Page 41 of Wedded to the Scottish Duke

“Ye can’t stand me, eh?” he provoked her, pumping his fingers into her just as she had longed for him to do. “Ye want me far away from ye?”

“Oh.” She couldn’t quite say those words.

“I thought not.” His other hand moved to her rear again, gripping her hard as he moved his fingers. “No. Ye want me right here, sweetheart.”

Then he took hold of her hip and pulled out his fingers, turning her over so she was flat on her back again. As he untied her wrist from the headboard, she flung her arm outward. It knocked the chessboard over, though neither one of them cared enough to stop and look.

Celia was not sure she could look at anything but him as he grabbed her thighs and dragged her down the bed, so she was beneath him. He kissed her, molding his clothed body to her bare one. Her hands moved down, clutching his broad shoulders, exploring his muscles, just as his fingers reached between her legs again.

He swiftly reached that point of pure pleasure, driving her to such madness that every sound she made was swallowed by his kiss. Her legs quivered as he suddenly broke the kiss and braced himself above her.

She realized he was watching her. He wasn’t just watching what they were doing, the way his fingers were sliding in and out of her, but he was also watching her face.

She had never been shy. She looked him in the eye, perfectly happy for him to see her moan, to see the way her mouth would fall open as he found a new sensitive spot inside her.

Then he curled his fingers. It was such a shock, this new position, that her body tightened.

“Don’t forget that release.”That was how Miriam had described it when Celia had asked her and the painter about sex. She had called it a release.“It’s your undoing. Never have you felt so free and… elated in all your life.”

Celia now realized how right Miriam had been. Her whole body contracted as the Duke rubbed that perfect spot inside her. The pleasure washed over her, and she arched off the bed again, clutching his biceps as he rocked her body into oblivion.

He was still moving his fingers as she started to come back down from her high, completely overwhelmed by the way he had made her body sing to his tune. Then he stilled.

His fingers slid out of her as she panted. Then she leaned forward and rested her head on the center of his chest.

“Aye, I can see how much ye cannot stand me,” he whispered in her ear playfully.

She couldn’t stop the giggle that escaped her as her hands moved.

She had already crossed nearly every boundary known to the ton. Surely, there was no harm in crossing the final one?

I want to know him… completely.

The idea of the Duke of Hardbridge making love to her there in that bed was such a thrill that her hands acted of their own accord. She reached for his waistcoat and started unbuttoning it.

“Ah, no, lass.” He placed his hand over hers, halting her.

“What?” she stammered in amazement.

She was here, completely naked, having given every part of herself to him. Did he not want more? Did he not want some of that pleasure for himself?

Something flickered in his eyes. For a second, she thought she saw something other than pleasure. Was it… fear? Then it was gone, and she rather thought it had all been in her imagination.

“Ye are still bedridden,” he said with a smile. “I may have just given ye pleasure, but I will not take it from ye as ye are now. I want ye fit for that.” He bent down and kissed the top of her hip. “Believe me, I want ye to throw yerself into it.”

She smiled, laughing as he reared up and kissed her on the lips again.

“I should go.” He kneeled up on the bed.

“Now?”

“Well, do ye want yer lady’s maid to discover ye had a gentleman visitor when ye are wearing nothing?” In emphasis, he reached for her center again. She swatted his hand away, and he laughed. “Then we’ll have to wait for another time, sweetheart.”

“Another time.”

As she watched the Duke climb off the bed, a question arose in her mind. She had loved every second of what they had just done, but she rather thought he had pulled back for a different reason.

What is he hiding?

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