Page 95 of A Duke for Adela
“I’ll try not to hurt you, but this time might be a little uncomfortable because it is your first.” He felt the rapid beat of her heart and the warmth of her skin as she held onto his shoulders and at his instruction wrapped her legs around his hips to draw him inside her, to urge him in so that their bodies entwined and blended into one.
His heart filled with pride, for she had accepted him as her husband with her heart and now also with her body. In claiming her, he was also giving himself to her. Heart and body. Their marriage would never be a tug of wills over who would surrender and who would conquer.
They both surrendered and both conquered.
He moved inside her, slowly thrusting in and out, still careful with her but also enjoying her expressions as the fire built within her again, just as it was building inside of him. Well, he was on a short fuse, a roaring flame heading toward a powder keg.
Lord, she had him wild.
He could not get enough of her, the perfect way she fit against him and the way he fit inside her, the arousing scent of her and the silkiness of her skin, the softness of her lips as he kissed her, needed her. Wanted her.
They erupted together with spectacular effect, her kittenish moans and his grunts filling the air as their bodies wrapped around each other and they soared to the stars.
“Ambrose, that was…” She laughed when they finally began to regain possession of their senses. “That was something indescribably splendid. I had no idea. We were quite hot and frenzied, weren’t we? Just like in those books.”
“Yes, love.” His entire body was drenched and drained, as he expected it would be because he cared so much for Adela and was moved beyond words to be the first ever to share this intimacy with her.
Of course, he would be the only man ever to claim the honor.
Adela was always going to be true to him as he would be to her throughout their marriage.
He rolled off her exquisite body and now drew her atop him so that her ample breasts pressed against his chest and that wild mane of dark hair spilled over both of them in a glorious tumble. “Ambrose…”
“Yes, sweetheart.” He brushed back her hair and tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “Go ahead, ask your questions.”
“You don’t mind?”
“No.” He grinned. “How could I mind anything after what we did?”
“Does this mean you liked it? How was it for you? Not that I wish you to compare me to any of your prior conquests, but did you enjoy it?”
“Yes, I did. Was I not quite vocal about it? But the greatest pleasure for me was in having you as my partner. It is a different thing altogether when love is involved, Adela.”
“How?”
“A man’s heart does not have to be involved to perform the physical act. The engagement is ephemeral. Once it is done, it is done. But with you, our coupling is an act of love, and that never leaves one’s heart. Each time we join, it will bring us closer, bind us to each other in a marriage that will become stronger over time.”
“I think it is already strong for me. I love you that completely.”
“I love you, too. Never doubt it. But we are still new to each other, and there are those who do not wish to see us happy. We already know how manipulative and intentionally hurtful some people can be. However, there will come a point in time where nothing can ever shake the trust we have in each other. You are my wife, Adela. I shall love and honor you to the end of my days.”
“You make it easy for me to do the same. I thought I would have to guard my heart or risk being hurt by you. But I realized soon after you proposed to me that it would never be so. And today, as we stood in St. Ursula’s and exchanged vows, there was something in your eyes, a soft look and at the same time a glint of steel, powerful and determined. I knew your pledge to me was unbreakable from that moment on.” She inched up to kiss him on the lips. “Hearts are quite fragile, quite easily shattered. I knew I could give you mine, set it in your hands, and never worry you might damage it.”
She emitted a breath and cast him a shaky smile. “In truth, I sensed early on that you would be the one to heal mine.”
He stroked her hair as she spoke, amazed by how easy she made it to love her. He knew his feelings ran deep for her, but had not quite understood the significance. “Always, love. I will always look out for you and protect you.” He kissed her on the forehead. “Remember that whenever I irritate you and you want to kick me out of our bed.”
“I never shall.” She laughed. “Oh, I’m sure I will rile you far more than you will ever rile me. I am the impulsive one who rushes to act, while you always keep calm and never jump in until you’ve thought things through quite thoroughly. Although, we did marry in haste. From what I have learned of you, this is completely outside of your character.”
“I did not need any further convincing or assurance about your being the right one for me. In truth, I knew it after our first conversation.”
“How is it possible? I called you an idiot.”
He kissed her on the forehead. “No one has ever dared call me that, although I hope not to give you cause to call me that again.”
She turned surprisingly serious. “You will always have the truth from me, but never the insults. I’ve seen how damaging those can be. I’m so sorry I called you those horrible things. I was lashing out in frustration, just shooting my mouth off to an interfering stranger who was holding me back while Runyon, that horrid creature, stole my dreams. The insults weren’t personal. I was not trying to belittle you, just trying to get you to let me go. But what I said was wrong. I will never treat you that way again.”
“I would have done the same if the situation had been reversed.”
