Page 116 of From Rakes to Riches

“I like touching you too,” she said as her fingers worked the buttons of his trousers, pushing aside the wool and linen. She glanced up at his face. His eyes were heavy-lidded as he watched her, but his jaw held tight.

“Lola,” he said, his voice nothing more than a smoky rasp.

“Do you want me to stop?” she asked, struggling to keep her expression passive.

“No,” he answered immediately.

He turned his head and his spectacles slid down his nose. She abandoned the buttons on his trousers and reached up to push his spectacles back into place.

“Now, where was I?” she asked innocently as she leaned in for a long kiss. When his spectacles were steamed, she placed them aside. “Oh, yes, now I remember.”

She slipped her hand below the fabric of his trousers, setting her palm against the length of his erection. He grunted and his body jerked forward. He reached for her shoulders but she gently returned his hands to his side. This time, she made the rules.

She held his arousal for a moment, his flesh hot and hard within her caress, then she stroked him firmly, up the length of his thick cock and down again, all the while watching his reaction. His eyes were closed now and a lock of hair had fallen forward across his brow. Her heart turned over in her chest and she forced her eyes away, afraid to look too long. She already felt too much.

The room was silent. The air was still, heavy with the scent of their intimacy and the magnitude of their emotions. She dared another glance at his handsome face. His eyes were still closed, but he’d relaxed now and surrendered to the wicked sensations of her attention.

She stroked down the length of his arousal one more time before she leaned in and closed her mouth around the tip. His breathing seized and his entire body went rigid.

“Lola.”

The word sounded like a growl and she saw him grip the edge of the bedframe.

She stifled a smile and brushed her tongue against the sensitive ridge, but her wicked revenge ended there. He tangled his hand in her hair and drew her up, his mouth silencing her objection as he kissed her hard.

Reaching between them, she wrapped her fingers around his length and resumed the pain-pleasure, working him as their kiss continued. He was so hard and slick in her hand, she onlymanaged one more stroke before he broke away with a harsh grunt, spending himself against his bare abdomen.

Lola sat back on her heels. The disheveled earl in front of her looked nothing like the haughty nobleman who’d caught her on the close walks all those weeks ago.

She stood up and retrieved a wet cloth and towel for him. While he collected himself and put his clothing to rights, she went into the kitchen, reveling in what had passed between them. It couldn’t be anything more than indulgent pleasure. She knew that in her head, but her heart was proving more difficult to convince.

Shaking away that problem for now, she went to the cabinet and took out a bottle of wine. She poured two glasses and they sat on the side of the bed, drinking their claret and exchanging knowing glances in silence.

“I should leave.”Theodore set down his empty glass and stood. “It’s late and I don’t want to steal your sleep.”

She followed, setting her glass beside his. “You’re right. No good can come from walking the rope while tired.”

“You don’t need any added danger in your act.” He reached for her, drawing her into his arms and lacing his fingers with hers. “I visited you this evening to confirm you were safe, but that doesn’t mean I won’t continue to worry about you. I know you’re intelligent and cautious, Lola, but please, until everything connected to Fremont’s death is resolved, don’t take any unnecessary chances.”

“I won’t,” she said, her words sincere.

“I don’t want anything to happen to you,” he continued. “Especially since I need to travel for a few days. I dislike the thought of being away from you.”

She pulled back so she could look at his face. Her lips were kiss swollen and her hair slightly mussed. She looked well-loved and beautiful.

“You’re going away?” Her delicate brows drew together though her eyes were wide in question.

“I have some unfinished business to resolve, but I won’t be gone long.” He hesitated saying anything further.

He didn’t want Lola involved more than she was already or having knowledge that could lead others to question her. He trusted her not to break his confidence, but he’d rather no one knew of his trip to speak to Fremont’s valet until after he’d returned. Even Bow Street hadn’t thought to pursue Timmons. It was a credit to Margaret’s suggestion and his own desire to see Fremont’s murder solved, that Theodore was making the trip.

He'd also considered the fact Lola’s family lived in Ipswich. Whenever he’d spoken of her parents, Lola’s demeanor had changed completely. She’d become angry and defensive. Without a doubt there was more he needed to learn about her past. He hoped she would confide in him when she was ready.

That said, he didn’t want to cause an argument and upset her at this time of night when they’d just shared such intimacy. Their time spent together was too special. He knew if they quarreled and he left for Ipswich soon after, he’d be distracted by their disagreement and that would interfere when he finally spoke with Timmons.

He pulled her back into his embrace, breathing her in and settling her cheek against his chest. In truth, he could barely think straight now. His body still simmered from her every delicious touch and he didn’t want anything, not Fremont’s murder, Lola’s past, or circumstances beyond their control, to interfere.

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