Captivating the Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love)

by Hutton, Callie

“Yes.” She covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a yawn. “That will be plenty of time.”

  Hawk sipped on a brandy while he tried very hard not to imagine Lizzie taking off her clothes and sliding a silky nightgown over her lush body. He pictured running his hands over her curves, placing his hand on her well-rounded bottom, and pulling her against him.

  Once he broke into a sweat, it was time to call a halt to his meanderings. He pulled his notes back out and studied them. Unfortunately, the visions in his mind of Lizzie climbing into bed made the exercise futile.

  He downed the rest of his drink and headed upstairs. It had been forty minutes since he’d left her, and hopefully, the room would be dark, she would be covered up, asleep, and he could get some sleep himself.

  In an awkward, too-small-for-him chair.

  The room was indeed dark, and the outline of Lizzie’s body told him she was settled in bed. He walked over to her, and the sound of her steady breathing assured him she was fast asleep. One less temptation.

  He removed his jacket, untied his cravat, removed his waistcoat, and decided that was as far as he could go. The chair was even more uncomfortable than it looked. With a deep sigh, he rearranged his body as adequately as possible and settled in for a very unpleasant night.

  After awakening three times with painful cramps in his muscles, Hawk stood, stretched, and moved to the bed, swinging his arms to loosen up his joints. He stared at Lizzie comfortably settled on the mattress.

  Her hair was free of its usual bindings, and she hadn’t worn a nightcap, so all that glorious hair spilled over the pillow. He took in a deep breath to calm himself. He started to walk away, then took one look at the chair and thought perhaps he could sneak in alongside her and get up before she awoke.

  Convincing himself there was nothing wrong with that plan, he walked over to the other side of the bed and gently lowered his body to the mattress. He lay on his back, his arms crossed over his chest, as far away from her as he could get without tumbling to the floor. With a heavy sigh, he instantly fell asleep.

  Hawk was holding onto the softest, sweetest-smelling pillow he’d ever had. It was warm, too. He took a deep breath, squeezed its softness, and settled back into slumber.

  The second time he woke, light filtered into the room as the drapes had not been closed.

  His arm was wrapped around Lizzie’s middle, their two bodies nestled together like spoons in a drawer. His hand had joyfully found its way to her soft, generous breast and was having a grand time fondling the lushness. Her nightgown had slid up, the warm flesh of her thighs resting against his legs, her bare bottom securely tucked against his growing erection.

  He was of two minds. Continue with what he’d accidentally started, or slowly withdraw from the bed and return to the chair. To say the devil wrestled with the angels was an understatement. Good or evil. Satisfaction or denial. Pleasure or frustration. While he was trying to decide whether he wanted to take the high road, he realized Lizzie was awake.

  Instead of shoving him away, her breathing had increased, and he did not imagine her lush bottom snuggling against him. Not to disappoint a lady, he ran his thumb over her nipple and was rewarded with a slight moan that had his cock fully erect and ready to play.

  …

  Lizzie should have been outraged that Hawk had joined her in bed, but waking up to his caresses was quite pleasant and were causing her strange—but not distasteful—sensations. His large warm hand fondling her breast produced a desire to push back against his hard body.

  Whatever was wrong with her? When had she become so wanton?

  Her lady parts tingled as Hawk’s moist breath touched her neck right before he placed his lips there and scattered short kisses over the area. “So soft,” he murmured against her skin.

  It was now or never. She had to accept that she was aware of what he was doing, and where it would go. Either move forward, which was what her body was shouting approval for, or ease away from his warmth and comfort and leave the bed, which was what her head was nudging her to do.

  Hawk would honor her decision. She trusted him. He would never continue if she told him to stop.

  “Tell me to stop, Lizzie,” he murmured as he licked the sensitive area under her ear. Oh, Lord. Can he read my mind?

  “What if I don’t?” She barely recognized that squeaky voice as her own.

