Free Courting the Countess by Barbara Pierce Page B

you look at my dress? When I return to Loughwydde, they will think I threw myself down a hill.”
    He rolled onto his side and propped his head up on his fist. The hair around his face was wet from the water she had tossed at him. His tender gaze had her thickly swallowing. “We never did get this garment off,” he murmured huskily. With one hand, he unfastened the remaining buttons. He splayed his hand possessively across her waist.
    “Mr. Claeg, w-what are you doing?”
    As he leaned over her, the tips of his wet hair swirled crazy brushstrokes on her cheeks. “Brace yourself, Countess. I am about to claim a kiss.”
    Brook squeezed her eyes shut, anticipating him ravishing her mouth. The butterfly caress he gave her was more devastating to her senses. His lips swept lightly over hers. He repeated the motion again and again. Her nipples tightened painfully and a wave of sensation rippled down to her knees. Parting her lips, she inhaled sharply, seemingly pulling him closer with her breath alone. She felt his tongue slide into her mouth, silently coaxing her into another one of his games.
    Brook tentatively brushed her tongue against his. Mr. Claeg growled his approval, slanting his mouth so their connection deepened. Warmth and need coiled in her loins. She curled her tongue around his and her fingers speared his hair, pulling him closer. He complied. Sliding one leg between hers, he positioned himself so his arousal was pressed against her hip. What had begun as a gentle kiss was gradually escalating into a frenzied eagerness. She sucked his tongue deep into her mouth, but it did not satisfy the need rising in her. Frustrated, she bit his lower lip.

    He drew back and stared down at her face. The light blue color was merely a slim ring of color and his mouth was red and moist from her dedicated effort to devour him. “Again,” he said, pressing a hard kiss to her mouth. Still bracing most of his weight with his left arm, he trailed kisses along the line of her jaw. Brook arched her neck, giving him access. He licked the pounding pulse at her throat while his free hand traced the contour of her body. Mr. Claeg nibbled at the tender flesh of her throat and chills moved just under her skin. Using his right hand to anchor her to him, he set his teeth into the soft swell of her right breast.
    She choked in surprise. Brook had never considered breasts particularly sensitive, but under Mr. Claeg’s expert mouth the flesh swelled and tingled. He reached up and tugged at the edge of her bodice. She tensed for a moment, fearing he intended to rip her dress. Both her breasts popped free of the confining corset.
    Murmuring what she assumed was praise, he laved first the right nipple and then the left. She moved against him restlessly, uncertain what her body wanted. Mr. Claeg understood her needs. Teasing one of her nipples with his tongue, he tilted his head, his eyes meeting her unfocused gaze.
    “Has no one ever sampled these lovelies before, Countess?”
    Brook shook her head. Lyon had taken pleasure from her body, but he had never bothered to show her that there was pleasure also in giving.
    Mr. Claeg gave her a slow, enigmatic smile. Keeping his gaze on her face, he lowered his mouth to her breast and suckled her. It was an incredibly wicked sensation. A part of her was appalled that she was lying on the ground like a depraved hussy allowing him to touch her in any manner he pleased. The other half of her was afraid he would stop.
    He cupped the underside of her breast and feasted as if he were withdrawing rich milk from it. The suction bordered on
exquisite pain. Releasing that breast, he chuckled and nipped her other one. He did not bother to share what amused him. Before she could ask, he covered the areola of her left breast. Pleasure was a lightning bolt. It struck her between her legs. She would have crossed them in response if his body were not pinning down her right leg. Brook curled toward him, digging her