Page 87 of Raising the Duke’s Unexpected Twins

“More than you know,” she said. “They are too, I think.” She took a breath. “Would they be happy? David and Helen?”

He nodded against her. “Yes, I think they would be delighted. All because of you. You’ve been a wonderful mother.”

Mother.

She had shied away from the word, not wanting to take Helen’s place, but she had been their mother in every sense of the word since she’d taken them in.

“And you a wonderful father.”

“Ah,” he scoffed, and she turned into his arms, shutting the door behind him.

“No more scoffing at compliments.”

He grinned. “Fine. I’ll stop scoffing if you let me do what I wished to do earlier.”

Her heart sped up, and she took his hand, following him up to his room. When she entered, he tore off his mask and did the same with hers, and then his mouth was on hers. She pulled him against her, gasping as his mouth trailed a line of fire down her neck. He spun her around, pulling at the laces of her gown and then her corset, moving nimbly and quickly.

“So urgent,” she teased, and she was met with a near growl.

“I have had to watch all evening while you dance with various guests and show your smiles to other men.”

“I cannot smile?” she asked with a lifted, teasing brow.

“Of course you can smile. But it only makes me want you more.”

With a few firm tugs, she was naked in front of him, her gown pooling at her feet.

He helped her out of it, and then he scooped her up into his arms, a little shrieked emitting from her lips. He laid her down on the bed and tried to kiss her again, but she shook her head, rising up to pull off his coat.

“You too have too many clothes on. I must also watch as you flirt with all the other young ladies with your handsome eyes and roguish smile. Their eyes watching the shape of your shoulders underneath your coat.”

He grinned wickedly as she pull his shirt from his trousers. “I want no one but you, love. No flirtations elsewhere.” He pressed her hand to his heart. “I swear it.”

“I was not worried, Nicholas.” In truth, she had enjoyed watching him that evening, being his usual charming self, but she knew she had his heart.

“Good.” He removed his trousers and stepped out of his boots, and he lifted her in his arms, her hands resting on his shoulders.

When his hardness pressed at her center, she gasped, and he chuckled. “Wrap your legs around me, love.”

She did, holding tight to his shoulders and with his hands on her thighs, she sank onto him. His strength was intoxicating as he held her and smoothly moved himself in and out of her, forcing her breaths to come in short gasps. He nipped at her neck, her ear, and when she feared she would come apart in his arms, he laid her down on the bed and kissed her, his feet still on firm ground.

He paused in his movements, leaning up to look at her, and she reached for him, scratching her nails against his muscled arms.

“No fair,” she said, “teasing me like this.”

His gaze darkened again, and he lifted her thighs, sliding ever deeper, making her eyes widen.

“I shall make it my life’s work to tease that expression out of you, dear wife.”

They spoke no more as he moved in harder, deeper thrusts, his hands clutching her thighs and bending her open to him while he stood.

Their eyes met, and she finally came apart, pleasure rising and breaking over her like a wave, crackling and sparkling while she shook. He continued his steady movements, picking up pace until his hands gripped her thighs tightly and he shuddered as he spilled into her.

She loved to watch him come apart, and come apart for her, this rogue who had been a determined rake. He was now hers. When he climbed into bed beside her, he pulled her close.

“You are everything I could have wished for,” he whispered into her ear as her back was against his chest.

Goosebumps rose on her skin as he caressed her arm.