Page 72 of The Wrong Duke

“Which is?”

“You stop calling me Miss Baker. Call me Amelia. If you’re to be my husband, I think I’ll allow it.”

Evan’s smile was so large that it hurt. “All right, Amelia...”

And with all that said, Evan did the only thing that made sense. He kissed Amelia full on the lips, and as expected, she kissed him right back. Their first kiss in the open, no longer needing to hide or pretend that it meant anything other than what it did. The kiss of two people desperately in love, knowing that love to be returned, knowing that love to be one that would burn bright and hot for years to come.

It was a kiss so sweet that Evan would remember it for the rest of his life. And what was more, it was a kiss that implied the evening to still be young, and with his manor their destination, he knew exactly where such a kiss was going to lead...

* * *

Carrying Amelia in his arms, Evan kicked the door to his room open; it swung back and smashed against the frame, letting off a loud bang, likely alerting the entire manor to where he was and what was about to happen. Not that he cared one little bit. His intentions were clear from the moment the carriage arrived, and even the presence of Bridget couldn’t stop them — he’d made sure to arrange for the staff to take her in, sparing those few precious moments to ensure her safety, but that was all he could possibly allow himself.

Through the door Evan raced, careful to close it behind him with a flick of his ankle, and then to the bed which called like a Siren.

Evan was as careful as he could be when he laid Amelia on her back on the bed. He wanted to throw her down. He wanted to climb on her and tear her dress free. He wanted to do all manner of things that had haunted his dreams since that morning spent in the garden under the elm tree. But he curbed those most wicked thoughts for a moment, just long enough to stand back and marvel at the beauty he now had all to himself.

He couldn’t believe his luck. The milky-white skin. The dark blue eyes. The thick lips, sharp features, and petite frame that curved in ways that made him salivate. The dress itself was simple, but beneath it was a body of wonder, one that his hands would be around soon enough, that he would be devouring as if it was his last meal. But not yet... for now, to gaze upon her beauty and thank God and all those listening that she was his, was what he wanted. No more secrets. No more hiding. Finally, they could be together.

“What?” she asked, propping herself up on her elbows, voice cracking slightly as if she was nervous. “What are you looking at?”

“You,” he said simply. “Just you.”

She pushed her lips together to stop herself from beaming. “Well, stop looking and start... you know...” Her eyes flashed, and he could see the wicked thoughts racing behind her eyes.

“Whatever you wish...” he growled as he climbed on the bed and mounted her.

Evan’s lips found Amelia’s instantly. Her taste was one that he remembered but one that he had forgotten how much he craved. They kissed fully and passionately as his hands gripped her waist while her legs opened, and he fell between them. Soon, his tongue was inside her mouth, lapping and wrestling and massaging as she bit down and nibbled playfully on his lips.

From there, it was her neck that Evan devoured. Soft kisses that turned ravishing. She leaned back, eyes closed, and moaned each time he licked and sucked at her. His hands were busy, moving up her waist as they tried to find the opening to her dress, only to become frustrated, tearing it open and exposing her perfect breasts. He went for them as if his life depended on it, lips wrapping each nipple and sucking and licking... and biting just until he heard her gasp.

Amelia was more willing to take control this time. No longer unsure. No longer shy and reserved. Her hands moved to his pants, unlatching them at the front, opening them the best she could, reaching her hand down his front and grabbing his member with such satisfaction and eagerness that Evan’s body stiffened, and he was forced to shove his head into her neck and groan as she played with him.

“Amelia...” he moaned as she slowly stroked him beneath his breeches. “Don’t you ever stop.”

“I don’t plan on it,” she purred into his ear.

But it was never going to end there. They might have had the rest of their lives together, but the way they were acting, you would think that this was their one and only chance to take advantage in the only manner that they knew how. Soon, their clothes were off, torn and ripped and tossed across the room. Naked bodies pressed together as hands grabbed and pawed like animals in the wild, tearing at carcasses, desperate to get every last piece.

Evan moved to mount Amelia, but she was quick to push him onto his back and climb atop him. There was a fire in her eyes, a hunger in her smile, and he wasn’t going to fight it. On his back, Evan held Amelia by the waist as she slowly lowered over his girth. Slowly... carefully... body shuddering with each inch taken... she swallowed him. Then, leaning forward, finding his mouth and kissing him like she never had before, Amelia began to move her hips back and forth, and Evan again found himself thanking God and anyone listening.

It was unlike anything he could have imagined. All those nights and days picturing this moment, and Evan found his imagination lacking severely. The feel of Amelia on top of him. The sensation of being inside her of. Her breasts heaving as she moved back and forth. Her body shaking. The sounds she made! His future wife, and Evan could not have been happier.

The evening was young when the two started, and it was late when they finally finished. Hours passed, Evan guessed, even if it only felt like minutes. They rolled around the bed, finding themselves on the floor, standing and pressing themselves against the wall, then back on the bed. Any way that Evan could take her, he did. Any means he could find to be as close to her as was possible, to please her, to let her know that she was his, he committed to. It was rough and wild. It was soft and sensual. It was beyond pleasure because pleasure is a thing for mere mortals and this felt heavenly in every sense of the word.

And when they were finally done. When their bodies were drained of fluids and energy and the will to keep going, Evan fell on his back, and Amelia snuggled into his arm. She didn’t say anything, and nor did he. Rather, he kissed her on the head, held her close, closed his eyes, and together the two drifted into a deep sleep from which they might never wake.

No dreams were had that night either. There was no need. Life was beyond reality, and any dream they might have had would only spoil the perfection that they had found in one another’s arms. Evan, he knew, was the happiest he had ever been, and what was more, he couldn’t foresee it ending anytime soon.

EPILOGUE

“Istill think you should forgive her,” Bridget said rightly. “You know you should.”

“I know no such thing,” Amelia responded stubbornly. She pulled her gaze from her reflection, looked over her shoulder, and fixed her sister with a self-righteous scowl.

“Amelia...”

“And even if I was going to — that’s not to say I am — but if I was going to...” Back to her reflection, Amelia touched lightly at her hair, double checking that it would stay once she started to move. “Why does it have to be today? Of all days, why does this have to be this one.”

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