Page 39 of Watching the Earl

She did as he requested, his blue eyes appearing dark, like an oncoming storm.

“I’m going to introduce you to passion tonight, because you deserve that. I want you to know what that feels like before we come together as one. I do this because I want you to desire me as much as I desire you when we consummate our marriage. Do you understand?”

“I think I do. Do you mean that the feeling in my belly when you kiss me ends with me wanting you inside me?”

His nostrils flared, and she felt an odd surge of control. It was the second time she’d been with him and felt so. It was a bit intoxicating.

“Yes, that is what I mean. But I won’t enter you tonight. I’ll just give you satisfaction.”

She wasn’t completely sure what he meant, but none of it sounded disappointing, so she nodded.

“Good.” He gave her a small smile. He should smile more often. Actually, when she’d encountered him at Ellie’s, he was always smiling and laughing with his friends. She’d like to be his friend too.

“What should I do?”

He gave her hand a squeeze then let go as he stood. “Why don’t you get into bed as if you were going to go to sleep?”

“That’s easy enough.” Throwing off the quilt, she rose, pulled back the sheets, and climbed in, then covered herself with both, lying on her side facing him.

“Now lie on your back.”

She did as requested, excited to be learning what all the lovely feelings he caused in her led to.

“I’m going to remove the covers, so I can see you and touch you.”

A tingling that she liked very much started in her belly, so she nodded.

Philip leaned over and pulled the quilt and sheet all the way down to the very end of the bed. Then he sat on the bed next to her.

“Will you kiss me now?” She found herself desperate for his kiss.

His lips quirked up just a bit. “Yes, I will.” He leaned over and brushed his lips over hers.

She closed her eyes and opened her mouth so he could kiss her more, but she felt his lips on her neck instead. Opening her eyes, she looked up at the ceiling, not truly seeing it as his mouth traveled along her neck to her shoulder. She was so intent on the feelings his mouth gave her that she started when he cupped her breast.

“Relax. Let the feelings come.”

She wasn’t opposed to his touch. She just hadn’t expected it. She lay still, and his hand gently cradled her breast, his thumb brushing the side of it. She could feel her nipple harden and looked down to see it.

When his thumb brushed against her hard nub, the sight and feel made her curl her toes.

Philip lifted his head from her shoulder and looked at her. “Does that feel good?”

“It feels exciting.”

“Good. And what about this?”

Though she couldn’t seem to move her gaze from his, she felt him roll her nipple and a strong stab of excitement rippled through her body, causing her to catch her breath.

His fingers stopped, and she remembered he’d asked a question. “I like that. It makes me…need you?”

He nodded. “Yes. It also will make you need satisfaction, and I promise you will have it. If anything I do upsets you or you want to know why I do it, ask me.”

“Will you make me feel like that a lot more?”

“Yes.”

The absolute confidence with which he responded sent a tiny thrill through her chest. He knew how to make a woman feel good. She wanted to feel that way. “Please continue.”