Page 8 of My Wicked Earl
A tightening in Colin’s breeches told him that yes, there was much she could do to make him reconsider. There was no doubt that this was the charming widow Nick told him of last night. Nick’s description did not do the woman justice. She was younger than Colin expected, though Nick did say she had been married to a much older man. It was not uncommon for a young girl to marry a lord many years her senior in order to gain a title.
He started at the feel of her fingers against the fabric of his coat, the action sending a wash of heat from his forearm down to the tips of his fingers. The boldness with which she approached him enticed him, for he didn’t care at all for the false shyness many women affected. Colin much preferred a woman who was direct. Confident.
“I could teach you the steps,” she leaned forward, the top of her bodice lightly glancing off his chest. “Don’t worry. They aren’t hard.”
Yes, but I am.She was so close that if he moved only an inch, he only need bend his head to press his lips against the scented flesh pushing out of her bodice.
“Come,” she said as the musicians started up again in the ballroom, the muted strains just reaching the darkened alcove. Taking his hand in hers, she entwined their fingers. “I will turn a bit.” Lavender and honey floated into his nostrils as she expertly spun about. “You barely have to do anything but stand there while I pirouette like a top. It’s really quite simple, though I wouldn’t like it if you stepped on my feet. Lord Bagley did that just the other night, unintentionally of course. He’s too nice to do something like that on purpose. But,” she came about so that their faces were only inches apart, “it still hurt quite a bit.”
She had the most amazing eyes, like grass after a summer storm and flecked with gold.
“I feared he’d broken my toe. That happened to someone I knew once. A broken toe. Not by dancing, but when a horse stepped on her foot.” She made a neat half turn and looked back at Colin, her brow crinkling in thought. “Now I don’t mean to say that Lord Bagley is a horse. He’s a rather delightful man. Truly.”
She spun the remainder of the way around, until they were facing again. A smile of satisfaction crossed her lips. “See how easy that was?”
Desire rolled through Colin, and his cock hardened almost painfully as his eyes traveled down her form. She was slender, but not with the reed slimness of so many of theton’sbeauties. Instead, she looked soft and plush, with welcoming curves that begged for his touch. He nearly salivated at the beauty he knew lay just beneath the silk and lace.
“I don’t think I have it down,” he murmured. “Would you show me again?”
Cheeks pinking like the buds of a rose she replied, “I suppose, but it’s really not that difficult. She took his hand again, stepped forward, and then suddenly stopped, her eyes widening.
“You don’t know who I am.” It wasn’t a question but a statement. A spurt of laughter escaped the plump lips. “This is rather unexpected. I just assumed—”
“Viscount Lindley sent you to find me, didn’t he?”
Her mouth begged for a kiss. And hewasgoing to kiss her. In fact, he didn’t think he could stop if he wanted to.
She nodded her head, the curl bouncing across her lovely skin until it settled once again between the swell of her breasts. “Yes, of course, he did. He insisted I be the one to fetch you.”
Colin tightened his fingers around her waist, pulling the luxuriant body closer to him, until he could feel the warmth of her skin. He reached out to tug at that teasing curl, allowing his fingers to brush intimately against the tops of her breasts.
A delicate tremor went through her at his touch. “You’ll destroy my coiffure.” She took a halting breath, causing her breasts to surge deliciously against the confines of her gown. “Have a care.”
“Duly noted.” The sound of the ballroom faded away and all he could hear was the breathing of the woman before him and the rapid beat of his own heart. Candlelight played against her beautiful cheekbones and across her shoulders.
He reached out to run a fingertip against her lips, watching as her mouth parted with his touch.
“You aren’t,” she said haltingly, “wearing gloves.”
“Are you outraged at my lack of decorum?” He knew she wasn’t, else she’d be screaming by now.
“No. I – I just find it unusual.” Her tongue, tiny and pink, darted out between her lips.
“Jesus.” Gently he touched his lips to hers, brushing lightly against her mouth as an adorable squeak sounded from her.
“Dear God, you smell delicious.” He kissed the corner of her mouth as the fleeting thought that someone could chance upon them urged caution.
“As do you.” She fell against him then with a relieved sigh, crushing those gorgeous breasts against his chest. One gloved hand lingered over his shoulder as if she were considering whether to accept his kiss before her silk clad fingers sank into his shoulders.
Moving his mouth lightly over hers, he teased and toyed with her plump lips, before deepening the kiss. He felt the shift in her body, heralding her surrender to him. Slanting his mouth against hers he devoured her, as if he were a starving man at a feast. Flicking his tongue against her bottom lip, he heard her purr, like a small voluptuous kitten, against him.
Emboldened, his hand slid down the length of her back, feeling the soft, warm skin hidden safely beneath her gown. How he wanted to peel away the fabric that kept him from touching the scented flesh beneath. He wanted to taste her. Inhale her scent. Sink himself into her.
Nipping at her lower lip, he whispered roughly against her mouth, “You are magnificent.”
Her lips parted at his words.
She shivered slightly as his tongue moved through her parted lips, seeking hers. He felt her reticence at the intimacy, but she did not push him away; instead she shyly twined her tongue about his, and attempted to match his movements.
