Page 4 of The Accidental Countess (Accidentally in Love #1)

E mily waited for nearly an hour before Stephen brought up the last of the hot water. He’d added it to the small hip bath, mixing it with snow to bring it to the right temperature. Heaven help her, she’d been fascinated by his muscles straining as he lifted the heavy pots, pouring the water into her bath.

He didn’t have to work this hard, nor had she expected him to assume the role of a servant. When the last of the water had been added, he turned to leave.

“Stay,” she whispered. She pushed away all thoughts of how wrong her invitation was. The chances of her marrying anyone were slim, and she didn’t doubt that Whitmore would leave her again. This might be the last moment she would ever be alone with him.

The old feelings of unrequited love threatened to bury her. In her girlish dreams, she’d hoped that one day they might marry. And though he’d never spoken a word of his own feelings, she’d known they had friendship.

They still did. For tonight, it was enough.

He crossed the room to stand before her. A thin sheen of sweat lined his skin, and he’d loosened his cravat. His steel-gray eyes bore into hers. “I can’t stay with you, and you know it.”

“I’ve been alone for so long,” she whispered. “I don’t want you to go.”

Emily didn’t speak of the feelings she’d locked away, deep inside. If she did, she might break apart. Right now, she was offering herself to him, hoping he wouldn’t abandon her. There would be no other man for her, not at her age. She would never know what it was to lose herself in a man’s touch, to yield beneath his body and unlock the mysteries of taking a lover.

But honor shielded him. He wouldn’t touch her as long as he believed he was taking something away from her. Didn’t he know he was granting her a gift?

She took his hands and brought them to the front of her gown. She’d had to alter this dress, sewing the buttons down the front since she had no ladies’ maid to help her. Stephen’s gaze was unrelenting, his eyes burning into hers. “You owe me nothing, Emily.”

“Show me what it would have been like,” she whispered, “if your father hadn’t taken you away from me.” Though it went against everything she’d been taught, she wanted a memory that would last for always.

His mouth drifted against hers in a kiss that was hardly there. She unbuttoned her own gown, placing his hands upon her chemise. His hands curved over the damp fabric, and when he encountered no barrier, he demanded, “Why aren’t you wearing a corset?”

“I’ve no one to help me dress. It was impossible to put on by myself.” Her cheeks grew warm with the confession, but his palm reached out to cup her breast. His thumb stroked the erect tip through the fabric, caressing her as he had that night in the barn. A flood of rich pleasure welled up inside her, and she found herself reaching for his shirt, lifting away the cambric.

His chest was broad and muscled, his firm shoulders ridged with a quiet strength. She laid her palms over his heartbeat, wishing she could make him feel the same longing she was feeling.

He removed the rest of her clothing until she stood naked before him. It was cold in the room, and her nipples were taut in the frigid air. Emily removed the remaining pins in her hair until it spilled over her shoulders, down to cover her breasts.

Stephen’s eyes were raw with need, and he pushed the hair aside to look at her. “Don’t cover yourself in front of me. You’ve nothing to hide.”

He lifted her into his arms, setting her down into the hip bath. The water warmed her skin, tingling all the way to her toes. He scooped up a handful and let it spill over her throat, down her breasts and stomach.

“Do you know how beautiful you are?”

She shook her head, and his hands moved through the water to rest upon her skin. “You’re driving me to madness.” He reached for the soap, his voice turning wicked. “And now, I’m going to make you feel the same way.”

He rubbed the cake of soap, bringing his hands to the curve of her breast. He rubbed circles over her skin, the slippery motion arousing her sensitive flesh. When his palms cupped her breasts, she felt an answering warmth between her thighs. He leaned in to kiss her while his hands soaped her breasts, his fingers stroking the nipples over and over in a slow rhythm.

More warm water rinsed her skin, and he kissed her shoulder, trailing down to the side of her breast. His tongue slid under the curve, and then his mouth fastened upon her nipple.

He sucked gently, and Emily moaned at the contact. Beneath the water, his hands roamed lower. Past her stomach, to the juncture of her thighs.

“You’re beautiful, Emily,” he said roughly, moving his hand against her delicate flesh. His fingers stroked her, and he brought her other hand to her own breast. “Touch your breasts while I show you how badly I need you.”

Emily’s face turned scarlet, but she obeyed. It was strange, to touch her own body. She felt shy about it, but he coaxed her to rub the nipples, to pinch them gently. Aching heat rose through her as she caressed the tips, and he supported her hips, using his other hand to explore her womanhood.

“Do you know how badly I wanted you that night in the stable, so many years ago?” he murmured, kissing her rib cage. “It’s even worse now. I want to fill you up inside.” He slid a finger into her warmth as he spoke, and she shuddered against his hand. His thumb flicked the nub above her entrance, and as she continued to caress her nipples, a dark warmth began to descend. She felt herself straining against him, none of the cold air bothering her now. Her body was unbearably hot, reacting to his touch until she shivered. But she couldn’t seem to understand what it was she needed so badly.

He inserted another finger, mimicking lovemaking. Her body stretched against the unfamiliar invasion, and yet the torment went on. Over and over, he caressed her, while she touched her breasts. Something strange began to happen to her, a wild blossoming heat in her center. Stephen increased the pressure, and her hands suddenly gripped the edges of the tub, while shimmering tremors racked her body, flooding it with a release so hard, she nearly wept from the intensity.

She was boneless, melting against the edges of the tub as he lifted her up and dried her off with a linen towel. Naked and shivering, he laid her down upon the bed, covering her body with the sheets. His expression was dark, almost pained. But he made no further move toward her.

He was going to stop now, she realized. He wasn’t going to become her lover tonight. He’d given her unspeakable pleasure, while he’d taken nothing for himself.

