Page 62 of The Allure Of Lord Devlin
She yawned and closed her eyes. “I will remind you of those words every day for the rest of our lives.”
He stayed looking at her as she slept. “I look forward to being reminded. I look forward to loving you for the rest of our lives.”
ChapterTwenty
The last few weeks of recuperation were the longest of Dharma’s life. Yesterday, the doctor let her remove the sling holding her arm and declared that the bone had healed. Her arm was stiff and would require gentle exercise to regain full movement. This morning, she’d headed straight for her piano but could only manage a few scales.
They were holding a small private dinner for her tonight. A few close friends to celebrate her engagement. Devlin would hold a ball for them on the day of their wedding, which was in a week’s time. She couldn’t wait.
He’d been such a fussy bunny. Refusing to initiate any intimacies until her doctor said the bone was healed. He was coming around this afternoon, and she knew exactly how she wanted to celebrate.
She made her way to the library to return some of the books she’d spent her time reading while indisposed. The door was open and she entered and got the surprise of her life.
“Devlin. What are you doing in here?”
He ignored her question and moved to close and lock the door. “I heard the doctor said you are healed.”
Her smile widened. She gave a twirl and felt his eyes follow every movement. “Do I look a picture of health?” she asked shyly.
“Your beauty leaves me speechless.” Seeing Dharma recovered . . . In in one long stride he reached her, caught her up against his chest, cupped her chin, and slowly lowered his mouth to hers.
Dharma closed her eyes, slipped her arms around his neck, and accepted his tongue into her mouth in a warm, loving invitation. He tasted of warm brandy. He tasted—like the man she loved.
Devlin pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. He was panting. “My wild and reckless Dharma. I have missed holding you, tasting you… I love you.”
Her head was so light, her blood so hot, she barely heard his endearments. “I’m here now. Let’s make up for lost time.” And she threw herself back into the embrace, kissing him with feverish urgency.
A groan emitted from deep in his chest as she ran her hands over his body, all the while edging him back toward the large daybed by the fire. “You locked the door, didn’t you?”
“Of course. I’ve waited weeks. I have to love you,” he said, tearing his cravat away from his neck and slipping his jacket off.
For once in her life she was glad of her reckless nature, for his kisses made her boldly impatient to see him in all his glorious nakedness.
She broke their kiss and daringly rained butterfly-light licks and nibbles down his throat until she could part the V of his shirt to slide her hands inside. Her fingers sought his nipples, and she raked her nails lightly over his skin.
He hooked his finger inside her gown at the shoulder and followed her décolletage down to the front, grazing her sensitized nipple as his touch passed over her breast.
“I want you naked,” she panted, feeling her nipples instantly harden.
Never one to be denied that which she wanted, Dharma tore her hands from his chest and pushed the waistcoat off his shoulders and down his arms. She reached and pulled his shirt from his trousers, running her hands seductively up his chest as she helped him to pull the garment over his head.
“You set my world on fire, siren.” He grasped her hips and pulled her closer until she could feel the evidence of his desire hard and pulsing against her belly. More brazen still, she cupped him through his breeches, and he moaned into the silent room.
She ran her questing fingers up the length of his arousal, then up his flat belly to his chest. Finally, she curled her fingers around his nape and stared at him. How had she been so lucky to earn the love of this fine man? She pressed a kiss to his chest. He looked at her in tormented ecstasy.
“They have accepted you back into the bosom of society,” she whispered. “You could now have any woman you want.”
“The only woman I want has been injured for weeks, and now that she’s in my arms where she belongs, she’s doing too much talking.” The wicked smile he gave her sent a thrill to her toes.
Without hesitation, he swung her up into his arms and gently lowered her onto the daybed. She lay back and felt her body quicken as he bent down and stole her breath with his kiss, petting her breasts through her gown.
He stepped back.
“Hurry. I’m not sure how long Philippa can keep Tobin busy.” She shivered in anticipation. He slowly unbuttoned the placket of his trousers. She licked her lips as hungry desire consumed her. She feasted on the breadth of his wide shoulders, the clean sweep of his taut waist, and the sculptured planes of his chest, the marble-like skin covered with sparse hair.
She rose to her knees, kissing his tantalizing skin, stroking his fine velvety flesh, exploring with mouth and hands his powerful chest and rippling belly. Her fingers traveled over his skin reverently. She luxuriated in the feeling of his broad shoulders and the rock-hard curve of his biceps and muscular forearms.
He gripped her wrists and removed her hands from his body, pushing her gently back onto the bed. “Enough, my wild beauty. I want to last long enough to render you speechless.”
