Read Online Reason to Wed (The Distinguished Rogues Book 7) by Heather Boyd - Free Book Online Page B

expertise. I enjoyed every moment in his arms.”
    Meriwether’s face leeched of color. “You couldn’t mean that.”
    “Actually I do.” She smiled thinly. “We are very much alike, Lord Windermere and I. And he understands me much better than it appears you do. I would never lower myself and sleep with a man whose affections are supposed to be engaged elsewhere. I chose him last night and will undoubtedly do so again. Excuse me.”

Nine

    Richard moved to the steps of the terrace, prepared to risk Esme’s wrath by intervening in what appeared to be an argument between her and Meriwether. A burst of unexpected anger trickled through him that she’d been pushed so far as to be upset. The irony was not lost on him. Normally he was the one upsetting Esme, and that fact had never bothered him one bit in the past.
    If Meriwether continued to aggravate Esme, he’d send him from the estate. The man had his chance with Esme and had thrown it away to marry the blandest debutante in the district.
    Richard would not be so stupid.
    After a moment, Esme headed toward the terrace steps and him. Although her face remained impassive, her steps were the clipped march of someone trying not to show her hurry. Richard had always been able to judge her anger fairly well. She was utterly furious.
    Their eyes met and instead of caution, an unexpected jolt of lust struck him like a blow. Had he always been so affected by her or was it just because they’d been intimate once?
    She stopped a pace away, near enough that he could reach out and haul her into his arms. He waited to see what she wanted first.
    “Do you have a moment for private conversation, Lord Windermere?”
    Gods, he hoped she wanted him for sex. He glanced at Meriwether and allowed a small territorial smile to spread over his face. “I am at your disposal immediately, my dear.”
    “Good.”
    She stepped around him and headed for a little-used entrance to his home through his open study doorway. Richard followed and, thinking she’d rather not have anyone overhear whatever came next, he closed and locked the doors. She was usually very expressive when angry, and even more so when she climaxed. “What did Meriwether say to you?”
    As he turned, Esme pressed against him. “Enough of that fool.” She caught his head with one hand and dragged his face to hers for a deep, hungry kiss. Her passion stole his breath away and it took him a moment to respond. Unfortunately, that hesitation seemed to build a fire in her. He was shoved roughly backward until he all but fell into his desk chair.
    Esme hiked up her skirts and settled astride his lap without preamble. “I don’t like to be stared at all the time.”
    Uncertain what to make of this development, he gently placed his hands on her bottom to secure her to his lap. “I did not mean to do it.”
    She made a little growl, much like a hungry cat on the hunt for an escaping mouse. She dug between them for the buttons of his trousers and practically ripped the garment open. When she slid her hand inside and curled her fingers around his cock, he groaned loudly.
    Esme smiled wickedly and kissed him once. “Liar.”
    With her tongue dancing across his lips and her hot little hand working to bring him erect, Richard had no power to resist and certainly no desire to stop her. He jostled her to shove his trousers lower off his hips and then dug under her gown to touch between her legs.
    He moaned at the state he found her in. “You might not like me staring but I think you are incredibly aroused by me doing it.”
    “I am frustrated.”
    He was glad to have made any impression today, so he chuckled and nibbled her neck, earning a gasp. “I can accommodate you,” he whispered. “I can give you exactly what you need and more.”
    “You’d better.” She rose up and Richard grasped his length so she could impale herself. She moaned as he filled her. “Yes.”
    He cupped her face, now flushed with heat and desire, and