Baron of Clubs: Lords of Scandal Read online

  She’d ask, but she knew he didn’t want to discuss his past. Would he eventually?

  Now, on her own, she wished for his heat, the press of his fingers, the feel of his muscles rippling under her. And she’d like to comfort him too.

  She sighed as she climbed under the covers of her bed, pulling them up to her nose to stave off the chill.

  At least tomorrow or the next day they’d reach Gretna Green. With any luck, they’d be married the day after that.

  But that didn’t help her now.

  She sat up a little. She wished to be a woman, but did wanting to be in her husband’s arms make her more or less mature?

  A knock sounded at the connecting door. “Lizzie.”

  “Come in,” she called, her heart jumping in her throat.

  Colton appeared in the doorway. “All tucked in?”

  She hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should ask or not. She wanted to be close to him but… “I’m fine. Just cold.”

  Colton didn’t hesitate. Leaving the door open, he crossed the room and lifted the covers, sliding in next to her.

  Lizzie snuggled against his side, her arm wrapping about his waist, her head coming to lay on his chest. She hummed a little sound of satisfaction as his heat seeped into her entire body. “So warm.”

  He chuckled. “I’m just a heating brick, am I?”

  She lifted her head at that, catching his gaze. “Do heating bricks fend off thieves?”

  His eyes darkened. “No. They don’t.”

  She was tempted to say more. About how Colton made her restless. About the way he touched her. But she wasn’t quite brave enough. Or perhaps she just forgot as his lips moved closer to hers.

  Either way, when he kissed her, her stomach fluttered as need curled inside her.

  The kiss went on and on, lingering, tempting, tasting as they pressed closer together.

  And then Colton shifted his arm in such a way that rather than being next to him, Lizzie was on top of him, her body fitted to the full length of him, her legs twined about his, her most sensitive flesh rubbing his.

  Need exploded inside her and she moaned into his mouth.

  In answer, he slid a hand down her side, first massaging her breast. She lifted a bit so that he might swipe a thumb over her nipple. Her effort was rewarded with a thrill of pleasure that puckered the sensitive flesh as her sex throbbed with desire.

  She wanted to know more of this man. To be honest, she wanted to know all of him. He slid his hand down her back and then cupped her behind, pressing their hips closer together. They’d be married in just a few days.

  Couldn’t they be intimate now?

  That almost made her giggle. Technically, they were being intimate. Very intimate.

  But she meant all the way.

  Her chemise had ridden up her legs to the top of her thighs. He dipped his hand lower, skimming the hem up until his fingers touched the sensitive folds of skin at her apex.

  Pleasure pulsed through her, as she arched into the touch.

  And then she reached a hand between them, fumbling with the falls of his breeches. She slid partially to the side to work the complicated closure.

  Somehow, she managed to undo the buttons, his staff springing free of the confines and for a moment she just stared.

  Larger than she’d imagined, even after touching him, she wrapped a hand about his girth, shocked when her fingers couldn’t quite close all the way about him. “Will it hurt?”

  He nodded. “The first time.”

  She swallowed down a thick lump. How that would ever fit inside her…she shook her head. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you said every time.”

  A small smile pulled at his lips. “You needn’t worry about that.”

  She frowned. “We’ll be married in just a day or two.” Much as she dreaded the pain, some part of her just wanted to be his now.

  He kissed her again, slower, softer, sweeter. “That will be soon enough for taking your maidenhead. For now, I can bring you all sorts of pleasure without the pain.”

  “We don’t have to wait any longer.”

  “It’s better,” he murmured, sliding his lips along her neck.

  “I appreciate how thoughtful you are,” she said, attempting to stay focused as he lifted her chemise even higher, skimming it along the flat of her belly and up over her breasts. “But I want to be yours.”

  And then he sucked one of her nipples into his mouth, she nearly forgot to breathe as intense pleasure coursed through her, her body pulsing as he stroked between her legs.

  “What if your brother catches us?” he whispered as he kissed a trail down her belly.

  “I’ll be ruined anyway,” she murmured, her eyes closing as he licked at the point where body met her leg. Delicious shivers tickled at her skin and then he sank lower still.

  The conversation was completely forgotten as his tongue replaced his fingers on the soft folds of her sex.

  And when he slid a finger inside…she let out a wild moan, sure she might break apart in that very instant.

  Had they been talking?

  Did she remember why?

  She threaded a hand through his hair. “Colton,” she cried, wanting more.

  But that single thought gave her the thread of their conversation. Not just more…she wanted all of him.

  And he did not wish to give her that yet.

  A bit of her pleasure dimmed as she lifted her head to resume their conversation, but the sight of him looking up at her from between her legs stole her reason once again.

  Perhaps he was right, and this was enough for now…

  Colton’s plan had been very simple.

  Give Lizzie so much pleasure she forgot to ask questions.

  He wasn’t good at much…

  That wasn’t true. He could fight, he could earn money with ease, he would protect her to the death.

