Page 37 of An Earl's Christmas Seduction
“Come further in,” she called out, looking back to where Isobel was bobbing in the surf.
Clara was yet to enter the water, still standing on the sands, and Amelia waved to her, as Clara signaled she was returning to the house.
“I didn’t realize how cold it was,” she called out, and Amelia laughed.
“You go with her, Isobel,” she said, wanting to remain in the water, even as Isobel, too, retreated.
“We’ll bring you a blanket down; it’s too cold for us,” Isobel called out, and Amelia watched as they made their way back up the sand to the path.
They had spoken of nothing else but swimming in the sea since her arrival that morning, but now Amelia was left alone, swimming across the surf, and wanting only to strike out further. But Isobel had warned her about the reef at the far edge of the bay, where the seabed suddenly shelved, and the current was strong. Reluctantly, she swam back towards the shore, floating on her back and gazing up at the blue sky above.
“Isn’t it wonderful,” she thought to herself, turning again, and striking out towards the shore.
But as she did so, Amelia was surprised to see a figure on the shore up ahead, standing watching her. It was Nicholas, and the earl was standing immediately between Amelia and her clothes.
“Isobel told me you’d arrived,” he called out, as Amelia stood in the waves, her modesty concealed only by the water lapping around her.
“They said you were out. I’d have come and found you otherwise,” Amelia called back.
She had been looking forward to seeing Nicholas. It was the real reason she had accepted the invitation.
“I was…unavoidable business. But I wanted to see you as soon as you arrived. I came straight down,” he said, as Amelia waded out of the water.
She had no inhibition as to him seeing her in her underclothes, and he showed no embarrassment in it, either, smiling at her as she approached him.
“Clara and Isobel found it too cold. But they were the ones who extolled the virtues of a swim. I found it just right,” Amelia said, finding the sand now hot on the soles of her feet after the coolness of the water.
“I’m glad. I wanted to see you alone,” he replied, smiling at her as they walked up the beach together.
A shiver ran through her, the anticipation of his words what she had hoped for in the days leading up to her arrival. She had thought of little else but him in the months since their last encounter, a simmering passion, now to be realized once again. He had waited for her, and despite not having seen one another since the fateful events of the Christmas season, the flame she held for him had not diminished.
“I was hoping you would,” she said, and he smiled.
“Did Clara and Isobel tell you where to dry yourself off?” he asked, and Amelia shook her head.
“No, I don’t know,” Amelia asked, looking along the beach.
The earl smiled.
“There’s a little clearing beyond the trees hidden from view. Let me show you,” he said, and Amelia gathered her clothes, following him across the sand.
The heat of the sun had almost dried her undergarments, and Nicholas led her into the trees where the dappled shade created patterns on the sand and a path led into the clearing he had told her about. It was the bottom of the cliff, the trees growing tall around them, hiding them from view. Amelia could no longer see the sea, though she could hear the waves breaking on the sand, and now she turned, finding Nicholas smiling at her.
“Aren’t you going to turn around?” she asked, smiling back at him.
He cocked his head to one side, narrowing his eyes.
“But then I wouldn’t get to look at you. You’re even more beautiful than I remember. I can’t…well, I’ve thought of nothing else but you these past few months. I shouldn’t ever have let you go. But all that business over my past; I’ve forgotten all about it now. It doesn’t matter anymore. All that matters is having you here with me,” he said, stepping forward, as Amelia did the same.
She could hardly control herself, giving way to the passion she had so desired, the passion she had longed for ever since they had parted for the last time with a stolen kiss in the library. Now, their lips met, their hands clasped, their bodies entwined, and Amelia was caught up in the pleasure she had so often dreamed of.
“I’ve missed you, Nicholas,” she whispered, arching her neck, as he kissed the line above her collar, pulling at her underclothes, exposing her to his touch.
He was wearing only breeches and a shirt, half-unbuttoned, exposing his chest, his taught muscles, and sinking to their knees. They embraced, lying back on Amelia’s skirts, warmed by the rays of the sun.
“Believe me when I tell you I’ve thought of nothing else but you,” he said, and she could feel his arousal against her, the stiffening in his breeches, the intensifying of his kiss.
Her breasts were exposed, the flimsy material of her undergarments pulled back. He traced a line of kisses from her neck, his hands running up the length of her body as he arched over her.
