Cocky Earl - Annabelle Anders Page 0,80

the reason she’d been drawn to him. Yielding herself to this man—merging her heart with his, sharing her body and revealing her soul—was the reason she was here.

It was the reason she’d been born.

Thunder rumbled outside at the same time Jules hummed against her lips. Her insides tightened, and she felt his kiss everywhere. Beneath her hand, his heart beat as rapidly as hers.

Time ceased to exist and all she could think as he kissed her was that she never wanted it to stop. She wanted him always. In that moment, she belonged to him.

And as the kiss softened but with more insistence, she wanted him to touch her everywhere—her breasts, her legs, her belly. The ache between her legs was hot and wanton.

She gasped when he abandoned her mouth to trail his along the curve of her cheek. His tongue felt hot, his teeth dragged along sensitive skin, making her nerve endings stand up, wanting some combination of pleasure and pain.

“What’s happening?” Was this even normal? All her good sense turned upside down, making her want this—want him—more than anything else in the world.

He paused, breathing hard against the side of her neck, one hand resting just below her breast. Another flash of lightning and the thunder came quicker this time, so loud that it seemed to shake the earth beneath them.

She felt Jules’ long exhale, then he drew back, his chest rising and falling as he reined in his emotions. Was that what this was?

Romantic love?

He leaned in and pressed his forehead to hers, so close that she could almost count his lashes as he stared into her eyes. The sensation was more intimate than a kiss.

“I need to put the horses up until the rain passes.” And as though he’d summoned it with his words, the patter of raindrops falling on the roof and against the windows sounded softly at first, growing quickly in intensity. “I’ll light a fire for us when I return.” He squeezed her hand. “You are all right?”

She was dazed and achy and alive all at the same time. “I’m fine.” She pushed him away. “Go.” The horses would be getting skittish.

The room felt emptier the moment the door closed behind him and a sense of logic began to war with the fog of wonder she’d fallen into. Mrs. Crabtree would be awaiting her at the Abbey. As would Bethany. What was Lady Westerley going to say when they didn’t arrive with all the other guests?

Another flash of lightning lit the room brighter than a hundred candles ever could, immediately followed by cracking thunder.

The horses would be terrified by now. Jules would need her help. She hopped off the table and rushed across the room. When she opened the door, sharp drops of rain pelted her face and a swirl of leaves blew inside.

She lifted her arm to partially cover her face right before she caught sight of Jules. Leaning forward with his head down, his legs churned through the mud as he walked in front of the horses who pulled the conveyance. He was leading them around to a small barn on the other side of the stream.

He had hold of one of the horses, but Charley recognized a wild look in the other mare’s eyes. The poor thing was terrified.

“Go back in! What are you doing?” he yelled over the rain when she sprinted around him to take hold of the second horse.

“What’s her name?” she shouted. The mare trembled beneath her hands when Charley grasped the leather strap to help lead them to shelter.

Julian narrowed his gaze but then shook his head, resigned. “Calista.”

“Poor girl.” Charley smoothed her hand down her neck. “That’s good, Calista. Just like that.”

“I can’t believe you!” He glanced sideways, scowling but then turned back to the other horse when she raised her head with a whinnying sound. “Easy now.”

By now, the rain slashed torrential sheets as, together, she and Jules dragged the horses, straining against the gusts of wind.

They were soaked through and Charley had to concentrate hard not to slip in the mud.

“Let go if they bolt!”

Jules scowled at her when he loosened his hold in order to open a large door. He sounded angry, but she knew he was only afraid they would hurt her.

She wasn’t afraid. She’d assisted her father with the horses hundreds of times and in storms far worse than this one.

Jules returned quickly and when they stepped inside, the shiny vehicle rolling in behind them, the horses calmed almost