Quinton Hunter burst out laughing. “My darling duchess,” he said, “you can do it any time and almost anywhere, I assure you.”
“How interesting,” she purred, her voice suddenly very seductive.“On the rug?”Her look was questioning.
“Yes.”
“In the garden?”
“Absolutely.”
“In my bath?”
“A charming idea,” he agreed.
“Any time?”
“And almost any place,”he repeated softly, kissing her ear.
“But what if I were dressed?” she demanded.
“I should take great pleasure, Duchess, in lifting your skirts in order to have my way with you,” he murmured wickedly, blowing into her ear now.
“Oh la, sir, you are very naughty,” Allegra accused him, but her heart was beating wildly. He was half atop her, their legs entwining in a sensuous embrace. His lips were employed in kissing her lips, her throat, her face, and every part of her body that he could reach. Her round little breasts were crushed against his hard chest, his soft fur irritating her nipples which suddenly seemed extraordinarily sensitive.
Her perfumed skin was utterly intoxicating, hethought. Unable to help himself, he began to mouth her with his lips. Was it possible to eat her up? He certainly wanted to devour her for she was to his thinking most delicious. His lips moved across her belly. He could feel a pulse fluttering beneath his mouth. She was making little noises that seemed to come from the back of her throat. She was writhing beneath him, and he held her fast so he might continue kissing her. His manhood was beginning to hurt, throbbing with desire, eager to plunge within her fragrant warmth. Finally Quinton Hunter could wait no longer. Covering her lush body with his, he pressed forward.
“Ahhhh,” Allegra cried as he entered her. “Ohh, Quinton!Oh, darling, yes!” Her slim arms clutched at him. Her long legs wrapped themselves about his lean torso. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” The words were almost a prayer.
He was lost within her. His thoughts disappeared. There was only sensation, and the wonder of the pleasure they were giving and sharing with each other. His hips drove relentlessly against her hips. His hands tangled themselves into the dark mass of her hair, holding her head tightly as their kisses fired volley after volley of hot desire that coursed through their veins until they could kiss no more. They were breathless with the hunger they seemed to engender within each other. They were so finely attuned to each other that once again they exploded together, then collapsed into each other’s embrace.
For several long minutes the sounds of their breathing, at first ragged, and finally less harried, filled the room.
“You are magnificent,” the duke finally said to his wife, kissing her softly as he rolled away from her. Propping himself upon an elbow he looked down into her beautiful face.
“You called medarling,” he said.
“I didn’t,”she quickly denied.
He laughed softly. “You did, Allegra. Could it be that you are beginning to harbor atendrefor me, Duchess?”
“I hardly know you, sir,” she said, struggling to keep herself from falling headlong into his silvery gaze.
“You have known me since April,” he said, chuckling, “and you have lived at Hunter’s Lair with me since mid-Juneandyou have been my wife for four weeks.”
“Is it four weeks?” she said innocently.
“Say you love me,” he coaxed her. “You know that I love you,” Quinton Hunter said softly.
“You lust after me,” she said. “Is that love, my lord?”
“Lusting after you is part of my love for you,” he explained to her. “But the thought of being without you—ever—drives me to darkest despair, Allegra.I love you. And I think you love me.”
“I don’t understand love,” Allegra persisted.
“Do not be evasive, Allegra,” he gently scolded her. “Answer yourself this question. Would you rather be with me, or without me?”
“With you,” she cried without hesitation.
“You love me,” he said quietly.
