Page 35 of Her Daring Earl
“I just need a moment.”
“Take all that the time you need.”
She breathed deeply a few times, allowing her body to become used to him. Concentrating instead on his breath, hot on her cheek, and his hard body against her, she was finally able to relax, surprised that when she did so the pain receded, leaving only the pleasure behind.
Pleasure and some uncertainty, but she supposed that was part of the adventure.
“I’m ready,” she said hoarsely.
“Tell me if you want me to stop,” he said.
“I will.”
He began moving within her, thrusts that began soft and slow, gradually increasing in speed and intensity until she found herself moving against him as well, seeking that pinnacle she had received from him before and so longed for again.
The table was cool beneath her thighs, so at odds with her heated body, and as Fitz rocked faster, the table began to move as well until the front legs were coming off the floor with his every movement.
Eliza held onto him tightly, needing him as her anchor of support, and he held her fast against him, not letting her go.
The build-up of the entire evening seemed to have only spiraled her need for him out of control, the thrill of doing this in such a forbidden place increasing her excitement, and soon enough she found herself reaching that edge once more, spiraling around him.
“Eliza,” she heard Fitz say in the distance, but she was so caught up in her need to fall over the precipice of her desire that she didn’t acknowledge him, only holding him tighter against her as she needed him to stay exactly where he was, to allow her pleasure to reach its fulfillment.
“Eliza, I need to—” Fitz’s words broke off with a shout as he began to still against her, his only movements a shuddery jerk that told her he was coming along with her, his pulsing in synch with hers.
She couldn’t have said how long it went on for, only that all she could hear was their intermingled breath – until she became more aware of a dim sound beyond them. A knock.
They both jumped, Fitz whispering a curse, “Oh, shit,” as he slid out of her and began to fasten his breeches as quickly as he could before reaching out to help her reassemble her clothing.
“My lord? Are you within?” came a voice from beyond, one that Eliza didn’t recognize but Fitz whispered, “The butler,” before looking frantically around them.
“Yes, I am here,” he said, making Eliza swivel her head toward him, for how was she supposed to explain her presence here? “I seem to have locked myself in.”
“One moment, my lord. I need to find the key and then I will have you out of here shortly.”
The jingling of keys only sent Eliza’s already frazzled nerves on edge, and Fitz hissed, “Hide,” as he lifted her off of the table and pulled her toward the far wall, gesturing toward a space at the bottom between the wine casks.
She opened her mouth, ready to tell him exactly what she thought of hiding in the dark corners of a damp wine cellar, but then the door began to open, and she had to act without further thought, cramming herself in the tight space, grateful, at least, for the dim light of the room.
“Apologies, my lord,” the butler said, allowing light from the kitchen beyond into the room. “Your guests and your mother were becoming worried about your absence. Had I known you were here?—”
“Not a problem at all, Hastings,” Fitz said, his silhouette visible from Eliza’s hiding space. He ran a hand over his hair, which was sticking up at odd angles after she had run her fingers through it so aggressively. “Thank you for rescuing me.”
“Of course, my lord,” the butler said, pausing for a moment. “Is all well?”
“Oh, yes,” Fitz said, following Hastings’ gaze toward the table, which was rather… askew. Even the candle had been knocked over, explaining why the room had been sent into such darkness. “I’m afraid I jostled the tasting table. I will arrange everything as it was.”
“We will do that, my lord.”
“No, no, now that I have light, I will find the drink in question and bring it up.”
“Which is it? I will gather it for you.”
“Hastings, I would prefer to do it myself. Sometimes I like to feel… useful, if you know what I am saying.”
“Yes, my lord,” Hastings said, even though he was obviously baffled by his lord’s bizarre behavior. But if Fitz departed, it would likely mean she would be locked in here or left to be discovered by the staff.
“I will keep a wedge in the door so that you are not locked in again,” the butler said before backing away.
