Page 67 of How to Fall for a Scoundrel
Harry reached forward, picked the jewel from the pile of coins, and held it up toward Ellie. “For the lady!”
Conscious of her role, she caught hold of his cravat, yanked him toward her, and kissed him soundly on the mouth. The crowd cheered as she plucked the jewel from his hand and pushed it down the front of her bodice, into the cleft between her breasts.
“I’ll look after that for you, sir!” she said with a saucy grin.
Harry laughed and gave her bottom a playful pinch. He gathered the rest of his winnings and put them in his pockets, then turned a regretful look to the men all clamoring to play him in the hopes of winning back some of his coin.
“Sorry, gents, but the lovely Carlotta’s promised me a night I won’t forget. I bid you good evening.”
A chorus of ribald comments followed them as they left the gaming room, and Ellie tried to calm her racing pulse. She half expected Blake to be lying in wait for them in the street outside, to rob them of their winnings, but Harry must have arranged for Carson to be waiting.A plain black carriage—not the one with the Cobham crest on the panels—rattled up almost as soon as they stepped out onto Henrietta Street.
Harry turned to her. “Can you come back to Cobham House?”
She shook her head, even as she swallowed a groan of disappointment. “I wish I could, but I have to get back home.”
He gave the address to Carson, then climbed in after her, and as soon as the coach started forward, he caught the back of her neck and toppled her into his lap for a kiss.
Ellie gave a helpless groan of delight. She melted against him as his tongue invaded her mouth, her blood fizzing with excitement.
“Brilliant girl,” he panted against her lips. “The perfect partner in crime.”
He pressed feverish kisses across her jaw and down her throat, then slid his fingers into her bodice. She gasped as he brushed her nipple.
“Now, where did you hide that lovely jewel?”
His breath was hot on her skin. She tilted her head back and arched into his touch, even as she let out a shivery laugh. “Oh, no you don’t! It’s mine, remember? The price for helping prove who you are.”
He nipped the top of her breast with a playful bite before soothing it with his tongue. “Vixen. You drive a hard bargain.”
Ellie laughed. She kissed him again, then gave in to temptation and slid her hand down his chest and then lower, to the impressive bulge between his legs. “Not as hard as this,” she murmured wickedly.
He let out a hiss between his teeth. “God, Ellie. You’d drive a saint to drink.”
She caressed him through his breeches and he kissed her almost savagely in response. His hips bucked as she unbuttoned his falls, and he groaned as she took him in her hand.
“You don’t have to—”
She cut off his protest. “I want to. Let me. Please.”
He was hard and hot and she delighted in the feel of him, the way his breath hitched as she pumped and squeezed.
His hand came up to cover hers, moving up and down, but the erratic motion of the coach added an extra complication, making it hard to maintain a rhythm. He swore savagely as they went over a particularly deep rut, and Ellie giggled. She loved the thought of him being out of control. Of taking him to the very edge of sanity. It was only fair. He’d done the same to her.
Their joined hands pumped faster. He gripped the leather strap on the wall with his free hand and arched his spine, tilting his head back on the seat and exposing his throat. The sight of him made her own body thrum with desire, but she was determined to give him this gift. She pumped her hand, and with a groan that seemed dragged from his chest he went rigid, pulsing in her hand.
He let out a long, satisfied sigh and sprawled back into the seat. “Bloody Hell. I love the way you celebrate a successful mission.”
His wetness was on her fingers, probably on his breeches, too, although it was hard to tell in the dim light. Ellie pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped her hands as he straightened his clothing, then leaned against him as he pulled her to his side.
“Naughty,” he chided weakly. His voice was low in the darkness as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Ellie chuckled. “You’re a terrible influence. You definitely bring out the worst in me.”
“Or is it the best?” he murmured. “I wish there was time to return the favor, but we’re almost back at Bloomsbury.”
“It’s all right. Will I see you tomorrow at King and Company?”
“I’ll be there at ten o’clock sharp.” He sent a laughing look at her bodice, where the aquamarine still nestled against her skin. “I’ve kept my side of the bargain. It’s time for you to keep yours.”