Page 86 of Tempting the Earl

The gasped word was answered by a short guttural moan, barely heard but undeniable.

She instantly stilled. Her eyes flew open.

Everything inside her lit aflame as her gaze slammed into the earl’s.

He was standing in front of her, leaning against the wall behind him as his hand moved slowly over the thick bulge in his breeches.

Ainsworth’s initial shock at his silent presence swiftly dissolved into a wave of lustful heat. “Colin,” she whispered again as she pressed her palm firmly over her sex, then couldn’t keep herself from rubbing the heel of her hand in tight little circles over her swollen clitoris.

“What are you doing here?” she breathed.

His voice was thick as he answered. “You interrupted my bath last night. It seemed only fair.”

As he finished speaking, his gaze dropped to where the subtle movement between her thighs disturbed the surface of the water.

Suddenly uncertain about being caught doing something so wanton, she stilled.

His focus flew back up to her face. “Don’t stop. I’d love to watch you make yourself come.”

His words triggered a flutter inside her, drawing a soft moan from her lips. She stroked her fingers along her sex as her vision went slightly hazy. “I’m not sure I can,” she whispered huskily.

The beast awakened in his sparkling gaze. “Shall I help you?”

“Please.”

Her answer was barely a sigh but he responded immediately. Pushing off from the wall, he made it to her side in three long strides. She thought he’d grasp one of her breasts as they hovered just above the water or that he’d slide his hand down to replace hers between her legs. Instead, he hooked his hand around the back of her neck and lifted her up as he bent forward to seal his mouth over hers.

The erotic dance of his tongue and lips sent waves of sensation rippling through her body. With expert skill, his kiss awakened every nerve and stirred the deepest core of her desire. It brought so much pleasure to her starving soul that she didn’t even realize she’d stopped moving her hand.

But he noticed. Lifting his head, he stared intently into her eyes. It was a look of possession and of promise.

“Where shall I touch you?”

“Everywhere,” she answered shamelessly.

He smiled and her heart fluttered. “Where first?”

It took a moment for her mind to comprehend the question and then decide on a proper reply. There were too many options. Too many places that craved his caress. Parting her lips, she whispered the first words that slipped from her tongue. “My breasts.”

Fire blazed in his eyes, telling her he was pleased by her answer.

His hand, when it covered her breast, was gentle at first. His large, warm palm cupped her soft mound, kneading and massaging before he adjusted his hold to catch her peaked nipple between two of his spread fingers. Then he bent over her to flick at the trapped bud with his tongue. Teasing and tormenting as sparks of pleasure shot down through her center to her aching sex.

He gave the same lavish attention to the other breast before releasing her from his mouth and straightening again to his full height.

Ainsworth gazed up at him from beneath lowered eyelashes. She was mesmerized by the sight of him. A conquering hero. A man of seething passions, maintaining control for the single purpose of giving her pleasure.

The degree of effort it required of him was obvious in the strain of his breeches over his enlarged member.

Ainsworth experienced a sudden and undeniable need to see him. All of him, but especially that part of him which had swelled to ready hardness for her. On impulse, she lifted her hand to press her wet palm to his hot length. Though his body tensed, he didn’t move. And he didn’t speak.

She slid a quick glance up to his face as he gazed down at her. His focus steady. His breath deep. His muscles tense and waiting.

He wasn’t going to stop her. Once again, he was allowing her to explore as she wished.

The acknowledgement sent a thrill of pleasure through her, curling her toes.

Repositioning herself in the tub to sit sideways, she brought both her hands to the task of releasing the fastening of his breeches while he quickly shrugged free of his coat and waistcoat then dragged his shirt off over his head.

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