  But when it came to the softer parts of a relationship…this was the only part he understood. How to bring her pleasure. And, at least for now, he hoped it was enough. What came later, he couldn’t say. He’d never been in a relationship that didn’t end in heartache.

  But as her body tightened underneath his touch, coming closer to her finish, he wished…he wanted to do this right.

  To be the man she needed. He wanted her to be part of his life forever.

  And she would…they’d be married.

  But he meant even deeper than that. He wanted to gain her affection and give to her in return.

  Hell. Colton wanted her love.

  She cried out, coming undone and he nearly moaned in response. Not only did the sound of her pleasure excite him, but the need in him intensified.

  For the first time in his life, he didn’t wish to push everyone away, instead, he’d like to draw her closer.

  Was this how?

  Could he ask her to teach him?

  He’d heard her stories of family and they’d been infused with the lessons of a loving bond. They’d put each other first, helped each other during hard times, laughed together, and teased one another, but celebrated each other’s successes just the same.

  Had Lizzie been drawing him a map with those stories?

  She sank into the mattress, her body relaxed as she let out a long sigh.

  Colton climbed up her torso, kissing her here and there as he went. His falls were still undone, and as he reached her mouth to kiss her, the tip of his manhood pressed into her slick folds.

  Her channel had been so tight about his finger, he knew that she’d grip his cock in the most satisfying way and he grit his teeth to resist the urge to press inside her.

  This was one of those moments…

  He’d do what was best for her rather than what he desired.

  But her legs wrapped about his, her opening pressing closer until his tip moved inside her.

  He let out a groan, his resolve being shred and torn as her softness closed around him.

  “Colton,” she murmured close to his ear. “I love your skin on mine. Take off your shirt.”

  Christ. How could a man resist an appeal like that?

  He pushed up his torso, keeping their hips together as he yanked off the cloth and then came back down on top of her.

  His efforts were rewarded with the velvety softness of her skin, only interrupted by the taut peaks of her nipples rubbing against him.

  Temptation made every muscle knot with tension as he resisted the urge to press deeper inside her. “Lizzie,” he ground out, knowing that he needed release too.

  “I want…”

  “Yes,” she replied simply.

  How did she do that? How did she give to him without even knowing what he asked? He rolled to the side, grabbing her hand along the way, and bringing her delicate fingers to his cock.

  She looked at him for a moment, her gaze narrowing. But her hand closed around him, lightly stroking the flesh. “We could do more…”

  His eyes drifted closed. “I want to do this right, love.”

  “You’ve said that before.”

  How did he explain? “When I’m inside you, I want to know that you’re my wife. Mine forever.”

  She pressed her cheek to his and he could feel her smile. “I’m already yours forever.”

  His cock twitched in her hand, loving the words. “If we have forever, then a day or two won’t matter.”

  “True.” But her smile fell.

  He closed his hand about hers on his shaft. “Lizzie,” he said, hearing the note of pleading in his own voice. “I want to be the man you need, and I think that includes protecting you now.”

  “Oh,” she said, her breath tickling his ear. “Oh, that is lovely.”

  His body relaxed back into the bed in relief until she began to skim her lips down h
is neck and chest and then tension pulsed through him again.

  And when her tongue swiped at the sensitive head of his cock, his shoulders lifted off the bed, the pleasure so intense, his eyes squeezed shut.

  He guided her hand up and down his shaft as her mouth forged a delicate exploration of the tip, nipping, licking and finally sucking until he could hardly stand another moment. His sac tingled with the need to release and finally, unable to hold back another moment, he let out a loud groan, his seed spilling forth.

  They lay with her head on his belly for a minute as reality returned by degrees. Finally, she picked up her head and caught his gaze with hers. “I just…” She licked her lips and his body responded as though he hadn’t just turned inside out with his own finish. “I want to take down the barriers between us. There are so many I still feel.”

  His desire cooled like water on a fire. Take down the barriers? He’d lived his whole life with walls carefully constructed about his heart. He was trying…but removing them might take a lifetime.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  The morning had been a delicious haze.

  Lizzie sat with Colton as the carriage rumbled down the rough roads, not that she noticed.

  She was in the circle of his arms, protected and warm, his kisses stealing her breath even as her body relaxed into his.

  Even though they’d held back last night, not fully joining, there was a closeness they had reached after their time last night.

  Lizzie had never been more content.

  This is what she’d been searching for.

  The chance to find where her heart belonged. She’d needed to break free of her brother’s watchful eye and experience life to know what she’d been looking for.

  She had thought Colton was her chance to break free and make her brother happy. But she found she wished for this marriage to work in all sorts of ways, to be his wife and give herself to him in any way she could. His long silences and serious expression had fooled her.

  But underneath that…

  He was warm, protective, strong and capable. And in his silences, he left lots of room…well…for her. Her thoughts, her feelings, and her wishes.

  How had she not understood how important her own place in this world was?

  Perhaps she had because here she was, encased in the circle of his arms.

  The driver thumped the front wall. “We’ll reach Scotland by nightfall,” he called.

