Page 86 of A Bride for the Forbidden Duke
And she was, for her husband had stripped off his shirt, exposing an expanse of powerful muscles. Strong shoulders, a trim waist that led into his breeches, and thick biceps that easily let him take her weight whenever he scooped her up.
Henry paused, catching her eye in the mirror.
“Is that a hint of a smile?” she teased. “Does the Duke of Westley dare to smile so easily?”
At that, his face fell again, and she only giggled but already missed the look on his face. As if he had been happy that she admired him in such a way.
Her eyes traveled the length of his back, appreciatively taking him in. It had been a week since he had taken her into his bed, allowing her pleasure beyond her imagination, and they had rarely been able to keep their hands off one another since.
His backside was toned, leading down the thighs she wished were fully bared to her now. She loved spreading her own legs around them and taking whatever pleasure he deemed to give her. Most of all, Veronica loved it when he took that control when one moment before, she would be astride him, thinking herself as having the upper hand.
And the next she would find herself pinned with his body over hers, rendering her helpless.
“How is your lip?” she asked.
He snorted. “I have suffered far worse than an angry, entitled earl, but I must admit his punches were harder than I expected.”
Some bruising mottled his cheek but the rugged look about the injury only had Veronica wanting to go to his side, to tend to him, yet to see her husband in all his power and ruthlessness.
“Well, such an angry, entitled earl is now freshening up in his guest room. I am arranging dinner tonight for the four of us toget reacquainted. My brother is back, and I have much I want to know about his year away.”
Henry nodded. “Very well. You may tell the cook whatever you please for dinner, then.”
“You do not wish to choose?”
His smile was oddly affectionate. “I would like the Duchess to decide.”
A bloom of pride grounded her, and she bit her lip, daring to move closer to him. She reached out, flattening her palm to one broad shoulder. Henry stiffened, as he sometimes did when she initiated a touch, but he soon relaxed beneath her soothing palm. She pressed herself against his back, wrapping her fingers around his left arm.
His back was a wall of pure muscle, and she could not help pressing a kiss between his shoulder blades.
Henry stifled a noise, but she still heard the soft sigh through his nose.
Her hands dared to slide around to the front of his body, skimming over every hard line of muscle. His chest, his torso, his stomach, and she dared to explore over the waistband of his breeches, but he caught her hand, bringing it up to his mouth to kiss the back of it.
“Do you not have duties to attend to?” he asked her, cocking his head.
His brow lifted as though in feigning mockery that she was shirking.
“I do,” she agreed. “But I would much rather be here with you.”
“And I would much rather not be interrupted if your brother comes looking for you.”
At the reminder of her brother only a few doors away, Veronica sighed, slumping against Henry. “You are right.”
Henry turned to her, pulling her flush against him.
“Let me take you tonight,” he told her, pressing a hot, lingering kiss to her mouth. “When we shall not be heard. I would hate to have to keep you quiet when you sing so heavenly for me.”
He kissed the corner of her mouth and then the other corner, trailing kisses to the base of her throat before giving his attention to her lips again.
When she parted, she brushed over one of the bruises on his cheek. He closed his eyes, leaning into her touch but only for a moment. As though he could not let himself enjoy the sensation for much longer.
Henry pulled back. “After dinner, come to my chambers. Do not go anywhere else.”
He dipped his head, looking at her seriously to ensure she understood.
She swallowed, already excited. “Yes, Your Grace.”
