Page 21 of Dare to Tempt an Earl This Spring (Wedding Fever #1)

S omewhere more private

He could arrange that.

“Don’t these doors lock?” Ashley pointed to the stalls. “I don’t mind the hay.”

Minx!

“They’re Dutch doors. They don’t lock from the inside. Only the bottom has a latch.”

Thomas stood up with Ashley in his arms, eliciting a startled yelp as he strode toward the carriage house. The woman truly had a talent to unnerve his very existence. He’d even missed the moment to announce the name of the foal. But that might be for the best. He didn’t have his grandmother’s ring with him.

There were too many people at the house. But the carriage house was the perfect place. Close. Secluded. Clean.

He set her down only when he reached a sleek carriage, opening the door with a flourish. Gently, he took her hand and helped her step inside. This counted as private, right? The interior enveloped them in luxury and warmth, with plush seats draped in soft woolen blankets and the faint scent of cedar lingering in the air.

The carriage house was quiet, save for the soft rustling of Ashley’s dress as she settled onto the shiny leather seats. Thomas followed her in, the air thick with a palpable energy that hummed between them. It was as if the very space they occupied had come alive, each heartbeat resonating with the weight of the pace they had chosen to ride. He could feel the spellbinding pull from Ashley, a magnetic force that tugged at him, drawing him closer, igniting a fire in the pit of his stomach.

“There’s so much room,” she marveled, stroking the soft leather.

“The cabins were bigger a few decades ago. My grandfather once said my grandmother’s dress would take up the entire seat when she dressed for the Ascot.”

“I can just imagine.” Ashley sprawled on the seat, leaning back with an inviting smile. “This space is just perfect.”

Something stirred in Thomas’s chest—a sense of achievement. He’d not told her yet about his booth at the Royal Ascot, but he couldn’t wait to show off not only his horses but also the pride of his life: Ashley.

With a decisive thud, he shut the door behind them, the sound echoing his anticipation of sharing this part of himself with her. He settled in close next to her, the cabin feeling even more intimate than its size suggested.

Yes, it was just perfect.

His eyes traced the elegant curve of her neck, the way her hair cascaded over her shoulders, and the subtle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. “Ashley,” he whispered, his voice low and rough. He reached up to brush a stray lock of hair from her face, his fingers lingering against her skin. Her lips parted slightly, and he caught the flicker of desire in her eyes that mirrored his own. “Is this comfortable enough?”

“Very.”

He leaned in, his breath warm against her cheek as he brought his lips close to her ear. “I’ve wanted to do this for so long,” he confessed, the words a mere murmur. She shivered at his touch, swaying closer to him as if pulled by an invisible thread.

Without another word, he closed the gap between them, capturing her lips in a kiss that was both tender and undeniably urgent. Her response was immediate, arms winding around his neck as she pulled him closer. Thomas deepened the kiss, every movement igniting a fire that spread through his blood.

One of his hands slid down her back, pulling her against him while the other cradled her face. Ashley’s fingers tangled in his hair, pressing closer as the kiss grew more frantic. Resting a knee on the cushioned seat, Thomas hovered over her, the carriage rocking slightly with their movements. His lips trailed down her neck, and she gasped. Her hands clutched his shoulders, pulling him closer, as if she couldn’t bear even an inch of distance between them.

“Thomas,” she breathed, her voice a whisper filled with need. Her hands roamed, exploring his torso and trailing over the ridges of his muscles. Her touch felt like a cool breeze on a hot summer day—welcome and tender. With a low moan, his mouth found hers again in a kiss that was both searing and consuming. Every touch, every caress, spoke of the passion that had been building, finally unleashed in this stolen moment.

Not enough.

Would it ever be?

“I want you to know that I have fallen in love with you, too!”

“Ashl—”

She put her finger on his lips. “Please hear me out. No matter what happens, please know that this is real. All of me. And I love you.”

A flicker of worry seemed to darken her gaze but then she squeezed her eyes shut and pressed her lips onto his.

Thomas lost himself in her kiss, pushing all doubt aside until there was nothing but the heat of their bodies, the taste of her sweetness, and the undeniable connection that weaved through them with each touch.

They kissed for a while and Thomas forgot the time. But when he pulled away again, the glint in her gaze sparked brighter than before.

