A Day Until Forever by Erin Langston

Author:Erin Langston [Langston, Erin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-10T18:30:00+00:00

6

HALF PAST FIVE O’CLOCK IN THE EVENING

“Christ,” Raymond swore as he elbowed a path through the crowded yard of the Gander Inn. “It seems we aren’t alone in our quest for refreshment.”

Folk of all ages, genders, and ilk were crowded at tables and stools, clearly enjoying the more relaxed strictures of a festival day. Raymond frowned and pointed to a narrow space in the corner, where he recognized Rosalie’s friend, Mrs. Howard, sitting with her husband. He felt a curious sense of disappointed relief. She really should have a female chaperone in here…but he wouldn’t have minded more time alone with Rosalie.

“I’ll see about some victuals if you—”

Rosalie was already slithering through the crowd. “Fear not,” she called, tossing him a brilliant smile. “I’ll find a seat. You just hurry along. I’ve been fantasizing about that beer since the cabbage field.”

Raymond’s hand spasmed. She wasn’t the only one fantasizing. He recalled with agonizing clarity his lust in the vegetable patch. Beneath the paltry barrier of her gown, the muscles of her back had been firm and smooth, and her flushed cheeks and bright eyes nearly drove him past the edge of respectability. Despite their crude surroundings, Raymond had been wretchedly tempted to hold her against his chest, to drop his mouth to the back of her neck, to press his thumb to the absolute taunting crest of her breast…

Raymond tore his gaze from her retreating form, willing his cock to stay out of this. But then he considered Rosalie Holland’s charming disposition and knew his rebellious arousal was only half the problem. What most drew him to her was…her.

He wound through the noisy assembly, raising two fingers to the hassled proprietor. The poor man was tapping beer from a barrel, working the engine with enough vigor to match his patrons’ thirst.

“Jus’ a moment, my lord. I’ll need to swap out this cask.”

Good. Raymond could use this respite to collect himself and get a bloody handle on the situation.

The one positive since the cabbage field was that Rosalie, now firmly ensconced in her wool redingote, seemed calmer. She was no longer racing through the festival in pursuit of love potions or prospective husbands. It was amazing what proper outerwear could achieve.

But Raymond was experiencing quite the opposite problem. He was overheated and restless. In the span of five bloody hours, his ironclad veneer had split, revealing the profound isolation he had buried beneath layers of responsibilities.

It wasn’t that Raymond was exactly celibate, but he was a measured man in all matters. He had always been rather proud of how he maintained near-total control of his desire, slaking his lust only occasionally and always with the most discrete paramours. He considered proper courting a chore, and he already had quite enough chores.

But today, Raymond was enjoying himself. It was rather nice to spend the day with someone as lively and bold as Rosalie Holland. Despite his previous grim posturing, the truth was, he couldn’t remember ever appreciating a woman’s company so much.

Because of her.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.