Page 74 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

They had only traveled a few minutes from Tattersalls and yet they had quickly left London behind. Wide open spaces appeared to the left and a grove of trees emerged on the right.

Slowing the horses some, he said, “I hope this is more to your liking, Tessa.”

Her hand had remained on his arm, wrapped about it just above his elbow. The warmth of her touch permeated his body.

She smiled. “This is much more what a drive should be like. I can hear myself think.” She inhaled deeply. “The air already smells sweeter. I truly despise the vile smells of town. How wonderful to find this oasis such a short way from town.”

Spencer continued another minute and then steered the phaeton just off the road, coming to a stop next to the woods.

“Would you like to get out and stretch your legs?” he asked.

“That would be delightful,” she told him.

Climbing from the high perch first, he then reached up and captured her waist, swinging her down. When her feet came to the ground, he didn’t release her. He didn’t want to. He wanted to hold this woman forever.

He saw her swallow, her large eyes gazing up at him. Then she wet her lips and desire filled him. He bent and briefly touched his lips to hers, merely grazing them. Wanting more but not sure if he should take it in broad daylight. Though they had seen no one on the road, another carriage or even cart could come by at any moment.

Instead, he took her hand in his, lacing his fingers through hers, and led her the slight distance to the trees. He entered the dense wood, the trees so quick that they filtered out most of the sunlight, and stopped at an enormous oak.

“I want to kiss you again, Tessa,” he said, his voice rough and raw.

“I want to kiss you, too, Spencer,” she replied, surprising him. “I decided I needed to.”

“Why?” he asked.

“To see if you are the one for me.”

This time, he was the one who swallowed hard. He knew he had heard her words but they still stunned him, nonetheless. His hands went to her waist again.

“What changed your mind?”

“You,” she said softly. “You are not the man I first thought you were. I am afraid I judged you too quickly—and too harshly. You are more thoughtful than I first believed.” Smiling, she said, “You are still a bit overbearing but you have grown on me, Spencer. And . . . I quite like how you kiss me.”

“You said you needed to kiss me.”

She nodded. “I think kissing is an important part of marriage, don’t you?”

“I couldn’t agree more.” He glanced around. “We won’t be fearful of being interrupted.”

“That should help,” she agreed. “I like when you have kissed me. I think you have held back some, though. I want you to kiss me the way you would kiss your wife. I need to see what that would be like. Can you do that?”

“I think I could kiss you all day,” he admitted.

“What are you waiting for?”

His mouth slammed down on hers. He had been gentle before and would ease up soon. But now desire filled him. Spencer wanted Tessa to see just how much he did want her. How sparks could fly between a couple.

How they were truly meant to be together.

Forever.

He branded her as his, his tongue sweeping inside her mouth and mating with hers. She answered his call, as hungry for him as he was for her. She tasted like spring—fresh, clean, and warm. His hands tightened on her waist and he maneuvered her until her back rested against the old oak. Her palms had gone to his chest and stroked him, enflaming his need for her. As he kissed her, his thumbs began stroking her ribcage, feeling the tremors that ran through her.

Spencer wanted her. All of her. He wouldn’t take her here in the open. But he would show her a taste of what marriage could be.

As he plundered her mouth, his hands moved up to her breasts, kneading them, the pads of his thumbs brushing back and forth against her nipples. They hardened into tight buds and he rolled them between his fingers, tweaking them lightly, hearing her gasp of pleasure.

He broke the kiss and moved his mouth down the long column of her slender throat, finding the pulse point as it fluttered wildly. He nipped her there, wanting to leave his mark on her, then soothing the bite with his tongue. His tongue glided down her throat and to the top of the curve of her breast, tracing the curve as he kneaded the breast. Little sounds came from her, which fanned the flames of his desire.

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