Page 35 of Courting the Earl
She mourned the feel of his mouth on her when he raised his head, but she’d known this part was coming. He wouldn’t be able to make love to her with just his mouth. But instead of moving to cover her again, he began to kiss her belly over her chemise.
“Geoffrey?”
“Shh, let me prepare you.”
She felt his hand on her thigh, and then he was raising the material of her chemise. Her breath lodged in her throat when he pulled it above her hips, exposing her sex. She gasped when he touched her there with his fingers.
He groaned as though he were in pain. “You’re already wet for me.”
Then he moved even lower and settled between her thighs.
A hint of alarm raced through her. “I don’t understand—”
Her mind blanked when he spread her legs farther apart and brought his mouth there, between her legs. She lost her ability to speak when he began to pleasure her with his mouth, slipping in one finger that moved within her body in imitation of the act she knew would be coming.
This felt far more wicked than making love, but Eleanor didn’t protest. She couldn’t because she enjoyed it far too much. She’d never imagined that such intimacies could take place between a man and a woman in the bedchamber.
She broke apart with a harsh cry, an unbearable wave of pleasure racing through her.
Geoffrey’s grin was devilish when he surged into place above her.
She traced his lips with a finger. “Propositioning you was the best idea I’ve ever had.”
“I heartily concur.” And then he was pressing into her. He was so much bigger than the finger he’d had in her body, and for a moment she feared he wasn’t going to fit. Finally, with one powerful surge, he was inside her.
He stilled, and she knew he was allowing her to adjust to the feel of his invasion. She was grateful because it hurt. The pain wasn’t excruciating—she’d actually expected it to be worse—but it was uncomfortable. And there was a slight sting.
He kissed her, his mouth moving slowly over hers. She loved kissing him and found herself taking the lead, deepening the kiss by pressing her tongue into his mouth with a moan.
She couldn’t say how long they continued to kiss, but all too soon he lifted his head and stared down at her. His jaw was clenched, his eyes almost black.
She knew what he was thinking. He wondered if he should continue or if he should pull out. Her maidenhead was gone, and the next time they made love it wouldn’t hurt. Or so she’d been told.
But she didn’t want him to stop. The pain had subsided, and she found she was greedy for more. She wrapped first one leg, then the other, around his hips. “Make love to me.”
And heavens how he did, moving within her with powerful, steady strokes. It was too much. Everything they’d shared, the release he’d already given her with his mouth. She found herself screaming out her pleasure all too soon, her body convulsing against his hard length as he continued to move within her. With a soft curse, he pulled out of her warmth and spent himself outside her with a guttural moan.
They stared at one another for several long moments, him suspended above her, their breaths coming in harsh pants.
Then he shifted their positions so he was lying on his back and she was draped across his chest.
She snuggled against him and allowed herself the luxury of enjoying this moment. Hopefully it would be the first of many, but if her parents’ deaths had taught her anything, it was that the future could never be predicted. No matter how well one thought they’d planned for it.
Chapter 21
All too soon it was time for them to dress and return to their regular lives. Eleanor hated having to leave Geoffrey, but he’d promised there would be much pleasure ahead for the two of them.
Geoffrey arranged for his carriage driver to take her home, but he didn’t join her. They couldn’t be seen together. That thought left her feeling a twinge of sadness, but she refused to dwell on it.
Her spirits were still high when she entered the town house on Grosvenor Square. One glance at her cousin, who rushed out of the drawing room, her brow wrinkled with concern, had her expecting the worst.
Her heart settled into the pit of her stomach. There could only be one reason for Lydia to be so distraught. Had her uncle denied Lord Stanley permission to marry his daughter? Even worse, had Eleanor just committed the ultimate betrayal and made love to her cousin’s future husband?
“Oh Eleanor, I’m so sorry. So, so sorry.” Lydia grabbed her hand and dragged her into the drawing room. Then she closed the door so they could speak privately.
Eleanor’s anxiety spiked at the action. “Did…” She could barely get the words out. She had to swallow before she could continue. “Did your father deny your request to break your betrothal? And what happened when Lord Stanley arrived?”
She never should have gone to see Geoffrey’s sister. She should have stayed here today to see what would happen before setting plans into motion with her cousin’s betrothed.
