Page 97 of A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Heirs

Hazy with her own desire, her gaze lifted to meet his, her parted lips a vivid vestige of their kisses. “I won’t say I’m sorry.”

A soft laugh escaped. “Nor do I wish you to. But I fear you aren’t thinking clearly as well. Are you certain this is what you want?” His body begged her to say yes, but his mind prepared to respect her wishes if she changed her mind.

“I’m quite certain. I trust you, Victor. Trust in your love.”

Sweeter words had never reached his ears. “I will do my utmost to make it enjoyable for you. Do you know what transpires?”

Her laugh unsettled him. “Victor. Remember, I wish to breed horses. One does not embark on that endeavor without understanding the process.”

“Well, it’s a little different for people, but you have a point; the basic idea is the same.”

Her gaze held his as she unbuttoned his coat, then slipped her hands up and under the front, sliding it off his shoulders. Instead of allowing it to drop onto the floor, she folded it neatly and set it on the chair he had vacated.

He pulled her back into his arms, and lavished kisses down her neck, nibbling on her ear, which, to his delight, made her sigh with pleasure. When she reached for the buttons of his waistcoat, he stopped her. “Allow me.”

With lightning speed, he shed the rest with practiced ease, leaving only his trousers.

The expression of keen interest on her face encouraged him. She wasn’t frightened, but he wanted to slow things down. “More kisses are in order.” Over and over, he captured her sweet mouth with his, loving how she responded.

As he trailed his lips down her throat, she arched into him, pressing her hips into his. He groaned with need.Slow down.

And yet, every sigh from her sent him closer to the edge. His hand traveled up from her waist to brush the underside of her breast. Her breath hitched, her body curving instinctively into his touch. He teased her nipple with his thumb, then lowered his mouth to suckle through the soft fabric of her nightgown.

Her fingers raked his scalp, pulling his long hair loose from the restraining queue, her passion matching his.

“Juliana,” he whispered, knowing another name would never pass his lips in such moments ever again. “I want you so much, my sweet, sweet Juliana.”

He lifted her into his arms and laid her on the bed. “God...you’re exquisite. Così bella.” He gazed down at her. She lay before him, more breathtaking than any painted Madonna—radiant with quiet trust shining in her eyes. He pulled in a steadying breath, then climbed up beside her.

Emotion rushed through him. He was no novice at lovemaking, but being with Juliana was momentous.

She drew idle patterns through the fine hair on his chest. “Kiss me, Victor.”

His heart hammered against his sternum, and he worried she would feel it. He placed a gentle kiss at the soft area at her throat,then followed the curve of her neck. Her pulse fluttered beneath his lips, and he smiled with satisfaction that he affected her as much as she affected him. He trailed kisses along her jaw, finally capturing her mouth again, and she moaned into his.

Once again, he sought her reassurance. “Tell me again this is what you want.”

“More than anything,” she murmured, her breath warm and seductive against the corner of his mouth.

CHAPTER 27

Fire burned within Juliana, Victor’s every touch sending sparks and igniting flames of passion. How many nights had she fantasized about being in Victor’s arms? Of him whispering words of love and desire? Too many, and yet, not enough.

And none of them compared to reality. For not the first time that evening she wondered if she were dreaming, but Victor’s kisses, his caresses, never felt as wonderful in her dreams or fantasies as they did in that moment. And when he spoke what she presumed was Italian, her stomach did little flips.

When she pressed her hand against the hard planes of his chest, her fingers drifting through the dusting of hair, his heart pounded against her palm. His nipple peaked, growing hard, as she ran her finger around it, and he gave a soft moan.

“Kiss me, Victor.”

He obeyed, his lips driving her wild as he traveled up her throat to nibble her ear, before capturing her mouth. Her own heart pummeled her ribcage in punishing beats.

When he pulled away, she chased his lips.

“Are you certain this is what you want, Juliana?”

Mind reeling from the sensations flowing through her, she pulled herself together enough to answer, “More than anything.” Nothing in her life had ever been truer.

“May I remove this?” Victor tugged on the silky ribbon at the neck of her nightrail. Tenderness in his eyes stoked the ever-growing fire in her.

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