The Earl Not Taken Read online

  Raising up for more, her body seemed to have taken over as her mind was spinning with sensations. When he touched her most private spot, his fingers slid through her wetness and spikes of delight shot through her.

  He swallowed her cries of passion in kisses while easing his fingers over her sensitive bud again and again.

  The ache inside her built and tightened. She clutched at his shoulders and bucked against his hand, wanting more yet not knowing what more was until her world exploded in a million lights. She throbbed and whirled in ecstasy. Unable to catch her breath, she gasped. “Rhys.”

  Holding her close, he caressed her back and kissed her hair until the waves subsided and she was limp in his arms. “I never dreamed anything could be so beautiful as seeing your pleasure. I know nothing will ever thrill me as completely, sweetheart.”

  “I didn’t know it would be so…so…good.” She couldn’t make her mind find words to describe something so total and all-encompassing.

  He pulled her against him and rolled so she was on top. “There is so much more.”

  It wasn’t possible. “How can that be?”

  “Because when two people are perfect for each other, lovemaking is extraordinary.”

  No small thing to be well matched…she wondered at the rareness. For all she knew, he said that to all the women he bedded, but she didn’t think so. She didn’t want to think so. For tonight she wanted to be special. His shaft pressed hard between them, and already she longed to know more of him, be one with him, touch him as he’d touched her. She ground her hips against him. “I would like to give you pleasure, Rhys.”

  He spread his arms out, his smile wicked. “I am yours to do with as you please.”

  Easing to one side, she studied the full length of his muscular form. Touching him from neck to waist, she watched how his body tightened as she skimmed his nipples. Emboldened, she licked the hard pebble.

  His arm wrapped around her back, and his fingers traced a path from the top of her buttocks to her shoulder blades.

  Again, her body pulsed with desire. Kissing her way down, she dipped her tongue in his navel.

  A tight moan issued from his mouth along with her name.

  She loosened the fall of his breeches and slid her hand inside. He was hard, big in her hand, yet the softest skin she’d ever felt. She trailed her fingers along the ridge from base to tip, and the fabric fell away.

  He let out a long breath. “Sweet Penelope, you will be my undoing.”

  Unsure but driven by desire, she kissed the tip of his shaft.

  It jumped, and he groaned.

  She pulled it inside her mouth and let it slide out.

  “Dear God. If you keep doing that, this will be over before we’ve even begun.”

  She skimmed a wisp of a touch around his shaft. “Then you like this?” She did the same with her tongue.

  He gripped her hands and pulled her up until she straddled him. “I like it, more than I can ever explain with mere words.”

  His shaft rested between her nether lips, and she slid forward and back, creating the most delicious friction. It was as much torture for her as she saw on his face, but the power of controlling their pleasure was heady. Rolling her hips shot delight from her core.

  Expression taut, Rhys rested his hands on her thighs. “You look pleased with yourself, Penelope.”

  Poppy leaned forward until her chest pressed to his, and she devoured his lips. The kiss was as erotic as the way he still rested between her legs. “I never dreamed this would be so empowering.”

  He adjusted his hips so the tip of his shaft perched at her opening. “Becoming part of a pair does not have to mean giving up who you are.”

  “That is not what I’ve been led to believe.” She eased back until she felt resistance and stopped.

  Expression soft, he threaded his fingers through her fallen hair. “I feel I should apologize for the pain this first time, but I cannot regret being the first so I will thank you for this gift, sweetheart.”

  So sweet and thoughtful, Rhys was nothing like she expected. Aurora had told them about sex. She said it was embarrassing and painful, but this was neither. She thrust down and thought she’d ripped herself in two.

  His arms wrapped around her.

  Tears squeezed from her lids. “Hell’s fire.”

  “Relax, love. Just stay with me for a moment,” he murmured lovingly in her ear while caressing her back.

  The pain eased, and she adjusted to his size. “I think it’s better.”

