Page 68 of A Bride for the Beastly Duke
He sat back with a sigh. “I really hope this works.”
He picked up his lamp and left the room, ready to go up to bed. He was still quite tired from his journey and had begged off joining the family for dinner in favor of getting some rest.
Before heading to his chambers, he passed by the nursery where Lily was also already tucked into bed, a small lamp still burning on the table beside the bed. She was reading a book instead of sleeping, and Edward sat on the edge of her bed and looked down at her. She put the book aside and smiled.
“Good evening, Papa.”
“Good evening to you, Lily. I came by to check if you had gotten your gown.”
She gave him a look from beneath her lashes. “Not yet Papa. The modiste said not until the day after tomorrow at least.”
His mouth turned down, “That is unfortunate. I really hoped you had a gift today.”
She smiled. “That is all right, Papa. I do not mind.”
“That is because you are a sweet girl with a pure heart. I want you to know that I shall always take care of you.”
“I know, Papa.”
“All right then. I shall say goodnight then.”
“Good night, Papa.”
Edward stood up and left the room, walking slowly to his own chambers, deep in thought.
What happens if I cannot keep them safe here? What should I do? I really wish you were here, Jonathan.
With a sigh, he opened his door and stepped into his room and then stopped short as he saw Ava sitting on the bed in nothing but her night rail. “I thought you were still downstairs with your parents.”
“They decided to have an early night as well.”
“Mmm.” Edward moved forward, put the lamp on the bedside table, and sat down beside Ava. He put his hand around her waist caressing gently. “I have missed you,” he said softly.
“Yes, that is what happens when you stay away for so long,” she pouted at him playfully, crossing her naked arms.
His eyes twinkled at her, “Will you ever forgive me?”
“Probably not.”
He reached in and pressed a kiss to her mouth. He expected some resistance, but she just melted into him. With a sigh, he placed his arms around her waist and pulled her closer so that her bosom was flattened against his chest.
She opened her mouth to him, and he licked into it, sucking the taste of the chocolate gateau she had eaten off her tongue. Her hands traced patterns along his shoulders and back before snaking between them to unbutton his shirt.
He pulled away, the better to gather her night rail in his hand and lift it over her head, flinging it onto the floor without any regard to where it would land. She was naked beneath it, and he put his hands on her thighs, rubbing gently, savoring the feel of her soft skin against his roughened callused hands.
She parted her legs with a long sigh, and he walked his fingers along her inner thighs, noting the increased warmth as he went deeper, until she was hot and wet at her center as he plunged his finger inside of her.
“Oh!” she cried, legs twitching in reaction.
He leaned in, kissing her harder, plundering her mouth with focused intensity as his finger worked its magic, bringing her tofullness and relishing the fact that her body was preparing itself to be ravished by him.
His shirt came off, and he stood up for just a moment so he could take off his breeches. Then he lay down on the bed. “Get on top of me,” he said.
She frowned in puzzlement. “What?”
“Straddle me,” he said.
She hesitated a moment before climbing over him and sitting on his stomach. “What now?” she asked breathlessly.