  “From there,” Colton whispered close to her ear, “it’s a half day’s ride to Gretna Green. With any luck, we’ll be married tomorrow. The next day at the latest.”

  Her heart skipped a beat as she tilted her chin up to look at him.

  He captured her mouth in a steamy kiss that stole her breath. The kiss lingered, turned into another and then another, her body aching once again for the release he could surely bring.

  Would they have another interlude in the carriage? Her body tightened at the very idea of it.

  Over the rumbling of their own carriage, Lizzie caught the quick beat of horses’ hooves thundering in the distance. Whoever came up behind them was in a hurry.

  Colton heard it too and lifted his head, cocking his chin to the side as he listened.

  Then, gently but quickly moving her to the side, he was up and reaching into the bench; he grabbed two pistols, one for each hand.

  Lizzie’s breath caught as he motioned for her to get down between the seats.

  She did as he commanded, shrinking into a ball as she dropped her head between her knees. Fear pounded in her chest as the carriage picked up speed.

  Colton opened the door. Peeking over her knees, she watched as he leaned out and levelled both pistols.

  “Hey,” a voice called back. “Don’t shoot.”

  “Reginald?” she cried, her head popping up. “Colton. It’s my brother!”

  He lowered the pistols, but his features were still granite hard as he directed the carriage to come to a stop.

  Then, reaching out a hand to her, he gently helped her up and then out of the vehicle.

  For a moment, excitement filled Lizzie’s chest. She was glad to see her brother, happy to be with him.

  But one look at his face, and that excitement died.

  Spitting mad, his features were drawn into tight lines as he sat above her on his horse. Why did it always feel like he towered miles over her, looking down?

  “Lizzie,” her brother bit out as Arabella, seated on her own horse, watched her. “Glad to see you’re alive.”

  Several retorts rose to her lips, but notching her chin, she finally settled for, “Get down from that horse if you’d like to converse.”

  Reginald scowled, his features glinting with anger. They had the same dark hair and eyes, though Reginald was far more angular. Once his feet hit the ground, his frown pulled down farther. Was he angry? Fine. Because she had her own reasons for being mad as sin. But he hardly noticed as he glared. “All right. I’m on the ground. Now tell me why the hell you ran away.”

  “Edge,” Arabella said, also swinging down from her steed. With thick strawberry blonde hair and angelic features, the woman looked like she’d been pulled from a painting of an angel. “There’s no need for cursing.”

  Her voice, however, sounded far more like she was the ruler of the world. It spoke of confidence and a self-assuredness that Lizzie had never experienced.

  Edge made a face, his arms crossing. “That doesn’t change the fact that an explanation is required.”

  Lizzie felt her own irritation rising to match her brother’s. Her spine straightened as she looked up at him. “Colton and I—”

  “Colton?” Reginald spit.

  “Yes. Colton.”

  Anger rolled off her brother in waves.

  “Anyway. We wished to be married quickly.”

  “And that meant that you needed to leave like a thief in the night? If you wanted a quick wedding why not just ask?”

  Indignation made her bristle. “Oh please. You’d have never consented. You’d have told me I was too young. Too immature.”

  “You are too young and too immature.”

  “Some of my friends have babies!” The words burst from her chest. “And I’ve not even been on a carriage ride in the park with a man. I’m not nearly as young as you like to treat me.”

  Reginald staggered back, looking first shocked and then wounded. “I’ve protected you.”

  Colton’s hand touched the small of her back. His tender gesture both comforted her and reminded her to breathe. Which she did in several long deep breaths. “I really appreciate all you’ve done for me. But somewhere along the way, you forgot to allow me to grow up.”

  Reginald’s jaw tightened. “So it’s my fault you ran off?”

  “I’m marrying a baron and allowing you to marry Arabella. I thought you’d be happy.”

  Reginald spluttered, several unintelligible syllables falling from his mouth. Arabella stepped forward, reaching for Lizzie’s hand. “Let’s chat together for a minute, Lizzie, while your brother considers your words.”

  And then Arabella was pulling her around to the other side of the carriage.

  She glanced over her shoulder at Colton. He didn’t look worried, but there was no emotion in his face at all. He looked like the man she’d been with that first day in the carriage. Cold. Distant. Not the Colton she’d come to know at all.

  Colton twisted his head, cracking his neck as he waited for Edge to end their silent standoff. He certainly wouldn’t.

  A thief in the night…

  Was that what his future brother-in-law saw him as? The man who’d stolen the earl’s innocent sister?

  He’d taken her to protect her, and he’d thought he’d done the right thing. Wanted to do right by Lizzie.

  He always had.

  “How could you?” Edge finally spoke through gritted teeth.

  Each word hurt worse than a punch to the gut. “I just wanted to keep her safe.”

  “She was safe with me.”

  “She was not.” Anger swelled in his chest as he pulled his spine straighter. “Someone nearly shot her. You can’t tell me she isn’t better off tucked in the country, married to a baron.”

  “And her finances?”

  Colton’s mouth tightened. Why would Edge bring up that? “Finances? She hasn’t got any.”