Page 74 of Winning Her Duke

“If you don’t take them off, I’ll do it for you and you’ll be left to explain to your maid why there is so much mending needed after the birthing of a horse.”

She made quick work of her shirt and trousers and he thought it a wonder more women didn’t go around like this instead of with all the layers of gowns and petticoats. This was so much simpler. At least for him.

He pulled her naked body against his and kissed her, ready for her again.

But then he remembered this had been her first time. Perhaps she was not so ready as he.

“Wait. Are you sore?”

“What?” She blinked as if her mind was elsewhere.

“It was your first time. If you are sore, we can stop.”

“No. I’m fine.”

He searched her face and found only honesty. She would tell him if she didn’t want him. He could relax knowing he didn’t have to puzzle out her feelings in addition to his own.

He trusted her.

“Very well,” he said falling into his bed and pulling her down with him.

*

The bed was surely more comfortable than the straw, but she hadn’t minded it at all. In fact, all of it had been perfect.

It was clear Jeremy was concerned he hadn’t made the experience pleasant enough for her, but he needn’t fear. He had been wonderful.

And there was more to come.

When he shifted to roll on top of her, she slipped from underneath him so she could straddle him while sitting up.

“I saw it done this way in a book. Shall we try?” she asked, wondering if he would mind her making a suggestion. It seemed men were to set the pace and select the position, but was that always how it was done? Could a woman not recommend alternatives?

He laughed.

“Gia, it’s nearly three in the morning and I’m fair exhausted. If you care to do all the work, I’m certainly not going to stop you.”

She grinned and sat forward feeling as powerful as a goddess.

“Help me,” she said with a hint of frustration as she fumbled between them. It had seemed easy enough in the pages of a book, but getting his parts aligned with hers was not as simple.

“Up a little further and then—Ah. Christ.”

When she sank down, taking him completely, he shuddered and closed his eyes as if in pain. He stilled her with a firm grip on her hips as he took a few breaths.

“Did I hurt you?” she asked.

“Only in the best way. I just need a moment.” After a few more breaths that caused his taught stomach to move against her palm in a delightful ripple, he released her again.

Her rhythm was uneven at first, but it didn’t take her long to find her stride.

“Slow,” he pleaded.

“But I want to go faster.” She was new to this, but her body seemed to know instinctually what to do.

“Do you want it to be over?” He opened his eyes, the blue brighter because his pupils had drawn to tiny dots.

“No.”