Page 50 of The Duke of Desire
To allow herself to let go of the past, even for this brief time, was a gift. And she meant to seize it with both hands.
Spurred to action, she reached out and touched his chest, her fingertips grazing that bare exposure of skin. He was warm, and she could feel his heart beating.
He put his palm over the back of her hand but kept his gaze locked with hers. “You were brave to come here.”
“I couldn’t stay away. I want… I want what you said yesterday. Nothing more.” She wasn’t foolish enough to have intercourse with him. Not after the last time.
Although she could see how easy it would be. She wanted him so very badly. Heat blossomed through her, and she knew she was wet between her legs. All she had to do was look at him. His dark hair framing his chiseled features, his piercing eyes looking at her as if she were the most important thing in the world, his mouth curving into just the slightest, provocative smile.
“Then you shall have it,” he whispered. And then he did precisely what he’d said the day before.
He stroked his hand along her brow, his fingertips gliding over her skin, stealing her breath. His thumb found her lips, tracing over them with soft precision. “You feel exactly as I dreamed.”
“You dreamed of me?”
“Does that surprise you?” He dragged his thumb over her bottom lip, and her limbs began to feel weak.
“Yes,” she breathed, barely able to stand the anticipation. She darted her tongue out and licked the pad of his thumb.
His nostrils flared. “I still don’t know your name. I should very much like to say it over and over again tonight as I bring you to orgasm.”
His words enflamed her, and she surrendered. “Ivy.”
“Not Mary, then.”
She shook her head and kept the past at bay. Not tonight. Tonight was for her.
“Ivy.” He slipped his free arm around her waist and drew her against him. “Ivy.” He pulled a lock of her hair free from its pins and gently tugged. “Ivy.”
He cupped her face and kissed her. The touch of his lips was sheer bliss. He did exactly as he’d described, his mouth courting hers with gentle sweeps and brushes. She clutched at his shoulders, her breasts pressed against his chest. She waited, desperate, for his tongue to graze her bottom lip.
And then it came, a tantalizing wetness that made her entire body quiver. She moaned with need, opening her mouth. He angled his head and slid his tongue inside, finding hers. This was nothing like she’d expected. Nothing like she’d known. She wanted to weep.
But she didn’t. She kissed him back, meeting his strokes with her own. He slipped one hand to the back of her head and brought the other down her front, grazing against her breast on his way to her waist. He clutched her tightly, pulling her flush to his body once more and wrapping his arm around her back.
She pressed into him, eager to feel every part of him. Her body wanted that contact, needed it.
He kissed her long and deep, then slow and shallow. Her knees turned to jelly, and she realized she was holding him tight to keep from collapsing. But then the door wasn’t far behind her either.
As if he sensed her weakness, he suddenly swept her into his arms, effectively ending their kisses. She gasped. “West.”
His mouth curved into a wicked grin. “How I love hearing that from your lips.” He bore her to the bed, where he set her on the coverlet. “Do you remember what I said I would do to you next?”
“I think it had something to do with,” she glanced down at her chest, “these.”
He chuckled low in his throat. “May I?” He reached for her bodice.
She nodded as she fished out the ties for her neckline. She plucked the knot free before he took them from her and loosened the top of the gown. She helped him with the other fastenings, and the front dropped open.
“My favorite kind of gown,” he murmured as he pushed it from her shoulders so it pooled at her waist.
“I imagine you’ve seen all sorts.”
He looked into her eyes. “Yes. But we aren’t going to discuss that. I only want to be here with you. Now.” He brushed his hand along her breast, and she nearly wilted with want. “Turn.”
She kicked off her slippers before twisting at her waist, presenting her back. He made quick, effortless work of loosening her corset and was soon pulling it over her head.
Garbed in only her shift, she turned back toward him. His gaze raked over her, lingering on her breasts. “You dazzle me.”
