How the Earl Fell for His Countess (Matchmaking Madness Book 2)

by Laura A. Barnes

  Along the way, Reese’s and Evelyn’s worlds collided. In Reese’s unstable world, he became vulnerable to the emotions Evelyn invoked in him, causing Reese to spin further out of control and react in defense. If Reese were to love Evelyn, then she would be another soul he must protect. His brother thought he failed his family, but the only one he failed was himself by not allowing Evelyn close. Her love could help him fight his dragons.

  Once they reached the townhome, Graham shook Reese awake and helped him into the study. He ordered Rogers to bring coffee and keep their return silent. Graham didn’t want Evelyn to know Reese was at home until he sobered him. The last encounter with a drunken Reese hadn’t gone well. After four cups of coffee, his brother appeared to be his old self.

  “Thank you,” said Reese, setting his cup down.

  “Whatever for?”

  “Your bluntness on my behavior and for welcoming Evelyn into our family. I let my jealousy place a wedge between us, for no reason other than I allowed my guilt to rule my judgments.”

  “I have only ever seen Evelyn as a sister. If you must look for someone to blame, look toward our mother.”

  They both laughed.

  “My own family conspires against me.”

  Graham smiled. “Only for your best interest. Evelyn is the most amazing gift you could ever receive.”

  “I agree.”

  Graham tilted his head toward the door. “Then I will repeat Sinclair’s question. What are you bloody well waiting for?”

  Reese laughed, rising from the chair. He offered his hand to Graham. Graham clasped it in a friendly handshake. With a nod, they spoke the volume of what they needed to say.

  Reese walked slowly up the stairs, rehearsing the speech he’d prepared since Evelyn threw him out. He thought it sounded sincere, but now he doubted himself. Once he reached the landing, his steps slowed even more. Fear ruled his actions now. Fear Evelyn had left again. Fear she wouldn’t forgive him. Fear he had ruined any chance at a reunion by his foolish visits to women who no longer mattered.

  Fear he’d lost Evelyn’s love.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  When he stopped outside her bedroom door, he noticed the darkness from underneath. He knocked, but there was no answer. Reese pushed the door open and found emptiness. Disappointment set in. She wasn’t there.

  His steps took him deeper into the room to see that her bedroom sat empty, like it had before she arrived. Evelyn’s books were no longer scattered around, and the wardrobe door stood open, showcasing her missing clothes. Not a trace of Evelyn remained.

  His heart stopped beating. Despair suffocated him. He tried to claw his way out of the hole, but only sank even deeper. He needed to focus and not let her absence set him back further. It was only temporary. He needed to rethink his plan. Reese couldn’t lose her.

  He strode through the open door that connected their rooms and stopped when he spotted the single candle burning near the bed. However, it wasn’t the candle that halted him speechless. It was the creature lying asleep on his bed. The sensuous siren who caused his heart to beat again appeared innocent in sleep, except for the naked limbs wrapped in a sheet. She was a vision, beckoning him to the tantalizing pleasure they could share.

  His glance wandered around the room for a moment before settling on Evelyn again. He saw the flowers in a vase on the fireplace mantle. The divan from her room stood near the windows with her books stacked nearby. Her perfume and ribbons mixed with his hairbrush and cologne. And lastly, the half-eaten box of chocolates rested on the nightstand.

  The darkness suffocating him broke open for the lightness shining from Evelyn’s silent declaration.

  She forgave him.

  Every action spoke of her intentions, actions Reese wouldn’t deny himself. Evelyn was his salvation. They would spend their life in financial straits, but as long as they were never apart, they would survive life’s difficulties together.

  Evelyn sighed in her sleep, rolling over. The sheet slipped lower, exposing her breasts. Reese gulped as the creamy flesh glistened in the candlelight. He drew nearer and watched her nipples tighten in the cool air. He longed to draw them into his mouth and savor their sweetness.

  Reese sat next to her on the bed and ran his hand down her side. When she didn’t awaken, his fingers trailed across her chest, grazing her nipples. Reese lowered his head, drawing a bud into his mouth and sucking softly. Vanilla exploded on his tongue. He moaned his pleasure. He kissed a trail to her other breast, sampling the other nipple. His tongue circled with his teeth, gently pinching the hardened bud.

