Page 38 of An Earl's Christmas Seduction
She closed her eyes, delighting in the sensation of his touch, the feel of his caress. She was his, and she wanted nothing more than for him to be hers. As his hand ran up the length of her thigh, Amelia let out a gasp, biting her lip, as she opened her eyes to see him looking mischievously at her.
“Don’t hold back,” she said, as now he brought his tongue to bear on her, pleasuring her with such intensity as to make her cry out.
They were alone, by coincidence or design, and Amelia pulled at his breeches, tugging off his belt and exposing him to her touch. She knew how to pleasure him, to bring him to the same ecstatic state he did for her, the memory of that feeling still lingering in her desires. She wanted nothing but him, nothing but this moment, even as she had felt afraid to give herself entirely to him in this act.
“I won’t,” he replied, and now he arched himself over her, slipping his arm around her, pulling her into his embrace.
Their lips met in a kiss, and she let out a gasp at the intensity of the feeling, they were as one. She had not known what to expect, or how it would feel. Pain and pleasure mingled as one, but as his rhythm gained pace, that same feeling of intensity rose in her loins, a heat, gathering, building, burning.
“Wait…” she gasped, for it was almost overwhelming, and he slowed, allowing her to catch her breath, as she gazed up at him and smiled.
He brushed the hair from her cheek, his rhythm gentle as he continued to pleasure her, and now Amelia took up the rhythm herself, realizing she could pleasure him, even take control. He closed his eyes, allowing her to move her body with his, each a part of the other, sharing the same pleasure, building to the same climax.
“I will,” he whispered, still with his lips pressed against hers, his tongue seeking her out.
Her rhythm grew faster, the heat in her loins growing ever stronger, more intense. His breathing was becoming heavy, his eyes closed, and with a sudden shudder, almost without warning, he gave forth, filling her with such warmth as to cause her to cry out, giving way to her own shuddering pleasure.
Their arms were clasped around one another, their lips pressed together, and they fell back into the mass of skirts and petticoats, overcome by the ecstasy of what they had shared.
“I’ve thought of nothing else since last we were together,” Amelia said, as Nicholas looked down at her and smiled.
“Nor have I,” he replied.
She sighed, not knowing what was to come next. They had shared the greatest intimacy, and were they now to carry on as though nothing had happened?
“But what are we to do next? What happens now? Are we just to keep meeting like this, but never know anything more?” she asked.
The fire of passion had not diminished between them, and as they lay together in the warm sand, looking up at the blue sky above, Amelia did not want the moment to end. She wanted to be with him forever, to have him in her arms, to feel the safety of his embrace. She loved him, and the thought of losing him filled her with dread.
Chapter 13
For a moment, Amelia was not sure where she was, opening her eyes to find snow falling outside, and gathering against the windowpanes. She sat up, a cheery voice now greeting her.
“Good morning, Lady Amelia. It’s another snowy day,” Elsie said, as Amelia realized she had been dreaming.
She sat up and rubbed her eyes, thinking back to the vivid events of her dream: the sunshine, the beach, the waves, her encounter with Nicholas.
“Oh, yes, so it is,” Amelia said, feeling somewhat disappointed to think her dream was over.
It had seemed so real to her. It felt real, and as she thought back to the things she and Nicholas shared. She blushed at the intensity of her passions. But could anything more come of them? She desired him, but as for a romantic attachment…
“Will you go down for breakfast, Lady Amelia? I’m sure they’ll all be waiting for you,” Elsie said, and Amelia nodded.
“I will, yes,” she said, even as her thoughts were distracted by the memory of her dream and thoughts of what she and Nicholas had shared the day before in the library.
“It’s proving an interesting few days. They’ve decorated the servant’s hall with holly and ivy, and we’re to have a side of beef at his Lordship’s expense,” Elsie said, as she helped Amelia get dressed.
“I’m glad to hear it. We should all be celebrating, but I doubt we’ll get to church tonight, or tomorrow,” Amelia said, and Elsie shook her head.
“There’s a church up on the moor, or so I’m told, but it would be a treacherous walk. I’d much rather sing carols here and make merry around the hearth. We can pray in our hearts,” she said.
Amelia agreed, and having finished dressing, she made her way downstairs, still distracted by thoughts of her dream. Clara and Isobel met her in the hallway again. They were waiting for Edmund. Amelia smiled at them, thinking back to the beach and the exclamations at the chill of the water.
“Did you sleep well, Amelia?” Isobel asked, and Amelia nodded.
“I did, yes. I had a wonderful dream about the three of us swimming in the sea,” she said, and the two sisters laughed.
“Not today, I hope,” Clara said, and Amelia smiled.
