Page 87 of Wedded to the Duke of Seduction

Marina turned her head to press a kiss to his palm. “Perhaps I’m surprising myself as well.”

The simple honesty in her voice undid him. Leo captured her mouth again, this time with unmistakable intent. Marina responded immediately. Her body melted against his as her lips parted beneath the gentle pressure of his tongue.

Their kiss intensified, a wordless exchange of passion, a dance of giving and taking, of advance and retreat, each growing more confident in understanding the other’s rhythm. Marina’s hands slid down to his shoulders and tugged against his evening coat.

“You’re wearing too many layers,” she whispered against his mouth with a boldness in her voice that thrilled him.

Leo smiled against her lips. “As are you.”

He shifted his attention to the sensitive skin below her ear, trailing kisses down the elegant column of her throat. Marina’s head fell back with a soft sigh, giving him better access. Her pulse fluttered beneath his lips, rapid and strong, betraying her arousal.

“I want to feel your skin against mine,” Leo murmured, his hands sliding up her sides to cup her face. “To see you in the candlelight.”

Leo’s hands moved to the tiny buttons at the back of Marina’s gown, his fingers working with practiced ease. The first few buttons gave way, revealing the pale skin of her neck and upper back. He pressed his lips to each newly exposed inch, savoring her shiver of pleasure.

“Let me,” Marina whispered, reaching for his cravat.

With trembling fingers, she untied the complex knot and slid the silk from around his neck. His skin felt hot beneath her touchas she opened the first buttons of his shirt, revealing the strong column of his throat.

Leo’s breath caught as her cool fingers traced his collarbone. He returned to his task, unfastening more buttons until her gown loosened around her shoulders. The silky fabric slipped down, revealing the thin chemise beneath.

“Beautiful,” he murmured, pressing his lips to the curve where her neck met her shoulder.

Marina worked steadily on his waistcoat, pushing it from his broad shoulders. The garment fell forgotten to the floor as she returned to his shirt buttons, her face flushed with desire.

Leo eased her gown lower, his hands tracing the outline of her stays. The candlelight cast golden shadows across her skin, making her glow like a Renaissance painting. His fingers found the laces of her stays, testing their tension.

“I’ve imagined this,” Marina confessed as she pushed his shirt open, revealing the muscled plane of his chest. Her hands pressed against his skin, feeling the rapid beat of his heart.

Leo captured her mouth again, the kiss deeper now, hungrier. His hands slid around her waist, pulling her tight against him. Through the layers of their remaining clothes, their bodies pressed together, heat meeting heat.

“Come,” he whispered, taking her hand and guiding her toward the piano bench.

Marina followed, her gown hanging loose around her shoulders, her chemise slipping dangerously low as Leo positioned her on the bench. Standing before her, he pulled his shirt free, revealing his bare chest fully to her gaze.

Her breath caught at the sight of him. Tentatively, Marina reached out, her fingers tracing the scar that ran across his left shoulder. Leo remained perfectly still as she explored him, her touch growing bolder.

With gentle hands, he eased her gown lower, past her stays, until the fabric pooled at her waist. The thin chemise was all that remained covering her upper body, the outline of her breasts visible through the fine material.

“May I?” he asked, his fingers at the ribbon that fastened her chemise.

Marina nodded, her eyes never leaving his as he slowly pulled the ribbon free.

Growling from frustrated desire, he kissed her, his tongue seeking entry. Marina opened her lips willingly. As their kiss deepened, his need for her flowed through him. His hand found her inner thigh and slid higher. He dipped his fingers into her folds.

He stroked her gently at first. When she let out a groan, he strummed her pearl with his fingers, teasing, tempting her.

“Leo, please.”

He wanted to give her what she wanted but not yet. He stroked her pearl again, swirling his finger over it. He could feel the heat of her juices on his hand, and he wanted nothing more to be inside of her.

As if sensing his thoughts, Marina grasped his arousal. When her hand began to move, he increased his own rhythm. She wiggled against his hand, urging him to slide inside of her.

He would grant her wish. He gently spread her thighs then positioned himself at her entrance. His head dipped down to her nipple and when he suckled it, he pushed forward.

Marina’s head fell back, and she let out a low moan. He rocked into her, filling her with more of him.

She grasped his shoulders. and then he flexed his hips forward until he could go no deeper. “You make me feel so good,” he whispered against her.

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