Page 32 of Wicked With You

Her breasts ached to the point where the simplest press against his chest abraded the sensitive tips of her nipples bound behind the tightly laced corset. His thumb glided over her clitoris, rubbing, pinching, until she was a trembling mess. Mina pulled her mouth from his and buried her face against his throat, trapping his scent deep inside her lungs.

Her arousal was so intense that her body trembled, her heart hammered, and soft whimpers tore from her. She bit into his neckcloth, squeezing his shoulders as the piercing pressure in her belly tightened. Simon hugged her even closer against his chest, driving his finger even deeper into her sex. Mina bit the cravat harder as her body shattered, and she convulsed in his arms, pleasure destroying her.

She brushed her fingers over his nape and his shoulders trembled. It was then she realized this sensual power went both ways—that he could shake with desire for her, too. Mina curled a lock of his hair between her fingers. His thumb circled her nub and she jerked, that spot so sensitive, she almost hurt. He did it again and she moaned weakly as heat stirred again. And despite that aching sensitivity, her whole body seemed to reach for him.

He drew a deep, shuddering breath. “I am very tempted to take you now,” he said, his voice rough with need.

She waited with a sort of breathless anticipation, but he only removed his fingers from her body, fished a handkerchief from his top pocket, and cleaned them. A frightful flush went through her body to see the wetness glistening on his fingers. Seeing her reaction, a low, sensual chuckle came from him, and he kissed her hard.

“I do not want to fall with child,” she whispered against his mouth, knowing it to be a grim possibility for women who dared.

A hunger leaped in his eyes before his expression shuttered. He pressed the flat of his palm against her belly. “I would take care of you and any child of mine.”

“I will be no man’s mistress, even for the powerful and influential Lord Creswick,” she said with caustic bite.

He was perfectly silent for a moment, a tiny crease between his brows. “I will protect you. There will be risk of children once we are lovers. You have no need to worry about an illegitimate child.”

Suddenly their torrid encounter did not seem so passionate or romantic. Mina pushed from his lap and sat in the seat in front of him, painfully aware of the silence shimmering between them.Be careful. Do not fall in love with this man, she reminded herself.

Brushing aside the carriage window, she peered outside, lest he saw the emotions in her eyes. They were nearing his estate and were already driving through lands he owned. She could feel the earl’s regard, and when she glanced at him, he was considering her with a deeply enigmatic stare. He did not attempt to fill in the silence. The way he watched her, with such slow intensity, as if he was trying to dissect her, was nerve-wracking.

“You are staring, Simon.”

“I know.” The soft heat in her cheeks had become a blaze. “Do you think me too wanton?”

“Would you care if I did?”

Her heart felt as if it was being ripped from her chest. “No.”Perhaps.

A slow grin curved his mouth. “I think you honest. It is a rare quality in my dealings. I like it. I like you.”

Mina returned his smile.I like you, too.

“You’ve never had a man,” he said unexpectedly and knowingly. “Your response seemed to shock you.”

“Perhaps I have, but he was a bumbling fool,” she said mockingly.

“A sobering thought.” Simon canted his head slightly. “No. I am your first,” he said with a touch of dangerous arrogance, his eyes gleaming with rich and challenging humor.

Somehow, she did not want to give him the satisfaction of an answer. He closed his eyes, and she studied him unabashedly, knowing she would have to be extraordinarily cautious with her heart even as she tumbled into a magnificent affair with this man.

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