Page 23 of Real Earls Break the Rules

“It’s lovely here,” she said, as she stretched her legs.

“This is part of the additional land that was purchased by my grandfather years ago. The stream was my favorite spot as a child, and I spent hours here skipping stones. Past the trees are more tenant cottages.”

Once again, she was amazed by the enormity of the estate. They both depended upon each other—landowner and tenant living in harmony.

“So what do you think of your tour?”

She tilted her head to the side and regarded him. “I think Rosehill’s tenants are fortunate because you are a good landowner. I suspect there are others who are more concerned with the profit from the land than the well-being of their tenants. You are not that type of man and have more honor.”

He stilled. For a heart-stopping moment she feared she shouldn’t have spoken her thoughts. The fresh morning air grew heavier, warm, and thick with awareness. She licked her lips. His gaze dropped to her mouth, and his eyes darkened.

Goodness. He looked like he was going to kiss her.

Her heart pounded against her rib cage. She should have stepped back in protest. Instead she stood still as he lowered his head inch by inch until his lips grazed hers, once, twice, before fully claiming her mouth. Cradling her face with his hand, he touched her nowhere else. Yet she was aware of his heat inches away. His kiss was as tender and light as a summer breeze, and she sighed in delight. He shifted, and she felt the tip of his tongue trace her full bottom lip, then slide inside her mouth. She gasped as he leisurely tasted her with skillful mastery.

Emboldened, she touched her tongue to his and shivered at the contact.

Her hands, which had fisted her gown at her sides, lifted to slide up his forearms and grasp his shoulders. She longed to remove the layers of broadcloth and linen and feel his flesh. In all her dreams, she never thought a kiss could be this delightful, this scandalously arousing.

She knew the rush of pleasure was dangerous, but she was powerless to stop it. Rather than push him away, her fingers dug into his shoulders and she swayed closer. He growled deep in his throat and pulled her fully against him. Her soft curves molded against his hard chest, and her nipples hardened beneath the fabric of her gown. She was fully aware of the hardness of his thigh brushing against hers, and the tantalizing heat of his body.

Her breath caught; her eyelids fluttered closed. The harsh uneven rhythm of her breathing echoed in her ears. She resisted the temptation to arch into him. Slowly his hand moved downward until he cupped her breast, and his thumb grazed across her hardened nipple. Pleasure spiraled from her breast and settled into a hidden, pulsing core between her legs. The sensations were shocking.

She came to her senses and pressed against him.

He released her and took a deep breath. His eyes were dark with unmistakable desire. “I promised myself I wouldn’t touch you,” he said hoarsely.

Backing away, she raised trembling fingers to her lips. “Why did you then?”

His stare was bold and sizzling. “My manners seem to go up in smoke when I’m near you.”

The sound of his hoarse voice made her knees quiver. She desperately needed to put distance between them before she made a complete fool of herself.

She took another step back. “Our arrangement won’t work if—”

“No. You can trust me.”

Trust him? It was the second time he’d said those words to her. She didn’t know if she could trust herself around him. What on earth had possessed her to allow his kiss?

“Please take me back, my lord.”

He looked like he was going to correct her from using his title, but stayed silent, and offered his arm instead. She was afraid to touch him, afraid her traitorous body would tremble and show how deeply she was affected by his kiss. She placed the tips of her fingers on his sleeve as he led her and the horses away from the copse of trees onto the main path back to the house. She was careful not to brush his shoulders as he helped her upon the sidesaddle, yet she still felt the undeniable pull of attraction as he encircled her waist and lifted her.

They rode in silence. She didn’t dare mention the kiss, and she breathed in and out to try to ease her nerves. She attempted to focus on the sunshine, the blue sky, the shimmering fields…anything but the man riding beside her. It was no use. All she could think about was the velvet warmth of his lips and his large hand on her breast.

How much farther was the house?

At last the white stone mansion came into view, and a groom came out to take the horses. Rather than escort her to the door, Brandon led Amelia to the twin gazebos in the gardens. “We should return separately. I’ll wait a while after you enter the house before I return,” he said.

She understood. Everyone should still be in their bedchambers, but he didn’t want to take a chance that they would be seen together. She turned to go, when he called out.

“Wait! You’ll come tonight?” he said.

She glanced back. “I gave my word.”

A fleeting expression of relief crossed his face before the corners of his mouth curved into a smile.

Did he think she’d renege on their arrangement so easily?