Page 24 of Duke in Shining Armor
She laughed softly. “That is because they do not know the kind of man you are. They only see a bit.”
He stilled, and when their gazes collided it felt as if her heart stopped beating. There was an intense glint in his hazel eyes.
Have they always been this beautiful, she silently wondered.
“I believe you are being modest, James.”
He held her gaze steadily. “Is that so?”
“It is if I say so,” Catherine said with a twinkle in her eyes and slightly tucked chin.
“And you, Catherine, are mischievous,” James said as he wagged his finger at her.
Catherine burst into a fit of giggles. “It has been some time since I have had a finger waved at me.”
“Why do I find that hard to believe? Could it be because I have heard you curse? I am sure someone from your household must have overheard you. What do your parents make of it?” James asked as he raised a brow.
“Aye. My father thinks it is most unladylike and will scare my suitors away,” Catherine said as she mimicked her father’s voice with a stern expression on her face. “As if I desired any suitors!”
“More fool them. They do not know what a treasure you are.” James raised his hand and used the back of it to stroke her cheek. Catherine closed her eyes and leaned into his hand. Her chest tightened, and James seemed to reluctantly pull his hand away.
“I can be a bit unrestrained,” he said softly, “admittedly not the perfect countenance of what a duke should be.”
“I like unrestrained,” she said just as softly. “I am also a bit wild and impetuous. I have always thought those who held themselves to these impossible lofty standards were incurably dull.”
His eyes darkened with heat. “Ah … it is that very unrestrained heart of me that wants to desperately kiss you now. I think it is time we return.” The duke was carefully looking away from Catherine. She bit into her lower lip; however, it did not stop the words that pushed from her. “Perhaps it is also my very unrestrained heart that wants you to kiss me as well, James. I shall not object.”
He stood to face her, his gaze fixed intently on her, as he searched her face. Catherine wanted to look away, but she could not, because it was as if the stare pinned her there. She could not move. Her breathing quickened and her heartbeat pounded faster in her chest. Her mouth was uncommonly dry, and she could not explain why it was so since she had just taken a sip of Claret wine. She could see his eyes travelled to her mouth, and with one fell swoop his mouth covered hers. She felt she was being devoured, like a powerful lion taking his prey.
Her mouth was no longer dry, having been moistened by his tongue as it took all that she offered. She opened her mouth to let him in, and she could hear the sharp intake of his breath as a feeling of elation gripped her. He wanted her, and she must let him know that she wanted him too.
Catherine pulled him closer, while he kissed her neck and earlobe. She had not expected this kiss to be better than the first or second, but oh … it was. His hands were on her breasts, molding them gently while he kissed her arduously. He loosened her dress and removed her petticoats and undergarments, kissing her while removing each layer. Catherine eventually stood naked before him, but she found she was not sheepish. She saw that he gazed upon her with longing. Good sense was telling her to flee from this scandalous encounter, but the desire and hunger to do something that she wanted held Catherine in place.
“By God, I want you,” he breathed roughly.
“I assure you, the feeling is wholeheartedly mutual,” she whispered.
James gathered her in his arms and gently laid her on the quilt. He ran his hands all over her body, and she felt feverish. He touched her nipple, then massaged it, before placing it into his mouth. She felt an electric shock rip through her body, and she wanted to lose herself in the sensation. Just then, he placed his hand on her mons, never breaking his kiss, while he parted her flesh and moved his fingers slowly over her. Catherine was breathless as she moaned and pushed her hips against his hand. She felt a quick heat and moisture where he touched her. Heaven help her, she wanted more. So much more.
James broke the erotic kiss to her nipple, and she could hear him breathing heavily. She had no time to mourn the loss of his touch for she felt his mouth travelling over her quivering belly. Catherine almost fainted when James touched his tongue on her sex. He held her firmly while he kissed her there until she cried out with passionate abandon. Catherine gripped his head, threading her fingers through the thick, silky strands of his hair, as he used his diabolical tongue to toss her into sensations she had never dreamed possible. Her belly tightened with feverish need, until the coil burst as pleasure crashed over her senses. James returned his mouth upward, kissing over her heated skin until his mouth claimed hers once again in a burning kiss. His powerful body fully came over her, and he used his knees and parted her legs. It was then she felt some pressure. He thrust and she cried out for she felt pain.
“My darling, Cath, it will soon pass,” he said in a caressing voice before he kissed her.
She responded ardently to his kisses, and she pressed herself against him, wanting more. He thrust and she could no longer feel resistance for he was fully inside her. He moved to his own rhythm while he stroked and kissed her until a tension built within her, and she screamed in release. James thrusted once more and called her name before he collapsed beside her. He held her head against his shoulder, stroking her hair, and she could feel the sweat against his skin.
He cradled her in his arms as he took her to the river and washed her before patting her dry with his shirt. He helped her to dress. No words were expressed between them, and Catherine was contented for it to be so, for she was simply stunned. She was alarmed by what she had allowed and by the indescribable bliss of making love.
“We must return before it is dark,” he said as he dressed.
“Yes, we should,” Catherine replied. As the passion fully ebbed, her thoughts were now only filled with the significance of her actions, and what it meant for her future plans to secure a husband next year.
What the devil was she to do now?
CHAPTER8
As they made the journey to Pembroke Estate, James began to chastise himself. How could he have lost control and deflowered Catherine? It matters not that he felt such burning hunger; now that he was sated there was a sense of satisfaction … even of peace and tranquility. But a gentleman of his pedigree knew the ramifications of his recklessness.
He did not wish to hurt Catherine. She was so damned beautiful. He … he wanted her.I’ll be damned; from whence did that thought appear. He was fond of her from the beginning, and he found he did not want another in his bed. She was unique, witty, and compassionate. He felt much affection for her, and he did not wish to ruin her.