When her fingers brushed against his stomach, he inhaled sharply. She hooked her fingers into his waistband, a provocative move that sent a jolt through him.

“What are you doing?” he managed, his voice thick with desire.

“I want to see,” she replied, gently tightening her grip.

Thomas swallowed hard, unsure how to respond. Yet again. But then, driven by an instinct he couldn’t control, he lifted his hips, granting her access. In one swift motion, she slipped her hand around his erection.

This was going to be harder than he thought. The sensation of her hand gripping him felt so good, yet he’d vowed to himself not to go all the way. How he wanted to plunge into her and satisfy the aching need throbbing in him.

No.

He couldn’t do that.

He had too much respect for her, for her station, and for the sanctity of her virginity. The pleasure pounding in his imagination was reserved for their wedding night, and he’d get a special license to ensure that day came sooner rather than later. Or he could just beg her to elope.

Her fingers squeezed around him. “It’s much harder than I thought it would be.”

“Take it, Ashley,” he bit out, torn between wanting to yank her hand away to guide it for his pleasure and allowing her to continue. “Explore at your leisure.”

“What? Weren’t you the one who said to be greedy? That you would follow my pace?”

Yes, he had, damn it.

Why had he said that again?

He certainly hadn’t meant this . He seemed to be the only one in splendid agony here. How had the tables turned so dramatically?

Gentleman though he was, he couldn’t claim to be a saint. She wanted such a pace, he would not deny her.

With one hand, he supported his weight above her, so that she was sprawled on the seat beneath him, and with the other, he unfastened the laces of his breeches. She looked down when his erection sprang free, but she didn’t say anything. Her smile, however, was telling; she wasn’t intimidated by his size or the throbbing veins that pulsed with their own wicked mind. In fact, she seemed eager to explore.

Thomas kicked off his boots and let his breeches fall, trampling the fabric on the cabin floor. Naked, he settled one leg on the bench with the other kneeling beside Ashley. If he hadn’t proposed already, this would be the perfect position. Except this was more than a proposal; it was an offering—of his body as much as his heart and soul.

She bit her lower lip, staring at him intently, and Thomas shifted under her gaze.

“I’m at your pleasure,” he rasped, unsure whether to go fast or slow from here. But her stare was driving him wild.

Her gaze dropped, using both hands to touch him. She started at his chest, moving down to his upper arms, then to his elbows and wrists. When she reached his hand, he lifted her right hand, placing a gentle kiss on her palm before guiding it to his aching member.

“Isn’t this what you wanted?”

Her lips lifted. And she explored. Oh, how she explored. “It’s hard, but it’s soft on the surface, too.” She furrowed her brow when she cupped his balls, and he nearly roared with pleasure. But he sucked in his lips, nodding instead.

“Is this part of your body a bone?”

He cursed. “More like a rod,” he rasped.

“A rod, you say?” she said, sliding down the seat for a closer look. “Truly?”

Oh no! Don’t go down, oh!

Thomas held his breath as she continued to study him, her finger tracing the tip before enveloping him again. “It’s not a bone. No bones inside.”

He was losing his ability to form coherent sentences.

She squeezed again—too gently. He placed a hand over hers, showing her how hard she could press and glide. Rubbing was good—oh so good.

He flinched when her nail lightly scraped his shaft.

She paused, concern flickering in her gaze. “Are you all right?”

“Yes,” Thomas rasped, almost beyond desperate. “Don’t stop.”

“I didn’t mean to scratch you. I’m sorry,” she said, bowing to place a tender kiss on his length.

Thomas looked down, his breath hitching.

This was awful. Absolutely terrible. And no way in hell he was pushing her away. His vision blurred for an instant, and his head nearly dropped backward from the sheer pleasure of her kiss.

“You don’t mind if I kiss you here, right?” she asked, and kissed him there again, looking up at him with wide, innocent eyes.

Little wench!

“Ashley,” he all but groaned in a plight. Stop. Don’t stop. Yes. No . His mind couldn’t rest on one singular answer.

She took the tip of his member in her mouth, swirling her tongue around it, and Thomas forgot to breathe. He forgot everything. Ashley was all-consuming for him, his everything. She kissed his cock like she kissed his mouth.

Wait .