  He groaned and placed his hand on her shoulder and turned her, so she lay on her back, facing him. He rested on his elbow, leaning over her, his fingers playing with the strands of hair resting on her breasts. “I will stop right now if you’re not sure, or if you have any doubts at all.”

  Lizzie hesitated. Here was her chance to stop what they’d started. That she didn’t jump at ending it made her think about her future. She had no idea what lay ahead. She might be sent to prison, killed by the person wanting her dead, or with a cleared name, return to Lord and Lady Wycliff to continue her employment. Whichever way this ended, most likely she’d spend the rest of her life as a spinster, with no memories of passion to keep her warm at night.

  This might very well be her only chance to experience intimacy with a man. This type of activity could lead to her becoming with child, but the possibility after only one time was not likely. Although young ladies should not know this type of thing, she had spent enough time below stairs, listening to the maids at Wycliff Manor, to learn a few things.

  It had been impressed upon her numerous times from Nurse, her governess, and chaperones that a young lady keeping herself pure for marriage was an absolute necessity if one did not want to be considered ruined and therefore, unable to make a suitable match.

  Would she ever make a suitable match now? Hardly, with the scandal that would follow her for the rest of her life. Before she’d even decided, she whispered, “I don’t believe I want to stop.”

  Slowly his head dipped, and he brought his lips to hers. His kiss was surprisingly gentle, then soon turned possessive and demanding. While he worked magic on her mouth, his hand hovered over her breast, producing slight shivers on her skin in anticipation of his touch.

  She sighed with satisfaction when he cupped her breast and once again ran his thumb over her nipple. Tingles shot right down to her toes. Hawk nudged her lips with his tongue, and she opened her mouth, sighing with pleasure as he swept in, touching, tasting, and sucking.

  Then it stopped as he pulled his mouth from hers and scattered kisses along her jawline, down her neck, ending at the neckline of her nightgown. “Let’s get this off you.”

  He wanted her naked? Despite what she’d heard from the maids, she’d always thought that a man simply pushed up the woman’s nightgown to her waist, did what he needed to do, then left. Apparently, Hawk had different ideas.

  She lifted her body so he could remove her nightgown, and discovered that being naked pressed up against a fully dressed man was quite exciting.

  Hawk leaned back and looked at her, his eyes going slowly from the tips of her toes to the top of her head. She twisted her feet, rubbing them together. Never had she been so exposed, so vulnerable. Every imperfection on her body jumped to the forefront of her mind.

  “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” His eyes glowed with something she had never witnessed from a man before.

  Lizzie enjoyed his praise, even though she didn’t believe it. With all the truly beautiful women he was rumored to have taken to bed, ’twas not likely she even compared, let alone rose above.

  “Ah, I see from your face that you don’t believe me.” He took her hand and placed it on his stiff member. “Does this convince you that I desire you? That I find you beautiful?”

  Not comfortable talking about herself in an intimate way, especially as exposed as she was, she pulled his head down for a kiss. At least in this she felt adequate since she’d enjoyed his kisses before, and he seemed to enjoy hers as well.

  He nudged her lips, and she opened to allow him entrance, tangling with his tongue. She pressed he
rself against him, then whispered against his lips, “Perhaps you could remove some of your clothes? Am I to be the only one without them?”

  “I will be happy to.” Hawk eased back and brushed curls from her forehead. “I was reluctant to take the time to do so.” He kissed her on her forehead and rolled off the bed.

  She’d never seen a man remove his clothing before, but surely Hawk held some type of record for speed. Within seconds he was fully naked and climbing back onto the bed with her.

  She licked very dry lips at the sight of his erection. His member stood tall and swollen, veins pulsing under the skin. She reached out, mesmerized by the strange object, and wrapped her hand around it. Her eyes flew to Hawk’s face as he sucked in air through his teeth.

  “Is it all right if I touch it?”

  “Oh, yes, sweeting, definitely all right.”

  Unbidden, she leaned in and kissed the tip, spongy and warm.

