Day 10: Outdoors

Day 10: Outdoors

The soft sounds of summer filled the air as Colin and Penelope strolled through the grounds of Aubrey Hall, the gentle breeze rustling the leaves above them. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the rolling fields and woods that surrounded the Bridgerton estate. It was the perfect afternoon—warm, peaceful, and with just enough privacy for the couple to steal a few quiet moments alone.

Benedict and his wife had stayed behind at the house, caught up in conversation and afternoon tea, leaving Colin and Penelope to wander the grounds at their leisure. It had been a long time since they had been able to escape the hustle and bustle of London, and now, with the quiet beauty of the countryside around them, it felt as though they were in another world entirely.

"I've missed this place," Colin remarked, his voice soft as he glanced at Penelope, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back. "It's always been my favorite retreat."

Penelope smiled, her fingers entwined with his as they walked, the scent of wildflowers and fresh grass filling the air. "It is beautiful," she agreed, her eyes wandering over the landscape, the lush greenery stretching out before them. "And so peaceful."

But as they wandered deeper into the woods, the tranquility of the moment was replaced by something else entirely. There was a quiet tension in the air, a spark of excitement that had been building between them since they had left the house. Colin's hand on her back lingered a little longer, his touch growing more possessive as they moved further from the prying eyes of the estate.

Penelope could feel the heat of his gaze on her, the unspoken desire that simmered just beneath the surface. She had noticed it all afternoon—the way Colin's eyes had lingered on her, the subtle brush of his hand against hers. And now, as they found themselves alone in the secluded woods, that tension had grown into something undeniable.

"Colin," Penelope whispered, her voice trembling slightly with anticipation as she glanced up at him, her heart racing. "What are you thinking?"

Colin smiled, his hand sliding from her back to her waist as he pulled her closer, his eyes dark with desire. "I'm thinking," he murmured, his voice low and filled with amusement, "that we're quite far from the house. Far enough that no one could see us."

Penelope's breath hitched at his words, her pulse quickening as she realized what he was suggesting. The idea of it—being out here, alone with him, knowing that anyone could stumble upon them at any moment—sent a thrill of excitement through her that made her heart race.

"And if someone does come by?" she asked, her voice soft but filled with playful challenge. "What then?"

Colin's grin widened, his hand sliding lower to rest on her hip as he leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear. "Then we'll just have to be very quiet," he whispered, his breath hot against her skin.

Penelope shivered at his words, her body already responding to the heat between them as she felt his fingers teasing the edge of her gown, lifting the fabric just enough to brush against her bare skin. The thrill of the moment, the danger of being caught, only heightened the desire that had been building inside her all day.

Without another word, Colin guided her deeper into the woods, his hand firmly on her waist as he led her to a secluded spot where the trees formed a natural canopy overhead. The ground was soft beneath their feet, the scent of pine and earth filling the air as Colin pulled her close, his lips crashing against hers in a kiss that was both urgent and filled with desire.

Penelope gasped against his mouth, her hands clutching the front of his shirt as she leaned into the kiss, her body trembling with need. The sound of the wind rustling the leaves above them, the distant chatter of birds, all faded into the background as she lost herself in the heat of the moment.

Colin's hands moved quickly, his fingers deftly untying the laces of her gown as he pressed her back against a tree, the rough bark brushing against her skin as he lifted the fabric, exposing her legs to the cool air. Penelope's breath came in short, ragged gasps as Colin's hands roamed over her body, his touch both possessive and tender as he explored every inch of her.

"Are you sure about this?" Colin murmured, his voice thick with desire as he looked down at her, his hands sliding beneath her skirts to trace the curve of her thighs. "We don't have to... if you're not comfortable."

Penelope met his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest as she smiled, her fingers curling into the front of his shirt. "I want this," she whispered, her voice trembling with both excitement and desire. "I want you."

That was all the encouragement Colin needed. With a soft groan, he lifted her slightly, pressing her back against the tree as he positioned himself between her legs, his hands gripping her hips tightly as he pushed into her with one slow, deliberate thrust. Penelope gasped, her body arching against his as he filled her completely, the sensation of him inside her sending a rush of heat through her that left her breathless.

The thrill of the moment, the knowledge that they could be discovered at any second, only heightened the intensity of their connection. Penelope's hands clutched at his shoulders, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps as Colin began to move, his pace slow and deliberate at first, each thrust sending waves of pleasure through her body.

The sounds of the woods seemed distant now, the rustle of the leaves and the chirping of the birds blending into the background as they moved together, their bodies in perfect sync. Colin's hands gripped her hips tightly, his breath hot against her ear as he whispered her name, his voice thick with desire.

Penelope's heart raced, her body trembling with the intensity of the moment as she felt the tension building inside her, each thrust driving her closer to the edge. The sensation of the rough bark against her back, the cool breeze on her skin, and the heat of Colin's body pressing against hers all blended into one overwhelming rush of pleasure.