  His shaft moved inside her, and pleasure replaced the pain. Poppy moved her hips, sending more delight through her. “Oh, yes,” she said.

  “You will tell me if I should stop, Penelope?” Worry and strain gave his voice an edge she hadn’t heard before.

  Stop? Was he mad? She pressed down, bringing him deeper. “Don’t you dare.”

  A long groan pushed from his lips, and he kissed her ear. Rolling her over onto her back, Rhys took control of the pace, but there was no sense of being trapped or oppressed.

  Pleasure built inside her, tightening and thrilling in ways she had never dreamed.

  Rhys cooed loving words to her. He called her beautiful and wonderful. His voice was as erotic as their joining.

  She moved with him, heightening the building rapture. She wanted to tell him how good it felt, but no words would form, only sighs and moans. Everything inside her tensed at once, taking her over some unseen cliff, and she exploded over the precipice.

  Rhys groaned and clutched her tightly but then suddenly pulled out, spilling his seed across her lower belly. “You are magnificent.”

  Confused about a few things, the first embarrassment niggled at her as the pleasure subsided. “May I ask you some questions?”

  He chuckled. “I would expect nothing else. Stay here a moment, though. There is a bit of cleanup to be done, sweetheart.”

  Staring at the heavens painted on the ceiling, she missed the weight of him holding her. A moment later, he used his handkerchief to clean her from stomach to between her legs. It was the most intimate she had ever been with any person. Sex was one thing, but to care for her so tenderly was more than she could have expected from anyone, let alone a man she believed coarse and lustful.

  Before lying beside her, he pulled on his breeches and tossed the ruined cloth in the fireplace. “What do you want to know?”

  She allowed him to help her back into her gown without corset or sheath, both of which he collected with their other garments and placed in a neat pile. “Why didn’t you spill your seed inside me?”

  “To lessen the chances of a child coming from this night.” He was as blunt as she, but tenderness filled his eyes as he smoothed her hair.

  “That was very thoughtful.” She turned so he could fasten her gown. “I didn’t expect to enjoy this.”

  “Why not?” He kissed the back of her neck, creating the most delightful flush of sensitivity across her skin.

  “I thought I would feel demeaned.”

  Holding her shoulders, he eased her around to face him. The lines around his mouth spoke of a man who smiled often, though now his concerned expression warmed her. “Then why did you wish to make love?”

  “To know what it was like. I told you. Virginity is a burden.” She backed away and stepped into her slippers.

  Pain etched on his face, he picked up the pile of clothes. “Who told you this night would be ugly?”

  “She probably thought it would be my wedding night. Though Aurora knows me well enough to know, I never wanted to marry and end up bitter or unhappy like Mother.”

  The sorrow filling his eyes broke her heart. He dropped the clothing and went to the window. Hand gripping the frame, he leaned his forehead against the wood. “Rora.”

  His pain seared through her. “I’m an insensitive idiot.” She ran to him and wrapped her arms around him from behind. “I didn’t think. I’m sorry, Rhys.”

  He turned into her embrace. Cheek pressed to the top of her head, he said, “It’s not your fault, Poppy. I should have protected her and I failed. All our lives, I kept Father from hurting her when she’d go off on wild tangents. Then he sent her away and I failed her then. All my arguments to Father fell on deaf ears, so I did what I could from afar. I visited whenever Father allowed it, and she seemed happy with you and the other Wallflowers.”

  “She was happy, Rhys. We all were. We loved being at Miss Agatha’s.” She wanted to ease his pain. The only people she’d ever ached for like this were the Wallflowers. She kissed his bare chest.

  “If I had known about that animal, I’d have killed him.” It was a vow he had repeated several times now.

  “Which is why Aurora made us promise to never tell you. And believe me, I wanted to tell you on more than one occasion.”

  He turned and wrapped his arms around her. “I wonder if you would consider allowing me to spend the night with you, Penelope. I would very much like to hold you for as long as I can.”

