“It’s not as bad as I expected.” Though she gazed at him, she wasn’t seeing him.
He had the distinct impression she focused on the feelings from where they were joined. He couldn’t help a smile. Her and her curiosity. It made him feel alive. He carefully increased the rhythm, enjoying every glide into her, noticing little nuances as she tightened around him or let out her breath.
Soon though, when she wrapped her arms around him and brought her lips to his, he lost his focus. He was far too intoxicated by her mouth, the feel of being inside her, her scent surrounding him as they climbed closer to the peak of fulfillment. He held himself back, wanting her with him this first time.
She broke their kiss, small moans coming from deep in her throat. He tilted his hips, giving her the stimulation she craved, until he felt her release start. Finally, he let himself go, biting down hard to keep his own shout from revealing their joy. As he spent himself inside her, an instinct buried deep in his psyche reared up with ferocity. Triumph and possessiveness filled him, blocking out any logical thought, and he grasped her to him.
She washis.
“James?” Her whisper wound around his heart.
He loosened his hold and leveraged himself higher so he could look at her. Her face was flushed and her lips reddened from their kisses. She was breathtaking. “Yes?”
“I liked it. Do you know why this position is called the missionary position?”
He barely held back his laugh. “Actually, I don’t. We’ll have to find a book about that.”
Her gaze wandered. “That’s the basic one, right? When does a couple try more complicated ones?”
This time his body reacted at the thought of her on top of him or splayed out on his desk.
She sighed. “I wish we had time to try another.”
At her mention of time, the precariousness of their situation cooled his blood instantly. Not wanting to scare her, he slowly pulled away. “Stay right there and don’t move.”
He strode desktop the door and quietly turned the lock. Tucking his shirt back in, he buttoned himself up all the way to his neck.
Returning to Jo, he was surprised that she had done as he requested, until he noticed her eyes were closed and her breathing was even. For the rest of his life, he’d remember the image of her half-unclothed, thoroughly loved and satisfied. A wave of possessiveness swept through him again, and he tamped it down. It felt as if a beast was taking over, and he’d have no part of that. “Jo, we need to get you dressed.”
“Uh-huh.”
As much as he wanted to let her sleep, he could not. Sitting her up, he knelt behind her and tied her stays before tucking the petticoat back under her dress, buttoning the back, and tying the neckline.
She remained quiet, until he helped her to stand. “Am I supposed to pretend that nothing happened here?”
“Yes, to everyone but me. I will keep our secret.”
She touched his face. “I think Aristotle was wrong. You are more handsome with your hair tousled and your whiskers showing.” Her hand drifted along his jaw before it came down on his chest. “I’m so glad you have a heart as well as intelligence.”
He grinned, but removed her hand, her touch far too enticing. “I have to admit I am pleased as well that you have both. Now, turn around so I can see what damage we have done to your dress.”
As if the mention of her dress had somehow penetrated the fog in her brain, she stepped back and smoothed down the new wrinkles in the front. “Is that better?”
“Yes.” It was, but it didn’t change the wrinkles from being there. “Let me see your back.”
She turned around, and looked over her shoulder, her dark lock falling down her back. “Maybe I could don my wool coat and tell Mariel I’m ready to leave?”
“That’s a good plan.” Especially because the back of her gown was far worse. What had he been thinking to put her in such a position? She was to be his duchess.
She faced him again and smiled slyly. “As far as applying knowledge, that was very educational.”
He swallowed a laugh. Life with her would never be dull. “That may be, but we need to get you back to your sister. I don’t want anyone thinking ill of my future wife.”
Her eyes rounded. “Wife?”
“Of course.” He tucked her arm in his and walked her back toward the desk to retrieve his waistcoat. She was obviously still basking in the glow of their lovemaking. She’d had no idea how it could affect her thought process. She simply wasn’t thinking of the consequences of their actions. “If you like, I could request a special license, so we need not wait long.”
She coughed, but didn’t respond.
