Page 75 of Nothing Compares to the Duke
“You may explore to your heart’s content, but let me get out of these first.” He slid his trousers off and reached for the hem of her chemise.
He paused, as if waiting for permission. Bella nodded and he drew the fabric up, skimming his fingers against the bare skin of her hip and stomach and breast. When she was free of the garment, he retraced the path. But more attentively.
He stroked her nipple and her tautened skin was so sensitive she let out a little moan. As if to soothe her, he lowered his head and took the peak into his mouth.
Bella gasped and clutched at his shoulders. “That’s quite...”
“Mm?” He glanced up, brow creased in concern.
“Extraordinary.”
He smiled and slipped his hand down to grasp hers. “There’s more, sweetheart. A great deal more.”
After settling on the bed, Bella remembered why she wished to take this slow. This was real. Years of dreaming of this moment paled in comparison. Rhys knelt over her as she lay back, then swept his gaze over her body from head to toe.
“You’re beautiful, Bella.” When he placed a hand on her leg, she realized he was trembling. “I’ll try to go slow.”
With deliberation and care, he stroked his fingers up the length of her leg, leaving a trail of warmth whereverhe touched. At the top of her thigh, he nudged her legs open.
Bella bit her lower lip as he slid a finger along her body. She was wet and every ounce of need inside her converged on the spot where he touched her. When he slid a finger inside, she bucked instinctively and then gasped. The movement drew him deeper.
“I love your eagerness.” He looked up at her, eyes glittering with hunger and need. “And that you trust me, at least for now.”
“I do.” She did. The past and future couldn’t touch them in this moment. She’d wanted this too long. Waited for so many years, dreaming that she might have this with him.
Her admission seemed to embolden him. He grinned wolfishly and then lowered his head to kiss her, slipping his tongue inside and stroking at her very center. Pleasure like she’d never known drew a deep erotic moan from her and she arched to get him closer.
“Oh, Rhys.” Bella stroked a hand through his hair.
He stilled and lifted his head, one brow arched in question.
“Please don’t stop.”
He couldn’t stop if he wanted to.
Over the years, he’d mastered self-control in the bedroom. He could pleasure a lady for hours before seeking his own release.
But with Bella, he was trembling as if she was the first woman he’d ever touched.
This mattered because she mattered as no one else ever had.
She was too sweet against his tongue. Too soft under his fingertips. He couldn’t get enough of her.
She clutched at his hair, his shoulders, digging her fingertips into his skin. He sensed when she drew close to her release, the way her body tensed, the way her breath tangled in her throat.
“Let yourself have it,” he whispered against her thigh.
She did and quivered against his mouth, crying his name so sweetly the sound sent a ripple of pleasure straight to his groin.
He lifted onto his knees and stared down at her, flushed and glistening and sated. She was the loveliest thing he’d ever seen. Then she looked up at him, squinting her eyes and smiling as if emerging from a pleasant dream.
“Show me the rest,” she said on a husky whisper.
The chuckle that rumbled in his throat was a kind of joy he hadn’t felt in so long it felt new.
“Oh, I intend to.” He braced himself over her, and she opened her legs, letting him nestle against her. They fit together as if their bodies had been waiting for this moment.
He knew he should take his time. Savor every second.
