The Earl's Outrageous Lover Page 0,58

her hair as she went, hoping that Edward wouldn’t notice anything out of the ordinary.

“Hello Edward,” she said and reached up to kiss him on the jaw.

Edward saw her and bent down low, so the kiss that had meant to be just a peck turned into something more. When he lifted his head, he noticed that her cheeks were a bit more red than usual. “What’s wrong?” he asked, holding her close as he looked at her eyes. “Are you feeling well?”

Jessica’s hands immediately went to her cheeks and she stepped back. “I’m fine. Why?”

“Because your cheeks are flushed and your eyes look like you’re about to cry.”

She laughed and shook her head, her curls bouncing around her head and shoulders. “Nope. I feel wonderful. How was your day?” she asked, her fingers fiddling with the tiered, colorful necklace around her neck. Her mind was going over and over the things in the books and she wanted so much to try them out, but wasn’t sure how to approach the issue.

Edward poured himself a scotch and a glass of white wine for her. “What did you do today?” he asked as he took a sip.

Jessica fiddled with her wine glass, still nervous. “Um….I went out to lunch with James,” she said, not wanting to reveal that she’d read a bunch of books on sex because of that lunchtime conversation.

“How is he doing?” Edward asked, knowing that Julianna was fighting her feelings for the man. James would win, though. Julianna should just give up the battle because James was just like him. Edward always got what he wanted. Well, almost he thought as he stared at his beautiful wife. Right at this point, he wanted Jessica in bed, on her back and screaming out his name but that would have to wait until later tonight.

And he wanted her to love him. With a sigh, he accepted that it probably wasn’t going to happen. Maybe in time, he told himself. Be patient.

“He’s doing really well. Apparently he’s bought up the whole side of the waterfront with all the abandoned buildings. He’s going to make them into apartments and condominiums.”

Edward already knew this since he was a partner in the deal. “It’s going to transform the waterfront,” he said, nodding his head. “I’m going to go take a shower. I’ll be back downstairs in ten minutes, okay?”

Jessica nodded, her mind feeling deflated since he was following his normal routine. But what could she expect as she watched his retreating back. Jessica hadn’t given him any alternative. She’d just stood there looking up at him and wishing she had the courage to change things.

Well, it was time to seize the day, she told herself and she set the unwanted glass of wine onto the countertop of the bar, squared her shoulders and followed the man in question. She was going to drive him crazy even if it drove her up a wall as well!

In their bedroom, she considered her options. Thinking back to all the suggestions she’d read about in the books, she thought of one that she really wanted to try. He’d never even let her come close in the past but the idea was so tempting she decided that tonight was her chance. Especially when he was in the shower, it was the perfect opportunity.

She slipped the zipper on her dress down, leaving the necklace in place since it made her feel sexy, decadent. She wanted to leave the shoes on, but they definitely weren’t waterproof so they were left behind as well. Walking into the bathroom, completely naked except for her necklace, earrings and her wedding rings, she found him lathering himself down with that incredible soap he preferred. As soon as he saw her, his hands stilled and he watched her approach.

She opened the glass door of the shower area and stepped inside, the steam instantly making her hair curl even more than normal. She watched his eyes and smiled, enjoying his surprise.

“What are you doing?” he asked, his voice already deep and husky, his eyes moving over her nakedness, hungry and devouring her.

“I thought I’d break up the routine a little bit tonight,” she said by way of explanation. She continued moving towards him, her eyes watching him carefully, just as he was watching her. She knew the moment he realized what she had planned because that very part of him that was her goal was no longer relaxed, but standing at attention for her. Good, that would help