Page 77 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Caroline had beenthinking about how she would never belong to Luke and decided she could.

For one night.

Her plan to retire to the country would take her out of circulation from the London gossips and save the reputation of the St. Clairs. She could spend the bulk of her life by the sea, only venturing into town a few times a year to conduct business. She’d made a wise choice in hiring Stinch to manage both places. Once she found someone to keep the ledgers, she could request monthly business reports from him.

Her future life would be a quiet one. Even lonely at times. That’s why she’d decided she wanted memories of Luke to fill the empty places in her heart. He’d awakened something within her that she had a need to explore. She was now aware of physical desire simmering within her. That’s why she’d allowed him to accompany her here tonight. She hadn’t cared to see the townhouse a final time. It was merely a ruse to lure him somewhere private. She knew he desired her. She would use that and ask him to love her this once so she could cherish the memories of what might have been between them had things been different.

He came toward her, so tall and handsome that she began trembling. Taking her hands, he brought her to her feet. A slow smile spread across his face.

“I knew you weren’t indifferent to me,” he said softly. “That you felt the same way I did.”

He gazed at her intently, drinking her in. Caroline did the same. For one glorious night, this man would be hers.

“Love me,” she said.

“I plan to for the rest of our lives.”

Guilt flashed through her. She knew what she did was wrong but, already, her body burned for him. For once, she would be selfish and take what she wanted, without regret.

His fingers entwined with hers as he bent and pressed soft kisses on her brow. Her temples. Her cheek and jaw. After each kiss, Luke said her name. Quietly. Reverently. As if he couldn’t believe they were here, together, alone.

He released her hands and his fingers skimmed up her arms until he cradled her face, his thumbs rubbing back and forth.

“You are so very beautiful. Inside and out.”

With that, his lips met hers in a searing kiss that grew longer and hotter, stirring the embers inside her until the flames engulfed her. She wrapped her arms about his waist and pressed her body against his. His hands traveled the length of her back, up and down, the friction heating her until she begged him to undress her. Caroline wanted her skin against his. She wanted to taste him. Touch him. Hold him.

Luke took his time, peeling away the layers she wore, until everything was gone and she stood before him naked. She should have felt embarrassment or shame. Instead, she only felt desire.

His eyes took her in. “You are a revelation. A beauty beyond compare.” He wrapped his arms about her and brought her to him, kissing her deeply. The sensation of his wool coat against her bare skin was oddly erotic.

Breaking the kiss, she said, “I want to see you. All of you. Now,” she commanded boldly.

He grinned. “I’ll work as fast as I can,” and began stripping away his own clothing.

When he finished, she thought he was like one of the statues in a book she’d read on Ancient Greece. There was so much to admire. His broad shoulders and bare, muscled chest. The flat stomach and long legs, with calves she longed to stroke.

“Will I do?”

She grinned. “You most certainly will.”

Caroline wrapped her arms about his neck and pulled him down to her, taking the lead as she kissed him. She moved from his mouth to his neck, licking the salty skin as she inhaled his sandalwood soap. His hands stroked her back and buttocks, causing a marvelous tinging to shoot through her.

Without warning, he scooped her up and carried her to the bed, placing her on it gently before he stretched out beside her.

“I will kiss every part of you,” he promised.

And he did.

Everywhere his hands went, his mouth and tongue followed. His licking and sucking her breasts drove her into a frenzy. She went from stroking his back to raking it with her nails. Then Luke kissed his way down her belly and went lower, toward her womanly core. His fingers encircled her ankles and pushed her legs up until her knees were bent and she was open to him.

He kissed her core, which caused a low pounding to begin. She hid her shock as he continued kissing her there. Then his tongued darted inside and Caroline nearly leaped from the bed.

“Oh! Oh, my! Luke!”

He looked up. “I’m busy.”

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