Page 37 of Empowered By the Earl (Second Sons of London 3)

“I did this spring. He and a young woman were in the receiving line a few people ahead of me and my aunt and uncle. When he caught sight of me, he glowered and turned in the other direction, his hand on the woman’s back.” She chuckled. “I don’t even recall his name. He must have wed, though, because I saw a ring on her finger.”

“We will hope you don’t have to resort to that move in the future,” he told her. “But I would only go out for a breath of fresh air with men you are truly interested in.”

“Should I kiss them?” she asked. “Both Adalyn and Tessa have told me that kissing is very important. They urged me to kiss anyone I might be considering for a husband.” Her gaze fell. “I really didn’t find anyone this Season that I liked enough to pursue a kiss. I also worried about scandal. If you are caught kissing a gentleman, marriage is expected.”

She rubbed her hands along her arms. “I wouldn’t want to force anyone to wed me.”

“Then make certain you aren’t caught kissing anyone,” he suggested.

Louisa expelled a long breath. “Something tells me that I won’t have to worry about it. Not only did I find all of my partners to be dull this Season, not a single one of them took me away from a ball for a moonlight stroll or asked me to walk through the gardens during a tea party.” She swallowed. “I told you, Owen. No one is interested enough in me to even suggest a kiss.”

He framed her face with his hands. “Then they don’t know what they are missing. If you wait, the right man will come along, Louisa. And when he does, you will know it from his kiss.”

“But I barely know how to kiss. At least, I didn’t know anything about it before you kissed me.” A blush spilled across her cheeks. “I know I am supposed to like it but I’m not even good at it,” she complained.

“You are better than you think,” he said. Against his better judgment, he added, “Perhaps we should practice it a bit. Like we have riding.”

“Do you think so?” she asked, her eyes hopeful.

It was the absolutely wrong thing to do. Owen knew it. Yet he heard himself say, “We should. Follow my lead. What I do, do the same. Imitate me the best you can.”

He lowered his lips to hers, his hands still cradling her face. He could sense her trembling, whether with nerves or anticipation, he didn’t know. Pressing his mouth to hers, he began kissing her. Her lips were divine. Soft. Pliable. Smooth. His thumbs stroked her cheeks.

Then her palms framed his face. He let his drop to give her better access. He let her take charge of the kiss now and she did so, pressing soft kisses against his mouth and then allowing them to grow firmer. Longer.

Owen’s hand cradled her nape as his tongue swept along the seam of her mouth, back and forth, urging her to open. She didn’t, which surprised him. Then she imitated the move and he allowed himself to open to her. With no hesitation, Louisa’s tongue plunged into his mouth, causing heat to roar through him. Her hands settled on his shoulders as she ran her tongue against his.

He took control of the kiss, his free hand going to her waist. He anchored her and deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring her. She responded, doing the same, her tongue leisurely stroking his. His heart raced and he stood, bringing her with him. He tugged on her hair, tilting her head back, allowing him better access. She didn’t yield. Rather, she linked her arms about his neck and pulled him close, her breasts teasing him as he crushed her to him.

An all-out war occurred, with both seeking to dominate the other. One kiss became a dozen, blending until he lost count. And still they kissed one another. At this rate, they would both have bleeding lips.

Owen broke the kiss, moving his lips along the line of her jaw, tugging on her hair again until her beautiful neck was exposed. He found her pulse point and licked it, hearing her moan. He bit her neck softly and heard her groan. Her fingers thrust into his hair and kneaded his scalp. He nibbled along her throat, working his way back to her mouth, another soft bite capturing her full, bottom lip and teasing it. She whimpered and lust shot through him. He had to force himself not to sweep her up and march her straight to his bed.

Then she bit into his lip, holding it captive with her teeth, and he heard his own groan of pleasure. What was it about this woman?

He tried to clear his mind as they continued to kiss. She was an innocent—though she certainly had caught on fast to the art of kissing. He had to remember she was a virgin who didn’t know she was playing with fire.

That allowed him to break the kiss and end this foolish session.

They both panted, their breath quick and rapid. Owen looked at her, seeing her bosom heaving, those sapphire eyes dark and longing.

“That is more than enough kissing,” he told her, easing her onto the settee as he took a step back.

Her cheeks were pink, her lips bruised with their kisses. She was the most desirable woman he had ever beheld. She was forbidden fruit, though.

“You are an excellent student,” he said. “But I would not kiss a man that much. Else he might want other favors from you.”

Her brows knit. “What kind of favors?”

She truly did not know what he meant.

Owen took the seat next to her and took her hands in his. “That kind of kissing leads to dangerous actions, Louisa. Ones that once a man starts, it is hard for him to regain control again.”

“I d-don’t understand,” she stammered.

“I will be blunt. Kissing like that makes a man want to kiss you everywhere. He would want to lick the curve of your breast as it peeks from your gown. Push that gown down and capture your nipple in his mouth. Suck on your breast as hard as he can. Even bite your nipple.”

Her eyes grew round but he continued.

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