“I believe I can think of a much better place to continue… exploring.”He nipped her lip and then shifted her over so he could exit the carriage.
As he helped Anna step into the light, he watched as she took in the brownstone house before her.His bachelor lodgings were in a perfectly respectable area of Mayfair, but it was not on the scale of the Duke of Kinfield’s residence, that was for certain.A thread of uncertainty wound around his heart as she studied the steps to the door.
“Home,” Anna breathed.Then turned to him.“Because you’re here.”
The uncertainty melted away, and Henley lifted Anna into his arms and took the stairs two at a time.“I believe the first room I shall give you a tour of… is mine.”
“No.”Anna arched a brow.“Ours.”
“I’ll make the necessary introductions later, but for now, I believe we shall tour the stairs as I take you toourroom.”Henley grinned and, with a sweeping motion, lifted her into his arms and then through the newly opened door, past the bemused butler, and up the stairs.
Henley paused at the top of the steps, watching as his butler closed the door and took his leave.
Turning to Anna, Henley kissed her once again, simply because he could.“Ours.And so, without delay, allow me to show you,” he whispered the words and strode to the suite door that held his room.
As the door swung open, light filtered through the sheer curtains, illuminating the dark paneled wood walls, the four-poster bed.A delighted smile gave her a celestial glow, like something out of a dream.Her eyes swept the room, taking in the simple comforts of his lodgings—the mahogany writing desk, the shelves of worn books, the well-polished floor—but when she looked back at him, he saw no judgment, only affection.Only belonging.
Henley lowered her slowly to the thick rug before the hearth, letting her feet touch the floor with deliberate reverence.His hands lingered at her waist, then roamed, mapping the curve of her back as if reacquainting himself with something long lost and finally returned.
“At last, and now that the moment has arrived, I find I’m wanting time to slow down, after wanting…” He paused and kissed along her shoulder.“Needing for time to hurry up.”
“Henley.”Anna’s voice whispered his name, nearly undoing him, but he wanted to take this slow, deliberate, soak up every moment, every touch, because he could.
She was his.
And he was utterly hers.
Anna twisted her fingers in his cravat, using it to tug him closer, then reached up to kiss his lips, a tentativeness in her touch.
Rather than speak, Henley leaned into her kiss, pulling her body flush against his as he allowed himself the intense pleasure of spanning her hips with his hands, of lowering them farther till he cupped her round bottom.Before he could lose his self-control, he released her form and reached for her hands, all while searing his love for her with his lips, teasing her with his tongue as he devoured her sweet flavor.He guided her hands to his chest, and traced them lower, tugging on his shirt till she followed his lead.Her touch was fire, and as soon as his shirt was pulled free, he leaned back, studying his wife, searching her eyes for any hesitation.
Satisfied there was none, only want and need, he turned her slowly so that she was facing away from him, and with a hot kiss to her neck, he began to tease her buttons loose along the back of her gown.The first one released easily enough, but the second was far tighter, and Henley glanced to his hands, a slight irritation growing as the offending button persisted.
Anna’s chuckle had him pausing.“Amused, are you?”
“Never thought the great Lord Allendale, prized fighter, would struggle needlessly with a simple button.”Anna glanced over her shoulder, the movement and expression deliriously seductive.
“You forgot humble, because I’m quite willing to ask for help,” he whispered against her neck.
Anna chuckled and stepped forward.Giving him that same alluring smile.He beamed then, unguarded and full of awe.
“Allow me.”Anna reached behind her back, her breasts pressing against her dress and teasing him as she watched him while slowly twisting.“There.”
“That was far too easy.”He narrowed his eyes, teasing her back.
“Or simply practiced often, my lady’s maids assist me but sometimes I’m rather impatient.”She hitched a shoulder, causing the now-loosened dress to shift.
Henley could feel his eyes darken as he noticed the subtle movement.“In that case,” he said, stepping forward and gently turning her so he could stand behind her, “permit your husband the unspeakable pleasure of removing your gown.”
Anna nodded, another loose curl tumbling down from her pins as Henley made quick work of the dress, then turned to her hair.“May I?”he asked, his voice low with desperation.
His body was already begging for release, but he fought the need to claim her quickly, rather it would be a thorough claiming indeed.
Anna nodded once, and Henley delicately removed the pins, the sound of them hitting the floor a light music to the crescendo of their moments.Her hair cascaded down around her shoulders.
Anna turned toward him once the final pin was removed, her gown slipping slightly from her shoulders.She lifted her hands to his cravat, loosening it with maddening grace.
“You’re being very calm about all this,” he said, arching a brow.
