Becoming Countess Dumont Read Free Page A

become attached.
    The moment I sink into her and find my release, I’ll be ready to roll over and forget her. It cannot be that way between the two of us. We’re married now and we have an act to uphold. If she were to be clingy, or worse yet, jealous of my other lovers, she may divulge our pact to my family.
    Keeping her at a distance is what needs to be done.
    Dipping down, I press a chaste kiss to her forehead. When I pull back and smile curtly at her, I see the tears swim in her eyes. The moment is brief before she plasters on a fake smile and storms from the chapel.
    Welcome to married life.
    By the time I reach the doors to exit the building, I see her hiking her dress up as she hustles across the street to a pub. I groan and check my timepiece. The whore I paid for will be waiting in my room soon.
    Running a palm through my thick hair, I make a decision. I’ll cheer the poor woman up and the whore can wait. I’ll pay her doubly for her time.
    “Edith!” I call out but she ignores me as she slips inside the pub.
    By the time I have made it indoors, I see her sitting at the bar telling the man her order. I stride over to her and sit in the stool next to her.
    “Celebratory drink, Countess?” I question.
    I bark out my order while I wait for her to answer. It doesn’t come though. I’ve gone off and married a woman that’s slightly mad.
    Leaning toward her, I drop my lips to her ear. “I’m sorry if I upset you, Edith. This is a business relationship if you’ll recall, not a real marriage.”
    She nods and turns to regard me. Our faces are inches apart and hell if I don’t have the urge to kiss her like I should have at the chapel. My eyes fall to her lips and I stifle the groan that nearly overtakes me.
    “Let’s drink. We’ll celebrate this marriage—our business deal,” she says with a false smile. The act turns her pretty mouth into something flat and insincere. I’m not fond of this smile.
    Hours later, we’ve overindulged on liquor and I can’t stop wondering what she tastes like—her mouth, her breasts, her cunt. I would imagine she’s sweeter than honey.
    “When may I call upon my first lover, Alexander?” she questions with a hiccup.
    My half grin drops as I imagine another man enjoying the mouth I’ve spent all night obsessing over. If fucking outrages me. “Not tonight,” I tell her gruffly.
    Her lips fall into a pout and I feel my cock become erect.
    What if?
    I tangle my fingers in her hair and pull her to me. Both of us stare at the other for a long moment, neither of us willing to make the first move. Before I do something I shall regret, I bring my lips to her ear and I draw the lobe between my teeth. She lets out a tiny gasp and her hand covers mine that’s in her hair. We become statues for what feels like eternity as I tongue her ear. It’s evident we both desire more. I’m willing to forget the whole stupid contract for one night. Could we both put it behind us tomorrow and carry on like usual?
    “There you are, Alexander!” a shrill, familiar voice rings out. “I have been waiting at the inn for hours.”
    The whore. I’ve used her on many occasions because she sucks cock really fucking well. But tonight I don’t want her. I want something new.
    I want Edith, my wife.
    But Edith has sobered in my arms and is pushing herself away from me. “Your lover is here,” she spits out in disgust as she retreats.
    I gape after her as she stumbles toward the door in her haste to leave. A man steadies her near the door and I see the interest he has for her in his eyes.
    “Do you want me to suck you off in the alley or in your room?” the whore questions as she reaches me and slips her arms around my neck.
    My eyes are still on Edith. She glances once at me and then smiles at the man on her arm. Together, they stroll out of the pub toward the inn.
    I could go after her.
    Stake claim on my wife.
    Or, I could count my blessings at having avoided what could have been a huge