Surely, he shouldn’t be the only one enjoying this. What sort of gentleman was he to have a lady pleasure him without reciprocating? Thomas wrapped an arm around her, lifting her back onto the seat. The slight coolness on his cock reminded him just how deeply she’d taken him. She was magnificent.

Her brows furrowed.

“I don’t mind that, love, but only if I may return the favor.”

“What?”

“Lie back,” he instructed, and she did, her brows smoothing out to give way for curiosity. He guided one of her legs onto the settee, then removed her slippers. He trailed his hands along her stockings, moving toward the center between her legs. To his indescribable surprise, she helped him by lifting her petticoat out of the way, bunching it under her middle.

That was all the permission he needed to move forward with a renewed pace. Thomas climbed over her as her hands wandered to his hips, her fingers tracing over the taut muscles at his lower back.

“You’re so hard everywhere,” she murmured.

“Do you like it?” He looked down at her, his own desire mirrored in her expression.

She nodded, hands drifting lower to caress his member. He groaned, reaching up to carefully slide her unmentionables down—and off—her long, graceful legs. The garters and lace edging of her stockings added a sweet allure, a hint of innocence woven into her tempting form. His heart raced.

When he parted her folds and leaned down for a lingering kiss, her body tensed slightly before she arched toward him, granting full access. And he took it, gently aiding his access with his fingers. He began with gentle licks, nibbled the sensitive bud, and slowly pressed a finger into her warmth, his breath catching at her softness.

She gasped at first. Down there, however, she was twitching around his finger. Then she mirrored him. She took him—he nearly choked when he looked down, for he’d never seen anything more erotic—in her mouth with delicate kisses and small, exploratory licks along his length. He had to remember to breathe and closed his eyes for just a second. When he looked down again, he found her cupping his balls, and he had to will himself to keep from fainting on the spot.

“Ashley…” he managed, voice hoarse with restraint.

“Tell me if you like it,” she whispered.

He had to shake his head against the surge of pleasure. No woman had ever…and she’d somehow just known. He gave in, deepening his own kisses, letting her guide him as they explored one another in a rhythm that felt natural, a shared exploration of pleasure.

Thomas found himself lost in the rhythm of her lips tracing his length as he returned to her own delicate center. The world faded as he dove deeper, her moans feeding his urgency. With her hips rising to meet him, he dared to slip three fingers inside, feeling her tighten around him, her pulse in sync with his own.

Finally, he lifted himself to face her, meeting her flushed, parted lips in a searing kiss. She melted into him, her own passion blending with his. His fingers moved faster, drawing a heady response from her as she arched beneath him, her hands gripping onto the brass lantern nearby for support.

Instead, he let go of her and grabbed his cock in the other hand. He needed the release; there was just too much pent-up heat raging through him. And for the first time in what he hoped would be a lifetime with the passionate beauty in his arms, they climaxed together.

*

What have I done? What have I done? What have I done?

Ashley collapsed into his arms, her body melting against his warmth as the enormity of what just happened settled over her.

This had to be the boldest, most scandalous thing she’d ever done. She wasn’t just ruined, she was wanton. She glanced around the carriage, reassured by the thick velvet curtains, drawn closed, preserving their privacy. A breath escaped her in relief. Not that she worried about prying eyes, but some part of her realized she’d crossed a line she could never uncross.

But why did he feel so wonderfully and amazingly good? She laid her cheek against his chest, listening to the strong, unruly beat of his heart. His breath rose and fell beneath her, grounding her in this shared moment, reminding her she was not alone. Gently, he ran his fingers through her hair, his touch so soft, as if he, too, wanted to cherish every bit of this closeness.

“You look like a satisfied cat,” he said with a lazy chuckle.

“Shouldn’t you have some metaphor about a horse at the ready?” she teased, not quite able to stifle her smile.

“Not everything in my life is about horses, you know.”

“Oh? I’ll believe that when I see it.”

“You already saw it—or weren’t you looking?” he quipped, a glint of mischief in his eyes. An expression she loved on him.

She let out a soft laugh. “Well, since you asked, I do feel a bit like a satisfied cat. I might not move for hours. It’s not every day a lady finds herself such a…cozy pillow.”

“Comfortable, are you?” He arched a brow, his tone carrying an amused challenge. “I’d have thought a man needed a bit more than comfort to keep a lady’s attention.”

