Her body having taken over her mind, she used her grip on his hair to tilt his head back, breaking their kiss. Then, her olfactory sense full of his fresh, spicy cologne, she peppered butterfly kisses and gentle nibbles over his neck and jaw line, before shifting to his left ear and pulling the lobe into her mouth to suck on it.

Thomas’s moan, now no longer muffled by her mouth, rang out into the room and sent thrills racing through her. She released his earlobe, then licked a line down and under his chin, up to the other ear, where she repeated the gesture.

“Oh, fuck,” he said, his words a little slurred, but Mia was confident it was arousal causing that, rather than drunkenness. He’d had even less alcohol to drink than her, and all she felt was a pleasant buzz, mixed with just enough brazenness to continue what she’d started. “Oh God, that feels good.” He crept his hand down to her arse and gripped one buttock, hauling her against him. She felt the hardness of his cock through their clothes and suddenly wanted nothing more than to see it, touch it, taste it, have it inside her. Deep inside.

When she stepped back, he released her without hesitation, his eyes wide with panic. But his concern soon evaporated when she took his glass from him and put it, along with hers, down on a side table, then advanced on him once more. He grinned and held his arms wide, then wrapped them around her as soon as she stepped into them.
She tilted her head back and looked up at him. “Are you sure you’re up for this?”

He let out a splutter of a laugh, his lovely eyes crinkling at the corners. “Are you joking? I’m a man, and you’re as sexy as hell. Besides, shouldn’t I really be the one asking you that, given the circumstances?”

She smirked. “Maybe. But although my inhibitions might be the tiniest bit relaxed, I’m still in full control of my faculties. And the fact I just said all those big words without tripping over them should reassure you that I’m plenty sober enough to know what I’m doing. We’re just two adults enjoying each other, right? Having a bit of fun.”

Mia tasted whiskey on Thomas’s lips, as he no doubt did on hers, and she found that she didn’t want to stop kissing him. She’d only planned it to be a friendly peck of gratitude, but for some unknown reason she’d remained in position, her lips fastened to his, and he hadn’t pulled away or protested.

She shifted her body closer to his, so their torsos were flush. He still didn’t pull away or protest, so she deepened the kiss, peeking her tongue out to seek entry to his mouth. Thomas let out a groan and opened to her, and now she tasted the whiskey on his tongue, too. They both still held their glasses, so their movements were limited, but Mia slid her free hand around the back of Thomas’s neck, while he wound his around her waist, pinning her in place as their kiss moved from surprising and tentative to needy and sensual.

This is probably a terrible idea. The worst idea you’ve ever had. And that’s saying something.

But despite her internal doubts, she continued to kiss Thomas, and he kissed her right back. It grew increasingly hot and heavy as their tongues twisted and thrust and danced together, and her arousal started to crowd out everything that wasn’t the here and now. Soon, Mia was entirely consumed by Thomas; by his strong arm wrapped around her, by his hot lips moulded to hers, by his heaving chest as he fought for each breath, and by the feel of his soft, thick hair clenched in her fingers.

She’d seen and heard of others in her father’s position who had allowed things on their estates to remain the same, spent the family money willy-nilly, then realised that the estate needed repairs, maintenance… and with no way of paying for it, homes and land fell into disrepair and had to be sold. She knew of some which had been made into luxury apartments, others which were being leased or given to the National Trust to restore and allow the public in to gawp, and others still which had been purchased by nouveau riche individuals who saw the properties and estates as nothing more than something to brag about.

Her father, on the other hand, had viewed the house and estate as his responsibility. Not the type of responsibility which becomes a millstone around a person’s neck, however. Edward Harrington had genuinely adored running the estate. It might have brought him and his small family a considerable income which kept them more than comfortable, but it was also a big provider and supporter of the local community. Many families in the surrounding area benefited from the estate in one way or another, either by working directly for the Harringtons and earning a highly-competitive salary, or by partnerships which were lucrative for everyone involved. Her father had been firm, but fair, and smart. He’d maximised the earning potential of the estate, and as such it had flourished. He’d made wise investments, supported fundraisers and charities, and given generously of both his time and his money—leaving behind an impressive legacy.

And now, if she didn’t marry a suitable partner within twelve months, all of that would be taken from her, and, more importantly, from the local community. For there wasn’t the slightest shadow of doubt in her mind that her cousin, Quinn, would not carry on with her father’s good work. He would greedily take what was bequeathed to him, then proceed to fritter the cash away and let the house and estate become yet another decaying pile, which he would then offload to the highest bidder.

“Over my dead body!” she said, slamming her hands down on the desk. The water glasses wobbled dangerously, but didn’t upset.

Flicking an anxious glance at her, then turning back to the document, he continued, “All of the aforementioned concerning the transfer of assets to Miss Mia Harrington is subject to her marriage. Miss Mia Harrington has one year following the burial of Mr Edward Harrington to wed a suitable partner, one befitting of her status and social class. Only then will she officially inherit. The marriage partner in question must also agree to take the Harrington name, so that any children born from their union will carry the name and continue the Harrington line.

“Should Miss Mia Harrington fail to secure a marriage contract within the stated period, then the eldest male child of Mr Archibald Harrington may inherit. Should this scenario come to pass, Miss Mia Harrington will be required to move out of the family home, resign her role as estate manager, and be awarded a small allowance on which to live.” Mr Lenton stopped then, and Mia wasn’t sure if it was because he was finished, or because he was giving her a moment to allow his words to sink in.

For a moment, she was silent. She relaxed her hold on the Mont Blanc, and it fell from her hand and onto the desk, where it rolled sluggishly along the surface and clinked against the side of her water glass. The sound barely registered as she turned the solicitor’s words—her father’s wishes—over and over in her mind.

The first part had been fine and dandy—she had absolutely no qualms about a good portion of her father’s money going to charity. They were incredibly worthy causes, and besides, even the remainder of what she stood to inherit was more than she knew what to do with. She’d probably end up donating even more of it to charity.

In truth, it wasn’t really about the money. If the will reading had been about discovering her father had actually been penniless, it wouldn’t have mattered. She was no helpless damsel in distress, or simpering heiress in need of her daddy to fund her lifestyle. She was well-educated, ambitious, and smart—she’d figure something out. No—it was the principle of the matter. Her father’s considerable assets were as such because he’d worked for them. Yes, he’d inherited the estate, the main property of which she currently sat inside, and enough money to keep it ticking over, but he’d done more than just keep it ticking over. So much more.