She shivered and nodded. “Please.”
Twenty-Three
Selina felt like she was vibrating out of her skin with excitement. Heat pooled between her legs. She still felt his touch on her breasts and could not begin to imagine what he was capable of doing with her once they were behind closed doors.
Dominic was silent as they made their way through the manor. His hand on her back practically scorched her skin while also gently urging her to keep up as they strode to Dominic’s room. The walk to his room seemed to take an eternity in her eagerness to finally be alone with him.
As soon as Dominic closed the doors behind them, he turned and grabbed her, pulling her into his arms. She barely had the chance to sneak a glance around the spacious room, decorated in shades of dark green.
This was the first time she had been in his room, so she was naturally curious what it looked like. However, it was the duke himself who really captured her attention.
His mouth was on hers in the next moment. He gently bit her bottom lip, and she opened up her mouth for him as she put her hands on his chest. She meant to explore his muscles through his shirt, but as soon as she touched him, he pulled back, concern in his eyes. “Do you wish to stop?” His voice was a little breathless as he looked down at her.
She shook her head. “Definitely not.”
His brow furrowed. “Then why did you push me away?” He did not sound angry, merely confused.
“I did not mean to,” she said. “Truly. I just want…” she blushed, finding it difficult to voice the thought. “I just wanted to touch you,” she finally said shyly.
He smiled and shed his suit jacket. He let it crumple to the floor before making quick work of his cravat and waistcoat, tossing them to the side. “Iwantyou to touch me,” he said as he started to unbutton his dress shirt. “I want you to explore my body as much as I will explore yours.”
Selina watched, breathless, as he revealed his muscular body underneath. She had known he was strong before, but she had not realized just how strong he really was until now. His muscles rippled as he moved, and she wanted to kiss and lick her way over his stomach, his chest, his arms.
Dominic watched her reaction with dark eyes and a slight smile on his face. “Do you like what you see?”
She nodded silently and reached out to touch him. He sucked in his breath as she traced the ridges of his muscles with the tips of her fingers. “You are beautiful,” she said, her voice full of awe.
“Not as beautiful as you,” he said huskily. Gently, he cupped her jaw with his hand and tilted her face up so she was looking at him. “Before we continue, you must know that if you want to stop, all you have to do is tell me. I never want you to feel obligated to share my bed.”
Selina smiled up at him, warmth spreading in her chest. “I cannot believe they say you have a heart of stone.”
“I am serious, Selina.”
“So am I.” She reached up to gently touch his cheek. He closed his eyes and leaned into the touch. “I know you will never force me to do something I do not want, because you are one of the kindest, gentlest men I know, even if you try to hide that behind a gruff exterior.”
“You have not experienced enough kindness in your life if you think I am kind and gentle,” he said.
“You cannot fool me.” She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him. “Now, if you do not mind, I would like to go back to exploring your beautiful body.”
He groaned softly as she traced the ridges of his chest, before moving lower to explore the muscles of his stomach. When shereached the waistband of his trousers, his hand stopped her. “I cannot go another second without seeing you undressed before me.”
A shiver ran down her spine. She smiled and gave a single nod before reaching behind her to feel for the laces of her dress.
But it was not fast enough for him. He grabbed her waist and spun her around effortlessly so her back was facing him. He made short work of the laces on her dress and tugged her dress down impatiently.
It fell into a puddle on the floor, and she gingerly stepped out of it, dressed in only a corset and chemise now. He helped her out of the corset, and she pulled the chemise over her head so she stood naked before him.
His eyes roamed over hers, hungrily, as if she were a feast created only for him. “You are stunning,” he whispered. “Get on the bed, so I can worship you properly.”
A small, nervous giggle escaped Selina’s lips as she got into bed. At least she did not have to worry about disappointing her husband.
As she spread out on the bed, she had to resist the urge to cover herself. Dominic had seen her in a state of undress before, but she had never been exposed to a man like this.
However, despite her shyness, she could not help but revel in the way he looked at her as he knelt on the bed, next to her. He looked at her as if she were the most precious thing in the world to him, as if she were something to claim, but also cherish, all at once. It was intoxicating.
His hands traveled over her breasts, teasing her nipples into hard points before he continued moving downwards. The flat of his hand smoothed over her stomach, making her shiver, before he went even lower, his fingers touching the pearl above her sex. “Spread your legs, sweetheart,” he murmured.
Selina whimpered softly as she spread her legs. Surely, if he touched her there, she would go mad…
