Page 57 of The Duke Says I Do
Through the daze of pleasure, she felt his hand moving between them. Then he slid over her, settling between her parted legs. He propped himself on his elbows and stared into her face as if it offered a compass bearing toward home in a storm. She raised her chin and managed a smile. A tad shaky, but a smile nonetheless.
“I want you, Alaric.” Sincerity deepened her voice to a husky contralto. “I want you so much.”
It was true. Despite trepidation. Despite a lifetime of chastity.
“And I want you, Portia.” His face was flushed, and his eyes were black with desire. “Bend your knees and tilt toward me.”
Excitement speared her. Without hesitation, she obeyed his orders.
Something hot and smooth nudged her. A stretching sensation had her inhaling sharply. This felt different from his fingers.
He reached down with one hand, keeping his weight off her with his other arm. She guessed he guided himself in. “Don’t hold your breath or I’ll hurt you,” he said jerkily.
With an audible puff, she released her pent-up breath. She closed her eyes and hooked her hands over his shoulders.
When he surged forward, she cried out. White-hot pain sliced her. Her hands formed talons in his shirt, as she fought the urge to weep. He sank onto her and buried his face in the curve of her neck and shoulder.
Even as she fought to overcome the agony, her body shifted and changed. Pain ebbed, replaced by a feeling of fullness. The intimacy beggared her torrid imaginings. This was so muchmore substantial, as if life grounded her in a connection as invincible as the planets’ orbit or the rising of the sun.
Her deathly grip eased to a caress. With every second, she became more accustomed to having him inside her. The pain became a mere memory. The present was closeness and heat, and air laden with the scent of sexual desire.
Alaric had a talent for making the rest of the world disappear. It happened when they danced. It happened when they kissed. Pinned beneath him, spread-eagled across a pile of hay redolent of sweet summer, she lay safe in a radiant bubble.
He was heavy, and he occupied every inch of her. She’d never been as close to anyone. She loved him so much, she overflowed with adoration. Her hands shifted from his shoulders to tangle in the soft curls at his nape. She settled into the hay. A soft gasp escaped, as the new position changed how he felt inside her.
Alaric tilted up on his elbows, looking concerned, looking like he cared. Portia reminded herself not to succumb to romantic dreams, even if an unwise woman might mistake the glow in his eyes for love.
“Are you all right?”
She summoned another smile. “Yes, I’m wonderful.”
Portia loved being connected to Alaric. She loved the raw physicality of this experience.
He smiled back. “You are indeed.” Before she could bask in the compliment, he frowned again. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
“I don’t mind.” She touched his cheek, feeling whiskers under her fingers. “I’m so glad we got to do this.”
He adopted a knowing air. “We’re not done yet. Not by a long chalk.”
Her eyes rounded with astonishment. “But you’ve…”
Pushed inside me. Taken my virginity. Claimed me as yours.
“There’s more.”
More? The mind boggled. She frowned. “Will it hurt?”
“I hope not. Shall we see?”
She stretched out and curled her toes in exquisite anticipation. The movement awoke a flutter deep inside her. Akin to when he touched between her legs with such combustible effect.
What he’d done so far fitted with Juliet’s description of the marital act. While the actual deed was richer and more complicated, at least she understood the path she was on. Now she wasn’t nearly so sure.
“Yes, please.” She lifted her knees again and curled her arms around his back. She loved that she could touch him as much as she wanted.
Upon a faint laugh, he kissed her. Despite his light tone, his kiss was long and intense. Portia surrendered with wholehearted passion. She couldn’t confess her love. Not in words, at least. But when they kissed like this, her heart declared how precious he was.
The ardent kiss distracted her, so when he moved, he caught her unawares.
