Page 92 of A Duke for Adela
“That makes sense,” she said, allowing him to remove the gown off her body completely and set it on the chair beside them.
“Do you trust me, Adela?”
“Yes. But it isn’t you I am worried about.”
He tucked a finger under her chin and tipped her face up to meet his gaze. His eyes had a soft glint to them, hopefully a sign of his approval as she stood beside him wearing only her thin chemise. “Are you worried I might find you wanting?”
She nodded. “Seems everybody else who matters to me has. I don’t think I’ve ever made anyone proud of me.”
Her admission truly tore at his heart.
“The lack was in them, love. Never in you. Nobody else matters here and now but you and me. You won’t disappoint me. It will never happen. Do you not see how we are made for each other?” He removed his jacket, waistcoat and cravat in quick order, then turned back to her. “Help me off with my shirt.”
Her fingers were nimble but shaking so that she did not think she was of much help. In spite of her fumbling, he soon had the cufflinks set aside and the shirt off him.
Her heart almost stopped when he turned to her and she saw the beautiful maleness of his torso, the sculpted tone of his muscles, and the magnificence of his bare chest.
No wonder women panted after him.
He was taut and lean, radiating power and strength.
Divine did not begin to properly express her thoughts.
Dear heaven.
In theory, she had known he was big and strong, and had broad shoulders. But this…she was unprepared for the way he sent her senses reeling.
She ran her hands lightly along the length of his arms, and then stroked her fingers ever so cautiously against his chest to feel the soft hairs sprinkled upon it. His body twinged a time or two. She hoped it was from the pleasure of her touch. If she was affected by their undressing, was it not right that he should be as well?
His breaths came a little faster as he unpinned her hair and ran his fingers through it to shake loose her curls.
She closed her eyes and sighed.
“I thought I could be patient and take things slow,” he said with a gentle laugh, “but it appears I cannot.”
She opened her eyes in surprise.
“Lord, you’re beautiful.” He groaned and scooped her up in his arms to carry her to bed. “Are you ready?”
Her body was in flames.
Her pulses were throbbing in places she had no idea existed until this moment.
He set her down on the bed and then stretched out atop her, resting his weight on one elbow so as not to crush her while he reached between her breasts and tugged on the tie string of her chemise.
It sprang open for him.
She wasn’t certain what to expect next, but she suspected she would like it, if the heat in his gaze was any indication.
“I knew you would be this lovely,” he said in a deep, raspy rumble as he nudged the lacy chemise off her shoulders and then drew it further down so there was little of her body left hidden to his perusal. “Creamy soft and lovely.”
No man had ever seen her like this.
She was quite brazen in many ways, but not in this very personal regard. In truth, she was modest about her body and never traipsed around her bedchamber unclothed even when alone. She always scrambled to cover herself as quickly as possible.
But with Ambrose…she felt completely comfortable.
Of course, this had to be the reason he had taken his time with her and patiently answered her questions. He was building trust and letting her know he would never rush her into anything. He understood her so well, as though he could see into her heart. “You are a wonderful man, Ambrose.”
