Page 77 of The Duke Says I Do
He kissed her again, taking her nipple between his thumb and index finger. She whimpered in helpless surrender, as he tugged at the point.
“I think you’re superb, too, you know.” The way he fondled her breast had her shifting against the bed.
“Mutual enchantment?”
“The best sort of enchantment.”
This time, she pulled him down for a kiss. Still kissing, he hauled her up to sit on the edge of the mattress. He nibbled a devastating trail down her neck. He paused at the curve of her shoulder. The sensation of his breath on her skin stoked her arousal.
“Shall we take off your shift? It’s time.”
His musky scent tinged the air that she breathed. “Very well.”
Alaric’s smile was one of the sweet ones that always made Portia feel like her world was made of bonbons and champagne and daffodils. “Thank you.”
She shifted out of his arms to stand before him on trembling legs. His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed.
“You take my breath away.” His voice cracked with emotion.
She gazed back, her unruly heart cramping with painful longing. “You make me feel…”
“Yes?”
“Like a goddess,” she whispered.
He didn’t smile. “Good.”
He rose and kissed her again. Her head whirled by the time he released her and caught her shift in his hands. “Lift your arms for me,” he murmured.
Without hesitation, she obeyed. Alaric pulled her shift over her head and tossed it to the floor. For the first time in her life, Portia stood naked before a man. Her heart lodging in her throat, she avoided his eyes. It was an effort not to shield herself with her hands.
A tiny voice in her mind said that self-consciousness was absurd after all they’d done. But Portia felt more virginal than she had before losing her virginity in that glorious tussle in the hay.
“Say…say something,” she stammered, blushing hotter than the sun.
When the silence continued, she forced herself to look at him. What she saw punched the breath from her lungs until lights flickered behind her eyes.
She hadn’t been sure how he’d react to her nakedness. With lust? Possessiveness? Pleasure?
In truth, all three were present in his expression. But mostly, she saw wonderment.
His gaze devoured her, and his hands opened and closed at his sides as if he hardly dared to touch her. If she hadn’t already loved him, she’d have fallen in love with him at that moment. Forever.
“I’m not worthy.” Awe edged his voice. “Youarea goddess.”
She’d become used to his wry humor. But his hushed statement held no trace of irony. He sounded completely overcome.
Her shyness receded, and she drew herself up to stand proudly. It was a silent presentation of all that she was and all that she had to this man she adored. This time, when she sought his gaze, she didn’t falter.
Portia wasn’t ashamed of her desire. Because she realized with growing elation that he wanted her to meet him as an equal in passion.
With a single stride, he crossed the space between them and hauled her into his arms. His mouth was hot and demanding. It told her that he burned for her. She responded with unconstrained fervor.
Alaric toppled back onto the bed, taking her with him in a fury of touching and kissing. When he rose above her, she placed a shaking hand on his shoulder and smiled into his vivid features. “Nothing more happens until you take off your breeches, Your Grace.”
He already reached for the buttons.
Chapter 19
