But reality was never quite as simple as it should be. The invitation he issued was far too seductive to rebuff. Against her better judgment and relying only on her feelings, she chose to stay in his arms.
The earl leaned his hard, muscular body closer into hers. She felt his strength, his heat, and though she’d never felt it before now, she understood the meaning of desire.
In a low and suggestive voice, he whispered, “Did he kiss you with such fervor your breath left your lungs and your knees turned so weak they wouldn’t hold you? Did he make you feel like you were the only woman in the world who could satisfy his yearning for passion that churned like a raging storm in his soul?”
“No, of course not.”
The duke’s arms tightened around her even more and in a gruff whisper he said, “Then I’m going to do that for you, Miss Quick.”
Chapter 5
It is never proper for a gentleman to even attempt to kiss a proper young lady.
APROPERGENTLEMAN’SGUIDETOWOOINGTHEPERFECTLADY
SIRVINCENTTYBALTVALENTINE
His voice was low. Persuasive.
A hasty puff of air forced past her lips, and it was all she could do to not melt into a puddle of wanting. It was too late to run or even deny what she was feeling. She didn’t know why or even how it had happened, but the duke had her believing all he said. Stunned by the trail of her own thoughts, she realized she wanted what the duke had promised—a taste of unbridled passion.
Gazing into his summer-green eyes, she felt hot, excited. An uncommon eagerness to explore these new inner desires had enveloped her. She didn’t know exactly what the duke was going to do, but she knew without a shadow of doubt she wanted him to kiss her and to do it now.
His face descended closer, her eyes closed, and his lips lightly brushed hers with warmth, sweetness, and the merestamount of pressure. At first she didn’t really know what to do. She remained still. But then her lips softened beneath his, her mouth softened and she joined the kiss. Slowly, curls of pleasure budded into life and opened inside her. The pressing of their lips together was tender, languid, and powerful. There was no other word to describe the feelings butglorious.
Instinct took over. She had never been kissed like this, but it didn’t take long for her to learn how to follow the movements of his lips. Her body relaxed and, without conscious effort, she lifted her arms and let them slide slowly around his neck. She leaned her body into his, feeling as if she were melting into him. His lips moved seductively back and forth over hers, sending shimmers of sensations spiraling through her.
The touch of his lips to hers was delicate. Feathery. So enticing she couldn’t deny herself these moments caught up so passionately in his embrace. Their kisses continued and her stomach quivered deliciously. She opened her mouth and willingly accepted his tongue with a sigh of magical discovery as he teased and played with the tip of her own. Her hands roamed over and around his wide shoulders and then slid down his strong, damp back.
Some kisses lingered, others were short, but all were abundantly delicious. She welcomed and savored each one. She responded to each by matching his movements and sighs. The endearments of passion stretched and melted them together in a sea of pleasure. His lips left hers and kissed across her cheek, over her chin, and down her neck to the strand of pearls she wore, and then back up to settle on her mouth again. Chills of thrilling desire rushed through her.
Loretta felt his breath on her ear before she heard hiswhispered words, “Oh, yes. You feel as if you belong here in my arms.”
Strangely, she felt that way, too, but instead of letting him know she agreed with his assessment, she said, “I didn’t realize it would be so difficult to breathe while kissing.”
“That is a good way to feel, is it not?” He smiled against her lips. “That is supposed to happen. You are meant to be breathless, weak-kneed, and eager when you are kissed.”
“Yes, all of that and more,” she answered, loving, craving that giddy and breathless feeling that she’d always expected would come with kisses from a man.
The duke’s hand moved to the center of her back to press her tightly against him. The other slowly came around her rib cage to fully cup her breast in his large, gentle hand.
Loretta gasped, moaned, and then sighed contentedly. Through her clothing, he lifted and massaged her breast. His gentle fingers pressed into the soft swell of her flesh above her gown as his palm kneaded into the weight of it. Pleasure like she’d never known washed warmly over her and consumed her.
It was madness.
And it was wrong.
She shouldn’t allow the duke such unrestrained freedom to be so intimate with her. Yet how could she deny herself these exquisite feelings that had taken control of her senses, her body, and her mind? They were pure luxury, and she was completely overwhelmed by all the new sensations swirling through her.
A tightening developed between her legs. The thrill of all that was happening to her and inside her body was overwhelming. She clung desperately to the duke because, as he’d promised, she didn’t feel her legs were going to hold her up.
The duke let his lips hover above hers while his gaze seemed to devour hers and his hand slowly, gently massaged her breast.
“Are you anticipating my next kiss, Miss Quick?”
“Yes,” she whispered on a ragged breath. She couldn’t wait for his lips to touch hers again.
“Tell me what your thoughts are about kissing now?”
