A Countess by Chance(15)

She pursed her lips. “And what of Miss Wood? How will she perceive your protective feelings for me?”

He shrugged. “I don’t give a damn what Miss Wood thinks.”

“Don’t you?”

They looked very handsome together, far too handsome for Olivia’s liking. Not to mention Miss Wood’s wealth and education—the woman spoke five languages, played every sonnet in existence, and beyond that, her loveliness exceeded even the most attractive of women. She was a paragon of beauty and accomplishment.

Worse, she was the ideal match for him—an alliance that would benefit them both. What he gained in wealth, she would gain in title and status. It really was a perfectly designed alliance—a thought that made Olivia quite nauseous.

“We aren’t here to discuss Miss Wood.”

The heat of his body surrounded her, made her feel oddly at ease, despite the awkward situation. Alone, in the library with a man she’d once loved. She paused. Perhaps this was her only opportunity to grasp the one thing she’d always wanted—Adam. She’d had to give him up for duty and family; now there was opportunity to snatch a little bit of happiness for herself.

Licking her lips, she let her gaze flutter up to meet his. His eyes were a deep, chocolate brown, dark and fathomless. She wanted him; she’d wanted him from the moment they’d met three years ago, at James and Margaret’s wedding. He hadn’t seen her, hadn’t known she existed then…but she’d seen him, and knew, in that instant, she wanted him.

Now was her chance.

With a deep, strengthening breath, she smoothed her hands up his chest and gripped his lapels. Before he could utter a word, she tugged him forward into a long, dizzying kiss. He was delicious, more delicious than she remembered from just a few short hours ago. She could devour him for days—their tongues twining, his moans rumbling through her soul.

As the kiss depended and intensified, passion and something deeper ignited within her. Whatever it was, she didn’t dare examine it. Pushing the emotion aside, she pulled greedily at his coat, stripping it off him as he fumbled with the laces at her back. Frenzied, she pulled at his waistcoat, then shirt, until his entire top half was completely, gloriously bared to her.

Sweet heaven.

He was magnificent.

In all their encounters, he’d always been clothed, his raw, masculine frame hidden by miles of fabric. Now here he was, every ripple and sinew exposed, and she could only stare in wide-eyed astonishment. Ropes of muscle lined his stomach, tightening with every heavy breath; his pale skin, almost translucent, gave him the look of marble come to life.

An Adonis, more like.

Her gown was only half undone, her hair tumbling out of its pins. She shoved him into a blue and white upholstered chair. He fell into it willingly—she would never have gotten him to budge otherwise—his smile languid, predatory.

She followed him down, the hem of her dress hiking up as she spread her thighs to straddle him. His big hand slid up her thigh, then cupped her bottom, pulling her more snugly against him. She moaned. His hard length pressed against her, causing little tingles to trickle down her spine. She wanted him now, like nothing she’d ever wanted in her life.

Dipping her head, she kissed him, biting the curve of his bottom lip, running her fingers through his thick, dark hair. Heavens, he was scrumptious. Gripping her backside, his fingertips bit into her skin painfully, exquisitely. She shifted slightly and he hissed.

Nothing had ever felt so glorious, and he was hers. Finally, they would be together.

* * *



Olivia’s sweet thighs were spread over him, her hot core grinding against his swollen cock through the fabric of his breeches. Christ, he wanted her, needed her in a way he didn’t dare examine.

“Do you want more?” He raked his nails across her arse, leaving his mark on her lily-white skin. She hissed with pleasure. “I need to hear you say it, Olivia.”

She licked her lips, debating whether or not to concede, no doubt. Finally, she whispered, “Yes.”

He smiled. “You must say please.”

More silence. It rankled her pride to plead, he knew. He didn’t care. He wanted her trust, her obedience, everything she had to give. He’d take no less.

Defiance flickered in her eyes, her lips pressed together. Her thighs were spread open, straddling him, and he delved a finger into her hot center, swirling and pinching, teasing her sensitive flesh until she could take no more.

“Please,” she said, gripping his shoulders, her pretty little arse lifting off his lap. “Please, Adam.”

It wasn’t exactly begging, but it was as much as his honor would require.

Reaching up, he tugged at her low neckline, freeing both of her breasts to his hungry gaze. The soft, round globes were perfection, her nipples ripe and beaded. He flicked his tongue over one, then drew it into his mouth, sucking hard. With a little gasp of surprise, she rocked her hips forward, then back, practically fucking him through his breeches.