“What about you? Can I do that for you?”
“Well, I don’t know if it’s exactly the same, but yes, something similar.”
“Will you show me how?”
His gaze was tender. “I love you.”
With that ardent statement he pressed a soft kiss to the spot on my forehead that was rapidly becoming his. “Let me take you to bed first.”
He pulled away, and plucked his shirt from the pile before straightening it out. I mourned the loss of his chest before he surprised me by pulling to over my head and settling it around me. His smile was soft as he whispered, “Perfect.”
With that, he began to gather the rest of our things. His hands were more than full when he turned to my gown. I watched the internal struggle to add it to the pile already in his arms. With a giggle, I grabbed it and a candlestick before moving about the room, blowing the rest out. I pulled him to trail up the stairs. Faced with the separation between the family and guest rooms at the top I turned back to him with a questioning gaze.
Understanding dawned in his eyes. “The fire will be lit in your room; they weren’t expecting me.”
Decision made, I led him in the direction of the guest room I occupied.
After following me into the room, he added our clothing to the small pile I had created this evening. He paused, just long enough for me to set the candle down and lay the dress over a chair before he crowded me back against the nearest surface, the door. As soon as my back hit the door, his mouth was on mine, and his hands were everywhere. All of his previous ardor returned in full force. My own hands slid eagerly but uselessly to the buttons of his breeches, unable and unwilling to separate long enough to maneuver the button through its fabric prison. Eventually, he moved his attentions to my neck, pulling his shirt to the side so my entire shoulder fell free. He bent to enjoy the newly uncovered skin.
Frantically I undid the buttons, shoving his breeches and stockings down to catch on his boots. Frustrated at yet another obstacle, his name escaped, more whine than word. He chuckled but assisted me, tugging off his boots and the rest, leaving him naked before me.
He was nothing like I had imagined, and somehow all the more perfect for it. His length was hard and proud rising between us. I wanted to touch him. He seemed to encourage my explorations earlier, but perhaps this was different. I met his gaze, about to voice the question when he answered for me.
“You can touch anywhere you want, but if you keep looking at me like that…” His chuckle was soft. “If you keep looking at me like that, this is going to be over far too soon.”
Permission granted, I tentatively wrapped a hand around his length. He met my touch with a curse.
“I don’t know what you mean by it being over too soon.”
His hips shuddered against my hand. I understood it to be a rhythm he was seeking, similar to the one he offered me earlier, and I strived to match it. Glancing up, I sought to determine my success from his expression. His attention was on my hand, working between us, before his head fell all the way back. His eyes were pressed tight, his lip caught between his teeth. Slickness was building between my palm, and his member and his hips met my every pump. With a reluctant groan, he pulled away from me, and I couldn’t restrain the whimper at the loss.
“So good, Duchess. You’re so good for me.” He was still panting, swallowing between sentences.
“Why did you stop me? I want to make you feel like that too.”
He gave me a gentle kiss in answer.
“It’s not quite like you, Duchess. Once that happens to me, it’s some time before it can happen again. For you, the only limit is the hours in the day and our stamina.” I set that arousing thought to the side for later perusal while I sought for clarification.
“Oh, how long?”
He groaned. “You’re going to kill me, Duchess.” Before I could apologize, he continued, “I suspect with you, not too terribly long at all. Still, longer than I’d like. Now, I promised you a bed, and we need to talk before pressing forward.”
He drew back the bed coverings before sitting and pulling me closer. He tugged at the hem of his shirt, resting in the middle of my thighs before looking to me questioningly. Rather than answer with words, I slipped the shirt over my head, tossing it in the direction of the aforementioned pile.
He groaned. “Shouldn’t have done that until after we talked…”
Despite his comment, he backed farther on the bed, pulling me down beside him. I tucked into his side. He rested one arm around my shoulders, the other tugging the covers over us before settling at my waist.
He finally began in a low voice. “What do you know of how children are created?”
“Just that it can happen between a husband and wife.”
Then a horrific thought dawned on me, and I sat up with a start.
“Juliet?”
“Oh, Michael. I completely forgot. You’ll never forgive me!”
