He growled softly in disappointment. “As you wish, Your Grace.”
CHAPTER 45
The wedding breakfast dragged on for Evan. Any other time, he would be happy to host a gathering for his closest friends and family. But at this moment, all he wanted was to be alone with Joanna.
However, his bride’s happy smile as she talked with her sister was enough reason to stay behind. He also enjoyed it when Peter half-jokingly suggested teaching Aurelia and Penelope to fence. Both ladies were thrilled at the idea. The viscountess and the dowager duchess were both scandalized at the thought.
Despite the merriment, he was relieved when the breakfast was over. He let his mother and brother bid farewell to the guests and escort them to the door. He grabbed Joanna and pulled her away from the crowd. “Come along, little mouse,” he whispered in her ear. “I am tired of waiting to claim what is mine.”
“Should we not say goodbye?” She had a mischievous grin on her face as she fell into step beside him, and he knew she was teasing him.
“They will understand,” he said. He stopped walking only to scoop her up into his arms.
She let out a small shriek of surprise, which quickly dissolved into giggles.
He carried her upstairs to his bedchamber—their bedchamber. He nudged the partially ajar door open with his shoulder and went inside, kicking it closed behind him. He lightly tossed her on the bed, where she bounced slightly while she laughed.
He gazed down at her. “You are so beautiful, my love,” he said. “All wrapped up for me like a present. I will enjoy opening you up.” He yanked off his cravat and tossed it to the ground before making quick work of his jacket and waistcoat.
Joanna watched him with hungry eyes as he undressed. She bit her bottom lip as he started to unbutton his shirt. While he undressed, she reached up to take off her veil, which she was still wearing.
“Don’t,” he said. “I want to undress you, and you are not going to deny me of my fun.” He had been fantasizing about her in his bed all morning, and now that he had her, he intended to take his time.
Joanna folded her hands in her lap and arranged herself so she was sitting primly on the edge of the bed, a slight smile playing on her lips.
He finished undressing, tossing his clothes carelessly on the floor, before advancing on her. She didn’t move from the bed, instead looking up at him as he towered over her. Evan smiled and gently reached up to unfasten her veil. He folded it carefully and set it aside before using two of his fingers to beckon for her to stand up.
Joanna hopped to her feet. “I never thought I would see the day when you would become my lady’s maid.”
He smirked as he put his hands on her hips and turned her around so her back was facing him. “Believe me, I am not.” He kissed her neck, right below her earlobe. She sucked in her breath as goosebumps covered her skin. He grinned, loving the sight of it. “I am merely toying with you, little mouse. Hawks toy with their food sometimes.” He unbuttoned her dress slowly, revealing the chemise she wore underneath. His fingers brushed against her back, only separated from him now by her undergarments.
The dress fell to the floor. He picked it up and set it carefully to the side, just like the veil, before he took off her undergarments with a little more urgency. Despite his intention to go slow with her, the anticipation was killing him. He needed to see her naked now.
Finally, she stood before him, completely naked. His eyes raked over her body, from her curvy breasts with pert nipples to her luscious hips and smooth, creamy thighs. Her legs were closed, so her sex was only visible by the patch of soft, dark curls between her legs.
She looked up at him, her eyes dark with desire. “Do you like what you see?”
“Of course,” he growled. “But was there any doubt about that?” Before letting her respond, he grabbed her hips and picked her up effortlessly before tossing her onto the bed. “Spread your legs,” he commanded.
Joanna grinned and widened her legs to expose her sex. He knelt between her legs, taking his time to look at her. “So beautiful,” he muttered as he touched her sex. He grinned as he felt how wet she was. “So eager for me, aren’t you?”
She blushed. “Yes, I want you.” Her voice was surprisingly small. “Will it hurt?”
He paused. Her innocent question was a good reminder for him to go slow and gentle with her. After all, she was still a virgin. Despite all of her bravado and mischievous demeanor, she was still quite innocent. “It will,” he said softly. “There isn’t any way to avoid that. But I will be gentle with you. I will make it feel good.”
She gave him a shaky smile and nodded. “Forgive me. I suppose I am just a little nervous.”
“That’s reasonable. It’s your first time, after all.” He teased her tight entrance with the tip of his index finger, tracing circles around it without actually pushing in. “You don’t have to apologize for anything, my love. Not here. Not with me.” He leaned down to kiss her gently. All the possessive mischief lefthim now that he was reminded that this was her first time. All he felt was a deep, aching tenderness and a longing to take care of her.
“I don’t want to disappoint you,” Joanna said. “Imagine going through the trouble of marrying someone only to find they bring you no pleasure in bed.”
He chuckled. “There is no possibility of your disappointing me. Don’t worry about that.” He leaned down and captured her lips with his own once more, before he started to trail kisses down her body. “Just relax, sweetheart. I will take care of you.”
Her skin was covered with goosebumps. Every kiss from him sent a delightful little shiver through his body, which only made his shaft ache with the need to be inside of her. But he restrained himself, determined to go slow with her.
He kissed her breasts. As he licked her nipples, she gasped softly. They hardened almost immediately under his tongue, which gave him a rush of pleasure. He kept going, pressing his lips against her stomach.
She whimpered a little, and her fingers threaded through his hair.
