Page 31 of Awakening a Lord's Desires
“Yes,” he agreed, for she was the loveliest creature he had ever seen. But the reminder of Alexander stopped him. “But perhaps I am not the one you should be pulling into alcoves, Caroline.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, looking confused when she turned back to him.
He took a tiny step back, and it was painful to do so. “I only mean that Lord Fitzroy might challenge me to pistols at dawn if he knew we were here alone together.”
Caroline burst into laughter, and then she clamped a hand over her mouth to hide the sound. A few seconds later, she pulled it away and stared at him in amazement.
“I thought you had believed your words from the other day, but you never gave me a chance to explain. Lord Alexander and I are only friends, very old and good friends. He is in love with another. We are not courting.”
Charles felt like the future opened up to him, as wide and hopeful as could be.
Chapter 31
Caroline had not yet had any wine that evening, and so she could not blame it for her boldness in pulling Charles into the alcove. She had just pulled on the arm of a peer of the realm, making him stumble into a dim, cobwebbed space that she had occupied as a child. It was nonsensical, and yet he seemed far from displeased to be there. In fact, he looked almost joyous after she finally told him the truth about Alexander.
“You are not being courted by him,” Charles said, stepping closer to her.
She swallowed, that trickle of now-familiar heat growing stronger, and her legs grew even weaker. She pressed both hands against the stone wall of the alcove to remain standing.
“No, I am not. I have encouraged him to pursue my dear friend, Lady Chatsworth, because I know he has cared for her for many years and because Max is trying for her. I told you that day by the pond. Max wants only money and an advantageous marriage, and it seems my stepmother believes that Matilda is the way for him to get that.” She let out a breath, noticing just how quickly she’d spoken.
He smiled, but he did not respond, and she added, “I feel nothing for Alexander beyond dear friendship.”
“Dear God, Caroline, you don’t know how happy that makes me.”
“What do you—”
But her mouth was soon occupied, covered by Charles’.
She jolted in surprise, but then, as his mouth slanted across hers, begging hers to open, she leaned back against the wall, pulling him with her. For a few moments, the only sound in the alcove was their soft breathing as the kiss deepened. This time, there was no hesitation from either side. His tongue slid into her mouth, and she moaned at the feel of it against her own. Her hands moved behind his neck and pressed his mouth harder against hers.
She did not want this to end; she wanted this kiss to go on forever and ever because it finally made her feel bold, womanly, and free of everything that was going on in her life. His strong hands gripped her at the waist, and then they slowly rose, pausing at the base of her breasts.
He broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against hers. “May I see you, here?” he asked, his hands pressing underneath her aching breasts.
A shiver of need ran down her spine, and her nipples peaked. Biting her lip, she nodded. He took her hands from his neck and placed them at her sides.
Keeping his heated gaze on her, his fingers moved to the laced bodice of her gown, and he slowly began to push it from her shoulders. It slid easily downward, and her heart raced as he exposed her breasts. She watched his eyes flicker with a new heat as he consumed her with his gaze.
“So beautiful, so perfect, Caroline,” he whispered reverently as he took them in his hands, squeezing and kneading gently, his thumbs brushing across her nipples, making her bite her lip to keep back a moan.
Heat was now swimming through her veins, and desire made her forget about where she was.
“You do not need to be quiet for my sake,” he said, his hands still doing their dangerous work.
Wetness gushed from between her thighs, and she felt as though she might faint at any moment. Seeming to sense this, Charles stepped forward, pressing his hard body against hers, and she shook her head.
“It is because we may get caught. I do not wish others to hear me.” The voice she used she did not recognize. It was breathless and weak, and she felt dizzy with desire.
“Very well. Then you must try your best to keep quiet, my dear, while I do this.”
Caroline blinked in confusion before she saw him lower his head and lift one of her breasts to his mouth.
This time, the pleasure was so intense that she had to clamp a hand over her mouth again. No one had ever touched her this way. It felt so primal, so real, and she couldn’t help the temptation to watch him as he suckled at her, licking and pulling until Caroline nearly sank to the floor.
He kept his eyes on her as he moved to the other breast, doing the same. Caroline wondered if she was even capable of forming sentences in that moment, for not one decent or coherent thought crossed her brain.
“Perfect,” he said, rising before he took her mouth in a hot, wet kiss that made her see stars.
