Page 47 of A Duke But No Gentleman
Imogene’s fingers closed around the shaft of his cock and she wordlessly pulled him closer.He covered her with his body, and his fingers sought the hot, damp flesh between her legs.He filled her with a single stroke.
Tristan began to move within her.
Love and lust battled for domination until a fine sheen of perspiration dampened their flesh and their bodies strained for completion.In perfect harmony, their cries of ecstasy blended as the delicate muscles of her sheath milked his cock as his release pumped in forceful spurts deep within her.
After a few minutes, he gasped, “So… love, eh?”
Imogene giggled and nodded.
He had never experienced such a soul-shattering release.
Before he had met Imogene, Tristan had bedded countless women, but he had never shared his body with love in his heart.
It was exhilarating and terrifying.
He and Imogene were running out of time.Soon, they would have to dress and he would escort her home, because she was not his to keep.It was a realization that he was gradually coming to hate.
***
“So this is not your first picnic here with Blackbern?”
A few days had passed since the night Tristan had brought her to his town house and they had spent several hours in his bed.Sated and exhausted from his enthusiastic lovemaking, Tristan had suggested that they return to the lake for an afternoon picnic.She was in love and was overjoyed that he was planning their next tryst.Imogene had not expected Norgrave to join them.From her duke’s enigmatic expression, she could not tell if he was pleased or upset by their uninvited guest.Perhaps he could not think of a plausible reason to refuse the gentleman’s request.
“Ah, no,” she admitted as soon as she realized that she was on her own since Tristan appeared disinterested in offering the marquess an explanation.“After Blackbern ruined a picnic—”
“Utter lies,” Tristan halfheartedly protested.“Do not listen to her, Norgrave.”
“A picnic that I had planned with friends—” She blushed, recalling her quiet confession to the duke that she was dreadful when it came to subterfuge.“Blackbern was most definitelynotinvited!”
“Asher was one of the guests,” Tristan explained to his friend.It was apparent that he did not view Lord Asher as one of her friends.
Good grief, was he jealous?
She opened her mouth and then promptly pressed her lips together.It had never occurred to her that Tristan viewed the gentleman as a serious rival for her affections.
Imogene was so distracted by the revelation that she had lost her place in the story.She brushed aside the thought with a wave of her hand.“Anyway, Blackbern was apologetic and he brought me here to make up for his rudeness.”
She glanced over at Tristan and noted his arched eyebrow.
Have I revealed too much?
Tristan shrugged.
For reasons Imogene could not fathom, he was reluctant to admit to Norgrave that he had shared a part of his past with her.Considering what they had done near the old folly, perhaps it would have been wiser to keep her mouth shut.
Noticing her discomfort, a slow smile eased Tristan’s somber expression.“Well, my lady, you might not have appreciated my presence, but Asher was very grateful,” he teased, placing his hand on the small of her back as the trio strolled toward the lake.
The gesture did not go unnoticed by Norgrave.
“How long ago was this infamous picnic?”the marquess inquired.
“How long—oh, I don’t know,” she said, looking to the duke for assistance.So much had happened between them.“Tris—ah, Blackbern, do you recall the exact date?”
Imogene prayed her mistake was less obvious to her companions.She could not believe she had been so careless.
Tristan shrugged.“A few weeks ago, I suppose.Maybe longer.Does it matter?”
Norgrave shook his head.“Not at all.”His gaze switched to his friend.“Blackbern has always had a problem with sharing.It was generous of him to drive you all the way out here to apologize for his boorish behavior.I cannot remember the last time I visited this place, and I have known him for most of my life.”
