Before Annie could think, he licked the length of her folds. His tongue darted into the place she craved him the most and she threw her head back on a moan. Her fingers clutching at the cool grass as he licked and suckled her most private area.
When she thought she could take no more, he thrust his finger into her again, and she shattered. The stars above her multiplied, as her limbs shook, waves of pleasure crashing through her.
Evan dropped gentle kisses to her tender flesh, then the insides of each thigh. “You are the sweetest thing I have ever held.” He pulled down her skirts, then stretched out beside her and gathered her into his arms.
Annie rested in his embrace, drained of energy and happier than she had ever been. She felt beautiful, tempting, adored and worshipped. This must be what the romance novels tried to depict. It had to be the reason for married ladies humming in the morning and racing to get ready for bed in the evening.
This was more than lust between them—she loved him.
She was in love with the duke.
Annie pushed herself up and stared into his eyes. There was a tenderness there. A promise of more to come. She could not stop herself from pressing her lips to his. She felt the need to give back. To bring him pleasure as well.
“How do I bring you pleasure?” She asked, then nibbled her lip and waited for his reply.
“I took my pleasure in ravishing you.” He pushed his fingers into her hair and brought her mouth back to his. A tender press of his flesh to hers.
“When we are wed, I will teach you everything I know.” He gave her a roguish grin. “For now, let us get you back to the house.”
Her heart soared at the statement. She sat up, then tugged her bodice back over her breasts. “Is that your way of asking for my hand?”
He chuckled. “No. It is simply me making my intentions clear. I will offer you a proper proposal after I speak to your father.”
“My Grandmother would be faster. I fear you would have to travel to London to seek my father’s blessing.”
He offered her a hand and helped her to stand. “Then I shall speak with Lady Birchwood right away. Perhaps we can announce our engagement at the ball?”
“I should like that very much,” Annie smiled at him, her heart full to bursting. It would seem the rose quartz knew what it was doing after all. By this time tomorrow night, she would be the dukes affianced.
“Annie,” Evan said, stopping her at the base of the balcony stairs.
“Yes?” She met his gaze.
“Meet me in my dreams tonight.” He dropped a kiss on her brow. “I’ll be waiting for you.”
“I shall endeavor not to disappoint.” She smiled, then started up the stairs.
Eight
Waiting to speak with the dowager countess had driven Evan half mad. With all of the preparations for the ball he did not get an audience with her until just before the blasted thing started. It had been nearly a full day since he declared his intentions to Ann. But he’d left the Countess’s parlor with a spring in his step and a newfound joy in his heart. She had consented to the union and suggested they announce the engagement during the ball, just as Evan and Ann had hoped to do.
The ball had just begun and he could not wait another minute to have Ann back in his arms. Evan found her and swept her onto the dance floor. He would have preferred a waltz to the minuet, however, he would dance any formation that allowed him to be near her.
Evan took his place in line. When the music started, he met Ann and took her hand. As they stepped forward, he said, “We have your grandmother’s blessing.”
Ann looked at him, her gaze full of joy. “I am glad of it.” She gave an impish grin. “Now you need only ask for my hand.”
When they moved forward to bend their knees, he went all the way to the floor. Ann tugged him back up. “Not here. I do not wish for an audience.”
“Then meet me in the library after the next dance.” He released her hand to dance around the couple behind them. When they joined together again, he said, “I would like to announce our engagement before the supper.”
She squeezed his hand. “As you wish, Your Grace.”
The music ended, and Evan led Ann from the dance floor. “I will see you in the library.” He winked, then moved toward a group of gentlemen while Ann joined her cousins.
After exchanging some small talk, Evan slipped from the ballroom. He traversed the short distance to the library. Then waited.
The moment Ann entered, he went to her and dropped to one knee. His hands trembled as he took hers, but not from fear. Bloody hell, he was nervous. She was his heart and soul. He wanted to give her the perfect proposal.
