Page 42 of Wedded to the Forbidden Duke
“Feel what?” she whispered.
He paused. “This is not a love match,” he said.
She blinked. “Of course,” she said, laughing slightly, though there was a slight tone of hurt. “Of course I know that.”
“Oftentimes I have known people to confuse physical intimacies for…further emotions.” He tilted his head, holding her gaze intently, as if to make absolute certain she was understanding the meaning of what she was saying. “I do not wish to confuse you thus.”
Cecilia paused.
It was not what she had hoped to hear, certainly. While she had not expected a confession of love, by any means, it was a bit startling to once again hear him so firmly set his stance against it.
But perhaps she should simply be grateful that he was honest. After all, it was consistent with his character as she knew it.
After a long moment, she shook her head, still holding his eyes. “I knew you from the first to be a rake, my lord,” she finally said. “Why would I expect anything more?”
Ian nodded, his whole being seeming to relax. “Very well.” He nodded again, then leaned in. “In that case…I suppose I can oblige your request for a kiss.”
Cecilia tilted her head up to a more sensible angle.
And with that, he pressed his lips to hers. Gently, at first, as though it were the first time again.
Soon, though, they deepened the kiss, almost simultaneously, each one pulling the other in so tightly that they could almost drink in each other.
It was just as she remembered that day while he fenced, all the splendor of his strong, muscular form before her. His shirt abandoned, he pulled in closer, kissing her more fiercely still. His tongue ravaged her mouth. The heat of his skin pressed against hers was like nothing she had ever felt before. She pulled him closer, begging him with her body and with the press of her lips against his.
“Ian,” she said breathlessly once they had pulled apart. “I want more.”
“As do I,” her duke replied, before kissing her deeply once more.
They moved down, still kissing. The blanket felt cool and soft beneath Cecilia as she was lowered to her back.
“Wait!” She almost knocked her head into his as she jolted, sitting slightly back up.
“What?” he replied, sounding equal parts lustful and alarmed.
“Should we go inside? To your chambers, or mine?”
He blinked down at her, as though he could not fathom what was bringing her to ask. “Do you want to go inside?”
“I do not think I have the patience,” she admitted.
Ian huffed out a relieved laugh. “Thank heavens,” he said. “I do not know what I would have said if you had said otherwise.”
“But I must admit I am a bit worried about…” Cecilia bit her lip and glanced at the window. “Well, what if the servants see?”
Ian raked his hands through his hair. “A fair point,” he admitted. Pressing one last quick kiss to her lips, he pulled her to standing. “Come,” he said. “Let us go.”
As soon as they were inside her chambers, they could not stop kissing. They nearly stumbled to the bed. Cecilia lay down, pulling him atop her.
He pulled away only to rid himself of his shirt, pulling her up so that he could make quick work of her gown, with her assistance. It was a bit difficult to do while lying down, but they managed.
His hand brushed the back of her corset, making quick work of the laces.
Once she was down to her shift, Ian paused. He leaned back, eyes dragging across her figure as she looked up at him.
Beneath the thin fabric of her shift, her nipples were peaked, and her chest rose and fell with the quickness of her breath. With her knees bent slightly up, the bottom of her shift pooled at her hips. Her eyes traced a similar trail across his bare chest, taking in the strong muscles cast in sharp, devastating relief by the moonlight streaming in through the window.
He reached down and lifted her shift over her head. Cecilia raised her arms above her head. The feeling of the silk sliding down her body was second only to the feeling of his hands replacing it, caressing her naked waist as she reached for the buttons of his shirt.
