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

frowned. What did he see in her eyes? She was an unusual minx, this one. He did not see breathless anticipation, eager willingness, or even flattered gratefulness. Those blue, blue eyes seemed to be saying…well, he couldn’t precisely decide.
    “You want to bed me right now, sir?” she asked after a pause.
    Ah, so she was waiting to discuss terms. Very well, he supposed he could spare a few moments for that. It wasn’t as if he’d be wanting her any less after a brief tête-à-tête.
    “I think you know it would hardly be a waste of your time.”
    “So sure of yourself,” she replied. “You would have at me right here, in the barn?”
    “I’ll have you like you’ve not been had.”
    “No doubt. And we’d come out with hay in our hair and dust on our…clothing?”
    “I assure you, there’d be dust everywhere.”
    “We’d roll in it and make all manner of animal noises?”
    “Most definitely.”
    “You might take more than a minute about it?”
    “Assuredly.”
    “You’d have me in ways I never knew a woman could be had?”
    “More than once, most likely.”
    “Then I’d swoon from the bliss of it all, I suppose?”
    “If that’s how you like it.”
    “And you’re not put off that I’m wearing men’s clothing or that I’m dripping with rain?”
    Hell no, he wasn’t. And her blasted conversation was making him even less put off by the minute. He couldn’t seem to quit staring at her lips, the way they moved, how her tongue tripped over her words, and how her eyes flashed with excitement. By God, the only thing being put off now was his need to possess her.
    “No man ever wore those clothes to such an effect, miss. What do you say? Vesuvius can wait here. An even greater eruption is waiting indoors.”
    He doubted she had enough classic education—or any at all—to understand his clever reference, but he chuckled at his own wit. Perhaps he could explain it to her so she might enjoy the reference. They could chuckle together. Among other things.
    She wasn’t chuckling yet, though. “Did you say ‘eruption’? Good God, sir. You would compare yourself to a volcano ? Truly, even for a man that is the height of presumption.”
    So she did have an education. All the better. He enjoyed a woman with a brain as well as beauty. But no more of this. He wanted her and he was tired of her teasing. It was time they get on to business.
    “Perhaps that remains to be seen,” he admonished. “It is not presumption if it is proven to be true. Now come, let me take you inside.”
    “Your sweet talk sweeps me off my feet, sir.”
    “I do whatever it takes to please.”
    And right now he decided that kissing those perfectly pink lips would definitely please them both. He was only inches from her, so it was no effort at all to pull her into his arms and capture her, to bring her lips into submission, and convince her this was every bit the right thing to do. She tasted sweet, like the promise of future delight. He wanted more.
    At first her body was stiff, as if she needed further convincing, but it took only a moment for that to subside, for her arms to encircle his neck, and for her lips to respond with supple eagerness. He pulled her tight against him, memorizing the soft curves and gentle motions she made. He’d been right; every fiber within him screamed that this body would fit his to perfection.
    He moved her toward the barn, in through the doorway, and into the shadows. Her kisses held fury now, as if she’d been starved for just what he provided. She devoured him with passion to match his own. Just as he knew she would. He pressed her against the rough wooden wall. It was doubtful they’d make it into the stall. At least for this go around.
    “Sir…” she breathed when he shifted position just enough for her to drag in a rough breath. “This is highly irregular.”
    “I know,” he replied with another chuckle. “I’ve never had to work around two sets of breeches before.”
    “No, I