  “Reese,” Evelyn whispered, sliding her hands through his hair.

  Evelyn pulled his head to her, allowing him to give her pleasure. However, it wasn’t enough. He wanted to taste every inch of her. He wanted to savor her on his tongue, inhale her essence, draw the pleasure from her soul into his.

  His hands cupped her breasts as his mouth worshipped them. Each tug of his kiss, each lick of his tongue had Evelyn writhing underneath him. Reese trailed fire down her stomach. He pulled the sheet away, uncovering her splendid delights. His thirst doubled at her wetness when she opened her legs. Reese’s hands trailed down her legs, then slowly back up, opening her legs wider.

  Reese brushed his thumb across her wet core. She squirmed, needing him to ease her ache. To draw out her pleasure, he drew a slow path back and forth. Evelyn raised her hips, pressing herself against his hand. Still, he wouldn’t sink his fingers any deeper. His fingers trailed back to her thighs, along her crease, teasing with each delicate touch. Then softly against her curls.

  He lowered his head, placing soft kisses where his touch traveled, but not where he wanted to be the most, where Evelyn needed him. With each stroke of his tongue, he built the anticipation. He inhaled her musky scent, losing himself in her hypnotizing fragrance. Reese blew out a soft breath. Waiting. Never moving a muscle. Waiting for the anticipation to consume them. Waiting for her moan.

  “Reese,” Evelyn begged on a moan.

  His tongue struck out and soared a path from the tip of her clit to deep inside, searing her insides with fire on his tongue. Evelyn sunk into his mouth, moaning her pleasure over and over as Reese dominated her senses, taking each sensation and building it to the height of pleasure they never wanted to come down from.

  With each caress of his tongue, he devoured Evelyn.

  Reese felt Evelyn on the edge, her need building with each motion of her hips. He pulled away and returned his attention to her thighs, to the back of her knees, and then slowly moved back up again. Evelyn moaned her frustration.

  With each kiss placed on her body, her need built higher. Reese slid a finger inside Evelyn, and she clenched around him. His other hand rose and twisted her nipples into tight buds. Her body strung tight underneath him. But still, Reese gave Evelyn no mercy. He played her like a violin, sliding another finger inside and creating a steady rhythm with his strokes.

  Her moans made the sweetest music. However, her moans were not what he desired to hear. No, he needed her screams to know her devotion. He longed to listen to the sweet melody. He ached to hear his name ring loud and clear of her love.

  His mouth clung to her, demanding her release. His tongue devoured her clit as his fingers pulled out her pleasure with a rhythm in time with their hearts. Evelyn unraveled in a rush, exploding under his tongue with a need so powerful, it rocked Reese to his core.

  “Reese!” Evelyn screamed.

  Reese rose above Evelyn, placing a soft kiss upon her lips. Her sweet smile made Reese’s grin grow wider. He brushed the hair from her face. Her eyes lowered.

  “I love you, Evelyn.”

  “I know,” she whispered before her eyes closed.

  When Evelyn’s breathing deepened, Reese realized she had drifted to sleep again. Reese chuckled at how his seduction couldn’t keep his wife awake. He rolled off the bed to his feet. He rid himself of his clothes and crawled back into bed. Reese drew Evelyn into his arms and se
ttled her against his chest and pulled the covers over them.

  Soon, he drifted asleep with his wife, a smile of contentment on his face.

  EVELYN LIFTED HER HEAVY lids and peered into the darkness. She heard Reese’s heart beating in a slow rhythm against her ear. She smiled, remembering how he had woken her before. He’d done more than awaken her. He’d made her body sing with pleasure. Evelyn melted against Reese, recalling each sensation. Her body hungered for more of his seduction.

  Then Evelyn remembered Reese professing his love, and in return, she’d acted the arrogant fool, not responding with her own confession of love. Instead, she’d gone back to sleep, exhausted from not sleeping well over the past week. What must her husband think of her wanton behavior? He’d pleasured her and expected nothing in return. She was shameless... but extremely satisfied. A wicked smile lit her face as she thought of a way to please her husband.