  “No, sweetheart, don’t do that.” He pulled her up and held her head as he plundered her mouth. Slowly, he eased her back until she was once again lying on the bed with him covering part of her with his warm body.

  “I’m not sure what to do. I don’t want to do the wrong thing.”

  “Ah, my love. I shall teach you all you need to know.” He stared into her eyes, his dark eyelashes lowering as he gently took her mouth in another searing kiss.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Hawk cupped Lizzie’s breast and circled his thumb over the nipple. She sighed softly and pushed further into his hand. He loved how responsive she was, and the incredible beauty hidden under her clothes. Although she hadn’t believed him, it was true she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever bedded.

  Even before he had become steeped in dissipation after Monica’s death, he had never formed a relationship with a woman before taking her to bed. That was the reason, he told himself, why Lizzie appealed to him so much, and why he found her more beautiful and desirable than any other woman.

  He had come to know her. Her intelligence, personality, her quirks, her likes and dislikes. She had cried in his arms twice and shared her fears and sorrows. Due to the situation she was in now, she depended wholly on him for protection, and that was a heady—albeit frightening—feeling. She was not merely a lovely body to enjoy for pleasure, and then let go, but a woman who had captivated him long before this encounter in bed. She was what he’d been missing.

  The question remained—was he good enough for her? Could he take care of her and not disappoint?

  Pushing those doubts aside, he wanted to make this the absolute best experience for Lizzie, which would be a challenge with her being a virgin. He’d never bedded an innocent before and had never expected to do so until his wedding night.

  Now that was a thought to push aside.

  He allowed his hand to wander over her curves. Soft skin, silky, scented with something both sweet and spicy.

  “I love how you feel under my hand. I could spend days just looking at you and running my hand over your curves, kissing every sweet spot on your body.” His hand moved lower, and he rested his palm on her hip, drawing her against him. “Time for more kisses.”

  Her welcoming smile hardened him further. Her small hand rested on his chest, where she swirled her fingertip in the hairs there, tugging on them gently. He nibbled on her lips, sucked, soothed, and kissed her again. As much as he wanted to proceed further, he enjoyed kissing her too much.

  Another surprise.

  He’d always made sure his partners were well satisfied, but kissing had never been a priority. With Lizzie he could spend hours on her mouth alone. But it was time to move along since she was shifting her body, pressing her sex against his leg, telling him in her innocence that she needed more.

  Lowering his body, he spread her legs and settled between them, taking her breast into his mouth, sucking hard on the dusky pink pearly nub. He scraped his teeth over her nipple. Lizzie drew in a deep breath. “You like that, do you?”

  “Yes. Oh, yes.”

  He grinned and moved down further, despite her plea not to stop. He had other, more interesting ways to pleasure her. He kissed the skin below her breasts, swirled his tongue in her belly button, and continued down. She rocked against his body, pressing her core against him. When he finally reached his destination, his eyes scanned her body to see her eyes snap open as she shifted to prop herself up on her elbows. “What are you doing?”

  “Relax, sweetheart, I’m going to take you on a ride. Hold on, lie back, and relax.” He spread her legs wider, then his mouth sought her center, his tongue licking, his lips sucking.

  Lizzie’s hands fisted the sheets as her head thrashed back and forth. “Oh, my. I’m not sure if this is proper, but it does feel quite good.”

  He could not help his grin at her response. So fresh and honest. Another first for him, since his partners of late had been jaded widows and well-worn opera dancers, pretending enthusiasm.

  “Goodness, something strange is happening, Hawk.” Lizzie’s legs stiffened, and she thrashed even harder, pressing against his mouth.

  “Come for me, darling. Let go, I will catch you.” He shifted and draped her legs over his shoulders so he could see her face, enjoy her as she found her release. “That’s it, my love. Enjoy the journey. There’s more to come.”

  A low keening sound came from her throat as she closed her eyes tightly and pressed up against his mouth. “Hawk!”

  He continued until her body stopped shuddering and all her muscles relaxed.

