Page 108 of Dukes for Dessert

“Whether Lady Marina and I were compatible. Why the devil I agreed to come to this party. How much I wanted a certain companion.”

Facing him, she fixed him with a provocative stare. “How much was that?”

He stalked toward her, lust roaring through him. “Less than I do now, but still a rather staggering amount.”

“It’s too bad this folly isn’t equipped with a bed.” She tipped her head back as he stopped in front of her. “Are any of yours?”

Inhaling her scent, he traced his fingertip along her jaw. “Not yet. Anyway, I can make do. That is, if you’d like me to.”

“I most definitely would.” She slid her hands up his coat as he lowered his head to kiss her.

Fire and delight sparked through him the moment their lips touched. Groaning, he clasped her to him and plundered her mouth. She clung to him, kissing him back with passionate abandon.

He guided her back to the wall, pressing her against it. She gasped, and he pulled back, asking, “What’s wrong?”

“The stone is a bit cold. But I don’t care.” She dug her fingers into him, and he kissed her again.

Driven by need, he cupped her breast, frustrated by the layers of clothing separating them. Using his teeth, he removed his glove, tossing it aside, then clutched at her skirts, wresting them upward.

She took them from him, freeing his hand so he could stroke her. “Yes, please,” she rasped. “No, I mean, touch me, Dare. Make me come.”

Her words made his cock twitch with want. “How shall I do that?” he asked, sliding his fingertip along her folds as he kissed her neck. “With my hand like this?” He caressed her clitoris, then thrust two fingers into her wet sheath. “Or perhaps with my mouth.”

“Your cock.” She gripped his head, dislodging his hat so it fell to the ground. “I want your cock. All of it. Now.”

How he’d found a woman like this at a bloody house party of all places would never cease to astound him. “I will never hate another house party,” he muttered as he unbuttoned his fall.

She laughed softly. “I’m so glad to have changed your mind about them.” Her hand joined his as he pulled his shaft from his smallclothes. She stroked him, and he savored her touch for a moment, his eyes closing and his head falling back. She’d taken him in her mouth last night, rather, early this morning before he’d left her bed. The memory nearly made him orgasm in her hand.

“Enough.” He gripped her hips. “Put your legs around me.”

He lifted her, pressing her against the wall as she curled her thighs around his hips. She tucked her hand between them and guided his shaft inside her. He thrust deep, holding her steady against the stone as he seated himself within her.

She moaned—loudly, which only fanned his desire—and clenched her legs around him. It was all the urging he needed.

“Hold on to me,” he ordered, rubbing against her before he began to move. He drove hard and fast, careful not to hurt her.

“Yes, Dare. Just like that.” She kissed his cheek, his jaw, then gently bit his earlobe. “Faster.”

She was a goddess, and he would worship at her altar for the rest of his days. He pounded into her, feeling her muscles clench around him as she clamored for release.

Then she came in a torrent of cries and desperation, her fingers digging into his neck and shoulder. He cast his head back, his balls tightening, and cried out as rapture claimed him.

When his body unfurled, he slowly lowered her to the ground, but he didn’t let go. He guided her to the bench, sitting her down so she could collect herself.

He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes, panting as he fought to regain his breath. Perhaps he ought to build a fifth folly. With a bed.

Grinning, he opened his eyes to find her watching him. “I think I’ve proved without question that riding is not overrated.”

Juno tipped her head to the side, then slowly rose from the bench. “I think the opposite is true. When you think of this ride, what will you remember most? I daresay it won’t be the actual riding.” She gave him a saucy smile.

He shouted with laughter and grabbed her to him. “I am corrected, my goddess. I have never been more happy to be wrong.”

Actually, he’d just never been more happy.

If the riding didn’t make Juno sore, all the sexual intercourse she and Dare had engaged in over the past twenty-four hours would. She didn’t think she’d ever spent so much time in bed not sleeping. Not that all their activities had occurred in bed. She would remember their tryst in the folly to the end of her days.

She’d been loath to get back on the horse after that, but she’d managed. They’d ridden straight back to the stables, and then she’d stayed away from him the rest of the day. Avoiding him lest they spark any rumors, she’d spent the afternoon with Lady Gilpin, who’d told her all about Presley, their estate where Juno would come to live and work with Dorothy.

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