Page 53 of One Night of Temptation
With her free hand, she cupped his cheek and looked up at him with love. “I trust you. Please don’t worry about me. I want this. I wantyou.”
“See, I am the lucky one,” he whispered before kissing her.
He put his hand over hers and guided his shaft to her sex. It was different from his fingers, of course. She stretched much more to accommodate him as he edged forward. True to his word, he moved slowly, almost too slowly, as he slid inside her. Halfway in, he withdrew and started anew, going slightly faster. He did this a few times, and the discomfort of having him inside her began to dissipate. But then he went deeper and deeper, and she had to bite her cheek to keep from crying out. It didn’t hurt exactly, but it wasn’t entirely pleasant.
He left her again and kissed her brow. “Is it too much?”
She shook her head. The friction of him leaving had sparked something reminiscent of the release she’d just experienced. “No. Please don’t stop. I want to get wherever it is I need to be. With you.” She rocked her hips up and clasped his backside, urging him back inside her.
This angle was better, and he pushed into her, filling her. When he made to leave again, she held him tight against her. “Just stay. For a moment.” Or several moments. Her body grew accustomed to him, and the spark intensified. Then his pelvis twitched, rubbing against that spot at the top of her sex, and she sucked in a breath. “Again,” she begged.
He moved his hips against hers, rotating. She dug her fingers into his flesh and increased the friction of their bodies.
“Penelope, I have to move. Hold on to me, sweetheart.”
He withdrew again, but not completely. Then he drove forward, filling her again, and she moaned as pleasure bloomed. Over and over, he thrust and retreated, and each time, her body sought his, her legs squeezing around him.
That same something inside her tightened once more, and then his hand was between them, stroking that spot that pushed her to the edge until she toppled right over into rapture. He kissed her, devouring her cries as his body moved over and into hers. Then his lips were gone, and he groaned, his body shuddering with his release.
He cried her name and repeated it, his voice diminishing with each utterance, “Pen, Pen, Pen.” Then, “I love you.”
She cradled him close and kissed his temple, his cheek, his mouth. “I love you too.”
Chapter 14
Hugh startled awake. He blinked, trying to acclimate himself to his surroundings.
A room at the Leek and Sieve.
The warmth of Pen snuggled against his side.
Today was his wedding day.
At least he hoped it would be.
Doubt niggled at the back of his mind. Why should he be worried? He had the license and Pen had said yes. Two dukes would bear witness, as would a member of Parliament who was a barrister. What could go wrong?
Her parents could be waiting with an army of Runners and other people who would seek to stop the ceremony. Legally, they had no standing. He just hoped they all respected the law. Given that Hugh had resorted to kidnapping—sort of—he had to assume his adversaries would consider similar measures.
Hugh said that he considered his wife’s parents to be adversaries. And yet he knew she would agree.
His wife. He smiled to himself. Almost.
He looked at her dark head resting on his shoulder and briefly wondered if that was remotely comfortable for her. Smiling, he lifted his head and bent his neck to kiss her forehead.
“Pen,” he whispered soothingly before pressing his lips to her temple. “Good morning.”
“Mmm.” She nuzzled against him, and he held her close. “Is it time to get married?”
“Almost.” He stroked his hand along her jaw and tipped her chin up so he could kiss her. The contact was gentle, and he kept it brief. “I love you. Never forget that.”
“I doubt that I will, but I invite you to remind me as often as you see fit.”
He kissed her brow. “I love you.” Then the tip of her nose, eliciting a giggle from her. “I love you.” Then her cheek. “I love you.”
Some minutes later, they broke apart, panting. Hugh resisted the urge to cup her breast and continue what they’d started. “We need to get to the church before eight.”
They rose from the bed and set about getting dressed. He helped her with her gown and waited while she finished pinning her hair. She frowned into the glass. “I am not a very adept lady’s maid.”
