Page 11 of A Hellion's Christmas Kiss
“No,” he interrupted gently. “Let me show you.”
Before she could respond, Lucian lowered his mouth to hers, pulling her flush against him. His body burned with a need so fierce it threatened to consume him. When she moaned softly and wrapped her arms around him, he deepened the kiss, savoring the sweet taste of her surrender. He trailed kisses down her neck, his lips and tongue worshipping her skin.
He untied her dressing robe, pushing it open to reveal the delicate night rail beneath. The thin fabric did little to conceal her curves, and the sight of her hardened peaks sent a jolt of desire through him. He leaned down and captured one pert nipple through the fabric, his lips closing around it as she gasped, leaning into him. “Lucian,” she moaned, her voice a sultry whisper that undid him.
Unable to resist, he slid his hand beneath her night rail, trailing up her thigh until his fingers brushed her heated core. She shivered beneath his touch, her body arching toward him in silent invitation. He stroked her sensitive flesh, relishing the way she writhed against him, her pleasure evident in every movement and sound. When her climax broke over her, he smiled against her skin. “That’s it, love,” he murmured. “Take your pleasure.”
Lucian wanted nothing more than to lay her down and claim her fully, to mark her as his forever. But he forced himself to pause, knowing the risk was too great. For now, he contented himself with holding her close, placing soft kisses along her temple as she caught her breath.
“Lucian,” she whispered, her voice tremulous. “I need to tell you something.”
“And I have much to say as well,” he replied, his tone serious. He met her gaze, his heart hammering in his chest. “You do know I have thoroughly compromised you.”
“Not thoroughly,” she corrected, her lips curving into a small smile. “I am still an innocent. Well…mostly. I definitely know far more than I did before.”
Her teasing did little to assuage his guilt, though he admired her spirit. “I want to marry you,” he said firmly.
Her expression shifted, and she tried to pull away. “Because you think you’ve compromised me?” she demanded.
“No,” he said, holding her firmly but gently. “I want to marry you because I love you.”
Her struggles ceased, and she stared at him, her eyes searching his. “You’re not saying that to make me agree, are you?”
He cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing tenderly over her skin. “It is the truth, Rosella. I have loved you for so long, and when you kissed me…” His voice caught, and he swallowed hard. “You gave me the courage to admit what I have felt all along. Please, say you will be mine. I want a forever with you, my little hellion.”
Her smile was radiant, lighting up the room. She lifted her hands to cradle his face. “Yes,” she said, her voice brimming with emotion. “A thousand times yes. I would like nothing more than to be your wife. I love you too, my darling.”
Relief and joy washed over him, and he claimed her lips in a passionate kiss. He would love her fully, now and always. There was no greater gift this Christmastide than her love. Rosella Prescott, his hellion, had claimed him utterly, and he vowed never to let her go.
Epilogue
Five years later…
It was their turn to host the Christmastide house party, and Rosella knew their guests would arrive soon. Most were now settled and had begun their families. Noelle and Asher had welcomed their first child not long after Lucian and Rosella had exchanged their vows. Unlike Noelle and Asher, who had eloped, Rosella and Lucian had celebrated their union with a grand wedding at her father’s estate. The ceremony had taken place in early spring, by which time Noelle had already been well along in her pregnancy.
That Christmastide had been filled with joyous announcements. At dinner, there had been not one but two revelations. Rosella and Lucian had shared their plans to marry, and Noelle had announced that an addition to the family was expected in six months. True to her word, three months after Rosella’s wedding, her nephew, Cassian Prescott, the Earl of Rossington—and future Duke of Clare—was born. Of course, that was a future far off in the distance.
“Darling,” Lucian said, entering the sitting room with their daughter cradled in his arms. Holly’s dark curls framed her cherubic face, her bright blue eyes brimming with mischief. Holly, along with her twin, had arrived eight months after their wedding. Though others might have assumed she’d been born early, no one questioned it. After all, she and Lucian had enjoyed a vigorous love life, something she would never change. “Your daughter,” Lucian continued, “is exactly like you—a hellion determined to send me to an early grave.”
“What has she done now?” Rosella asked with a sigh. At only four years old, Holly had a knack for finding trouble, even when she wasn’t looking for it.
“She convinced her brother to help her make Christmastide decorations,” Lucian replied with a wry smile. “It did not go well.”
“And where is her twin mischief-maker?” Rosella inquired.
“The nanny has Jasper,” Lucian explained. “He required a bath.”
“Oh dear,” Rosella murmured. “That does not bode well.” Rosella frowned. “Holly seems clean. What exactly did they do?” She was almost afraid to ask… Narrowing her gaze on her daughter, she said, “Holly, what exactly did you and Jasper do?”
“Jasper had a little too much fun with the holly. We are fortunate he did not think they might be a tasty treat,” Lucian shuddered as he explained it to her. “But he has a rash on his skin and the maid thought it best to bathe him to remove any residual holly berry from causing it to extend farther than it already had.”
Rosella sighed and glanced up at her daughter. “You encouraged him to play with the berries didn’t you?” She held her daughter’s gaze willing her to tell the truth.
Holly gazed at Rosella with wide, innocent eyes. “We were having fun, Mama,” she said earnestly. “Shouldn’t we have fun?”
Rosella resisted the urge to groan. Save her from the innocence—and audacity—of her children. Was this how her own parents had felt when she’d gotten into trouble? Perhaps this was fate’s way of delivering her well-deserved karma. “Holly,” she said sternly, lifting the girl from Lucian’s arms, “the holly berries are not toys. You should never play with something without permission. As a punishment, you and your brother are to remain in the nursery for the rest of the day and you will not help us create decorations later. Do you understand me?”
Holly’s pout was instant, her lower lip trembling. “But I don’t want to stay in the nursery,” she protested.
