Page 87 of Tempting the Earl

Within a few more breaths, she managed to release him. His hot, heavy erection sprang from his breeches as though seeking her touch. She readily gave it, encircling both hands around him to stroke up and down his length. But she wanted more of him. Pulling him closer, she impulsively leaned forward and slipped her mouth over his tip.

The deep, pleasurable sound that issued from his throat went straight to her sex.

She took more of him into her mouth and engaged her tongue as she learned the shape and intimate feel of him. Holding him secure in one hand as she made love to him with her mouth, she reached around him with the other to grasp his firm buttock.

His groan was delicious. She increased her rhythm, drawing him deeper, claiming him as hers. Every little indication of his pleasure increased her own, so that by the time he slid his hand into her hair to gently pull her away from him, her body was pulsing with need.

She reluctantly released him and tipped her head to look up at him.

That carefully controlled intensity he hid so well was fully revealed in his fierce and powerful stance. In the hard line of his jaw and his blazing stare. He loosened his hold in her hair to run the pad of his thumb over her lower lip. Looking deeply into her eyes, he said gruffly, “Your pleasure first.”

She sighed and he bent forward to take her mouth in another melting kiss.

“Where shall I touch you next?” he asked in a murmur against her lips.

“Anywhere,” she sighed.

He gave a low chuckle then slid the tips of his fingers down the length of her spine in a light, trailing caress that sent shivers across her skin. Below the surface of the water, he turned his hand to follow the curve of her arse with his palm while he scattered light kisses along her neck and shoulder. His fingertips just barely brushed along the crease of her buttocks before he slid his hand to the back of her thigh.

He squeezed gently then gently eased her legs apart.

“Shall I touch you here?” he asked as his fingers drifted up her inner thigh.

Unable to speak as sensations took over her entire being, Ainsworth could only nod.

“Lie back,” he whispered.

She returned to the reclining position she’d been in when he’d first arrived. As she held her breath, he slid his hand down her calf to wrap around her ankle. Lifting her foot, he rested it on the rim of the tub.

His gaze, as it found hers, was intent and purposeful. “Stay like this.”

She nearly whimpered at the heat and weight of his tone.

“Show me what you were doing before you discovered I was watching.”

Ainsworth frowned. Was he really asking her to do that? Now?

Seeing her reluctance, he reached for her hand and guided it down between her legs. Pressing her fingers to her sex, he laid his hand over hers. “I want to know how you like to touch yourself.”

“But...” Ainsworth paused to lick her lips. “I want you to touch me.”

“I will. Nothing in the world could keep me from it. But allow me this pleasure first.”

The gentleness of his words combined with the commanding nature of his voice to leave her with no alternative but to do as he requested.

With a flutter in her belly and his hand resting warmly atop hers, she began to slide her fingers along her folds. At first, she closed her eyes, willing herself to sink into the sensations. But after a short while she opened them again, needing some visual connection to him.

He’d lowered himself to a crouch beside the tub and his handsome face was not far from hers, though his focus was directed rather intently on the movements of their hands between her legs. Seeing the dark intensity in his expression—the longing and the fire—fueled her desire and heightened the sensations in her body.

When she brought her fingers up to circle her clitoris, the muscles of his jaw bunched and released in a rhythmic struggle for control. She increased the pressure and speed of her caress, gasping as pleasure spread outward through her body.

And then suddenly something changed. In a breath, the pleasure became more intense. It was deeper and richer and more poignant. It took another moment to realize it was because his fingers had completely replaced her own. At some point, her hand had fallen away and now gripped hard to her thigh as tension rode high along her spine.

“Someday, I want to watch you bring yourself to orgasm,” he murmured thickly. “But right now, I can’t...” His voice was ragged and raw. “I need to feel your slick heat. I need to give you this. I need to have this.”

She wasn’t about to argue. He seemed to know far better than she did what her body craved. What delicate areas gave her the most pleasure and just how to stroke and tease her. She tipped her hips in an attempt to claim more of his touch and he murmured his approval, answering her silent demand by sliding two fingers deep inside her.

She moaned and arched and circled her hips.

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