Page 39 of One Night with an Earl

His own fingers moved to her hair. A pin sprang free, and the lace cap fell to the floor.

Her eyelids fluttered open. A shaft of sunlight illuminated his handsome face, and she imagined how the nymph must have felt when she first spotted her Greek warrior, all bronzed muscle and power.

All her own muscles were taut and aching, battling her, tearing down her sworn resolve with a simple, wondrous kiss. Ana melted beneath his skilled lips, his hands, and the knowledge of the pleasure he could bring her. Their night together came back in a raging rush, and she clung to him. Desperate, aching, wanting.

He was the one to break the kiss. The flame in his eyes made her heart race.

“I think that counts as proof.” His voice was gruff.

Slowly, she grew aware of her surroundings. The dim thrum of the large crowd just a corridor away became a buzzing in her ear. The chill of the marble floor seeped into her slippers, up her spine, and cooled her heated thoughts as effectively as the self-satisfied smile curving his tempting lips. She grew aware of their position. In an open alcove, they could be discovered at any time.

Denying her response was fruitless. And yet, “It was a moment of weakness, nothing more.”

“I don’t believe that to be true. For me, it meant more. You mean more. Perhaps I’m being selfish, but I’m asking you to reconsider spending another night together.”

It was tempting, more than he knew. Still, she could not act the fool. “I have much more to lose than you, my lord.”

“I told you I would never whisper a word. I am a man of my word. Your position is secure.”

“How?”

He leaned close to whisper in her ear, his breath caressing her sensitive lobe. “I’ll send a carriage for you at night. No one need know. Come to me.”

The erotic demand and the near brush of his lips sent a shiver down her spine.

Her body yearned to obey, but the warning voice inside her head could not be ignored. How could she have thought one night at the Silver Chalice would have ever been sufficient to last a lifetime?

Because you did not expect to spend it with him.

Of all the men who she could have chosen, why had she been drawn to the Earl of Drake? It was all terribly unfair. A large part of her felt like she was betraying her father, and that was the worst feeling of all.

“My staff is discreet.” His gaze never left hers as he raised her hand and pressed his lips to her naked skin. “Say yes.”

Her knees nearly buckled at the intimate touch. “My lord, I—”

“Miss Gardner! Miss Gardner, are you here?”

Ana’s eyes widened in horror, and panic welled in her throat. “Lady Malvern! She must not see—”

“Go.”

Ana scanned the ground for the lace cap, yanked it onto her head, and jabbed in a pin to secure it in place. There was no time to pull on her gloves. Picking up her skirts, she hurried to the entrance of the alcove. “I’m right here, my lady.”

Lady Malvern’s expression was cross. “Where have you been?”

“I apologize. I wandered the halls observing the artwork and lost my way.”

Lady Malvern’s lips thinned as she studied her. Ana feared her cap was askew and her hair somewhat disheveled. Her lips tingled from Oliver’s kisses. Could the woman tell?

Holy hell.

Lady Malvern marched into the alcove, but Oliver was gone. Ana’s heart pounded so loudly she feared Lady Malvern could hear it.

Where on earth had he disappeared to? Did the alcove lead to another room? She didn’t believe so.

“Let’s go,” her ladyship said with a swish of her skirts. “Lord Drake was preoccupied with other gentlemen, then must have left early. No sense staying.”

Ana dared one last glimpse inside before trailing behind Lady Malvern.