Heaven. This had to be what Heaven was. Making love to the woman he’d adored ever since the moment he’d met her. She had her eyes closed, and he couldn’t resist lowering his mouth to her breast, teasing her nipple as he entered and withdrew.
“It feels good,” she breathed. “So good.”
Encouraged by her response, he took her nipple in deeper, shifting the rhythm of his penetration. In and out, he took her, watching to see when she pushed against him and when she hesitated.
“Faster?” he prompted, and she nodded, holding on to his hips. As he quickened the pace, her skin grew hotter. Perspiration rose upon her skin, and she moaned as he plunged inside.
She panted hard as he thrust, and when he lifted her bottom, changing the angle, she started to tremble violently. A harsh cry broke from her, and she shattered against him. White heat clenched him, and her release was all it took to make him withdraw fast, his seed spilling over her stomach.
Thank God he’d stopped in time.
He lay atop her, unable to believe what had just happened. Neither spoke, though he held her against him for long moments.
At last, he ventured, “Are you all right? I didna hurt you, did I?” He rolled to his side, searching her for a response.
“It was wonderful,” she whispered. He used a handkerchief to help clean her skin, and she moved her leg atop him, snuggling close. “Just as I imagined it would be.” She reached up to touch his cheek and lifted her mouth to his for a kiss.
He returned it, his hands moving over her soft skin. She was more beautiful to him than she’d ever been, with her hair tousled and her face flushed from their lovemaking.
“I love you,” he said, stroking down her back to her bottom. And he’d loved every moment. She had bound him to her intimately, and it gratified him to know that Strathland had never given her this. The only joy Juliette had known in joining with a man was withhim.
Paul kissed her throat, moving lower to her breasts. With his mouth and tongue, he nipped at each, circling until he evoked another moan from her.
“I’m wanting to touch you like this for the rest of my life,” he admitted. “Explore every inch of your skin. I’ll ken what pleases you and what makes you sigh.”
He pressed a kiss against her shoulder, and she whispered, “You’re still going back, aren’t you?”
“I have to.” Though it was possible that the letter truly was from his mother, he doubted it. Regardless of the outcome, he needed to ensure that Bridget was safe. And that meant leaving Juliette behind.
He stroked her again, moving his hand across her thigh. She countered by pressing her palms against his chest. “I need to go with you,” she said quietly.
“No.” He wouldn’t bring her into the face of danger, not if Strathland was there. “I still think the letter was sent by the earl.”
“Had you thought that perhaps he’s trying to lure you away, so that I’m here alone?” She traced his bare skin with her hand, and her suggestion made him frown. No, he hadn’t considered that. Her theory held merit, clouding his decision to leave her.
“What if I’mnotsafe here?” she continued. “If he did send the letter, he must know where we are.”
Paul gave no answer, torn by the need to keep her safe, whether she stayed behind or came with him. Slowly, he sat up and helped her to get dressed before he donned his own clothing. “You’re right,” he said at last. “That may be his intention exactly.”
“Then I should go with you. So you can keep me safe.” She turned to face him, when he’d finished buttoning up her gown. “Paul, my parents are there. And so are my sister and her husband, the duke. You’re not the only one who can keep me protected. And I trust them more than I’d trust being here alone.”
He embraced her hard. “Do you ken what it would do to me, if aught happened to you?”
“And what if something happened to you? It’s no different at all,” she insisted.
But it was. He didn’t care about what happened to him. Keepinghersafe meant everything.
“Don’t let your desire for revenge overshadow good sense,” she warned. “You must be careful.” Her hands rubbed against his back, and though his mind roared that it wasn’t right, he nodded.
“All right. We’ll go together. But at any sign of danger—”
“I promise I’ll go to my parents or to His Grace,” she vowed. “I won’t do anything stupid, Paul.” She reached up to touch his hair, and the gesture of affection slid down to his heart. “Besides, it’s time that you met my parents as my husband.”
He didn’t doubt that Lord Lanfordshire would have a great deal to say in regard to their elopement. “I canna say that I’m looking forward tothatconversation.”
“I have no regrets,” she whispered. “And none at all about what happened today.”
He could only hope that there were no consequences, despite the care he’d taken.