She didn’t like it. It wasn’t fair, and she wanted him to experience the same wildness. Was it the same for a man as a woman?

He was starting to reach for his shirt, but she stopped him. “Where are you going?”

“To my own bed. Probably after I go and stand outside in the snow for an hour.” He sat on the edge of her bed, and she reached out to touch his shoulder.

Embarrassment colored her skin, but she didn’t want him to go. Not yet. The thought of him spending the night in a cold room, away from her, was unbearable.

“I’ve done something wrong, haven’t I?” Her voice caught in her throat, and he turned to face her.

“No, Emily. I’m the one who’s doing something wrong.” He closed his eyes, as if his own desire was still on the edge. “I took advantage of you.”

Though tears stung her eyes, she forged ahead. He wanted her still, she could see it. But likely, he feared he’d have to marry her now. She understood that it couldn’t happen. They were as far apart as a prince from a serving maid. Even so, she didn’t care.

Her cheeks burned with fear and embarrassment, and she realized that he wasn’t going to touch her again. But could she…touch him? Was it so wrong to want this moment for herself, just to love him for a night?

Without asking permission, she ran her hands over his warm skin, across his shoulders and down to his stomach. The sheet fell away, baring her naked body as she walked to stand in front of him. His face tightened, but he made no move to stop her. Instead, he stood and faced her.

When her hands moved to the button of his trousers, he caught them. “Emily.” His voice was husky, and he drew her fingers to his lips. “What is it you want?”

She froze, wishing she could hide her head beneath the covers and die. Had she misread him?

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I just…don’t want you to stop.”

She moved her hands away, but he took them and brought them around his neck. Her bare breasts rested against his warm chest, and as soon as their skin touched, her arousal heightened. “I’ve never asked you for a future, Whitmore,” she breathed against his throat. “Not in all the years we’ve known each other. I would never make demands that you couldn’t give.” She hoped he would understand that this night was not a means of trapping him.

His hand moved down her spine, tracing a silken trail to her hips. His eyes were hooded, like a man on the brink of losing control. “You deserve better than this.”

“I want a memory to cherish.”

She leaned forward to kiss him, and he cupped her hips and drew her close to him. Against her body, she could feel his rigid manhood. It swelled, straining against the fabric of his trousers. His hands palmed her bottom, torment etched upon his face. Once more, she reached for the buttons of his trousers, and this time, he removed the rest of his clothing. Skin to skin, he embraced her, lifting her leg over his hip. The heat of their bodies evoked needs she didn’t know she had.

The iron ridge of his manhood glided against her intimately, and a breathless moan escaped her. Her body welcomed him, the slick moisture making her desire more.

“I want you, Emily,” he said roughly. “Even more now than I did ten years ago. But I don’t want you to have any regrets. We can stop this right now if you want.”

“The only regret I’ll have is if you leave me tonight,” she murmured. “Please don’t go.”

He lowered her to the bed, his body above hers as he kissed her collarbone, trailing his mouth upon her skin. She sighed with thankfulness, welcoming him. His mouth moved over the curve of her breast, his tongue swirling over her nipple. Teeth nipped the edge, before he suckled the tip. Her hands dug into his hair as he feasted upon her body, his warm mouth and tongue making her forget the devastating loneliness.

Between her thighs, she felt the thickness of his shaft, the head probing into her wetness. The foreign sensation startled her, and as he lifted her knee, he ran his mouth over the sensitive skin. Her hips spasmed at the shock, and he cupped her bottom, kneading the skin as he eased himself inside.

He was larger than she’d expected, and it was difficult for her to take him into her body. Emily fought to relax, but instead of thrusting inside, he began to move gently. Only an inch within, he used his manhood to caress her warmth. And when his mouth came down on hers, his tongue slid inside in the same manner. Slowly. Gentle and deep, he continued to move.

“Are you all right?” he whispered, and she nodded. There was nothing at all invasive about his lovemaking, only the deepest caress. His face was strained, as though he were fighting against himself.

He moved a little farther inside, and she felt her body trembling harder. He pressed his hand against her center, while sliding his shaft within. Emily gripped his neck, raising her knees to bring him closer. When he breached her virginity at last, she was so ready for him, the full contact made her shudder.

She let out a gasp as he withdrew, holding himself poised at her entrance. “No, don’t—“ she pleaded.

A knowing smile crossed his face, as he slid back inside. The feeling of his full length pressed within was intoxicating, a sweet hunger that kept building higher. Stephen palmed her hips, forcing her close as he kissed her mouth. Then he moved her hand to the hooded flesh above her womanhood, touching her fingertips to a sensitive place.

“Hold your hand there,” he commanded. He withdrew his length, and when he plunged inside again, she cried out at the delicious pressure. “Do you feel it?”

She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think clearly. His hard length filled her while the tight bud beneath her fingers seemed to intensify the pleasure. “As I take you, give yourself the pleasure you need.”

His mouth moved back to her breasts, sucking hard while he increased the pace. With each stroke, he brought her closer. The sensations building up inside her threatened to spill over.

“Let go, Emily,” he said. And suddenly his lovemaking turned from gentle to reckless. He couldn’t seem to get enough of her, thrusting deeply as she cried out. The pleasure poured over her, a violent release that pounded even harder as he pumped against her body. She spasmed against his length, tears spilling from her eyes as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

With one final thrust, he found his own release, and he entered and withdrew a few times more. At last, he rested his cheek against hers, their bodies still joined.

He fell silent, not speaking as he finally pulled away from her body. She couldn’t read his thoughts as he wrapped her in the heavy quilts, moving to the opposite side of the bed. The fire crackled on the hearth, making the only sound in the room.

And, God help her, she didn’t know what he must think of her now.