Page 61 of A Virgin for the Beastly Duke

Harry slipped one arm under her buttocks and slightly lifted her before placing a pillow under her. He kissed her as he guided himself into her. She tensed when she felt a sting but her body quickly welcomed the pain and turned it into pleasure.

He paused and looked down at her, a question in his gaze. Bridget shook her head and wrapped her legs around him, making him thrust deeper.

Their eyes held as he filled her heart, her body, and her soul. His thrusts started slow but soon became more hungry and passionate, and she raised her hips to meet him every time until rapture overtook her body once more. Harry held her against him, and she must have cried out because he gently cooed and kissed her face.

His peak came shortly after hers and the power of it shook both their bodies. Bridget felt a joyful tear roll down her cheek as they held each other, regaining their breaths while bliss descended upon them.

After a while, he rolled onto his side and pulled her close. She tried to say something but she was already being pulled into slumber.

Harry woke up just before dawn, a smile spreading across his lips when he felt Bridget in his arms. They had woken up sometime during the night and he had worshiped her body once more. She must be tender because of it, and it was probably better if he got up because his body was aching for her again.

He kissed the top of her head before slowly removing his arms from around her. He sat up and watched her sleep for a moment, the glow from the fire gilding her skin.

He still could not believe thatshecould love him, yet she did, and every cell in his body had felt it. He still felt it.

Leaning, he kissed her neck before rising from the bed and putting on his clothes. There was a battle still to be fought, and now more than ever, he was desperate to win.

Bridget made a sound as he was tucking his shirt into his breeches, and he went over to watch her turn onto her stomach, her hair falling to cover her face. She did this often, usually at dawn when he was there to dress. Gently, he pushed the soft locks away from her face and kissed her lips. She smiled but did not wake.

Harry walked into his dressing room to find a new patch for his eye and to perform his morning ablutions before leaving the chambers. Cato lay in front of the door in the hallway, and the sound woke him. He yawned and stretched when he saw Harry, then started wagging his tail. “Fancy a morning walk?” he asked, and Cato’s tongue hung out happily.

They ventured out to the brewery, a smile on Harry’s face, and an occasional bark from Cato. The sun was peeking from the horizon, painting the sky in hues of purple and soft orange.

Harry went to his office first and reviewed the report that Meyer had given him the day before, noting that although the loss they had suffered due to the contamination was significant, the reception of the ale around the country was positive. He was growing more confident in the brewery’s revival.

A knock on the office door brought his head up, and Cato quickly went to the door. “Come in,” he called. When the door opened and Drew walked in, Cato returned to Harry’s desk.

“Lander said I would find you here. You never let the sunrise meet you in the castle, do you?” Drew jested as he came to sit in front of the desk.

“No, I do not.” Harry found himself smiling at his friend, and it was not because of what he had said. There was a lightness in his chest that had been growing since the night before.

Drew’s eyes narrowed and he leaned forward. “You seem different today. Not at all the impassive man I am accustomed to seeing.” Harry did, indeed, feel different. He smiled again, and Drew whistled and slammed his palm on the desk. “I knew it. You are in love! I could recognize that smirk anywhere!”

Harry did not argue, and his smile became a broad grin. He would have before, but now he wanted the entire world to know that he loved Bridget, more than anything.

Drew shook his head as if in wonder. “I cannot believe this. Well, I had hoped that you would, but it still surprises me.” He raised his brows. “I suppose Bridget is better?”

“As she was before she took ill.”

“Excellent.” Drew straightened. “I wanted to speak to you as soon as possible.”

“Have there been any developments?”

“Yes, but the situation is now more complex as a result. I received word from the man I tasked with finding Carlton’s location. I knew he was not in England but I wanted to be certain.” Drew’s brows knit and Harry’s shoulders tensed. “He returned last autumn but he was murdered a few days after. No one knows who killed him, but there is a chance that person is the man we are seeking.”

Every cord of muscle in his body tensed, his heart began to pound, and his breathing grew labored when he discovered that the threat before him was greater than he had anticipated. Everything he had been doing could be rendered futile at any given moment.

Chapter 30

“Carlton might not have acted on his own when he caused trouble for you. His return to England could have meant an encounter with you in which the truth could be revealed,” Drew conjectured.

“And Magnus?” Harry asked.

“Magnus recently bought a property in Suffolk,” Drew said.

“How recent?”

“Shortly after your marriage.”

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