  With her fingers caressing Reese as light as a feather, she traced the indentions of muscles in his chest. His firm body invited her need to explore every inch of him. His arms tightened around her, but Reese slept on. Evelyn slipped out of his hold and brushed kisses down his chest and across his stomach.

  Before she could move any lower, Reese’s arms closed around her and drew her up his body. Her lips hovered over his, their breath mingling together, eagerly waiting for a kiss. She raised her gaze to his and watched the storm brew in his depths. Evelyn lifted a finger to trace across his lips.

  Reese’s eyes darkened. “Evelyn?”

  “Lady Worthington to you, my lord.”

  Reese’s smile turned wicked under her caress, and his gaze flared with passion. He lifted his head to draw her lips into a kiss, but Evelyn pulled back, shaking her head. She lowered and kissed a trail across his cheek, near his ear.

  “’Tis my turn to hear you whisper, moan, and scream my name,” Evelyn whispered, tugging the bottom of his ear between her teeth.

  Evelyn kissed Reese, holding nothing back. She controlled the kiss, taking from Reese what she demanded. She wanted his soul, and she wouldn’t stop until she possessed his as he possessed hers. Reese threaded his hands in her hair, holding her to him. Each stroke of their tongues grew bolder with need coursing through their veins. Evelyn’s lips trailed away, following the same path from before. Her hands set a trail, and her mouth followed.

  She slid between Reese’s legs and traced her finger up and down his cock. Her hand replaced her fingers, sliding up and down his hard length in a slow rhythm. It didn’t take long for Reese to voice his enjoyment.

  “Evelyn,” he whispered.

  Evelyn’s smile turned decadent. Her tongue slowly licked its way to the tip, sliding back and forth, tasting Reese’s dew. Her lips drew over him, sliding Reese deeper into her mouth, her tongue guiding him along to pleasure. Evelyn’s long tresses caressed his inner thighs as her mouth stole his breath away.

  Reese’s hands tangled in her hair again, holding her in place. She pulled him out, blowing a soft caress against his hardness. Reese moaned his need. However, he had yet to moan her name. So Evelyn lowered her head and sucked him deeper. Reese throbbed in her mouth, and Evelyn sucked harder, showing him no mercy.

  “Evelyn.” Reese moaned louder.

  Evelyn’s hand gripped his cock, guiding Reese in and out of her mouth, her lips dragging up and down to cause a pleasurable friction of desire. Reese’s body tensed under Evelyn the closer he drew to exploding. Evelyn quickened her pace, her own body strung with the desire to ignite Reese’s passion. He clenched her head to him tighter as he lost control. Reese’s body shook when he came undone under Evelyn’s heavenly mouth.

  “Evelyn!” Reese screamed, his body shaking from the pleasure of her sweet lips.

  This time, it was Evelyn who rose over Reese’s body and declared her love. “I love you, Reese.”

  “I know,” Reese whispered in awe.

  Evelyn laughed at his response, falling across his chest and squeezing him tight. Reese chuckled too, drawing Evelyn deeper into his embrace. He only meant to close his eyes for a second to recover before he made love to Evelyn. Instead, he drifted to sleep again.

  REESE AWOKE TO FIND his wife propped on his chest, watching him sleep. Her mischievous smile brightened his morning. They had much to discuss, but seeing Evelyn happy brought comfort to Reese. The rest could wait. He wanted to make love to Evelyn. No. He needed to.

  Reese slid his hand along her curves, caressing her silky skin. His fingers drifted over the side of her breasts, lingering near her nipples, before continuing their journey. When he slid his hand into her curls, he discovered her already wet and eager for him. His hand explored, drawing out soft whimpers from her. His finger dipped inside, and her smile turned wanton when she pressed herself into his hand.

  Evelyn closed her eyes at the sensuous sensation sizzling her core. She pressed her hips against Reese and felt his desire burning his need against her. Before she drew her next breath, he rolled her over and slid between her thighs. With a gentle push, he filled her with his need.

  Evelyn’s eyes opened to find Reese gazing at her with adoration. He found her hands and linked their fingers together, bringing them over her head. His body danced slowly with hers, drawing out their passion.

