The sigh with which she responded was decadent indeed and quickly had him divesting himself of his own clothing. She turned to watch, her eyes devouring every part of the process as she leaned against the bedpost. Apparently, she felt no shyness, perhaps because she’d become accustomed to him seeing her naked during the week when he’d cared for her. Whatever the case, he was grateful, for it allowed him to admire her body without her trying to cover it up, his eyes lingering on the places where his touch would give her most pleasure.
Juliette could only stare as the man she loved shucked his shirt to reveal a chest defined by rippling muscles. Kicking off his shoes, he removed his hose and straightened himself to his full height. As if enjoying her perusal, he met her gaze boldly and held it for a second before allowing it to fall away. She followed it down, her mouth going dry as she watched his hands move to his waistband. Unfastening buttons, he opened the placket and pushed his trousers and smalls down over his hips and all the way to the floor where he kicked them aside.
She inhaled sharply when he rose again to stand before her. His arms were strong and beautifully shaped, his belly completely flat with a thin strip of copper hair darting down toward... She swallowed as she considered that part of him. It was larger than she’d expected and—
“I won’t hurt you,” he said as if reading her thoughts. “Your body will accommodate mine, Juliette. Of that I can assure you.”
She nodded, determined to regain her confidence from earlier. “I know.” He must have sensed that she wasn’t quite certain, for he instantly closed the distance between them and lowered his lips to her ear, whispering all manner of wicked intentions while his hands wandered over her curves.
When she was almost undone by need and ready to beg him for more, he picked her up in his arms and lowered her onto the bed. Frantic for his caresses, she reached for him and he was there, his body hovering over hers while his questing fingers brought anticipation to a peak. “Please.” Her hands clasped at his shoulders, insistent on bringing him closer.
“Yes, sweetheart.” His kiss was accompanied by the briefest pain and then by endless amounts of bliss. Gently, he moved against her, teaching her the timeless rhythm that would send them both right over the edge.
She caught on quickly, her body adjusting to each new sensation until the initial discomfort was overshadowed by a ravenous need for more. Without warning, it barreled toward her with sudden speed, sweeping her up in euphoric pleasure and carrying her higher until she burst like one of the fireworks she’d once seen at Vauxhall.
“Juliette...” Her name torn from his chest spoke of promise and hope, the deep kiss he gave her conveying his love while his body found its own satisfaction. “Mine.” He murmured the word against her ear in the moments that followed. “You are finally mine.”
A boneless languor overcame her. It lingered as she gazed up into his deep blue eyes. Her hand reached up to stroke his cheek. “Yes.” And then, knowing he’d likely appreciate the assurance, she gave him a smile and told him sincerely, “I have never enjoyed anything more than what we just did.”
His eyes seemed to darken. “In that case, allow me to show you another way I can give you pleasure.” Lowering his head, he kissed his way down the length of her body while Juliette sighed in response. Whatever her expectations of the marital act had been, this was so much better than she could ever have imagined. Her husband was just as attentive and loving as she planned on being. But more than that, she looked forward to sharing her life with him as his equal and of simply conversing with him over breakfast, which was more than she’d ever dared dream might be possible.
Chapter 29
Rolling onto his side, Florian smoothed Juliette’s hair away from her forehead. It was still very short, having grown only about an inch and a half in the three months they’d been away. As had become their daily routine during their escape to the Lake District, they’d taken a morning walk and spread out a blanket on one of the hillsides overlooking a valley. There, bathed by the August sun, they’d made love to each other until their sighs of pleasure whispered across the bright green landscape.
“I love you.” He spoke the words that were constantly in his heart.
The smile she returned was dazzling. “As I love you.”
Kissing her had become as necessary to him as breathing. So he bowed his head and captured her lips with his. As always, she tasted delicious. “I could easily kiss you forever,” he told her, nuzzling the side of her neck with his nose.
To his immense satisfaction, she wound her arms around his torso and pulled him back between her thighs, shifting slightly so her pelvis met his. “How about doingthisforever?”
He grinned, free from all the worry that had shadowed his life for so long. With Juliette he felt like the lad he’d been before his mother had pulled him aside and confessed he was really Bartholomew’s son. His soul had lightened, and his heart, influenced by her kindness, had filled to overflowing with the sort of love that cleansed the soul.
“I do believe I’d enjoy that,” he told her while she in turn offered a cheeky smile.
When they returned to the cottage they’d rented for luncheon, they found a letter waiting. “It is from the Duchess of Tremaine,” he told Juliette, recognizing her seal.
“Open it.”
He paused for only a second before doing as Juliette suggested, tearing the seal and unfolding the foolscap. His eyes scanned the page, absorbing every detail. Blinking, he raised his gaze to Juliette. “The hospital wants me back.”
Juliette beamed up at him with encouraging zeal. “That is wonderful news!”
“Apparently, some of my patients refuse to be treated by anyone else and demand to know where I am and what is keeping me away.”
“Raphe did write a month ago letting us know there are only a few people left who seem to question your heritage and what transpired between the two of us while I was living beneath your roof.”
“True.” He set the letter aside on a nearby table. “But there was no rush to return, especially since you would like for your hair to grow out before venturing back into Society.”
Trumpeting her lips, her face took on an adorably pensive expression. “You are right,” she eventually told him, “but your patients are more important than my vanity.”
His heart felt like bursting. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. My only regret is having to leave all of this behind. You and I have been gifted with a wonderful retreat. With you going back to work, that will be over.”
“I know. I am just as sorry for that as you are.” He drew her into his arms. “Perhaps we should make it a rule to come back here once a year, for a month at least.”
