Page 36 of The Earl's Heiress
She gently pulled Temple’s head toward her until her lips touched his with a sweet kiss that belied the pent-up need that she felt inside. He opened his mouth to her; then she captured his tongue, hot and wet. She was daring and wanton, but he was tempted enough not to pull away. She nibbled at his lip before he plunged his tongue deep inside her mouth, and the sensation caused her belly to quiver.
Temple broke the kiss, walked over to the door, and closed it. Her eyes followed him, a hazy stare, as he turned to face her. He slowly began to loosen his shirt as he walked, button after button, and she couldn’t explain why she found the simple action thrilling. When he was within arm’s reach, he lifted her onto the table, raised her dress and spread her thighs. When he found her core, she was already wet with heat. She was a ripe, juicy fruit ready for harvesting. He slid a finger inside her, and a moan tore from her throat.
“You feel so good, so tight.” He whispered against her lips.
She kissed his lips and savored the feeling of her tongue demanding more. “You taste like spicy wine. I like spicy.”
He withdrew his finger before sliding two all the way into her hot center. She captured his moan when she reached inside his shirt and found his nipples. His thumb found her clitoris and moved with a determination that caused her to strain against his hand. She was ready to take him inside her. Arabella began to unbutton his breaches, and when they fell to the floor, she encircled his cock. She stroked his hardness, and he groaned against her neck, and he rained tiny kisses over her neck and bare shoulders. His thumb moved in frenzied circles, and she gasped.
“Temple …”
“What do you need?” He asked as his fingers wreaked havoc on her senses.
She was breathless and didn’t speak. Yet, he would not forgo the pleasure of hearing her say it.
“What?”
“I need you inside me.” Came her urgent whisper.
He pulled her hips to the edge of the table, laid her back and moved between her thighs but did not enter her. Arabella wrapped her legs around him, reached down and guided him to her wet entrance. In one smooth motion, he buried his cockdeep inside, stretching her, and he paused to bend over and take her hot tongue. He raised himself, withdrew completely, and plunged into her tight heat. She gripped the edge of the table and welcomed his invasion as he stroked the fire deeper and deeper inside. She had no control over the sensations that caused her knees to tremble as he raised them and pulled her even closer to the table’s edge. Her whimpers and moans were lost in the groan that shook his chest. The tempo of his thrusting hips became frenzied, and she felt herself moving toward the blissful moment as she tightened around him. Intense pleasure sizzled through every part of her, and her body gave into the sensation as soul-shattering waves robbed her of her senses. He clasped her hips, pulling her hard into his final thrust as he grunted from pure satisfaction in his release.
When he was in control of his breathing, he took a handkerchief from his pocket and cleaned her before she stood and straightened her dress.
“That was very gratifying, and I would like to … again.”
Her legs quivered, and then he swept her into his hand. “You will. I will bring you pleasure until you are exhausted with it.”
Temple took her to bed, and he was true to his word. She collapsed, her body quivering with sensation. Before she drifted off to sleep, she wondered if, after weeks of indifference, they had turned a corner and he understood how much she needed him. As she snuggled against him, she knew that only time would tell.
CHAPTER 18
Temple awoke in the early hours and looked at his wife curled up beside him. He propped himself up on the pillow and watched her as she slept. He understood she wanted him to spend more time with her, and he would try to. She had been honest about her feelings, and he would do well to remember that. He found her honesty quite refreshing, and he didn’t imagine she could pretend to line something that she didn’t. There were a few matters of the estate that he needed to attend to, and once he was satisfied with the progress, she would have more of his attention. His family would not accompany them across Europe. Although he was familiar with several of the cities they would visit, it would be Arabella’s first time. He was pleased that she would discover it with him, and it would be something special that they would share.
He slowly stood up from the bed, gathered his clothing and left the room. As he closed the door, she stirred but didn’t wake. Temple was still quite exhausted, and he collapsed on his bed in a heap. Ever since they got married, he thought a lot more about being a father and the kind of father he wanted to be. His father wasn’t particularly nurturing or affectionate, but he lovedTemple in his own way. He wished his father had been open and candid and gave him more responsibility. He would have been better prepared to deal with the financial situation he was caught in. Apparently, his father did not believe in the military tactic …to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Transparency would be a feature of the relationship with his son.
