He put his hand on his bare chest, then looked at hers. “This feels rather unfair.”
The temptation to begin furiously shucking her clothing was strong, but she didn’t feel comfortable enough in his home to reassemble herself.
That didn’t mean she couldn’t have fun.
She dipped her head and kissed his jaw and neck down to his chest and rasped a nipple with her tongue.
He cupped the back of her head with a hand and squeezed.
She lifted her head and pressed their mouths together. This time, he swept his tongue between her lips. His technique was sloppy, but the eagerness with which he kissed her combined with the feel of his hands massaging her hips made dampness flow to her sex.
That was for another time, however. She did not want to rush ahead when they had so much territory to explore. When she felt him throbbing beneath her, she withdrew.
“That was…” He uttered a short laugh. “You have rendered me speechless.” He caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. “Would it be impertinent to ask what you are thinking?”
She laughed. “You do not want to know what I am thinking, my lord.”
If she told him, they might not leave his office until morning.
“Is it not expected for a mentor to assess her student’s performance?”
She laughed again, harder this time. “You want me to critique your technique?”
Her past partners had only ever cared about her pleasure in its capacity to increase their own. If she had dared offersuggestions to the earl, he would have given her the back of his hand.
“How else will I improve?” Thel asked.
The sincerity in his voice left her speechless. Who was this man who believed in love and was so devoted to his partner that he was willing to risk his ego being bruised?
“I’ll consider your request,” she said. Then she rose from his lap and righted her clothes. Only when she reached the door did she feel able to speak.
“Until tomorrow.”
“Until our next lesson,” he replied.
###
Olivia rolled onto her stomach the next morning and buried her face in her pillow. It smelled faintly of coal from the metal heater tucked beneath her mattress. Without it, the bed would have been ice cold. Of course, if she’d stayed with Thel, she wouldn’t have needed the contraption. The man radiated more warmth than the smoldering embers of a fire. He was earnest, kind, and gentle. The exact opposite of her former husband.
Her mind was drawn back to the moment in Thel’s office when he’d held her. It was unusual to find such an intimidating man who was so gentle. It made her want to protect him, to preserve his innocence despite the fierce desire of thetonto root out such things like stubborn weeds. Thel’s sensitive soul needed to be carefully cultivated, not shorn down to make way for more socially acceptable traits.
London had enough brutish managing men. They did not need another.
A gentle rap came at the door.
“Enter,” she said.
Her butler stepped inside. His dour face was even more pinched than usual, his thin eyebrows drawn together. “Pardon the interruption, my lady, but Lady Briarwood has arrived.”
That was exactly what she needed. Someone with whom to commiserate.
“Show her in,” Olivia said.
The door closed, and moments later, flew open again. Saffron clutched a rolled-up newspaper in her hand, which she slammed on the table.
“I’ve seen it,” Olivia said.
Any whispers she might have received at events would increase tenfold now that there were specific details for thetonto chew over.
