Page 58 of Earl

The master suite was unapologetically masculine in design. Soft blues and splashes of gold made an appealing combination, but the place was also sterile, as if it was not really home. They wentthrough the formal sitting room and his home office to step into a bedroom that was four times the size of hers.

A fire burned in the massive fireplace and instead of carpet, the hardwood floor shone with years of careful polishing. The bed was set on a dais and took up a lot of space. It was enormous. And obviously custom made.

“You sleep in that?”

“We will not be sleeping tonight.” He promised huskily.

Her pulse jumped erratically as she turned to stare at him. There was no other light except the one from the red and orange flames glowing in the hearth, but it was enough to allow her to see the intense desire on his face. He was watching her as if she was a very delectable meal, he could not wait to devour.

It did something to her insides and had her knees going weak.

“Earl.”

“Yes?”

“I…, er, … I am not sure how to undress with you looking.”

A frown creased his brow. “Why?”

She fiddled with the gold buttons on her blouse and felt shyness invading her. “I am not your usual type.”

His brow cleared as he bridged the distance between them. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?” He lifted a hand to fiddle with a thick strand of hair. “I saw you enter that ballroom and was transfixed and that was even before I knew you were my Cathy.

The woman who consumed me with her texts and then her voice. You walked into the room, and I could not breathe.

I cannot breathe right now. I want you so much, that I am aching. Do you know how difficult it had been for me to wait for seven days?” Taking her hand, he guided it down his chest and pressed it against his steel-like hardness. He laughed softly when her eyes widened.

“Yes Cathy, this has been a constant state for me since I started talking to you. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met, and I am trying my damnedest not to tear you apart with this insane yearning I have for you. I want you in ways that are unimaginable.”

Chapter 12

His large hands framed her face, his thumbs meeting at a point beneath her chin. Pressing slightly, he inched her face up. His eyes were smoldering and reminded her of a stormy cloud on the verge of erupting. His cologne was enticing, subtle and masculine. His head lowered slowly, an inch at a time as if gauging her reaction.

She expected him to seize her lips in a rapacious kiss, but was surprised when he brushed them lightly, slowly, back, and forth.

His eyes held her captive as he moved one hand to encircle her neck. He massaged the skin lightly, rhythmically as if making sure she was relaxed. But how could she? She wondered numbly when her body was slowly turning into a ball of flames.

Her lips parted, her fingers curling into the silk of his sweater as she instinctively brought her body closer. Her nipples were painful reminders that she was on the verge of losing control. But he was in no hurry. Using only the tip of his tongue, he traced the lush outline of her bottom lip, memorizing the shape and texture.

The fire was not concentrated in his loins but was rapidly spreading to every part of his body. His blood was hot, racing through him like a freight train heading towards a cliff. She was close enough for him to feel her nipples branding his chest.

“Cat. Cat.” He breathed her name, his breath stirring her lips. “I will not hurt you. But oh, sweet darling, you are addictive.” His hands wandered over her shoulders and then bracketed her rib cage. “My sweet baby. I want to devour you. I want to get drunk on you.” He nibbled at her lip, his tongue soothing the slight sting.

“Earl, please.” She was vibrating, every inch of her body yearning to be taken by him.

“Soon baby,” he laughed shakily, his head lifting as he stared at her. Desire, like nothing he had felt before zinged through his body like an electric storm. Her lips were parted, her brown eyes wide and passion glazed.

“I want to love you like you have never been loved before. I want to worship your body, every inch of it.” He kissed her again, his tongue diving into her mouth slowly. Cathy’s head went back as a sigh and a moan escaped her.

His tongue tangled with hers in an erotically charged kiss that had her toes curling. He slowly deepened the kiss, his fingers crushing the silk of her hair as he held her steady for the thorough exploration of her mouth.

She tasted like honey; was as sweet and soft as a wine he had sampled while in Tuscany only recently. She settled on his palette, making him yearn for so much more. Sensations rocketed through their bodies like wildfire. The kiss took on a madness that was about to spin out of control.

Earl had never been so hard, his sex was throbbing, swelling so swiftly that there was no room in his trousers. He had to do something. Dragging his lips from hers, he staggered back a step, without letting her go. His eyes were wide and fierce, the desire pumping through his body could not be contained any longer.

Taking her hand in his, he led her up the steps and pushed her gently down. Kneeling in front of her he took off her boots and dropped them to the side. She was wearing flesh-colored stockings, making her legs look silky and bare. Lifting one foot, he examined the coral painted toes, before running his fingers up her ankles to her calves.

“Earl.” She whispered achingly.