Arabella would be a good mother. Her dedication to the children of Foundling Hospital was heartfelt. She had the ability to see things from the destitute parents' perspective, to understand, feel, and respond to their experiences. She could never share their experience because she had a life of privilege, yet she had shown genuine concern, compassion, and understanding. There are many who support charities out of a sense of duty, but he had seen the sparkle in her eyes when she spoke about the children. He would instruct his steward to make an additional donation to the hospital.
She was growing more comfortable in her role as countess, confident and resilient, and he admired her for it. She valued her independence, but now she had lost it, and this was made worse by the fact that she was miles away from everyone she loved. He recognized that it was a significant adjustment for her. Of course, change is a natural part of life, but it was not easy to be thrust into it.
At first, he was reluctant to marry an American heiress. She was different, which also made her exciting. Now that they were growing into each other, he realized she was so much more than an accident-prone damsel in distress. He was satisfied in their union and thus far they seemed to be a good match. He was convinced they would be strong together.
Temple closed his eyes, and the image of his father appeared. He had a good relationship with his father, but he wanted a much closer relationship with his son. Unlike his father, Temple would ensure the connection with his son would bemore than familial; it would be this pivotal influence that would shape a young gentleman's journey from childhood to adulthood. He wanted his son to trust and respect him, and he would reciprocate. He recalled how hurt he felt when his father wouldn’t give him more responsibility, as if he was ill-equipped to deal with life’s challenges. He wouldn’t keep his son in the dark. Temple couldn’t think of his father without having regrets that he didn’t teach him more about the complexities of life and how to navigate them. He was discovering how complicated life was … all on his own.
He wished he could have chosen his wife rather than be forced to because of his family’s circumstances. It was an uncomfortable position to be in, and he knew that beneath the surface, he felt some resentment. Temple wanted to be a better man and father than his ever was. He wanted to be a better husband and earl.
And by God he would.
One month later
Arabella stoodby the window in her bedchamber, gazing at the clear blue sky, hoping it would not be fleeting. Temple was unwilling. She had arrived at the only logical conclusion she could fathom. Another month had passed, and she had barely spent time alone with Temple. Rather than being more frequent, their interactions continued to diminish. He listened but didn’t seem to hear her. Perhaps the occasional dinner was an effort to appease her, but it felt strained. She was beginning to think he made excuses to be away from home and he wasn’t happy with her. She had fallen short somehow, yet she couldn’t understandwhat she had done. What was her flaw? It would be easy for him to find comfort with another woman, or worse yet, he decided she was not good enough, and he wouldn’t make an effort. Were they mismatched and entirely incompatible? This was not a marriage she would accept.
They needed quality time in their marriage; otherwise, it wouldn’t grow from strength to strength. How could they be in the same house, barely seeing or having time to talk? Something wasn’t right, and it made her uncomfortable. After agonizing over it, she was determined to speak to him again. If this were the sum total of their marriage, continuing would be unbearable.
His neglect felt torturous. She was disillusioned with her union because it wasn’t what she thought it would be. A blissful marriage was an illusion. She had lost track of the number of times she asked herself, what now? It was hard for her to admit it to herself, but her union was unfulfilling. She was convinced that living like this would crush her spirit, and she wanted things to change. If only she knew why. Was she asking for too much … for happiness and fulfillment? She didn’t want to feel despondent this early in her marriage, but hope was certainly beginning to fade. Perhaps she hadn’t communicated her feelings clearly enough the first time, but she would rectify that at the earliest opportunity. She would not sit idly. Temple returned last night, and she wouldn’t delay speaking with him any further. Arabella drew in a deep breath, fortified herself, left her room and went to the library. She was admitted after the first knock.
“Good morning, Temple.”
“Good morning, Arabella. I trust you rested well.”
