Page 117 of A Duke in the Rough

He resumed his ministrations at her breast, caressing and stroking. Her nipple rose to attention, tingling and tightening in a pleasant torture when he ran his thumb over it. Carefully, he lowered her back on the bed and stretched out beside her. Waves of power flowed through her at the awe in his eyes.

In turn, she splayed a hand against his chest again, relishing the difference in their bodies. The hair on his chest continued down his abdomen, forming a little line that disappeared beneath the bed linens. She ran a fingertip down its length, and he drew in a shuddering breath.

She hooked a finger in the linens and tugged at them. “Perhaps you’d be more comfortable with these off.”

He chuckled, deep and delicious. “Why, Honoria, in all my fantasies, I never imagined you so bold.”

“Is that bad?”

“What do you think?” His widening grin answered for him.

It pleased her to no end. “In those fantasies, what did you do?” She trailed her finger in circles on his chest and abdomen. “And would you like to do that now?”

The gleam in his eyes grew devilish. “This, for one thing.” He lowered his head, but instead of returning to her lips, he suckled at her breast, and she was the one who shuddered.

As he laved her breast with his tongue, her pleasure built.

She needed to reciprocate. Where did that line of hair go? Tugging at the linens wrapped around him, her hand lurched up suddenly, knocking him on the chin.

He broke his seal on her nipple. “Ow!”

She wanted to die.

CHAPTER 33

Oh, Lord! Did he bite her?

“I’m so sorry,” they said in unison.

Drake rubbed his throbbing chin and darted a glance at Honoria’s breast. The blow to his chin had landed hard enough to force his jaw shut. Thank goodness no teeth marks marred her skin. The slight metallic taste in his mouth gave testament to his tongue’s sacrifice in shielding her.

“Did you want me to stop?” he asked, still rubbing his chin, although the throbbing had eased.

Honoria appeared absolutely horrified, her lovely eyes so wide as to be almost comical. “No. I didn’t mean to hit you. Does it hurt very much?”

“Just a little. You pack a good punch.” He grinned, hoping to ease her embarrassment. “A kiss would help.”

Her lips curved in the shy smile he loved so much. “Very well.” She leaned in and placed a chaste peck on the tip of his chin.

“And this hurts, too.” He pointed to his cheek, which she kissed.

“And here.” His index finger touched his lips.

She laughed at his feeble attempt to manipulate her. “Now, you’re exaggerating. But as you wish.”

As she brushed her lips against his, he flattened her on the bed. “Now, what were you trying to do other than plant me a facer?”

She laughed—a little too loudly—and he quieted her with a kiss.

The fire within him returned in full measure, the kiss more heated and insistent. How would he ever last for her? He broke away, panting, and placed his forehead against hers. “You were going to say?”

A coy smile tipped the corners of her lips and scattered his thoughts. “I was trying to remove the linens. I want to see where that trail of hair leads.” Somehow she slipped her arm between their bodies, and her finger set him on fire as she traced it down his stomach.

“First, you. I don’t want you to run off now that I have you in my bed.” He kissed the tip of her nose, then gave her a more proper kiss on the lips.

He would never get enough of her. Not in a hundred lifetimes as either groom or duke. But he prayed he wouldn’t bungle things for their first times. The pounding in his chest grew so furious, he thought he would have a heart seizure. Reluctantly breaking away again, he gathered the folds of her nightdress in his hands. “Lift your hips.” When she did as he asked, he slipped the garment from her body, tossing it aside.

His breath hitched in his throat. Simon’s words—which at the time were unwelcome—came back to him.Kiss and touch her. Everywhere.

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