Page 48 of The Earl Next Door
“Yes, of course, I needed to know.” She rubbed her arms as if she were cold. “I’ll talk with Mrs. Tallon. We must do something.”
“Nothing as harsh as sending them home, I hope,” he said, knowing how easy it was for children to get into trouble. “They both seemed concerned about disappointing their families.”
“I know, and it’s kind of you to be so forgiving after what they did, but stop trying to make me see reason right now, Lyon, and kiss me.”
He placed his hands on each side of her face and claimed her lips with a chaste, closed-mouth, butlingering kiss. His lips moved slowly across hers, pressing softly, leisurely, leaving her no doubt about how much he wanted her, but sensing Adeline only needed him to calm and reassure her that she could handle this problem with the girls.
Taking his time, he slid his hands down her cheeks. His thumbs caressed her skin, while his fingertips lightly touched the soft, sensitive areas below and behind her ears. He knew she would let him know when or if she wanted ravenous kisses and touches or just wanted to be gently kissed, touched, and held as he was doing now. It was her decision to make how far they’d go right now. He’d continue as he was doing and give her all the time she needed to decide.
Difficult as it would be, he could wait.
He wasn’t sure if either of them had had a choice in how it happened the last time they came together. It was primitive, wild, and had been destined since they’d met. Surrendering to his lovemaking today had to be her decision.
With the same slow movements, he tenderly massaged the tight muscles at her nape.
She sighed against his lips.
“I feel tension inside you,” he whispered. “Does that feel good?”
“Immensely,” she answered and rolled her shoulders.
He skimmed his hands across the top of her delicately rounded shoulders, and down her firm upper arms, occasionally squeezing just enough so she could feel his strength. He wanted her to know that eventhough she invited the kiss, and he was taking direction from her, he was in control.
When he sensed she was completely relaxed beneath his touch and his lingering kisses, he lifted his head, looked into her eyes, and asked, “Are we alone in the house?”
She nodded. “I don’t have a maid.”
That was most unusual. He gave her a questioning smile while his hands continued to caress her. “How does a lady get by without one?”
He felt her tremble and saw she had the same troubling, faraway look in her golden brown eyes that she’d had when he’d offered her the brandy. Why would talk of a maid bring back disquieting remembrances for her? He wanted to know, but this wasn’t the time to ask. She would only turn silent on him as she had before.
Wanting only to reassure her, he bent his head and placed his nose on the soft warm skin at the slope of her neck and breathed in deeply, filling himself with her fresh, womanly scent. He wondered if she knew he felt desperate to possess her every time he touched her. Every time he looked at her.
“I prefer not to have a lot of servants around,” she said. “I have my clothing made in a simple fashion. Most of it is easy for me to get into and out of on my own. When necessary, Mrs. Lawton helps me.”
“I think we’ve found something that we have in common. I don’t want a host of servants around either.”
He claimed her lips in another slow, easy kiss that suddenly seemed more erotic than eager, breathlesskisses. His hand slid down her chest to capture her breast and cover it with his palm, gently squeeze it with his fingers. A spiraling heat consumed him.
Adeline lifted her arms to circle his neck and melted willingly, easily into his arms. At her invitation, he took the time to run his hands down to her waist, hips, and buttocks, and then up to flatten his palm against her breasts. Her body was firm and trim, and yielded to his touch.
“You are pleasingly made, Adeline,” he whispered against her lips.
He felt her smile. She opened her mouth and gave him her tongue, feeding his hunger. Lyon moaned his approval and lifted her buttocks up to meet him where there could be no mistake he was hungry for her. Ready to give and to take pleasure at her command.
With deliberate quickness, her warm hands slid under his untucked shirt and raced up his cool, bare back to caress his shoulders.
“Yes,” he whispered. That was a welcomed sign. He deepened, lengthened, and sweetened their kisses with every breath he took. He plundered inside her mouth and her shape with growing anticipation as they pressed together.
It was so easy to completely lose himself in her and take what she offered without worry, but that wasn’t wise. Before they went too far he said, “Adeline, I must protect your reputation. Can Mrs. Lawton be trusted if we are caught?”
“She is faithful, but there is no worry today. She won’t leave the girls until I go to the school and dismiss her.”
“I will take your word for that.” He looked over at the settee. Larger than most, but still small for a man. “This will not be easy,” he said and then swooped one arm under her knees and the other across her shoulder. He lifted and carried her over to the settee and laid her down.
With one hand, Lyon jerked his shirt over his head and dropped it to the floor while at the same time unbuttoning his trousers with the other. He then swung one booted foot and leg over her and with some effort nestled it between her and the back of the cushion, keeping the other foot firmly planted on the floor to steady himself while resting his lower body on top of her.
While he positioned himself, Adeline untied the knot in her long-sleeved bodice and he helped slip it off her shoulders. Two pulls on the laces of her stays released her beautiful, small breasts. Gently he swept his fingertips over the swell of one and then the other.
