Page 55 of The Duke of Ruin
He tipped his head to the side, his gaze soft and compassionate. “Your father won’t be able to hurt you anymore.”
Again, she tried to withdraw. This time, he held her even more tightly and pulled her toward him so that they almost touched. “What did Verity tell you?” she asked, hating to think her cousin had laid her secrets bare.
“Nothing specific. And I don’t wish to intrude. Just know that I will always do my best to keep you safe.” His gaze was so intent and his tone so rich and candid that she couldn’t help but believe him.
She wanted to ask him if he was sure he wanted this. Forcing him into something had never been her intent. But then she hadn’t reallyhadan intent. “I can’t help but think we didn’t plan this very well. I never should have dragged you into this.”
He squeezed her hand and gave her a half smile. “I offered my services if you recall. Whatever anyone may think of me, I possess an unabashedly romantic nature. I wanted Nick and Violet to be together—they deserve their happiness. But it was equally important to me—and to Nick—that you not be left alone to bear the brunt of his stupidity.”
“I should have realized our proposed marriage was doomed before it even started. Neither of us were very enthusiastic. Not really.” All her excitement—every last dollop—had come from the idea of escaping her parents.
“Is this the same way?” he asked quietly, his gaze dropping to where their hands were still joined.
“I don’t think so.” She kept her voice low, as if speaking too loudly would ruin whatever was transpiring between them—this combination of comfort and anticipation. “It feels…different.”
She hadn’t given much thought to kissing Nick—or doing anything else with him. He’d given her a chaste kiss on the cheek once or twice, but she hadn’t even touched his bare hand. With Simon, however, she couldrememberkissing him. Even before they’d embarked on this ill-fated journey, they’d kissed and she’d thought of it often. And after kissing him in Brereton, she wanted to do it again. And again. Not to mention whatever else he wanted to teach her in the bedroom. Nick had agreed to give her space, to postpone having children—meaning delay sexual relations. She and Simon had made no such arrangement.
She gathered her courage and asked, “Is this to be a true marriage?”
He pulled her closer until her chest met his. “If you’re asking whether I want you to share my bed, the answer is an unequivocal yes. But only if that’s what you want.”
She took her hand from his and laid her palms against his chest. The cotton lawn of his shirt was thin enough that she could feel his heat through the fabric. Since she’d seen his bare chest in the firelight, she’d wanted nothing more than to touch him, to feel him.
She inched her hands up until they framed the opening in the neck of the shirt. “Yes, that’s what I want.”
Rising on her toes, she pressed her mouth to his. He swept his arms around her and crushed her to his chest. Their lips moved together, tempting and teasing, until, impatient, she opened and invited him inside. Rapture made her body pulse with need. She pushed up against him, seeking to feel him any way she could.
She wanted him now. Her body screamed for his. That sensation he’d built in her…cunny, that was what he’d called it, came roaring back.
His hands caressed her spine, then one crept up to her neck. He found her braid and gave it a gentle tug, pulling her head back slightly as he devoured her mouth.
She nearly melted in his embrace. Wrapping her hands around his neck, she held on for fear she’d simply dissolve into the carpet.
His hand cupped her hip, and he brought her pelvis flush against his. The hard rod of his cock surprised her, but it felt divine. She pressed into him, desperate for that sweet release he’d shown her too many days ago in Coventry. Her hips rotated, seemingly of their own volition, as she sought satisfaction.
His lips left hers, and she gasped, both from needing a deep breath that she didn’t think she’d be able to find in her heightened state of arousal and because of the exquisite things he was doing to her body. One hand moved along her neck, teasing her flesh; the other massaged her hip and behind, spurring the frantic movements of her hips. And his mouth, God, his mouth. His lips slid across her jawline until he found her ear. He nipped the lobe, then licked at it before descending along her neck with long, lush strokes of his tongue.
“Simon,please.” The words spilled from her mouth with abandon. She had no control, nor did she want any. She gave it freely to him and to her body.
His hand came up her side and brushed the underside of her breast. She sucked in a breath as the sensation pooled in her loins migrated north. Her breasts tingled. He slid his hand inside her dressing gown and fingered her nipple through the thin cotton of her night rail. It grew instantly hard, and she arched into his touch, aching for more.
His mouth was on her collarbone, just inside the edge of her gown. With a harsh, ragged breath, he lifted his head. “We’ll be wed soon. This can wait.”
The hell it could. She’d been waiting her whole life for this. Forhim. “I don’t think I want to. What does it matter?” She clutched at his neck, not wanting to let him go.
He didn’t release her either. In fact, his fingers continued their soft, gentle assault on her breast. His movements were quite at odds with what he’d said.
“I don’t think I want to either.” His lips spread into a self-deprecating grin. “Clearly.” His hips twitched against hers, reminding her of the steel of his erection—as if she could forget. And his hand finally stilled. “Nevertheless, I’m going to wait until we’re wed.”
She groaned in frustration, tugging at the ends of his hair brushing over his nape.
He arched a brow at her. “Have you forgotten what I taught you in Coventry? You needn’t go to bed wanting.”
“Of course I haven’t forgotten. But I haven’t tried it alone. I’d rather you did it. I suspect that’s better anyway.”
Now he groaned, his head tipping forward as he brushed his lips against her forehead. “You are a temptress.” He brought his hands to her face and cupped her cheeks. “And you’remine.”
“Apparently, not yet,” she said with dark disappointment.
