They were so wrapped in each other that he felt her every thrum and vibration against his skin that was peeled to hers.
“I have you, sweetheart.”He kissed her on the mouth to quiet her cries, but he mostly kissed her because she was so beautiful and he loved the way she had taken him in and responded to him.
It took all his determination to hold out just that little bit longer because he wanted to let her experience the full measure of her release before he followed with his own.Since he was already on the brink and had been holding back until this moment, it only took him two thrusts before he experienced his own shattering release and spilled himself into her warmth.
Blessed saints.
The passion poured out of him.
Heart, soul, and body into Tulip, forging this new bond between them.
Would it be unbreakable?
Would she ever grow to hate him?
Not now.
How could she after tonight?
No matter what happens, remember this moment.
He hoped she would always remember this night, and be able to forgive him if he turned into one of those abominable Davenport dukes.
She kissed him as he collapsed atop her, kissed his mouth, his closed eyes, and his jaw.
He opened his eyes and eased off her, grinning in conquest as he said, “Well, that was something nice.”
She laughed.“Yes.Any more surprises in store for me?”
He gave her a light kiss on the nose.“Plenty, but not tonight.We had better sleep now or we’ll never get up in the morning.”
They needed to get an early start and travel as far as they could while the weather cooperated.It would take about a week to reach the seat of the Davenport dukes.Thornwycke Hall was an imposing fortress overlooking the Bristol Channel and filled with the ghosts of all the depraved dukes who had come before him.
After taking a breath, he reached out and drew her closer.“How do you feel, Tulip?”
She snuggled against him.“Good.I feel very good indeed.”
He grinned.“Me, too.”
“That was nice, Alex.Shocking, but also marvelous.Of course, you knew this would happen.”
“I hoped it would.”He gave her cheek a light caress.“I thought it might.There’s more, but that’s for us to explore over the next few weeks and months.”
She nodded.“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Me, too,” he said with a rumbling chuckle.
“It will be odd returning to Somerset as your wife.”She nestled closer as he absently caressed her arm.
“You’ll be great.Everyone will love you.”
She shook her head.
He felt the soft brush of her hair against his chest.
“I felt like a duck out of water when I first arrived in London.Everyone was very kind to me, especially my family, but it was all so overwhelming.Then I made friends here, and I loved being able to walk across the street to see Marigold or dash next door to visit Violet.I’ll miss them very much.Yet, I don’t think I will ever think of London as my home.That will always be Somerset for me.”
“Things will be different for you there now that you have married me.”
