Page 90 of A Duke's Unwanted Bride
His words were in the way that he pulled her to him. His lips pressed against hers, no they claimed hers, and she surrendered. She let herself fall into him, let the kiss ignite a fire across her body.
She could not tell if the thundering heartbeat she felt was hers or his, and she did not care. She curled her hands into his shirt, pulling him closer to her, deepening their kiss.
She clung to him, and he clung back. The kiss was a call and response. Adele could not say if the kiss lasted hours or days or minutes.
When they broke apart, her lips, her hands, everything missed him. Warner was breathing heavily, a wild look in his eyes.
“Do you believe that I love you?” Warner growled, a half smile spreading across his face. “Or do I need to convince you again?”
Adele laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I might need a little more convincing.”
“I think I can manage that.” Warner bent to press another kiss to her lips, but at that moment, Adele heard a voice yell out, “We are missing the guest of honour!”
She made to disentangle herself from Warner, but his hands did not loosen. The sound of footsteps filled the hall, and Warner moved them out of sight of the door.
“They are definitely going to find us,” Adele whispered as Warner pulled her against the wall.
“If you keep talking they will.” He pressed a brief kiss to her lips, and all rational thought left her body
I am going to have to get used to that, or he will win every argument that way.Adele suspected that it would not be the worst thing in the world if he always tried to argue with kisses.
“I think we should give her a moment before we send out a search party.” Cora’s voice drifted towards them through the open door.
“She has had several moments,” Verity pointed out.
“And she will have several more. Besides, it gives us more time to decorate.” The door to the sewing room slammed shut, and Adele sent out a silent prayer of thanks to her friend.
Adele looked at Warner, who was still looking at her his eyes dark and hungry. Her stomach did several flips, and she swallowed hard.
“Remind me to thank Lady Cora for that,” he murmured, his voice husky and amused. “She seems rather determined to keep your adoring public at bay.”
“Or to push us together,” Adele countered. “Though, it is rather hard to believe that I have an adoring public.”
“And why is that?” Warner frowned at her. “To be honest, I was worried that the Queen would get frustrated with so many people speaking for so long on the strength of your character.”
“It was a little overwhelming,” Adele admitted. “I had not realised that I was so loved. It… it is surprising, really. I had never really expected to find something like that, like this.”
“How can you say that when you are so very easy to love?” Warner pressed his lips to her forehead.
Adele looked at him. “When you say it, I almost believe it.”
He tilted her chin up to him, his eyes serious and earnest. “I will spend the rest of my life showing you how true it is. Starting now.”
“And what about my party? You heard them; Cora is not going to be able to keep them away forever.” Adele jerked her head towards the door.
“I do not need forever, just as long as I can get.” Warner glanced towards the door and then back at her. “I have wasted more than enough time already. I will not waste another second with you.”
“Then perhaps you should stop talking and kiss me,” Adele teased.
Laughing delightedly, Warner swept Adele into the air and pressed his lips to hers once more. The world around them spun, and she lost herself in the wonder that was her husband’s arms.
She kissed him as he spun her. She poured every ounce of love and tenderness into it. She kissed him in a way that she hoped told him that she loved him. That she would love him until the day she died.
His answering kiss seared itself into her, filling her with his want, his need for her. He stole the air from her lungs and breathed life back into her.
They laughed and kissed, and Adele lost herself in him. She had her friends, her family, and her heart’s desire.
Epilogue
