Page 21 of Joy to the Earl
“Douglas!Douglas, wake up!”She nudged his shoulder, then tipped his head toward hers.
His eyes opened slowly, accompanied by a sly smile.“What’s the matter, darling?Are you desperate for me again?So soon?”
“No, you dolt!It’s Christmas Eve!”
“Mmmm, lovely.I can think of a few games I want play with you.”He rolled over and suddenly covered her, his mouth seeking hers.For someone who’d been deep asleep a moment ago, he certainly woke up fast.And hard.
Joy managed to stop his kisses before she lost all perspective.
“Douglas, listen to me.It’s Christmas Eve tonight!It’s already midmorning, by the sun.Now you’ll never get home in time.And it’s my fault.”
He nudged her neck with his nose, the picture of an unbothered lover.“You’re being a martyr, darling.I knew exactly what I was asking for last night and how much time it would take, which is to say all night and hopefully the rest of my life.Being with you was the fulfillment of every dream I’ve had in the past ten years.I don’t regret last night and I refuse to allow you to regret it either.”He kissed her gently, then said, “But since we are awake and it is Christmas Eve, tell me what you would like to do?I know what I’d like.”
“What?”Though from the feel of his cock against her body, she could guess.
“I want to stay here all day with you.All night again too.I want to play very dirty games with you until you’re utterly bored with debauchery, and then we’ll make love again, but in a pure and wholesome way, till you’re bored with that too and want to go back to being debauched.”
She couldn’t stop a smile.“You’re mad.”
“I’m besotted.Indulge me, Joy.We’re already naked in bed together.It seems a waste to not take advantage of that.Unless you want to get dressed so I can undress you again.I could make that fun too.”
“You are mad, and ridiculous.”
“Is that a yes?”
She sighed, succumbing to his words and his touches.Douglas had already learned a lot about how exactly to bring her to a point of ecstasy, and he was merciless in doing it now.Joy was soon helpless in his arms, making little noises of desire, demanding attentions he was happy to give, and finally crying out as he finished her and then pulled her close against his chest.
Joy wasn’t sure how long she dozed, but when she opened her eyes again, the wedge of sunlight was much smaller, and Douglas was on his side, half sitting up as he nibbled on some food from a tray.
“You’re awake, sleeping beauty.Hungry?”He smiled at her, his eyes amused and indulgent at the same time.
“How could you let me sleep?”She grabbed a bun off the tray, finding it light and sweet.“I should have left hours ago, if I was ever to reach my cousin’s home.”
“You didn’t want to go,” he pointed out.“You wanted to stay here with me.”
“Well, yes.But I ought to have gone.That’s what was expected of me.”
“Well, I expected you to stay.And I’m an earl, so surely I’ve got some clout.”
“You are very silly.”
“You’ve brought out my unserious side,” he admitted.“I feel like I’ve been serious for the past decade, doing serious things to please those who never think at all of what I truly want.And having you in my arms is exactly what I want, so I don’t need to pretend to be anything other than absurdly happy.”
“Oh, Douglas.”The pleasure in his expression almost killed her.
“What?”
“I’m happy too.”But how short-lived that happiness would be.
“You don’t sound happy.”
“It’s just…well, since we are no longer trapped by the storm, I suppose I should do the expected thing, which is to return home to London and resume my life.”
“What if you did something unexpected?For example, you could come home with me to my house.”
She frowned.“Why would I do that?So everyone can see that I’ve begun an affair?No thank you.”
He was not in the least upset.“I’m not explaining myself properly, love.I want you to come home, to my home, with me, so that you can meet my son and get acquainted with the house and the household because I would love to marry you in the New Year so that we don’t have to spend more time apart.I made a mistake ten years ago—I never should have let you go.Now Fate has given us another chance.Will you run away from it?Is the known so much more appealing than the unknown?Please don’t turn away from a new change in favor of the familiar.”
