The Bachelor Earl - Darcy Burke Page 0,21
to be a hundred, there would never be another moment like this. Nor did he want there to be. This was everything he’d ever craved and more.
The moment froze in his mind—her dark lashes brushing her cheeks as her eyes closed in ecstasy. Her pink lips parted as a soft moan escaped her mouth. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. And she was his.
Edmund moved within her, withdrawing and thrusting, slowly and methodically at first, his body learning hers and hers learning his. They fit together perfectly—at least in his mind. She rose to meet him, their bodies meeting in a divine rhythm.
Her legs wrapped right around him, her hands clasping his lower back. “Yes, yes,” she murmured over and over. “Faster, please.”
He complied, driving into her with greater speed. He wanted this to last forever, but knew that wasn’t possible. “Genie,” he murmured, overcome with desire and emotion. He kissed her, their tongues and moans mingling as their bodies moved together.
Suddenly, her muscles clenched, and she cried out. Her feet dug into his backside as her sex squeezed him. His balls tightened, and he barely held back his orgasm.
“Do I need to remove myself?” he managed to ask. He’d meant to settle that question beforehand, but he’d been quite carried away.
“No,” she rasped. “Come, Edmund. Come with me.”
It was all the urging he needed. He drove into her several more times as his orgasm built. Then he rushed over the edge, shouting her name as he spent himself inside her.
He’d no notion of how much time passed before he moved again. She held him tenderly, her lips brushing against his cheek and lips. He kissed her softly before he withdrew from her body and rolled to his side. When he recaptured his breath, he pulled the coverlet down and tucked her beneath it before joining her.
He gathered her in his arms and kissed her temple. “That was magnificent.”
“Yes, it was rather…lovely.” She kissed his throat and snuggled into him. “I never expected to have that. Not again.”
He knew she’d loved Kendal, even before she’d told him. He also imagined it must be difficult to move on without him. He tried to think of what he might do if he lost her. No, that wasn’t the same. They were not wed. They were not in love.
As far as he knew.
He, of course, had nurtured feelings for her long ago. He’d never imagined he might have the opportunity to explore them or that she might love him in return. And he still couldn’t quite conceive of it. “I am humbled that you would share this with me.”
She pulled back so they faced each other. “How are you not married? You are kind and charming. Intelligent, handsome, extremely accomplished in the physical arts—”
“Physical arts?” He laughed, then kissed her. “That is wonderful.”
“What else should I say? You’ve a talent with your mouth? And other things?” She blushed, then laughed. “I swear, I’m not a prude. It’s just been some time, and as I said, I never dreamed I’d be doing this again. Let alone enjoying it so much.” She blanched. “Is that bad?”
He kissed her soundly. “No. Surely your husband would have wanted you to continue to live, to find happiness again. I would want that for my wife.”
“Jerome did want that. He made me promise, in fact.” She looked at him intently. “You didn’t answer my question. Why aren’t you wed?”
Edmund couldn’t quite bring himself to tell her the truth. Because it was a truth he’d never acknowledged, and still hadn’t—not entirely. “I’ve never been moved to. You fell in love with Kendal, did you not?” At her nod, he said, “I haven’t been fortunate enough to fall in love with someone and have them do the same.”
“I’m sorry.” Her forehead creased, and she looked at him with genuine sympathy, but not pity. There was a difference. “You came to the party hoping that might change?”
“I did. As much as my mother nags me about marrying and producing an heir—she’s right. I have a duty. Perhaps it’s time I look past my romantic necessities and trust that love will come.”
“It doesn’t always. My eldest sister loathes her husband. They haven’t shared a bed in twenty years. He has a long-term mistress, and my sister has recently—finally—embarked on an affair of her own. I’m glad for her, but overall, it’s a sad state.”
“I suppose that’s what I’ve wanted to avoid. I fear a loveless marriage would be intolerable, duty