Page 76 of Five Nights with a Rakish Duke
“You are irresistible,” he said gently, kissing down her neck. He pulled the top of her gown to the side, revealing the top curve of her breasts and kissing her there, as his other hand reached for the spot that was now exposed between her legs.
His fingers slid home, eliciting such pleasure that she tipped her head back on his jacket and let out a breathy moan. He pumped her a few times, working her into such a frenzy that her fingers dug into his shoulders, pulling him down toward her.
“Asher…please…” she said, panting through her moans. When her eyes locked with his, he smiled another time, the kind of smile that would have left her weak at the knees, had it not been for the fact she was laying down.
He removed his fingers from her and reached down toward his trousers, unbuttoning the flap and releasing himself. She reached down, her hands going to examine him, and she gasped at his size.
“Trust me?” he said softly.
“I do.” When he angled himself up at her entrance, she gripped his jacket beneath her on the floor, waiting for it. He slid home, pushing deeply inside her. He moaned instantly, but she felt pain. She bit her lip, trying to stifle the sound of pain.
“Penny, I am so sorry,” he murmured, leaning down toward her and kissing her all over her face. The sheer number of quick kisses made her giggle for there wasn’t a spot on her face that he did not caress. “I promise, for the rest of our lives, every time we make love, I will make sure you feel the thrill. There will never be pain again.”
It was so loving that she wrapped her arms up around his neck, drawing him further down toward her.
“I love you,” she whispered, needing to say it now that they were connected.
“I love you too.” With these words, he began to move. The thrill was deep indeed as the pain had passed. She found her hips bucking toward his with every movement he made, out of need and desperation to feel more of him. He responded just as fervently with each kiss they gave each other mirroring what their bodies were doing further below.
Soon, Penny could feel her body reaching that peak, the same climax she had felt on his rug. She gripped his back, digging in with her fingers and anchoring her body to his as she met that wave of pleasure, moaning into his kiss. As he released her from the kiss, and she tipped her head back, enjoying the last throes of the pleasure, her end seemed to encourage his, for he buried his face in her neck and growled out her name, his body stilling with a release.
They stayed there for some minutes with their bodies and limbs wrapped together, panting.
“Tomorrow,” he whispered, lifting his head up enough to kiss her forehead.
“Tomorrow?” she repeated in a question.
“At the ball tomorrow night, I will announce our betrothal.”
As he lowered his lips to hers again, Penny felt a wave of happiness take hold of her body. She had the man she longed for, the one she adored, but it now presented her with another problem.
How am I going to tell Adam and Margaret about this?
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Ready for this?” Asher asked as Penny placed her hand in his.
“I’m ready,” she said softly and stepped out of the carriage. He eagerly threaded her arm through his, determined not to release her again as he escorted her to the ball. She had not returned home since they had made love the night before. Knowing she had been at Lady Chamber’s house, Asher had gone straight there and spent most of the day at her side, chaperoned, unfortunately, by Lady Chambers.
“I see you two are hardly concerned about being subtle anymore,” Lady Chambers said as Asher helped her down from the carriage too. “I just hope you make the announcement fast.”
“I will have to tell Lady Margaret first. I owe her that before announcing I am to marry her cousin so boldly,” Asher said, knowing it was the truth as he escorted them both to the ball.
“I need to tell Adam too,” Penny said.
“For his blessing?” Asher asked.
“That and for another reason,” she said, biting her lip. He was about to ask her what she meant when they stepped through the main doorway of the ball and walked into the ballroom. It was a grand affair indeed with many ladies’ heads dressed in feathers or silk turbans and the gentlemen’s hair coiffed and slicked back, their tailcoats gleaming in the candlelight.
“Hmm… that is a little strange,” Lady Chambers said on Asher’s arm, releasing him.
“What is?” he asked.
“Have you not noticed where people are looking?” she said. Asher paid attention to where people’s faces were turned, realizing what she meant. All eyes were on them, but not in an intrigued way, suggesting curiosity at their entrance.
“Why are they frowning at us?” Penelope asked, still holding onto Asher’s arm with her grasp turning a little tighter.
“I would call that glaring,” he admitted. “Something is wrong.” He led Penny further forward toward the drink’s table, aware that the more they moved through the ballroom, the more people stared. Whispers were stirring up as well, whispers that were so loud, they were competing with the violin music.