  Reese lowered his head to draw Evelyn’s lips under his. He savored the sweet taste of raspberries from her tongue. Evelyn’s moans of pleasure vibrated inside him as she arched her hips into his, drawing out each twirl. He pressed deeper, and her gasp echoed in their kiss. Their bodies grew restless with their need, pleading for release. Reese’s mouth devoured Evelyn’s, stealing each passionate kiss from her lips, hungry for more. His strokes grew bolder and deeper. Her wetness clung to his cock.

  Reese could no longer control himself. His body sent them flying over the edge with powerful strokes of desire. Their passion erupted around them, their bodies clinging to their love. A love so powerful and deep no one could destroy.

  Evelyn clung to Reese, afraid to let go. She never wanted to lose him. Tears leaked along her cheeks. Reese whispered soothing words in her ears. To reassure or comfort Evelyn, she didn’t know. She thought she had lost him before she ever really had him. Now that he had given himself to her, she feared he would leave. The love she held for him scared her.

  “Evelyn, my dear, talk to me. Tell me your troubles.”

  “Please, never leave me.”

  Reese sighed. He feared his need for revenge had damaged Evelyn’s heart. He needed to reassure her of his love. No grand gestures would do. Only him speaking from his heart would give Evelyn the reassurance she needed. He only hoped she believed him. He had lied to her too many times before, but these words would hold honesty.

  Reese rolled them on their sides, his thumb wiping her tears away. After placing a gentle kiss on her lips, he shared with Evelyn the depths of his own dishonesty and the love he held for her. “My love, I am afraid you are stuck with me for the rest of our lives.”

  “By choice or force?”

  Reese placed another kiss on Evelyn’s lips. “Most definitely by choice.”

  “When did you change your mind?”

  “Would you believe me if I told you the first moment you pressed your sweet lips against mine?”

  Evelyn scoffed. “No.”

  Reese laughed at Evelyn’s firm answer. “It is the truth.”

  “Your actions speak otherwise.”

  “I can see where you might think so. However, it is the truth.”

  “The first time we kissed, you thought I was Charlotte,” Evelyn mumbled, lowering her gaze to Reese’s chest.

  Reese placed his knuckle under Evelyn’s chin, raising it for their gazes to meet. “In which you did not correct me.”

  Evelyn blushed. “I feared if I did, you would no longer wish to kiss me again.”

  “However, I did.”

  “Yes.” Evelyn’s blush spread along her neck.

  “When I coaxed you onto my lap and continued my seductio
n, I had realized my mistake.”

  “How?”

  “You were shy and never spoke a word. Then I remembered your love of books and knew that your sister would never visit the library in the middle of the night.”

  “Then why?”

  “Deny our attraction and pursue Charlotte at the house party?”

  “Yes.”

  Reese rolled on his back and sighed. “Actions I am ashamed to admit to. My father left our family in financial difficulty. I knew Colebourne’s horse was about to deliver a foal that came from a line of impeccable breeding. Charlotte was known to have the ear of your uncle on his horseflesh, so I hoped I could win her over in my pursuit to own the horse. Then when Colebourne dangled a bet before the gentlemen at the house party and offered the foal to whoever could win Charlotte’s hand, I thought I had a chance to gain ownership of the horse. To do so, I had to resist you at every chance. You were a temptation I could not allow myself. When I went to collect Charlotte for the dinner dance and you stood there in her dress pretending to be her, my resistance disappeared by your sweet, innocent smile. Then when my gaze connected with yours and I saw your desire, I no longer fought with my control. I had to have you, if only for that one night. When we made love, you brought me to my knees. What I felt for you scared me. I wanted to deny the connection, but I couldn’t. I needed you to breathe.”

  Evelyn rolled onto Reese, propping herself up on his chest. “Then why did you ask Uncle Theo for Charlie’s hand in marriage?”

  “Because I had already discovered Sinclair and Charlotte’s relationship when I visited the stables that morning and knew Sinclair would offer for Charlotte. I wanted to implicate myself and leave no chance for your uncle to deny my offer. If you recall, I did not mention Charlotte’s name.”

  “You only offered for his niece,” Evelyn said in awe, remembering the scene in Uncle Theo’s study.