Page 74 of The Earl and the Reluctant Lady
“Then he cut you?”
She shook her head. “No, I did that. He kept talking about how beautiful I was, and I felt so much hatred toward him. He overpowered me when I tried to threaten him with the blade.” She looked up at him, her eyes filling with tears. “I wanted to ruin my face, to make him not want me anymore. Make all of them not want me anymore.”
“Oh, Bluebell.” He pulled her to him and held her close.
“Will you stay with me?” she asked.
“Of course.”
“Kiss me,” she whispered.
He wasn’t even certain he’d actually heard it, or if his mind had fabricated it because he so desperately wanted to kiss her. But she’d leaned toward him, closed her eyes, and seemed to be asking him to do this as if it would be some great gift to her.
But in reality, it was a gift to him. Every moment he spent in her warmth was undeserved. He leaned in and cradled her face with his hands, careful not to touch her injured cheek. She released a soft whimper and he gently placed his mouth across hers. Slowly he placed tender kisses on her lips, reveling in the feel of their velvety softness.
Her arms wrapped around his neck and she pulled him tightly to her, deepening their kiss. The urgency in her response fueled his desire. She wanted him.
He kissed her hungrily, not holding back any of the passion he felt. Her fingers dug into his back and she arched against him. His hand moved up and pressed against her breast. He felt the nipple bead beneath his fingers. Blood surged through him and his erection pushed taut against his trousers.
He laid her back against the mattress and positioned himself atop her. Having her pressed against the length of his body was nearly his undoing. She’d offered him her virtue and tonight he would take it.
Then he leaned back to see her face. “Are you certain? There are some things that cannot be undone,” he said.
She nodded. “Yes, please, touch me,” she whispered. Her eyes pled with him. “Make love to me, Fletcher.”
It was those eyes that proved to be his undoing. She didn’t have to ask him more than once. He continued to kiss her as he fondled her breasts, slipping his hand beneath her dress and inside her shift to touch the warmth of her skin.
So smooth. So hot.
