Free The Earl's Intimate Error by Susan Gee Heino Page A

babies. Yes, she would be a most memorable tumble, to be sure.
    Yet she still worked at the horse, completely ignoring the man. Other than her tantalizing words, she gave no indication at all that she’d noticed Woodleigh’s interest. That was unusual for him.
    He was an attractive man; scores of women had told him so. He was accustomed to their suggestive glances and sly flutter of fans, the whispered suggestions when no one else was about. Truth be told, he’d not had to approach a woman in some time now. Generally they came to him. And then he saw to it they came for him. It had proved a mutually beneficial arrangement over and over again.
    He decided he could use a mutually beneficial arrangement just at this moment. He’d watched her long enough. It was time to reward her for her expert care of his horse. She could show him what other things she might expertly care for.
    “You have a winning way with passionate beasts,” he said, moving closer so she would not miss the promise behind his words. “Perhaps you would like for someone to return the favor.”
    “Thank you, sir, but I…”
    As she spoke, she turned from her labors, tossing the cloth over her arm and finally, for the first time, really noticing him.
    “I…oh. Oh!”
    “I should think you might take a chill after being caught in the rain,” he said, watching her eyes go wide. “Perhaps you want to consider getting out of those clothes?”
    Those eyes, he discovered, were extremely blue. How fortunate for him that he was rather partial to blue. And soft chestnut curls. And plump rosebud lips that parted just slightly as she seemed to only now become aware of what they had been discussing. A most fetching look for her.
    Indeed, he could safely say he was rather partial to all of this young woman’s looks, and all her parts. At least the ones he’d encountered so far. It was quite likely he’d feel something similar for the rest of them, too. He could hardly wait to prove that theory. A nice empty stall with fresh bedding beckoned just inside the barn doors. He could have her in there and be teaching her a thing or two about riding in fewer than five minutes.
    Not that stamina wasn’t one of his better features, too.
    “But you mean…you think that…”
    Clearly she was out of breath at the thought of his attentions. Well, he’d seen that before. Hell, he’d come to expect it. It wouldn’t be long before he’d have her finding her voice, though. No doubt she’d find lots of enthusiastic things to say while he worked her over.
    “I think we could be very good for one another,” he said. “A well-matched team, I would judge.”
    His high praise must have been too much for her. She simply blinked those blue eyes and stared. He hadn’t thought her mutton-headed, but perhaps she was. Well, that hardly mattered. He didn’t want her for conversation, anyway. Everything else about her indicated she’d be an excellent lay.
    He reached out to touch one of her dampened curls. Soft, yes, just as he’d imagined. He rubbed the lock between his fingers. Wayward strands escaped from him and sprang back into place, hanging about her shoulders, teasing him to touch them again. By God, he’d been a fool to let a silly cap and some baggy breeches hide all this from him. He must learn to be more observant, clearly.
    His hand brushed her cheek, and he felt her exhale, slowly, carefully. Her breath was warm and moist against the skin of his wrist. He wondered how her breathing would feel against his neck, his shoulders, his lips. A remarkable feeling, he had no doubt.
    She stood motionless for him, so he let his touch and his gaze wander. From her face, his fingers trailed down her neck, to the creamy skin showing where her damp shirt sagged open. He could almost picture the delights hidden there. Slowly he shifted his gaze up to meet her eyes. She would see the desire he felt; she would know he’d not disappoint her.
    What would he see in hers?
    He