowered. He was watching as he pushed in and out of her. Then he reached between them, caressing her, and she arched up to his touch, seeking the peak, and suddenly she was contracting all around him. He stilled and she could feel him throbbing. Then he suddenly withdrew, spilling his seed on the sheets.

  She lay there bared to him and breathing hard. He leaned over and kissed her. “I wish I could keep you here all day and night.”

  “I can’t believe I did that,” she said faintly.

  He laughed. “Stay there.” A moment later, he returned with a damp cloth. When she tried to protest, he laughed. “Sweetheart, it’s a bit late to go shy on me. Come along, we’ve got to dress you and take you home.”

  He helped her dress and donned his own clothing. By the time they were ready to leave, more than an hour had passed.

  Her guilt set in as soon as his carriage rolled off. Laura worried her hands. He finally grabbed them in his palms. “Be nonchalant.”

  “My maid will see me in last night’s ball gown.”

  “She is a maid and will perform her duties with an impassive expression. What she thinks is of no importance.”

  “But servants gossip, and what about Justin? Oh, never mind my son. He will sleep until noon.”

  Bell laughed. Then he kissed her deeply. “You were wonderful.”

  “Really?” she asked.

  “Really. I cannot wait for tomorrow night.”

  “We shouldn’t. I worry that we’ll be seen.”

  “I’m not letting you go now,” he said. “All we have to do is be discreet.”

  “Walking into my town house in a rumpled ball gown is not discreet.”

  “The sun is not up yet.”

  “It’s getting lighter by the moment,” she said.

  “We’ll be more careful with tonight’s gown,” he said. “Speaking of tonight, what are your plans?”

  “I’m attending the theater with Lady Atherton,” she said.

  “I will visit her box,” he said.

  “Bellingham, I don’t want her to know about us.”

  “Andrew, when it’s just us. As for Lady Atherton, she may suspect, but she’ll say nothing. You can leave the theater with me.”

  “In front of all those people?” she said.

  “Laura, we’ll arrange to meet separately in the foyer. It’s done all the time.”

  “I fear one of Montclief’s friends will report that we were seen together.”

  “First of all, I won’t let Montclief rule our lives. He has no proof about us. Don’t forget I’ve been seen giving your son fencing lessons. Lady Atherton can vouch for the interest I’ve taken in Justin. Do stop worrying.”

  “I shall try,” she said.

  “Good girl.” He gazed into her eyes. “Do you know I’ve never stayed all night with a woman before? I never wanted to. In case I forgot to say it, you were magnificent.”

  She blushed. “I do
n’t know what came over me.”

  His blue eyes glinted with mischief. “Me.”

  “Oh, my stars,” she said. “You are incorrigible.”

  “Admit it. You like it.”

  “I think my morals took a boat to America.”

  He laughed.

  When the carriage slowed to a halt before her town house, he kissed her on the lips quickly. “Come now. I’ll escort you to the door.”

  “No, that is not a good idea,” she said. “The neighbors might see us.”

  “I imagine they’ve seen me before.”

  “Not with me in a wrinkled ball gown. I had better go now.” She looked into his eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck. Then she kissed him deeply. “I already miss you.”

  He opened the carriage door and helped her negotiate the steps. She blew him a kiss and hurried to the door.

  Chapter Twelve

  Laura felt conspicuous as she joined Lady Atherton in the theater box. Justin had plans to play cards at Lady Norcliffe’s home. Of course, Sarah was the chief attraction.

  She had hoped for one of Shakespeare’s plays, but this play was not one she’d ever heard of. “Do you know what it is about?” she asked Lady Atherton.

  “Nobody pays attention to the play, my dear,” Lady Atherton said. “It’s all about seeing and being seen.”

  “I had just convinced myself that I was imagining others staring at me,” she said.

  “Curiosity about you remains rampant,” Lady Atherton said. “You look radiant tonight.”

  “It must be the gown,” she said, smoothing the sheer lavender overskirt.

  “Last night, I thought your strange engagement had somehow leaked to the scandal sheets,” Lady Atherton said.

  “I was terrified,” Laura said, “but then it all turned out to be about the charity.”