Dammit.
He turned away, burying a scowl.
The men were discussing which women were the best riders. Mrs. Sheldon was far and away superior, but Genie and her cousin, their hostess, were both excellent. Poor Mrs. Wynne-Hargest had struggled, but Sir Nathaniel had been kind enough to lend her assistance. So much so that they were now rumored to be a pair. He demurred, refusing to confirm nor deny any attachment.
Cosford sent a sly look toward Rotherham. “I’d thought you might be fixated on Mrs. Dunthorpe, but after today, I think it might be the dowager duchess.”
Rotherham rolled his eyes. “Give it up, Cosford. No one is going to come out and say whom they’re sleeping with or courting or anything else.” There was a rousing chorus of agreement.
“Besides, it’s obvious Her Grace is interested in Sterling,” Howell said, elbowing Sterling, who stood beside him.
Edmund’s irritation reached a boiling point, and he strode from the group. Not toward the house, but back to the stable, where he intended to help put away the tack. When he was unsettled, he always turned to manual labor to relax and reset his equilibrium. Or sex.
Since he had no hope for the latter, he would take the labor.
At first, the grooms attempted to decline his offer of assistance, but he ultimately convinced them to let him stay. He removed his coat and threw himself into the work, enjoying every moment, including the camaraderie of the grooms and stable lads. It wasn’t terribly seemly for an earl to behave in this manner, but he didn’t care. His own stable men knew to expect him and indeed welcomed him.
After some time, he felt refreshed. He bid goodbye to the grooms, picked up his coat, and went back into the yard, which was now thankfully empty. Intending to don his coat before returning to the house, he caught sight of something in the grass glinting in the sun.
He bent to pick the object up—an earring. Which he recognized. The gold-and-carnelian piece belonged to Genie.
His pulse quickened at the prospect of returning it to her. If only she hadn’t asked him not to say he’d enjoyed last night. He’d been certain she’d enjoyed it too. But it seemed she regretted it.
He closed his fist around the earring and straightened. Looking toward the house, he was surprised to see the object of his thoughts coming directly toward him.
Genie slowed as she neared him. She looked about on the ground. “I lost an earring.”
He held out his hand, opening his fist. “This one?”
She sucked in a breath. “Yes. Thank you.”
He closed his hand around it once more. “I could hold it hostage.”
Her gaze snapped to his, her eyes widening. “For what?”
“Do you regret what happened last night?” He had to know, and yet he didn’t think he could bear it if she said yes.
It took her a moment to respond, but it was worth the wait. “No.” She cautiously stepped toward him. “Still, I don’t wish to repeat it.”
“Why not?”
“Edmund, please don’t do this. It’s best if we move on.”
He took her hand and pivoted, pulling her with him behind the stable. Not pulling, exactly, because she wasn’t resisting.
When they were out of sight of the house, he let go of her and turned to face her. “Why? Tell me why you want to pretend there isn’t something between us.”
“I did!” Her eyes blistered with fire. “We don’t want the same things. We can’t make each other happy, not past this party.”
They didn’t want the same things. She wanted children, and he didn’t have any. He needed an heir, and she couldn’t give him one. That was the difference—she wanted and he needed. But did he want a child? He’d thought he might, but at the moment, he couldn’t see past the strong feelings he had for her.
He wanted every moment with her he could get. Even if this was to be the last one. “Then why not make the most of this party while we’re here? Come to me tonight.”
“No.”
He swore. Reaching for her hand, he put the earring in her palm. “Take this and go, then.”
She stared at the jewel. Shaking, she brought it up to her ear and slid it through the tiny hole, fastening it in place. But she didn’t go. She stood there, her chest heaving as she stared at him.
He saw the conflict in her eyes—the desire, the pain. “Genie, my darling, why do you fight this?” He gently stroked her jaw, then cupped her cheek.
“I can’t be the woman you need.”
His heart ached at the anguish in her voice. “You are the woman I want.” And he knew in that moment, despite the brevity of their acquaintance and the stark conflict that would seem to prevent their future, she was.
She put her hands on his shoulders and kissed him. Edmund snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her chest against his. He slanted his mouth over hers and made certain she knew how badly he wanted her. Needed her. Desired her above all others.
He tossed his coat and hat away, then nipped her lower lip and kissed along her jawline, licking her flesh toward her ear. Dragging his mouth along her neck, he savored her taste and scent.
“Edmund, I—”
He pulled his head up and looked into her hazy eyes. “What? Tell me what you want. If you want me to go, I will. If you want me to toss up your skirts and shag you senseless, I will. Tell me, Genie.”
“Take me. Now. Please.” She dug her fingers into his neck and shoulders.
He steered her backward until she met the exterior of the stable. They were somewhat obscured by a shrub on one side, but if someone happened by on the other, they would be seen. “Be sure you want this—here. Now.” He clasped her hip and ground against her.
She whimpered. “Yes.” She tugged at her skirts, raising them.
There was nothing to aid them. He would have to lift her, but knew he could. Hell, he could have carried the damn world if it meant he could share ecstasy with her one more time.
He put his hand on hers and brought her skirts to her waist. “Hold them,” he instructed before he kissed her again. She clutched at his head, her tongue dancing wildly with his.
Edmund slipped his hand between her legs and stroked her satiny flesh. She was soft and wet. Ready. And he was unbearably hard for her. He played with her, pressing her clitoris and sliding his finger into her sheath. She clenched around him, gasping into his mouth.
Then her hands were on his fall, unbuttoning him and pulling his cock free. She encircled him with her hand, stroking him from base to tip over and over until he feared he would spill himself in her hand.
“Enough,” he rasped. “Hold on to me.”
She curled her hands around his neck, and he lifted her against the stable. “Wrap your legs around me.” She did as he instructed. “Good girl.”
Laughing softly, she said, “I am not a girl.”
“No, you are not. You’re the most desirable woman I’ve ever known.” He clasped his cock and guided himself to her pussy. He held her backside as he moved into her, sheathing himself entirely.
Resting against her, he exhaled and closed his eyes. She felt so damn good around him, so right. He didn’t think anything in his life had been this perfect, and he somehow knew nothing ever would be.
“Genie,” he whispered, kissing her temple, her cheek, her lips.