  Staying in his arms in the comfort of a bed was dangerous and too tempting to refuse. “I would like that.”

  On a long release of breath, his body relaxed as if he’d been holding his breath for her answer. His kiss was gentle but filled with need. “Thank you.”

  Oddly shy, she scooped up her clothes, unbolted the door, and rushed up the stairs. When she stumbled halfway up, Rhys was there with a strong hand on her elbow. Perhaps there was more to a relationship between a man and a woman than she’d been led to believe.

  In her room, he took the clothes from her arms, helped her out of the gown, and carried her to the bed. Lying naked in his embrace was perfection and somehow right. “Why haven’t you married, Rhys?”

  He traced circles on her arm. “I hadn’t met anyone I wanted to make a life with.”

  “I thought you would say you liked your rakish life too much,” she teased.

  He gave her a squeeze. “Perhaps a bit of that too.”

  Outside frogs sang to each other. The moon gave a glow through the open window. “Since you told me you imagined sex as a terrible degrading thing, I’ve been thinking you showed a great deal of trust in me.”

  “I didn’t realize the act could be more than one way. I feel a bit foolish knowing how glorious it is.”

  “I’m truly honored by your trust and so happy to have shown you the truth.”

  Poppy rolled toward him. “What truth?”

  “That not every joining has to be one sided.” His lips met hers with utter tenderness.

  In the parlor she’d been satiated, yet now she met his kisses with renewed passion. “I want you, Rhys.”

  “You’re very tender from earlier.” He ran his hand down her side and lifted her leg over his so they touched intimately.

  “I don’t care.”

  Kissing his way down her neck to her chest, he whispered, “I care.”

  One inch at a time, he covered her with kisses. Rather than risk hurting her, he made love to her with his mouth. Poppy’s mind soared as her body writhed under his ministrations. As rapture took her, she knew everything she ever believed about Rhys and men in general was flawed.

  Falling asleep in his embrace, she’d never been happier or felt more alive.

  * * * *

  Rhys’s gentle snores woke Poppy just as the sun came up. She slipped out of bed, pulled on her own dress, which had been left hanging in the wardrobe the night before, and slipped out of the room.

  She needed to think, and she couldn’t with his beautiful, naked form lying beside her. Nothing of the previous night was what she expected. Even the pain, bookmarked by such ecstasy, was a faint moment that drifted out of memory.

  The garden was cool and quiet at the dawn hour.

  Geb knelt on a small woven mat facing the sunrise. He was all in white with long pants and a tunic.

  Stopping, Poppy watched, not wishing to interrupt his prayer. She found a bench and closed her eyes, listening to the foreign sound and letting her worries lift away.

  The sun warmed her face, and the breeze rustled the leaves. If she were planning an escape from her life, it would be in just such a place. No prying eyes, no gossip…it was perfection.

  “Am I disturbing you, Lady Penelope?” Geb broke into her daydream.

  With the sun behind him, he glowed like an angel. She shaded her eyes. “Not at all. I was just enjoying the morning.”

  “If I may say, you look like someone with a dilemma.” He sat at the other end of the bench.

  “What do you do when everything you know to be true is questioned in your own mind?” Never expecting an answer, she let her attention drift to a passing cloud.

  “In such an instance, one must be willing to change his own truth.” Geb’s voice was filled with questions he was too polite to ask.

  “Can there be more than one truth?”

  He angled to face her. “We each have our own truths. One might believe he can run as fast as a lion. Perhaps he can, but if he believes the lion is faster, then that is his truth. Not a very pleasant truth if being chased by the beast.”

  Confused, Poppy considered the idea. “Are you saying whatever I believe is the truth?”

  His white teeth shone when he smiled. “I’m saying it is your truth and you are the only one who has the power to change what is true to you.”

  Mind racing, she imagined a life different from anything she’d ever believed possible for her. “Then if I decide what I want, I can create a truth that makes it possible.” It was too simple and yet unbelievably complex.

