“Mostly. I was given to understand I also need night dresses, but I didn’t feel right taking Sophie’s.”
He rolled himself above me. “Juliet, I can safely promise you have no need of night dresses. However, if you wish them or anything else, I have more than enough that you can purchase everything the modiste has to offer and more.”
“You do?”
He pressed a warm kiss to my lips at that question.
“You’re certainly not a fortune hunter, are you my Duchess?”
“You have a fortune?”
His chuckle was smooth, silken.
“Quite a vast one. Trading on gentlemen’s dishonor is quite lucrative. You’ll want for nothing.”
“I hope you know that’s not why I wish to marry you.”
“You’ve made that quite clear.”
“I think I’d quite like to feel you inside me tonight. Is that acceptable?”
He froze for a moment above me before bursting into laughter, tucking his head in my neck.
“I’m going to spend my entire life trying to keep up with you, aren’t I?”
“Probably, but you didn’t answer my question.”
“I’ve created a monster…”
I was about to press him again, when he took my lips with his, his tongue sweeping inside in that sensual way I felt deep inside my belly.
When he broke away for air I replied, “Was that a yes?”
“Yes, now stop thinking for a few moments. I have work to do here.”
“Work?”
“Yes, you’re far too coherent.”
With his gentle nip on my neck, my retort disappeared from my mind. His newly returned, hardness was brushing against my opening in the cradle of my hips. Just that whisper was enough to reignite the flames that had cooled with our conversation. His lips and tongue on mine mimicked the gentle roll of his hips above me, stoking the fire. Dimly, I became aware that the wistful whines I heard were mine. His attention shifted to my neck, making thorough work of the sensitive flesh there. I had no idea sensations in one part of my being could be felt in entirely different areas, but my throat was directly connected to the pleasure point between my legs.
My hands resumed their post, tangled in his hair. The soft thick waves served as purchase, pinning him in place. When he gave a sharp nip at my shoulder followed by an apologetic kiss, my hand fisted unconsciously in his hair. He let out a groan that was all pleasure, and his gentle thrusts roughened slightly.
An idea sparked with that groan, and I used the hand in his hair to move him to where I was most desperate for touch. His response was a half growl, half purr around my breast where I directed him and a thrust that brought his hardness against that pleasurable button he made sing earlier. He mumbled against my breast about how wonderful I am and how good I taste, and I felt more than comprehended his words.
His free hand slid down my stomach, pausing above the place I was desperate for him to touch once again. He lifted his head with a questioning brow. In answer, I grabbed his hand and moved it to my entrance. He chuckled before moving to my other breast and sliding a finger inside me simultaneously. I felt his grin when I arched off the bed, my hands restless in his hair, on his shoulders, his back. I felt my earlier peak rebuilding, stronger now. My hips met his hand eagerly. In short order, he added a second than a third finger. Slowly, he pulled back. I couldn’t restrain my whimper at the loss.
He pressed himself to hover above me, eyes seeking mine. Before he could ask the question, I replied with a fervent “Yes.” Instead of pushing inside as I expected, he hovered over me, an indescribable warmth in his eyes. His fingers brushed damp curls back from my forehead. I responded with the only answer to such tenderness. “I love you.” His kiss was gentle but full of feeling. Finally, he pushed forward, and we were joined.
It hurt less than I had expected, but he paused at the hilt, panting against my lips. I gave an experimental wiggle, and his grunt was inelegant but heady. His forehead fell to my shoulder. With another hip roll, he pulled out slightly and thrust back in gently. He somehow hit that spot inside of me that was everything wonderful. My hands found his hips, encouraging him. He seemed to understand my unspoken meaning, finding an unhurried rhythm.
The sensation from before was building once again, each thrust bringing me higher. He was whispering in my ear, words of love, words of lust, and everything in between. Each press of his hips somehow feltmorethan the one before. Mine met his at every opportunity. Then he dropped a hand down between us, to that magical spot at the top of my mound. Without warning the ecstasy from before crashed over me.
By the time I returned once more from the heavens, his movements had become erratic. He thrust once, twice more, burying himself to the hilt with a desperate groan. His breathing against my ear was harsh. I wrapped my arms even tighter around him.
“Oh Michael, that was wonderful!”
He gave me an exhausted chuckle in return before pulling from me and flopping gracelessly onto his back. He yanked me against him once more, curled against his side with my head resting on his shoulder. Our breaths were harsh, the only sound above the crackling fire in my room.
