Page 77 of The Duke of Lies
“It’s all right. God willing, I won’t have to ever again.”
“That would be lovely,” she said, smiling softly. “He believed you were Rufus, then?”
“He seemed to. We shall have to be on our guard.” He looked down at her, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You were going to tell me about Mrs. Walthorpe.”
Verity made an inelegant sound and briefly closed her eyes. “Apparently, Rufus carried on an affair with her when he came to London, and she hopes to rekindle the association. So be on your guard.”
He put his arms around her waist and drew her close. “It’s becoming evident that I shall have to proclaim my love and adoration for you from the rooftop of every building in Mayfair. Or perhaps I should just make love to you in plain view of everyone so they can be assured my heart—and my body—belong to you and you alone.”
“Kit.” The vision of him shouting on high and then taking her into his arms in front of the entire ton was both terrifying and arousing. “You can’t do either.”
“No? Then what can I do to prove to everyone that I am yours?”
“I don’t care if everyone knows.” That wasn’t entirely true—she wanted the Mrs. Walthorpes of the ton to know definitively. “All that matters is thatIknow.”
“And do you?”
She narrowed her eyes at him and pushed the banyan from his shoulders. She sucked in a breath as she realized he was completely nude beneath. “What I know is that as stunning as you look in your evening wear, you look even better just like this.” She flattened her palm against his chest and slowly walked around to his back. She skimmed her hand over his shoulder and then down the blade until her fingers caressed his lower back. She dipped her hand lower, cupping his smooth backside, a body part she’d never imagined to be attractive but couldn’t seem to stop looking at or touching when she had the chance, like now.
She dragged her hand over his hip as she circled back to his front. She kept her hand low, bringing it to the sac between his legs, where she fondled him.
“Verity.” His voice was low and dark, almost a growl.
“I know you make me happier than I’ve ever been and that I’m so proud to be your duchess. You’ve returned honor and integrity to the title and to Beaumont Tower. Augustus would be proud too.”
He cupped her face and kissed her, his lips and tongue claiming hers with a ferocity that scorched her soul. It was a very long moment before he came up for air. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” It was the first time she’d said it out loud, though she’d felt it for him for so long. Fear—of losing this dream—had kept her silent, but she wasn’t afraid anymore.
He looked into her eyes, his fingers stroking her face. “God, I don’t know what I ever did to deserve you. I’m not entirely sure I do.”
She clutched his neck, bringing him down to kiss her again. “We deserve each other.”
His fingers dug into her hips, pulling her pelvis flush against his as their mouths met and joined. She ground against him, seeking the feel of his cock against her sex.
He tore her dressing gown open and pushed the fabric from her shoulders. She’d forsaken a night rail, anticipating that wearing one would only be a hindrance.
His hands came up and cupped her bare breasts, his thumbs dragging over her tightening nipples as desire spiraled to her core. She tingled everywhere—from her mouth where his tongue danced with hers, to her breasts where he teased her flesh, to her core where she desperately wanted him to touch.
Perhaps sensing her need, he trailed one hand down to the apex between her thighs and stroked along her heated flesh, provoking a moan low in her throat. He pushed a finger into her and she gripped him harder as she spread her legs. Tearing his mouth from hers, he swept her onto the bed. He followed, his mouth clamping hard on her breast as he slipped his fingers into her. She moaned, closing her eyes as she reached for and found his cock. He was hot and hard and so deliciously smooth. She pulled him forward, more than ready for him to drive into her.
He didn’t hesitate, his cock finding her sheath with fast and eager abandon. He speared into her, filling her completely. She wrapped her legs around him as pleasure rushed over her, pushing her toward release.
She grasped his backside, squeezing his flesh as he thrust deep into her body. Crying out, she urged him harder and faster just before he claimed her lips once more. They fought to kiss and breathe and drive the other to the edge and beyond.
For Verity, it came quickly, ecstasy slamming into her in waves. She moved with him, never wanting the sensation to end. As it began to ebb, she was tossed again into the darkness of passion, ascending to the peak of pleasure alongside him.
Stroke after stroke, he filled her with rapture and love. When she came again, she cried out his name over and over as nearly unbearable sensation swept her away.
He pumped into her one last time and shouted before collapsing over her. She held him close, kissing his cheek, his temple, his lips.
He rolled to his side and carried her with him, keeping her tight against his chest as he stroked his hand along her back. “I swear to you, I will spend my life making you and Beau happy. Nothing else matters to me.”
She listened to the strong beat of his heart, slowing into a steady, reassuring rhythm. As she drifted to sleep, she didn’t think she’d ever felt more secure, more protected, more loved.
* * *
Kit jolted awake with a start. His skin was flushed, his heart pounding. After staring at the canopy most of the night, he must have finally fallen asleep. For a time, anyway—long enough to dream.
