Page 67 of Long Live the Baron
Brendan opened his mouth at the same time as Lily again, but this time he reached out a finger to gently press it against her lips. “Allow me first.”
Lily gazed at him, brimming with joy, but shut her mouth in agreement.
“I choose you, Lily Ridley.”
Lily was elated to hear such glorious words on the tongue of her beloved, her heart picking up speed.
“I choose your effervescent chatter.”
“Some would say I talk too much.”
“But I would say you talk the perfect amount.”
She blushed, the heat rising until her ears burned. But Brendan was not finished.
“I choose your courage in doing what you believe is right, despite the trouble it causes you.”
“I could not watch you be arrested for something you were innocent of.”
“Nevertheless, it was honorable beyond words. But I am not done … I choose your beautiful face and your glorious, chocolate brown hair.”
Lily reached up a hand to tuck a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Chocolate brown?”
Brendan lifted a finger to coil the lock she had tucked away before his glimmering eyes returned to hers. “The richest, most decadent chocolate that money can buy.”
“Oh,” she breathed, spellbound by the liquid heat of his gaze as she remembered their night of passion.
“I choose your incandescent eyes.” He unraveled the hair from his finger, and gently ran it down her cheek.
She caught her lower lip between her teeth, melting in her desire to feel his mouth on hers.
“And I choose the boundless energy with which you attack life.”
He leaned in to kiss her, but Lily put up a hand to stay him. “What about my diddeys?”
Brendan stopped, his brows coming together in confusion.
Lily looked down at her bosom. “They are not as full as Lady Slight’s?”
He chuckled, dropping his eyes to glance at them. Lifting a hand, he cupped her, and Lily sighed at feeling him through her bodice and stays while wishing she was unclothed so she could feel him properly.
“I will allow that Lady Slight has very full breasts, but yours are the perfect size to fill my hand. I have come to the realization that I need no other breasts than yours. See?”
Gooseflesh broke out across the surface of her skin as Lily took in the sight of Brendan’s hand plumping her round breast, sensation streaking to accumulate between her thighs.
“I was hopelessly beguiled when I saw these breasts at our wedding ceremony. It was such an utter relief to find out that you were a grown woman beneath those lacy debutante dresses.”
“Mama made me wear them. I knew they were unsuitable for me.”
Brendan chuckled again, his gaze coming up to meet hers at the same time she raised her head. “I love you, Lily Ridley.”
This time, when he lowered his head, Lily said nothing. Instead, she reached up, moaning with elation when his lips met hers, her arms curving around his neck. He pressed close with great ardor, but he did not attempt to part her lips to explore her mouth as he had done before. Lily was almost disappointed until she felt his fingers working the buttons along her back, her nerves thrilling in response as he undid her gown.
Brendan’s lips retreated from hers, nuzzling against her jaw while he slipped her gown off her shoulders. His mouth explored her neck as he raised his hands back up to undo the tapes of her stays, deftly removing them faster than she could do herself. Then his hands rose to cup her breasts, and she keened in pleasure at the touch of his warm fingers through the fabric.
It is even better than I remembered!
Too quickly, his hands abandoned her cleavage to take hold of her waist. He lifted her to place her on her feet beside the bed, before stripping the gown from her quivering body. His large hands returned to her waist to lift her back onto the bed. Stepping back, he swiftly divested his coat, then unbuttoned his waistcoat to toss them both aside. Unfurling his cravat, it too was dropped to the floor. Then he grabbed at his shirt, pulling it from his breeches and over his head until he was bared down to his hips.
