Page 86 of The Duchess' Replacement

Sarah preened under his praise. She wanted to please him, no, she needed to please him.

He took a hold of her legs and held them out, spreading her wider.

Sarah cried out as her pleasure was nearing her peak. Once again her body and mind began moving in sync. The chanting of his name matching the movement of her hips against his.

Charles’s words turned into moans and grunts as his face tightened. “So… close… Sarah.”

“Yes, Charles!” She tightened around him. Her eyes fluttered shut just as stars burst behind her eye lids.

She heard one final grunt and felt one more thrust before a significant weight fell on top of her.

Her eyes popped open and her arms came up to encircle his back. She intended to tell him he was too much but as her body came back down from the inexplicable high she found she actually liked his weight on top of her.

She felt safe underneath him.

His body was slick with sweat and still, she didn’t ask him to move.

After a few moments, he rolled off of her and took her chin in his hand.

“Are you all right?”

Sarah shook her head. “Perfect.” She sighed.

He pulled a blanket that was at the foot of the bed and covered them with it. He gathered her into his arms, her head rested on chest.

They laid there as their breathing returned to normal. Sarah couldn’t remember a time when she felt more content in her life. She looked up and found Charles was already looking at her.

She made a face and hesitated.

“What?” He asked.

She rolled her lips. “It’s just, again, it didn’t feel like a punishment.”

His eyes widened as his arms went for her sides to tickle her. She yelped at the attack and their laughter filled the room.

Yes. She definitely felt like she finally found where she belonged and it was with him.

CHAPTER 23

Sarah rolled to her side and right into a brick wall. No. Not a wall, a body.

She opened her bleary eyes and blinked until her vision cleared of sleep.

Charles.

Her husband was sleeping with one arm underneath his head, his muscles flexing in his sleep. A blush bloomed across Sarah’s face. It wasn’t scandalous for a wife to see her husband in such an intimate state, but she felt scandalized all the same.

She lifted a finger to his chest and lightly traced random designs across his stomach and chest, playing with the chest hair that coated his wide chest.

A slow smile formed on the Duke’s face. “Haven’t you ever heard waking the beast? It usually doesn’t end well for the instigator.”

His sleepy voice was soft and gruff which awakened desire within her. Would she ever get enough of this man? Hopefully not.

“Who’s to say that wasn’t my intention?” She teased.

For a man who had just woken up, his reflexes were quick and surprised Sarah. One moment she’s tracing his muscles, the next she’s lying underneath him.

“Be careful what you wish for, my darling. Nothing would stop me from enjoying my wife, not even sleep.” He ran his nose up the side of her neck and nipped her ear.

---