AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Wearing no waistcoat or coat, but pantaloons and a pristine shirt and cravat, he was the very definition of manliness. “You would,” he stated with that arrogant self-confidence of his.
“Ha!” She scoffed humourlessly, placing her book on a sideboard. “A man is entitled to his delusions.” Her retort did not elicit a reaction from him. Instead, his scrutiny took her from flushed cheeks to planted boots, slow, appreciative and unsettling.
“I want you back.” The sentence made pure volcanic arousal erupt from the depths of her. It evoked everything delectable and paradisiac. Like being held by those strong arms against that taut chest to melt into him, and everything he wished to do to her.
The reverie caused her to lock her body. She needed to tap into her fortitude here and not let him manipulate her through her yearnings. “If you marry Lady Edwina, I will change employment.” Her chin lifted a notch, her gaze cooling. “In which case, we will not be in contact.”
That made him push from the desk so quickly, one would think he was a cat. Of the big, hunting sort. “Not if I do not allow you.” Hessians prowled in her direction, steady and sure.
Why the man thought he had a say in the matter was beyond her. “You do not have power over me!” She kept her stare directly on his irreducible one.
A self-derisive smirk stretched those sculpted lips. “No. Quite the opposite.” He stopped about four feet from her.
The enigmatic answer had her brows pleating in confusion. “What is that supposed to mean?” Strands of his sleek hair fell on his grim brow, emphasising the line of his perfect blade nose.
“That I need you.” His fists came to his hips. “You can choose where you want to live.” His unwavering gaze pierced her, undermining her resistance. “Here, in the manor, or in your own house.”
At that, anger suffused in her. “I knew you were disreputable, but not this much.” Her tone vented that anger with precision. “You are about to become a married man.”
His scowl was pure obstinacy. “I am not marrying Lady bloody Edwina or any other watery ninny who do not have a drop of your passionate nature.”
“What part of ‘I am not becoming your mistress’ did you not understand?” He might not marry as soon as she feared, but still, his offer for her to choose a home infuriated her. It was undoubtedly a reiteration of his despicable proposition.
“No. Not my mistress.” He strode nearer, and she had nowhere to go, unless she pushed the door open and fled. Which was a huge temptation. It would be the only way to put distance between them and help her not to falter in her resolve.
“A tryst then,” she ventured. Nothing good could come from this encounter.
“As if it would be enough.” The hoarse tone said. He had stopped right in front of her, so close she saw the bristles rebelling against his shaving. “I cannot live without you, so I suppose I must marry you.”
Her eyes bulged, her ears doubted they heard correctly. The scoundrel must be up to something because, even proposing marriage, he had the power to enrage her.
Otilia restrained herself no more. “Suppose?” Was he not sure? The cool, serene Miss Kendall lost it. Raising her hands, she punched him with all her force on his broad, hard chest. “What in the blazes are you saying?” It felt as though he was toying with her. First, he seemed to be repeating his proposition, then said he could not live without her, and then he mentioned marriage. She had no idea what was going on in this study.
The last few weeks had been excruciating. Her emotions thrashed in every direction. He had hurt her, but he had given her the most memorable time of her life. The Earl wanted her, but did not want responsibility for it, hence the mistress thing. His kisses took her to paradise; their social stations took her to hell. She loved him, but she needed to hate him. These opposing feelings caused exhaustion and distress. She could not go on like this for much longer.
He did not heed her. Lowering his head, his big hands held her crimson cheeks, making her cease the punches. Their eyes meshed, his fierce, hers flustered. “I love you, I suppose.” This was said with a rather mischievous glint in his eyes. The man jested!
“You sup—” But he silenced her with a kiss so wide and deep that scattered every thought in her foggy mind. The delicate hands that had punched his chest now bunched on his shirt and pulled him close. “Edmund.” She moaned when he angled his head to heighten the kiss. “Oh, Edmund!” She still did not believe her ears. “I love you.” Her hands slid up to dive in his tousled hair. Their mouths ravished each other without shame for what might have been forever.
They came up for air. “Otilia.” He grunted. “I do not deserve your love. But by Jove, I will take it.”
She smiled at him while she glued her frame to his. “Please do.” One of her hands sneaked inside his shirt. “It is going nowhere.”
“Marry me.” He rained kisses on her adoration-drenched face. “Let me be your austere husband. Your hot-blooded lover. Your overbearing Earl. Your only man. Your zealous protector.”
“Yes, as long as I can be that, too.” Her eyes closed, she revelled in his ministrations.
“You will be my defiant Countess, if my calculations are correct.” His large hand caressed her cheek with utter tenderness, his gaze melted on hers.
She gave him a large, happy smile. “Someone has to put limits to your arrogance.”
“But not to my cravings.” Breathless and impatient, he hitched her skirts. “Wrap your legs about me,” he instructed hoarsely.
“Yes, my lord.” She mocked, and he bestowed that irresistible smile at her.
“If I do not take you to my bed right away, I will explode.” With her holding him like a vice, he took her up the deserted stairs. The servants were busy at this time of day.
Kicking his bedroom door shut, he kissed her even wilder. “I want you naked and sprawled on my bed, our bed.” He corrected himself. “Your hair all over it, and us skin to skin.”
