Page 58 of The Duke of Ruin
“I want you to.” She gripped his hip with her free hand and drew him back into her mouth, not giving him a chance to talk her out of it. Increasing the pressure of her hand, she used her tongue, as he’d said, and licked along the underside of his shaft. Then she grazed her teeth over the tip. He swore passionately. Yes, that’s what he’d meant.
She smiled as she took him back in. Then there was no time for thought, just losing herself in the rhythm of this joining, of the give and take of their bodies. He tensed again, and she tasted something at the back of her tongue. He shouted, his hand cupping her head, and then his seed coursed into her mouth, filling her with heat and rapture.
When he was finished, she felt him sag against the bed. The muscles in his thighs quivered. She pulled away and wiped her hand over her mouth, leaning back on her feet.
His hands cupped her elbows, and he drew her to stand. “That was astonishing. I am humbled by your generosity. And enthralled by your skill.”
She laughed. “I can’t imagine why. I’ve no experience whatsoever.”
“Experience doesn’t matter, not when you’re naturally talented.” He winked at her before retrieving his shirt and pulling it on over his head. “You should get back to your room. We’ll be leaving very early.”
She looked at him in surprise as she tied her dressing gown closed. “But we have to arrange everything first.”
“Verity’s taken care of everything.” She realized he’d called her Verity earlier too. They’d spent a bit of time together at some point. Had she talked him into this?
“The two of you have already planned everything?” She put her hand on her hip. “What if I’d said no?”
“Then we wouldn’t go. We simply wanted to be ready in case you said yes.” He cupped her cheek. “You will always have choice, Diana. Say the word, and we’ll stay right here. Or go anywhere you want to.”
She wanted to go to Gretna Green. Did it matter if it felt a little bit like she’d been managed?
Had she really, though? Simon had assured her the decision was hers. Verity only had her best interests at heart, and she believed Simon did too. He’d never given her reason to doubt his intentions. It wasn’t their fault that she was predisposed to distrust people’s motives when it came to her happiness.
His brow creased with concern, and he stroked his thumb along her cheekbone. “Are you all right?”
She nuzzled her face against his hand, craving his touch. “Yes. It’s just been a long day. You’re right. I should go to bed.”
“I’ll escort you,” he said, dropping a kiss on her temple. “Let me put my breeches back on.”
When he was more appropriately covered, he led her to the door and into the corridor.
“I’m to the left.” She gestured down the corridor where a sconce flickered on the wall at the corner. They made their way to the light, then turned right along another gallery that overlooked the courtyard. She stopped at the first door and opened it, then turned toward him. “Thank you for…tonight.” She couldn’t keep from blushing when she thought of what she’d done.
“Thankyou.” He leaned forward but hesitated before touching his lips to hers. “May I kiss you again?”
“Now you’re going to ask?” She laughed softly. “Yes, please.” She curled her hands around his neck and pulled his head down to hers for a searing, knee-melting kiss.
He drew back with a sigh. “Verity says we should be in Gretna Green in three days. It feels like a lifetime.”
It did to her too. “It’s rather ironic that we’re in separate bedrooms after sharing one for over a week, and now we actuallywantto share a bed.”
He grinned. “Indeed. Well, we’ll ride as fast as we can.”
She gave him a suggestive look. “We’ll have to stop for two nights probably.”
“Verity will be with us, so we’ll have to behave. Besides, I told you I’m waiting until we are wed, and I meant it.”
She let out a soft snort. “We could repeat what we did tonight.”
He kissed her hard and fast. “Incorrigible. Don’t ever change. Good night, Diana.”
“Good night, Simon.”
She watched him back away from her door and reluctantly turn. When he reached the corner, he looked back at her. She curled her lips into a smile, and he placed his hand over his heart.
With a giggle—truly a sound she didn’t think she’d ever made—she went into her chamber and closed the door.
For the first time in her life, she looked forward not just to tomorrow, but to all the tomorrows. The future was no longer a gray, grim unknown. She glimpsed peace and happiness.
