Page 99 of Juliet's Touch

Chapter thirty-one

Eric’snewfamilygatheredaround him in the fight manager’s office, showering him with compliments and adulation.

“Damn good fight, Stone.” Alexander clapped him on the back. “Unfortunately, you are going to be bruised and swollen for your wedding.”

Wincing, Eric peered down at Juliet. “Sorry,” he mouthed.

Her eyes filled with affection, she gently swiped a damp handkerchief beneath his nose, cleaning away blood.

It meant the world to him that she’d been there. He’d never taken such a beating, so hopefully, the violence had not traumatized her. There had been moments when he wasn’t sure if he was going to win. Ned was a formidable opponent, and his right hook was deadly.

Emily tugged on Alexander’s shoulder until his cheek was at her level, and then she whispered in his ear.

Grinning, Alexander straightened. “Stone, why don’t you and Juliet take my carriage, and Emily and I will ride with Father?”

Chesterhill’s brow furrowed. “That does not make sense, Son. Eric is staying with me, and you two are staying with the Coldpeppers. Juliet should ride with you, and Eric should ride with me.”

Chesterhill was correct. Additionally, her father insisted that Juliet have a chaperone when she was with him.

Rolling his eyes, Alexander nudged Chesterhill out of the office. “Good God, Father, how daft can you be?” Eric heard him say right before the door closed.

Emily kissed Juliet on her flushed cheek. “I’ll tell Mother and Father you rode with us. Just be home before midnight. Use the servant’s entrance and avoid everyone. You can thank me later.” Emily linked arms with Juliet and guided her out of the office.

“I’ll be right behind you,” Eric called to them.

He quickly changed into a dry shirt, small clothes, and trousers. He tossed his sweaty clothing and winnings into his bag, slid into his coat, stockings, and boots, and then took the back stairwell to the alley, where two carriages waited.

After calling goodnight to the rest of their party, Eric helped Juliet into their carriage and settled his battered body onto the squabs across from her. Although the vehicle was too dark for him to see the details of her face, he could distinguish her silhouette and sense her intense gaze on him.

“You were wonderful,” she said, her voice so soft, it feathered over him. “Do you hurt?”

Every inch of his body. “I’ll survive,” he said with a chuckle.

“’Twas thoughtful of Emily and Alexander to give us time alone together.”

“Very,” he agreed.

After weeks of tortured longing, they were finally alone. God help him. However, he was much too tired and sweaty to do anything about it.

She crossed the carriage to sit beside him. His body instantly reacted to her nearness. Apparently, he wasn’t as exhausted as he thought because his heartbeat sped up and he had to spread his legs wide to make room for his growing arousal.

“I have been thinking about the book,” she said.

“What in particular are you thinking about?” His husky voice betrayed his curious libido.

“Shall I show you?” she asked, her voice a sensual taunt in the dark.

“I’d like that.” What an understatement. But howling like a randy wolf seemed a bit overkill.

She leaned close, pressing her torso to his. Her breath fluttered over his cheek, and then her lips brushed his as delicately as diaphanous butterfly wings. Before he had time to respond to her kiss or take her into his arms, she dropped to her knees.

His heart thudding, he tried to imagine what image in the book had inspired her to kneel on the carriage floorboards. She grasped the waistband of his trousers and tugged. Since she seemed to want him half-naked, he lifted his hips and assisted her. Both his trousers and his small clothes pooled around his ankles.

She trailed her hands up and down his thighs, kneading his tired muscles. Every time she came close to his erection, the damned thing twitched. He wasn’t expecting anything more than caresses, so when her tongue touches his shaft, he hissed in a breath. He’d never had a woman place her mouth on his cock, and more than anything, he wanted Juliet to draw him deep.

As she swiped at his length with long, luxurious licks, a fire lit in his stomach, sending molten blood to his cock.

“Does it feel good?” she asked.