"Colin," she gasped, her voice trembling with both pleasure and the thrill of the moment. "We... we have to be quiet..."

Colin chuckled softly, his lips brushing against her ear as he murmured, "Then you'd best be very quiet, my love."

With that, he quickened his pace, each thrust deeper and more urgent than the last, his hands gripping her hips firmly as he drove them both toward release. The thrill of being caught, the risk of discovery, only heightened the intensity of their connection, making each moment more urgent, more passionate.

Penelope bit her lip, trying to stifle the moans that threatened to escape, the sensation of Colin moving inside her overwhelming her senses. The rough bark of the tree pressed into her back, grounding her in the moment as Colin's body moved against hers, each thrust more insistent than the last.

Her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer as she arched her back, her breath coming in short, desperate gasps. The sound of their bodies moving together, the rustle of the leaves overhead, and the soft murmur of the wind through the trees created an intoxicating symphony of sensation. Every thrust sent a jolt of pleasure through her, the tightness in her core building with every movement, her need for him growing with every second.

Colin's grip on her hips tightened, his fingers digging into her skin as he buried his face in the crook of her neck, his breath hot and ragged against her skin. "You feel so good," he groaned softly, his voice thick with desire as he continued to thrust into her, his movements rougher now, more demanding. "God, Penelope... you're perfect."

Penelope whimpered softly, her body trembling as she clung to him, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. The pressure inside her was building rapidly, the slow burn of pleasure turning into something more intense, more uncontrollable. She could feel the warmth of Colin's body pressing against hers, the tension in his muscles as he held her close, driving deeper into her with every thrust.

The sensation of him filling her, the roughness of his movements, and the thrill of being exposed out in the open—where anyone could stumble upon them—made the pleasure almost unbearable. Each thrust sent a shiver of heat through her, the ache between her legs growing more desperate as she teetered on the edge of release.

"Colin," she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper as she clutched at his shoulders, her body trembling with the force of her need. "I... I can't..."

"I know," Colin murmured against her neck, his voice rough with passion as he quickened his pace, his hips slamming against hers with a force that made her cry out, the sound barely muffled as she bit down on her lip. "Let go, my love. Let go."

With one final, deep thrust, Colin drove them both over the edge. Penelope's body convulsed beneath him, her release crashing over her in wave after wave of intense pleasure, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps as she clung to him, her entire body trembling. Colin followed her moments later, his own release hitting him with a force that left him breathless, his groan low and deep as he spilled into her, his hands gripping her hips tightly.

For a moment, the world around them seemed to stand still, the only sound the ragged breathing of their entwined bodies as they came down from the intensity of their shared pleasure. Colin's hands loosened their grip on her hips, his touch becoming softer, more tender as he gently lowered her back down to the ground, his forehead resting against hers as they both tried to catch their breath.

Penelope's legs felt weak, her body trembling as she leaned into Colin's embrace, her heart still racing as the aftershocks of their release rippled through her. The soft rustle of the leaves overhead, the distant call of birds, and the warmth of Colin's body pressed against hers created a sense of calm in the wake of their passion.

Colin smiled down at her, his hands still resting on her hips as he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "You're incredible," he whispered, his voice filled with both awe and affection.

Penelope smiled weakly, her breath still uneven as she leaned into him, her fingers lightly brushing the back of his neck. "And you," she whispered back, her voice trembling with affection, "are utterly impossible."

Colin chuckled softly, his hands sliding up to cup her face as he kissed her again, this time slower, gentler, as though savoring the moment. "That may be," he murmured against her lips, his voice warm and filled with love, "but you wouldn't have me any other way."

Penelope laughed softly, her heart swelling with affection as she kissed him back, her body still humming with the afterglow of their shared release. "No," she agreed, her voice soft and filled with love. "I wouldn't."

They stayed like that for a moment longer, wrapped in each other's arms, the quiet sounds of the woods around them creating a cocoon of intimacy that made the world beyond feel far away. The risk of discovery, the thrill of the moment, had passed, but the closeness they shared remained, deepening the bond between them.

Finally, with a soft sigh, Colin stepped back, his hands gently smoothing down her skirts as he helped her regain her composure. Penelope blushed slightly, the heat of their passion still fresh in her mind as she straightened her gown, her heart still fluttering in her chest.

"We should probably head back," Colin said softly, his voice filled with amusement as he buttoned his trousers, his eyes still sparkling with mischief. "Before someone actually does come looking for us."

Penelope smiled, her cheeks still flushed as she glanced around the secluded clearing, the thought of someone finding them now sending a thrill of excitement through her. "Yes," she agreed softly, her voice filled with warmth. "But I daresay this will be a visit to Aubrey Hall we'll never forget."

Colin grinned, his hand slipping into hers as he pulled her close once more, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. "Nor will I, my love. Nor will I."