Page 61 of The Marquess and the Maiden

“I didn’t see you all day,” she said, then frowned. “That is, I wasn’t certain I’d see you tonight.”

“How is it possible you still doubt that I want you?”

How could he see her doubt? Did it show in her face?

Instead of coming to her, though, he stepped over and sat in the large chair next to the fireplace. In doing so he allowed his robe to fall open. His body lay open to her perusal.

His manhood lay against his thigh, unassuming, yet still intriguing her.

“Take off your clothes, Harriet. I want you to watch me, to see what you do to me.”

She bit down on her lip and shook her head.

“Sweet Harriet, let me see your beautiful body.”

Tears pricked at her eyes, so she slammed them shut. She didn’t want to, but as her husband he had the right to her body. He’d touched her everywhere the night before, he could surely feel her flaws; showing him would be no different. Her hands shook as she untied the small ribbon that held her dressing gown together. The filmy material fell to the floor, leaving her in nothing but the gossamer shift.

“Open your eyes, love. Watch my body and see what you do to me, what you are already doing to me.”

She opened her eyes and settled them on him. His legs stretched out in front of him. His broad shoulders and perfectly sculpted torso made her hands itch to touch him.

“Take off the gown,” he said. His voice edged with an almost painful quality.

She did as he asked and, though she wanted to douse the lights and hide beneath the covers, she stood boldly in front of him. Desire darkened his eyes to a cold metallic gray, and the weight of his erection jutted out in front of him. His hand wrapped around his length.

“This is what you do to me. Do you understand that?”

Her body reacted instantly, her nipples pebbled, lust pooled between her thighs. Her exhale was louder than she intended. She bit down on her lip.

“You’re so beautiful. Come here, wife.” He held his hand out to her, and she allowed him to pull her forward. He settled her onto his lap, straddling his powerful thighs. His hard length pressed against her aching sex, and she bucked against him. “I’ve never wanted a woman the way I want you. I’ve no sooner come inside you than I crave the feel of you all over again. It is as if you alone hold the key to my pleasure.”

His words poured over her. He might never love her, but she couldn’t continue to pretend that he didn’t want her. She might not understand it, since she’d spent so long hating her own body, wishing her curves weren’t so exaggerated, wanting longer legs or a smaller bottom. But her husband craved her body, and she would give it to him freely.

She lowered her head and kissed him. He gripped her bottom and slid her forward, pressing her even harder against him.

“Harriet,” he groaned. He slid a hand up her torso to cup one breast. He lifted it, then brought it to his mouth.

She arched against him as he suckled and nibbled teasingly. Her sex slid against the hard ridge of him, and she cried out. She rubbed against him again and again while he laved kisses from one breast to the other. Pleasure tightened inside her, knotting in her core. Another stroke and the knot burst, jolting her with wave after wave of ecstasy.

Before she’d ridden out every last bit of her climax, he lifted her hips and plunged into her, sending her spiraling again.

“You’re so wet for me, so tight. I knew it would be good with you, but damnation, Harriet, you feel too good.”

He felt too good, too. She wanted to tell him, but the words died in her throat as he lifted her up and then slowly back down. Teasing and taunting, he moved inside her, and she knew another climax built. Gracious what this man did to her.

“Look at me, love,” he said.

She met his gaze as he thrust deep inside her. This beautiful man was hers. Her heart swelled, and she knew no matter how long it took, she’d be here, loving him enough for them both.

Again and again he thrust, and the pleasure mounted. His thumb flicked against the tight bundle of nerves hidden in her folds, and lightning shot through her. She cried out his name and watched his eyes close as he poured his seed inside her.

Their union almost made up for the fact that he’d avoided her all day. Almost.

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