Page 68 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

Alex dropped her hand, leaving her bereft of the contact and his warmth. He rested his arm on the back of her chair, shifting so his chair was closer to hers. His fingers touched the naked skin on her shoulder, again drawing circles on her sensitive flesh.

Anyone watching them would think Alex was riveted on the play. She knew better. The flair of his nostrils and the increased breathing told her he was no more focused on the play than she was. Time for her next move.

Leaning over so the bodice of her gown dipped almost to her nipples, she looked up at him. “Here is your handkerchief.” She held out the article and swore she heard Alex growl.

Mr. Templeton turned at the sound and grinned when he saw the two of them sitting close together.

“I find the air quite stifling, Your Grace. Would you care to accompany me to my carriage?” Alex’s voice was low and raspy, his eyes heavy-lidded.

“For a ride?” Lord, was that her voice?

“Yes.”

“Yes.” Patience stood and shook out her skirts. Alex took her by the elbow and escorted her out of the box, down the stairs, through the empty lobby, and into the night air.

…

Alex could not believe he had Patience only steps from his carriage. He waited for her to pull back and cut him down with her tongue. Could it be she had missed him as much as he’d missed her?

After speaking with John Coachman, he helped her into the carriage and climbed in. He sat across from her, tapped on the ceiling, and the vehicle moved forward. He held out his hand. “Come here.” Bloody hell, could she hear the desperation in his voice?

She hesitated for only a moment and then moved to his side of the carriage. Watching her from under lowered eyelids, he slowly removed her gloves, pulling the silky material off her hands. He raised her hands to his mouth and kissed each finger. “I’ve missed you.”

Patience closed her eyes and nodded. “Me, too,” her words barely a whisper.

They would need to talk, there was no doubt, but right now he wanted her. Needed her. Holding his breath, still expecting her to pull away, he placed his hand behind her head and drew her to him. She slid the distance between them and placed her hands on his chest. He held her head steady and brought his lips to hers.

Every prayer he had ever uttered had been answered. Two weeks of agony, of desperation, were wiped clean with her soft lips under his. What he wanted was to rip her clothes off and ravish her, but he held back. The last time they’d been together she’d called him a monster and a bully. He certainly did not want to prove her right.

Tonight would be about tenderness and caring. A way to show her his love, how he worshipped her, and wanted her back in his arms, in his house, in his bed, and in his life forever.

He pulled back and tucked a curl behind her ear. “The driver has been instructed to drive until I tap on the ceiling.” He gave her a soft smile.

“What are you trying to tell me?” A slight flush rose from the neckline of her gown to cover her adorable face.

He plopped her on his lap and licked the area around the soft shell of her ear. “I want you. Here. Now.”

Instead of the shocked expression he’d expected, she smiled and began to untie his cravat. He pulled her against his chest and worked her fasteners at the back of her gown. Next, he undid her stays and both garments dropped to her lap, leaving her beautiful breasts free.

The scant moonlight turned her alabaster skin ethereal. His hands moved over her breasts, thumbs lightly flicking the taut nipples. Patience let out a soft sigh and leaned into him, so his hands fully cupped her. Their lips met in an explosive kiss and all thoughts of tenderness vanished as a need so strong engulfed him—drove him to claim her as his…and only his, forever.

He pulled back, both of them panting. His hungry eyes searched her beloved face. The devil take it, he loved her so much. Never again would he let anything come between them. She was his and would always be. They would spend years making love, raising children, and growing old together. Nothing in his life would ever mean as much as she did.

When he had thought he’d lost her again, he knew the meaning of madness. Had he not been able to reclaim her, his life would have been meaningless. He would have spent his remaining years drinking himself into oblivion.

With her on his lap—warm, soft, and willing—he couldn’t wait, he was too desperate for the connection. “I’m afraid this won’t be as soft and loving as I intended.”

Patience shook her head. “No. I want this, I need this.”

They were the only words he needed to hear. He took her breast in his mouth, sucking hard, teasing her nipple with his tongue, then biting gently. Patience moaned and tightened her legs around him and fumbled with his falls, buttons popping as she pulled it open in frustration.

Her hands covered him, and he feared he would disgrace himself right there. He pushed her gown up, thankful that she was not fond of wearing drawers.

“Move up,” he mumbled against her breast. He wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her to her knees. She placed his cock against her opening and eased herself down, hissing as her warmth surrounded him. His mouth left her breast and covered her lips in a searing kiss.

He held her waist and moved her up and down until she caught the rhythm. She released his lips and struggling for breath, leaned her forehead against his, her sweet breath bathing him with satisfaction. This was where she belonged.

Patience used her thumbs to push the hair from his forehead. She leaned back and held his face in her hands. “I love you. I don’t want anything to ever come between us again.”