Page 41 of A Countess Never Tells

He smiled at that then swiftly covered her, his heavy body pressing her into the soft mattress. It only hurt for a few minutes, Judith had said. She was counting on that.

Ash raised himself over her, still gazing down at her, then pushed her legs open with his knee.

Kitty closed her eyes and braced for the pain.

“Oh, damnation!”

Her eyes flew open just as Ash threw himself over to the side of the bed, landing half on and half off the mattress.

Kitty sat up, bewildered. “Ash, is something wrong? Did I do something wrong?” All she’d done was close her eyes, but maybe she wasn’t supposed to do that.

“Yes. No. Christ.” He lay back beside her, his eyes closed, his arm over his face, his cock still standing straight up in the air.

“Ash.” She lay on her side facing him, wanting him to tell her what went wrong before she had to ask. When he remained silent, she summoned her courage. “What did I do wrong?”

He shook his head and groaned. “You did nothing wrong, my dear. I simply…couldn’t do it. I couldn’t take your innocence because if I did, I’d prove your brother right about being nothing more than a rake and defiler of women.”

“Even if the woman wanted to be defiled?” That made little sense to Kitty, but if it had to do with male honor then it was beyond her anyway.

“Even then.” Ash truly looked wretched.

“Is that painful?” She nodded toward his still erect member. Such a curious looking thing.

“Yes. Whenever it gets like this, it needs release—the fireworks—or it can be very painful.” He sighed. “I can go behind the screen and take care of it.”

“Can I help?” Kitty gave him a wide-eyed stare. “If you show me what to do, I could help you. Like you did me.”

Ash rolled his eyes. “I’m trying to keep from debauching you, Miss Tate. Will you insist on my doing it anyway?”

“Yes, I will.” She grazed her lips over his brow. “Now show me what you want me to do.”

Following his instructions, Kitty grabbed his cock and commenced to stroke him up and down. The process was simple enough and apparently effective. Shortly, Ash was groaning deep in his throat. He grasped her hand and helped her until he cried out her name, squeezed her hand, and erupted.

Her eyes widened, startled at what had happened, and how quickly. Just like her fireworks burst. She released him, and Ash groaned again, his arm flung over his face. “Despite still being a virgin, you are now heartily ruined, my love.” He pulled her closer to him.

“If I am, then I wish we had done what we came here to do.” She snuggled next to him. “I want to experience the true fireworks, Ash.”

Eyes closed, he patted her shoulder, then his hand strayed down to cup her breast. “Don’t worry, love. I promise the next fireworks will be magnificent by comparison. And, if I can help it, after we are legally wed.”

Chapter 18

The carriage ride back to Haxby Place was bittersweet for Kitty. She lay with her head on Ash’s chest, wishing with all her might she didn’t have to go home.

Ash, of course, had been adamant.

“You must go, Kitty. It would be past scandal and well-nigh infamous if you stayed here with me.” He was hastily pulling on his breeches as he spoke, Kitty watching his every move from the middle of the bed.

“But I want to spend more time with you, Ash.” She patted the covers beside her invitingly, her hand making circles on the blue jacquard coverlet. “Here in bed.”

“Good Christ, Kitty!” He’d taken one long look at her, still naked in his bed, and abruptly turned his back to her. Next thing she knew he was pulling his shirt over his head, as though it would shield him from her presence. “Don’t tempt me, my dear. I don’t have much willpower left. I spent it all just now resisting the urge to have you completely. Do not ask how it did it, but I swear I will not be able to do it again.” He tucked his shirt in, leaving only the patch of skin at his throat for her to stare at. “The game has changed, now. We must woo your brother, make him understand that I am a changed man and will be a faithful husband when he allows us to marry.”

“And will you be?” Scooting to the edge of the bed, Kitty slid off it and onto the floor.

Ash jerked his head toward her, looking offended. “Of course, I will be. I will take my duties as husband seriously.” Without warning, he strode to her, grabbed her head, and dropped his mouth onto hers. When he finally released her, Kitty gasped for air. “I plan to keep you so busy in my bed you will have no room to doubt me.” Suddenly aware of her completely bare state, he swore under his breath and stalked away. “Now get dressed before I lose what little powers of control I currently possess.”

With a huge sigh, Kitty had complied, and now they were nearing St. Albans, where she must part from him. “You will meet me at Lady Northrop’s this evening, won’t you? Even those few hours apart seem to stretch before me like days.”

“I promise I will be there, love.” He stroked her cheek, his touch like silk. “I do hope you can get to your room without anyone the wiser.” He kissed her temple and sighed. “Anyone who sees you will know you’ve been satisfied in the most wicked of ways. You look like you’ve had a good tumble in bed.”