  He clapped his hands together and wore a huge smile. “What a brilliant mind you have, my lady.”

  “You are too kind. No one has ever thought such a thing about me.”

  He leaned closer. “Then those people were not seeing you or keeping their truth to themselves.”

  “Thank you.” Poppy lowered her head and smiled, acknowledging his compliment even if she wasn’t comfortable accepting it.

  “You and his lordship will return to London today?”

  “Yes. We have troubled you long enough.” She stood just as Rhys rounded the corner and strode toward them.

  Geb rose and bowed to her. “Your visit has been a pleasure. I hope you shall come and see me in the future. I am happy to have new friends.”

  Rhys said, “I wish we could stay longer. This place is a piece of paradise.”

  His gaze fell on her, and she drew a tight breath. Hera’s crown, what was happening? She was no blushing ninny who swooned at the sight of a man, yet it filled her with joy seeing him happy and beautiful in the morning light of the garden. “We should prepare to leave, my lord.”

  “Of course,” Rhys said. “Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Arafa. This unscheduled stay has been remarkable.”

  The men shook hands before Geb kissed her hand. “I hope we will meet again without a storm to hold us.” He rushed toward the house and disappeared around a row of trees.

  Once again alone with Rhys, Poppy wasn’t sure what to say. “I suppose if I were a more worldly woman, I would act aloof and give you the impression last night meant nothing to me. Though, in truth, a proper lady would never have found herself without a chaperone.”

  “I hope you shall not pretend to be anything you are not, Penelope.” He offered his arm, and they strolled back the way he’d come.

  “I think I may have been mistaken about sexual congress. However, at this time, my ultimate desires for the future have not changed.” There, she sounded reasonable and calm.

  He lifted her hand to his lips. “It is lucky, then, that no one outside of Aaru and West Lane knows of our delay.”

  Why such a simple gesture should make her insides melt, she didn’t know. “I’m glad you agree. No need to burden anyone with our newfound friendship.”

  One of those expressive brows lifted. “Then you will keep our night of passion a secret from your friends?”

  She couldn’t decide if he sounded relieved or disappointed. Resolving that it must be the former, she swallowed down the unease building inside her. She had never kept anything from the Wallflowers. “I think it best if last night remain between the two of us. I am trusting you will not run off to brag to your rakish friends.”

  He stilled, clenched his jaw, and then turned to face her. “No matter what you think of me, I am not some child ready to run and gossip about my exploits. For me, last night was private and wonderful. You may assume the worst of me, Penelope, but I am a gentleman.”

  As he stepped away, she clung to his hand. “Forgive me. I know you would never risk my reputation in such a vile way. I sometimes say terrible things in order to drive people away, and while it has served me with my parents and some unkind students at Miss Agatha’s, I should not treat you with so little respect. You have become a good friend in these last few weeks, and I shall hold the memory of last night sacred for the rest of my life.”

  Her throat closed on the last word. Poppy kissed his hand and ran to the house. She needed a moment to get herself under control for the ride back to London. Her own feelings aside, they had much to report to Faith and Aurora. It wouldn’t do to let her own dramatics interfere with the job at hand.

  Chapter 10

  After a very quiet ride back to London, they arrived at Aurora’s West Lane home. Rhys had dozens of things he wanted to say to her, but her decision to be strong and not change her mind about a life that included marriage kept him silent.

  He would never order her about since doing so would contradict the kind of woman he wanted. Poppy would have to choose him. Nothing less would please either of them.

  Aurora, blond hair gleaming, stormed across the foyer. “Where have the two of you been? We thought you’d been killed in the storm.”

  Rhys kissed his sister’s cheek. “We were delayed and had to seek shelter. A flooded bridge kept us away a second day and made it impossible to send word. I’m sorry if you worried over Poppy, but I would never let any harm come to her.”