Page 17 of Heart of Decadence

Her mouth dried instantly as she took in his superb form, for the robe divulged as much as it concealed. The soft silk draped elegantly over his wide shoulders, revealing their true shape rather than the usual square cut of his jacket. Although tied at the waist, the garment moved seductively as he walked across the floor, giving her tantalizing glimpses of what lay beneath—a flash of his strong calves, a show of muscular thighs, and a shadowy glimpse of something above them both…and suddenly the room had become much too warm.

“Here, my love.” He handed her a cool glass and she seized it with shaking fingers. “Let us toast our marriage.” Gazing deeply into her eyes, he raised his glass. “May we live long, love well, and enjoy true happiness always.” They touched their glasses together then instead of drinking, he seized her head and brought her lips to his.

As ever when they kissed, Amelia’s pulse pounded, her lips warmed, and her body tingled. This time, however, with all of him so very close, and only a thin piece of fabric between her skin and his, a terrible ache formed deep within her, at her very core. Like a giant spring being wound tighter and tighter every time he thrust his tongue into her mouth. She moaned and twisted, wishing she could get rid of the champagne and wrap her arms around the body so temptingly close.

Either Nathan had the same idea or had somehow read her thoughts, for he pulled his lips away from hers—ever so reluctantly—then grasped her glass and plucked it from her fingers. “Drink a bit of this, sweetheart. You’ll be glad of it.”

She nodded and he put the glass to her lips, letting her take tiny sips, careful not to spill it on her. The tart, refreshing wine seemed to clear her head, making her sit up straighter, shake her hair until it rippled down her back, and lower the sheet until her shoulders were bare.

He’d turned to put the glasses on a table and when he turned back, he stopped, his gaze fastened on her naked skin. “Amelia, dear Lord, but you are beautiful.” Slowly, he slid his hands down her neck, over her shoulders, until he pushed the sheet away and she allowed it to drop to her waist. His ragged breath sounded loudly in the still room. “I see I misspoke, my love. You are exquisite.”

Catching his excitement, Amelia pulled the belt of his robe until it slithered to the floor then boldly reached up to push his robe off his shoulders, as strong and broad as she’d suspected. They gave way to a lean, well-muscled chest that tapered to a small waist. The smooth skin invited her touch and she ran her hand, first cautiously then more boldly, from shoulder to waist. Lower than that was still hidden by the bed. Not for long.

“You do know what we will do here, don’t you, Amelia?” His quiet voice broke the silence.

“I do.” Unwavering, she met his hot gaze. “I have known for some time.”

His eyes widened for an instant, and he paused.

“My mother explained it to me when I was betrothed to Lord Carrington.”

His brows rose then he nodded. “Then can you find room in that bed for me?”

Smiling, she scooted over and pulled back the covers. “Gladly, my lord.”

He slid in next to her and turned on his side to face her. With a firm hand, he gripped her waist, pulling her to him until their bodies truly touched at every point and she ached for more. “Then by all means, let us begin at last.”

* * * *

Candlelight glowed all about Amelia’s chamber, giving the very air a softness and beauty she’d never noticed before. Perhaps everything would seem different now. The man lying next to her—stretched out on his back, one arm flung over his head—had changed her life in so many ways, nothing would ever be the same. She rolled onto her side once more, eager just to watch him sleep. His face in repose gave no indication of the strength, the tenderness, the passion he had given her, and brought out of her in return.

They’d made love three times, each somewhat different yet gloriously the same. And it had left her so exhausted she should’ve been sleeping right alongside him, yet she’d never been so wide awake in her life, so aware of every part of her body, for he seemed to have touched every inch. Would it be wrong of her to wake him up so he could touch her again? If she was shameless, she didn’t care. She was making up for lost time.

“Didn’t you get any sleep?” Nathan’s eyes were open, his gaze sleepily trained on her. A lazy smile touched his lips, so slight he might indeed return to his slumber.

“A little. I couldn’t seem to stay asleep.” Afraid she’d wake up in her bed at home from a dream too good to be true. “I hope I didn’t awaken you.”

Nathan rolled up on his side to face her, his hand straying out to tug at her disheveled hair. “Not at all. I’ve only dozed a bit myself.” His smile broadened. “Too pleasantly engaged to want to sleep.”

Her cheeks heated as she remembered the intimacies they’d shared, although they’d done nothing to be ashamed about.

“I assume you are a little sore?”

She nodded, her face aflame now.

“I am sorry for it.” His gentle voice soothed her embarrassment. “Although I’m grateful I was the one to introduce you to these particular pleasures.” He kissed her fingers, sending warmth straight to her core. “I promise you, the soreness will fade shortly. It’s only the first time that hurts so.” He smiled and pulled her over to him. “Although repetition may indeed play a part in that as well. If you wish, we can say you are indisposed and choose to remain here in your chamber today.”

That might be very nice. A day in which to simply stay in bed and… Do what they, in fact, had been doing. “But wouldn’t people assume then that we were…”

“I believe they would indeed suspect how we were passing the time.”

“Oh, dear.” Amelia sat up. “That will never do. They cannot think that we are here, in this bed—”

“My love.” Nathan’s grin spanned his face as he drew her back down into the bed. “They know what we are doing. We are married and,” he lowered his voice to a whisper, “this is what married people do.”

“I know. But I don’t want people to know it.” That still seemed wicked, somehow.

“You will become used to being a married lady, with all the privileges thereof. Like breakfast in bed…and other things in bed.” He nuzzled her neck, making her groan with pleasure.