Now that was better, Daniel thought. The look of terror had left her face to be replaced by the flush of anger. Sinking to his knees, he untied her stockings and rolled them down her thighs.
“Would you have had me thank Huxley instead for mauling you and trying to kidnap you, or perhaps I could have taken off one of my gloves and slapped his face?” Daniel now stood before her. She was gloriously naked, and his body fired to life.
“I would have you live, damn you!”
“As I do.” Daniel removed his robe.
“But I will not allow you to fight a duel every time someone challenges me.”
“It was more than a challenge, Eva, as you very well know. Huxley hurt and terrified you and let us not forget that he also shot at our carriage.”
The bandage around his arm drew her eyes and he saw the terror as she remembered the moment he got it.
“I-I could have lost you,” her fingers shook as they traced over the cotton.
“Never.” Daniel hauled her into his arms, then tumbled them onto the bedcovers. Covering her lips with his, he kissed her hard. She struggled against him but Daniel held her closer and deepened the kiss until he felt her resistance flee. Only then did he ease back.
“You gave yourself to me, Eva,” he whispered against her neck. “Body and soul,” he added, running his hand over her breasts in soft strokes. “And I will protect you with my life if and when I believe it is necessary.”
She shuddered as his fingers moved over her stomach. Daniel watched as she arched toward him as his they delved into her silken core.
“You are mine as I am yours, Eva.” Daniel moved down her body, kissing and licking until he reached his goal. “Do you understand what that means?”
He ran his tongue down the dew-drenched folds between her legs, tasting her essence.
“I-I understand.”
He sucked on the hard little bud between her legs until he felt the pressure build inside her. Only then did he climb back up her body and drive himself deep inside her slick heat.
“We belong, Eva,” Daniel rasped as he withdrew and pushed slowly back into her.
“I love you, Daniel, so very much, now and forever.”
Her whispered pledge drove Daniel over the edge. Thrusting into her until she clenched around him, they scaled the heights of passion together.
“And I love you, Duchess, forever and always,” Daniel said, gathering her close in his arms as he felt sleep pulling him under. Resting a hand on her stomach, he imagined their child and dreamed of the future that now dawned bright and beautiful before them.
THE END