“You’re more than comfortable, Thomas,” she murmured, a playful purr in her voice. “But don’t let it go to your head. A gentleman should always maintain some humility.”

“Humility?” He tilted his head, pretending to ponder. “Not sure that’s within my skill set.”

“Then it’s never too late to learn,” she countered. “You’ve proven plenty of times how adaptable you can be.”

“True,” he conceded, leaning back with a contented sigh. “Though I must confess, I’ve never quite mastered matters of the heart.”

“That might not be such a terrible thing,” she replied, a thoughtful edge creeping into her voice.

After a pause, he murmured, “But I do know how to treat a lady.”

She let out a warm, soft laugh. There was no denying that, after today. “Though now that you mention it, I am curious about something.”

“And what curiosity is that?” he asked, watching her with a faint smile.

“Well,” she began, her voice softening as she pondered her question, “you have such a profound love for horses. Where did that begin?”

A thoughtful silence fell between them before he answered. “No one’s ever asked me that.”

“Well, I’m hardly ‘no one,’ now, am I?” She gave him a cheeky grin.

“Minx,” he said with a soft laugh, his eyes twinkling. “My father, as well as my grandfather, were avid horsemen.” A hint of nostalgia crept into his tone. “They passed that love on to me. I still remember the first time Father let me ride on my own. I couldn’t have been more than three, but I felt like I was on top of the world.”

“Three?” Her eyes widened with surprise. “That’s so young! Weren’t you afraid?”

“Afraid?” He shook his head, smiling at the memory. “Not in the least. Back then, I thought I was invincible. Of course, I had no idea what I was doing, but it didn’t matter. All I knew was I loved the freedom—the idea that I could go wherever I wanted.”

Ashley smiled at the image of a young, fearless Thomas, brimming with confidence. “I can just see it now—this little boy with a wild grin, holding on for dear life.” She nudged him. “What happened to that fearless boy?”

He pinched her waist with a mock glare. “Oh, he’s still here. Just, perhaps, a bit more realistic.”

“More realistic, yes,” she agreed. “But still fearless in many ways.”

“Well, then, don’t we make quite the pair?” he murmured, his gaze never leaving hers.

“We do, don’t we?”

“My father taught me all I know about horses,” he continued, his voice softer now. “He always said they were the most honest creatures. They never lie, never pretend.”

Ashley stilled, his words blowing straight into her chest. “Unlike people,” she murmured, almost to herself. “People do lie and pretend.”

“Exactly.” He rested his chin atop her head, drawing her closer. “That’s why I trust horses far more easily than people.”

A bittersweet ache rose within her, a chill she couldn’t quite shake. “Well, I may be a bit outspoken, even prone to holding a grudge, but I’m afraid I’m not quite as noble as your thoroughbreds.” She tried to keep her tone light, but how could she when she still harbored a secret. A secret that would further validate this very belief of his.

“Your parents must have had a rather interesting time raising you, impeccable breeding and all,” he said cupping her right breast.

She smiled ruefully. “Quite right. I’ve always been this way. Even as a child, I never could keep quiet when I thought something needed to be said. My poor mother despaired of ever making a proper lady of me. I’ve had more than my fair share of scoldings for being too bold, too opinionated. But I couldn’t help it—I’ve always believed that if something is worth saying, it’s worth saying loudly.”

“I wouldn’t change a thing about you,” he murmured, his gaze softening. “Your fire, your willingness to speak your mind… It’s one of the things I love most about you.”

If only he knew. If only he knew the things she couldn’t say yet, the words that stayed locked inside. Her gaze flickered downward, lips parting as though to speak, but no words came.

I am not as good as you imagine, Thomas.

And yet, somewhere in the back of her mind, she wondered if she could be that person he saw. Were her friends right? Could she undo the damage and marry him because they both wanted it and not because he had to?

“So,” he said after a pause, drawing her from her thoughts, “what else should I know about the formidable Lady Ashley?”

“Oh, there are plenty of things, but I’m afraid I’m not going to make it easy for you. Many you’ll have to discover on your own.”

“Is that a challenge?”

“Perhaps.”

Or perhaps, she thought, it was a plea for just a bit more time—just one more moment, before reality set in. Just until tomorrow.