  He eased her legs down. “Now it is my turn.” He crawled up her body and brushed the damp curls off her forehead.

  The smile she cast him did something strange and wonderful to his heart. Ordinarily, that would frighten him, drive him from the room. But since he’d never seen a more amazed and contented expression on a lover’s face, he merely pushed that thought to the back of his mind. Instead he kissed her. Knowing she was tasting herself on his lips stirred him even further.

  “You were a joy to watch, Lizzie.”

  She played with the hair at the back of his neck. “What about you?”

  “Oh, don’t worry, sweeting, we are not finished.” He scattered kisses over her damp face, loving how she’d allowed him to introduce her to lovemaking. An honor.

  His hand cupped her face as he studied her. “Since you had no mother, has anyone told you what to expect?”

  “My chaperone attempted to dissuade me from walking in dark gardens with a gentleman by warning me coupling was painful.” She frowned, her sweet face tense.

  “Yes and no.”

  She tilted her head and studied him.

  “The first time will be painful, but only for a very short time. Merely seconds as I break through your maidenhead. I promise you pleasure afterwards. Again, you might be a bit sore later, but nothing that a warm bath won’t cure.”

  Lizzie turned her head to the side, her face flushed.

  “What is it, sweetheart?”

  She chewed her lip, looking adorable. “It’s a bit embarrassing to have a man explain that to me.”

  Instead of chuckling, which he was wont to do, he turned her head to look at him. “No matter. It is not your fault you haven’t been instructed. Let me show you how much more there is to enjoy.”

  Before she could think too hard on the slight pain she would feel, he kissed her and, rising on his elbows, placed his cock at her entrance. Slowly, he eased forward, the way made easy by his earlier efforts.

  …

  Lizzie tensed as Hawk nudged her center with his member. When he had first undressed, she’d doubted it would fit inside her. But then she became mesmerized with it and had to touch it. It was certainly an odd thing. Springing upright from a nest of dark curly hair, it had soft skin, hard underneath with a spongy sort of top. A slight drop of liquid like a small pearl had been at its center. Odd. Although, since Hawk had lived with it his entire life, he probably didn’t think too much about it.

  The time ha
d come to see if it really did fit. Admittedly she was a bit concerned about the pain part of the process. Hopefully, her chaperone had been exaggerating to impress upon her the necessity of purity, and Hawk was right that the pain would be minimal. Considering some of the other things Miss Wallace had told her, she would wager Hawk’s explanation was closer to the truth. Or perhaps she just wished it was so.

  She had no more time to think on it as with one quick movement, Hawk surged forward and entered her completely. She jumped at a small pinch and sucked in a breath. Tears stung her eyes.

  Hawk stopped and studied her face. “Are you all right, darling? I really hate to hurt you, but nothing could be done for it.” The concern in his eyes warmed her heart.

  “A slight nip was all.” She took a deep breath, glad that part of it was over. “Are you finished?”

  Her body shook when Hawk laughed. “No, my dear, I am not finished. We have a way to go yet.” He bent his head and covered her mouth with his lips, which soon had her forgetting about the bit of pain.

  Bracing himself on his elbows, his hips began to move back and forth, his thickness sliding in and out of her opening. The feelings were strange at first, having another person’s part inside her own body, but soon turned into something quite pleasurable. He moved his tongue in and out of her mouth in the same rhythm as his hips.

  She closed her eyes as all her attention gathered at her center. Wonderful feelings were taking over. Her breathing increased as Hawk pulled away from her mouth to scatter kisses along her jawline and under her ear. He murmured words of her beauty, his desire for her, his joy in their coupling. His hand found her breast and squeezed the nipple, increasing her pleasure.

  Every bit of her focus was on what he was doing, his movements and thrusts, and how good it had begun to feel again. She fisted her fingers in his hair and brought his head down to her lips. “Don’t stop. Please. Don’t ever stop.”

  He covered her mouth with his, nipping, kissing, sucking until she was wound so tight she could barely take in a breath. She grew closer to that wonderful feeling again.