Page 43 of Taming a Beastly Duke
“Marcus,” she whispered, pressing herself against him and gripping his loosened shirt as if in refusal to release him.
His remaining control broke. He held her against him with one hand while expertly removing his shirt with the other. He then worked to remove her shawl, untying the ribbon which held it over her nightgown. It fell to the floor, leaving beneath it the thin gown, which was terribly askew on her body, and nothing else between him and her. He moaned, licking his lips and wanting nothing more than to have her immediately. However, his protective nature fought against his otherwise untamable longing. He forced himself back to assess her eyes, looking for any indication of reluctance or hesitation.
“Adelaide, you are beautiful,” he whispered, forcing his caresses to return to their previous tenderness. “I will not pursue this unless you are certain.”
Adelaide shivered when he said her name. Her lips parted and she closed the distance between them once more. She raised her hand, stopping an inchaway from his torso. He smiled, covering her hand in his large one and delicately kissing her fingertips.
“It is all right, Adelaide,” he said, caressing her collarbone to encourage her. “Go on. Listen to your body. It will tell you what to do.”
She looked at him shyly, her tentative fingers trailing the plains of his exposed chest. The kisses that followed the path traversed by her fingertips were just as innocent, making the beast within him roar to satiate his yearning.
“I have never been less certain about something,” she said breathlessly, with what he could see was her first coy smile. “However, I have never wanted something more, either.”
She blushed at once, as though embarrassed by her forwardness. However, the innocent boldness and her continued exploration of his body with her curious, excited fingers were enough to bring Marcus to his decision with her.
“Then allow me to show you the way,” he growled softly, panting as her hands reached his waist and the obstruction between them. Only then did he see uncertainty in her expression, and he knew she was doubting herself.
He nodded, smiling with gentle encouragement, guiding her hands as she felt her way around removing his breeches. She gasped again when they were gone, melting into him and kissing him deeply again. He slowly removed her nightgown, tossing it aside with the rest of their abandoned clothing. With her completely exposed to him, Marcus’s longing reached a height that was impossible to contain.
He picked her up, carrying her to the elongated oak desk in the middle of the room, just in front of the fireplace. Poetry volumes tumbled to the floor, instantly forgotten as any sense of propriety gave way to their combined primal need. The firelight cast detailed shadows over their bare skin as Marcus placed her delicately on the wooden surface, kissing her from neck to the gentle curve in the center of her abdomen. She laced her fingers through his hair, responding with longing with each brush of his lips.
She sat up, leaving her own kisses along the muscles between his sternum and his navel. He encouraged her by stroking her loose braid, slowly working it free so that her hair tumbled freely down her back and over her shoulder.
“Like molten honey,” he murmured, pausing to bury his face in its lavender scent. “Adelaide, you are wonderful.”
Adelaide looked up at him with blazing blue-green eyes, emboldened by the gentle tenderness his reputation judged him incapable of possessing. Then, she lay back once more, waiting for him to claim her. And claim her, he did.
Each gentle touch and whispered endearment during their coupling filled Marcus not just with bliss, but with a healing and comfort he once believed he would never deserve. Her every murmured affirmation with his every movement and touch told him that her pleasure was as great as his own. Hewas so enraptured with the feel of her and the beautiful passion of the moment that he spoke words he had buried deep within him since the first kiss they shared.
“I love you, Adelaide,” he murmured in her ear.
Adelaide met his lips with hers, pressing a gasp against his mouth.
“I love you, Marcus,” she breathed. They moaned together as the expression of their trust and affection transcended mere physical passion. Marcus had never experienced anything so strong in its beauty, and the height of their joining was a joy he was sure could never be replicated.
***
Adelaide awoke as the first streaks of dawn light crept into the library. She and Marcus ended up on the rug in front of the fireplace. She was wrapped in his coat, while he had replaced his breeches, leaving the rest of his clothes strewn across the floor. She gazed at him, drinking in the perfection of his frame. They had crossed a line that could not be uncrossed, and she could hardly believe the previous night had happened. The truest evidence that it had was in the slow, sleepy smile he gave her as he stirred.
“Good morning, my beauty,” he said, brushing her hair behind her ear and away from her barely covered bosom.
Adelaide blushed, kissing his hand as he slowly withdrew it.
“Good morning, darling,” she said with a sweet smile.
Marcus sat up, stretching his firm body as he rid himself of his blissful sleep.
“I must leave you now,” he said, giving her a deep kiss. “However, this has meant more to me than I can say now. Do not fret: this will not affect our relationship.”
Adelaide beamed at him, rising with him as he stood.
“Is that so?” she teased. She was nervous, as she did not know what would happen. However, the glimmer in Marcus’s eyes made her hopeful that they had much more than physical acts in their future.
Marcus nodded, kissing her once more.
“It is,” he said, donning his shirt and cravat and placing his jacket back on the chair beside the fireplace before moving to the door. “I shall see you at breakfast.”
Adelaide nodded, watching him leave. She hurriedly dressed, covering herself tightly with her shawl as she rushed quietly up the stairs and to her quarters. His farewell kiss lingered on her lips as she quickly locked the door to her chambers. She twirled just inside the closed door. She had yearned for the previous night more than she had ever longed for anything. However, the warm, tingling bliss within her was far more than she could have ever imagined.
