Page 22 of Look at Her Duke
Refusing to rise to the bait, Kip merely grinned, turning back to the church filled with his friends and family as he rubbed his side. “And I’ll spend the rest of my days making her the happiest woman in the world.”
In the front row, his mother sat, beaming. Viscount Thornebury lounged beside her, one arm resting entirely too close to her; the man couldn’tnotflirt, could he? As Kip watched, Thorne lifted his hand and waggled his fingers in greeting, a smirk curving his lips.
Behind them, Alistair’s wife Olivia sat with Amelia’s mother and sister, Amanda. Amelia’s sister was grinning hugely, as if she was thrilled with Amelia’s match. Perhaps the sisters had shared secrets. Perhaps Amelia had wanted this match for as long as Kip himself had.
This wedding felt as if it had taken forever to plan, but Kip’s mother and Amelia’s mother had risen to the occasion. A mere three weeks after Amelia had agreed to marry him, today they would be joined forever. Twenty one long days…and very empty nights.
“Are ye ready?” Fawkes murmured as the music swelled and Kip’s heart began to beat double-time.
The doors at the back of the church opened, and Alistair stepped through with Amelia on his arm.
Kip’s heartbeat calmed as he exhaled. There she was.Hereshe was. With him. For him. By him. Where she was meant to be.
His lips curled into a slow smile as she began to walk down the aisle toward him, head held high under her veil.
Things were perfect. He was ready.
“Aye,” he whispered. “I’m ready.”
The sun was stillhigh in the sky when Amelia—breathless with laughter and anticipation—pulled Kipling into their chambers and slammed the door shut. She’d thought the wedding celebrations wouldneverend!
Well, actually, it was likely the celebrations were continuing, but she’d been delighted to sneak away with her newhusband. What an exciting word!
“Eager, are ye, lass?” Kip was chuckling as he pulled her against him. “Perhaps we should call back yer maid to help ye with yer gown?”
She plastered a fierce frown on her face. “Are you saying you cannot undo a few buttons? I shall vow to help you undress if you return the favor.”
“Och, wife, ye drive ahardbargain.” With twinkling eyes, Kipling thrust his hips forward, so she could feel his arousal.
As if she wasn’talreadyaching with need?
Over the last weeks, they’d managed to sneak away plenty of times to be together. They’d explored one another with kisses and touches, and on two delightful,extremelymemorable occasions, Kipling’s hand had found its way into her bloomers and brought her ecstasy.
But today was their wedding night—day?
Today she’d haveallof him. Finally.
Luckily, Kipling was really quite good at tiny buttons.
As her wedding gown fell from her shoulders, he reached around to cup her breasts through her corset.“Delicious,” he murmured against the sensitive skin on the back of her neck.
She shivered, even as he pressed together the sides of her corset to pop it free, leaving only her chemise between her skin and his hands. “What—you have nottastedme yet,” she managed.
“Yet,” Kip growled, then he nipped at her earlobe.
It should have been funny. It should have been disgusting. So why did it make her shudder and lean back against him, reveling in the hard length of his arousal pressed along the cleft of her rear end?
Really, it was a miracle the man could manage to undress himself, she was useless.
They fell, naked now, into bed, her arms around his neck. When Amelia murmured his name, Kip’s lips trailed hot kisses down her throat. Tasting her, as promised.
His mouth closed around one nipple and she gasped, thrusting herself up against his hold. She couldfeelhim smile, even as his other hand caressed and stroked and loved in the most wonderful way.
Oh Heavens, the sensations he was causing!
…and then his lips moved lower, and before she could object—did she want to object? She could barely form coherent thoughts right now!—they were brushing over her curls.
“Kipling?” she gasped.
