As I drifted off to sleep, I vowed to enjoy every second I had left with him before I had to say goodbye.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lord Kendrick, Duke of Alton
“It is two minutes until midnight,” Lillian whispered in my ear, shaking me awake.
I opened my eyes and stared into velvety pupils. Lips turned up in a seductive smile, she beamed at me. Her enthusiasm was contagious. I placed my hand at the base of her scalp and drew her down until our lips almost touched. As much as I wanted to continue with our play, I had to assure myself she was unhurt by our earlier activity.
“How are you feeling?” I asked, sinking my fingers into her thick hair. I had never bedded a virgin before, and I had tried to be gentle. “Are you sore from our coupling?”
“A bit, but not enough to stop me from enjoying more, um, intimacies.” Fervent eyes held mine, her face softened with desire. She gripped my wrist, her thumb a gentle caress against my pulse before lowering her lashes.
The clock chimed the first of twelve. “Your gift should arrive at the last stroke. I would beg a kiss while we wait.”
“I will gladly grant your wish.” Full lips settled on mine without hesitation. Pride swelled my chest. I was fortunate to have such a giving woman as my wife.
A rattling sound came from the connecting door. She lifted her head, turning to look across the room. Her profile to me, I was afforded a view of her creamy neck. Several reddened spotsshowed along the column from where I had kissed her with too much enthusiasm. My only excuse was she made me lose control in a way I hadn’t expected. I would have to be more careful in the future.
The door opened without a sound, and a cart appeared, the top covered with a white cloth. Colt pushed it all the way into the room. He was wearing a deep umber robe, and the fabric parted to expose parts of his bare legs as he walked.
“Good evening,” he said, his heated gaze meeting mine. “I have brought the gift per your request.”
“Thank you,” she said barely above a whisper. Lillian clutched the cover to her chest and stared down at her hands. I cursed the sudden shift in her demeanor. The shyness had returned.
Colt slowed his steps, his concerned gaze drifting from mine to her bent head. I kept my arm around her and squeezed her shoulders in support. If she continued along this path, I would call a halt to the entire endeavor. Her comfort was upmost in my mind, above my own bodily cravings.
She released her hold on the linen with a noticeable inhale and lifted her chin. Determination rested in her countenance, along with inquisitiveness. “Colt, play the gallant and hand me the robe from the floor.”
“As you wish, Your Grace.” Colt bent to retrieve the garment, his hair falling over his forehead. He’d been skeptical when I made my proposal and had insisted I might be pushing the situation too far.
For a gut-wrenching moment, I thought he might be right. However, Lillian had defeated her demons and accepted the garment from him. Her color still high, she slipped it on, covering her slender figure.
“Thank you, Lord Golden.”
He tucked his thumb into the silk belt tied around his lean waist. Under the brocade fabric, he was nude. I ached to see all of him, but first, I had to assure myself that Lillian was comfortable.
All of this was because of her. She’d granted me an opportunity to see Colt for who he truly was. I had a sense this was only the beginning of her generosity. Whether intentional or not, she made my world a better place. I dared not dive any deeper than that. History wasn’t always kind to me.
Fondness rested in his smile. “Anything for my Lady X.” Colt had the grace to turn his head and allow her to dress in peace. I had high hopes that she wouldn’t feel inhibited in either of our presence once the night was through.
I threw my legs over the edge of the bed and stood, very aware of my own nudity. It wasn’t usually a point of concern for me, nor would covering myself be conducive to what I had in mind. I wasn’t shy by any bit of the imagination. With an outstretched hand, I helped her climb to her feet. “Come, wife, I would have you open your gift.”
“Seeing Colt is a gift unto itself.” She laid her palm in mine and glanced from me to Colt, eagerness replacing her earlier bout of introversion. The fabric of the black robe pooled at her feet. Lillian rolled the sleeves up to keep them from covering her hands. She angled her head and studied the large object on the cart. “It doesn’t appear to be jewelry.”
