Page 69 of The Heiress Gets a Duke
“August,” he whispered in near pain, but he allowed her to finish exploring.
Her thumb traced over the opening at the end, spreading the tiny bit of pearly liquid she found there. He groaned and grabbed her hips, pulling her up. She clutched his shoulders and rose onto her knees to aid him as he shifted, notching the tip of him against her. She shivered in anticipation.
“Ready?”
“Yes.” It was hardly more than a breath. She was more than ready; her entire body trembled with need and longing.
Finally, he let her slide down his length, raising his hips in gentle pumps to ease the way. The pleasure was indescribable. Her entire awareness centered on that point of contact. The ache in her had grown so inconsolable that this was the only way to quench it. Yet, as he filled her, he stretched her with a burning pain, and when her body seemed capable of accepting no more, he pushed upward, filling her the last bit until they were joined completely.
She didn’t cry out, but instead pressed her face into his neck, letting his scent surround her. His hands moved in slow strokes up and down the length of her back, the touches gradually becoming more sensual until he waskneading her buttocks and lifting her gently and rocking into her. The pain slowly melted into pleasure, ebbing through her in waves that had her moving with him. Her fingers tightened in his hair, and her gaze met his. She had never felt so connected to another person. It far transcended their physical joining.
His name tumbled from her lips as his movements became more structured and controlled. A hand guided her hip, as the other slipped between them, finding her aching flesh and stroking her with each thrust, caressing her from both sides. It wasn’t long before the pleasure in her belly was tightening like a spring, coiling and twisting until it had no choice but to explode within her. He gripped her hips with both hands and held her firm against him as he thrust up inside her in several short thrusts before he found his own release.
As they both came back to themselves, he held her curled against his chest, his lips brushing soft kisses along her brow. “Are you hurt?” he finally asked.
“Only a little sore,” she whispered, smiling up at him.
He kissed her softly and with much less urgency than before. This new aftermath felt strange and wonderful all at the same time. Her limbs were heavy, and her body was sated, but she didn’t want to leave him, even though a new awareness of her nakedness was slowly settling over her. When she shifted, he slid out from under her and adjusted his trousers. The heat of embarrassment swept over her face as she noticed a smudge of pink on the pale skin of his belly. There was probably a reason this was done for the first time in a proper bed.
An arm crossed over her chest as she realized how reckless this had been. The door was closed but not locked. Anyone could have seen them had they come to check why light was shining from beneath the door at this hour.
“Shh...” His voice was a strong murmur as he knelt before her on the floor.
She barely had time to register his intent before he pressed a wad of white cloth—his shirt!—against the tenderness between her legs, wiping her clean.
“Do you regret it?” His gaze was soft and comforting.
“No,” she answered honestly, unable to stop smiling. “Only surprised. I swear I never intended that to happen tonight.”
Leaning forward, he kissed her and then sat back on his heels to clean the evidence of her virginity from his skin. She gasped aloud when he finished and leaned forward, placing a kiss on her inner thigh. “Neither did I, but I am glad it did.”
Grabbing his face, a face that was quickly becoming beloved to her, she brought him up for a kiss, probably their thousandth of the night. And they would have so many more in their future. A rare feeling of hopeful contentment settled over her. She still had mixed emotions about marrying at this point in her life, but she could finally answer Violet’s question with confidence. Yes, she would choose Evan over all other men.
“Me too.”
“Come.” He rose and offered her his hand. Pulling her to stand, he helped her dress, kissing her breasts before he buttoned her nightdress over them. As she shrugged into her wrapper, he put on his coat and retrieved his shirt and waistcoat. Wrapping an arm around her, he said, “I will escort you to your room.”
“What if someone sees?” she asked, mildly alarmed. She’d had visions of them both skulking out of the library at different times to avoid suspicion should anyone be about.
“Let them. We will be married as soon as it can be arranged.”
She laughed but quickly covered her mouth to stifle the sound. “We cannot announce what we’ve done to the entire house.”
“Then you should take care to be quiet,” he teased.
He would be her husband. They would make love as often as they wanted. It seemed unbelievable, but genuine happiness filled her at the thought. Amid giggles because he persisted in trying to get them caught, they made their way to her bedroom. Thankfully, the halls were dark andthere was no one about. It made for a longer trip because he kept stopping to kiss her.
At her bedroom door, she pulled him full against her with their final kiss and spread her palms against his bare chest, reluctant to give him up touching him.
“I wish I could have you again,” he whispered. “But you need time to heal, and we will not have long to wait.”
She nodded. “I know. I simply feel...” How did she explain the sudden dread that had developed when her bedroom had come into sight? What if things between them went back to how they had been? What if this side of him was only a mirage?
Holding her close, he kissed her forehead and then gently touched her chin, urging her to look up at him. “I do want us to have a marriage built on respect and affection. We will have many more nights like this.”
“You are leaving tomorrow?” she asked.
He nodded. “I have to. A business matter has come up, and it cannot wait.”
