Page 456 of Hell Hath No Fury
I shook my head.
“It’s the fear of the unknown that has you nervous, baby. Let your body relax and do what it was made to do.” He pressed in a little further and I gripped his arms. “Too much?”
I shook my head and he went deeper.
“It’s gonna hurt here in a second,” he warned, and thrust deep.
The tearing of my innocence stung, and he kissed me, muffling my cry with his mouth.
“I’m so sorry, beautiful. That’s the worst part.”
Staying completely still, he rolled a nipple into a tight peak, and kissed me again, letting my body get used to his invasion as he worked it back into an erotic frenzy. Before I knew it, my hips were arching into him and then he was moving. Slowly at first, and then faster, until I was no longer scared, I was simply feeling. All of him. And it was magnificent.
He let out a grunt and then collapsed on top of me, rolling us onto our sides and pulling me into his arms. “How ya doin’?”
“I’m not sure,” I confessed.
He kissed me again and slid off the bed. “I’ll be right back.”
He returned with a washcloth and settled the warmth between my legs. This had me blushing all over again and he stroked my cheek. “Don’t be embarrassed.”
“No one has ever touched me like that.”
“I like that, Pearl. I like that you’re only mine. I’ll never take that for granted, and I’ll always take care of you.”
“I’m going to hold you to that, Duke.”
“Wouldn’t expect anything less.” He stroked my cheek. “This is just the beginning of our perfect life. You know that, right?”
“If it’s with you, yes.”
“Always with me, Pearl. Always.”
He doted on me for the rest of the night and I was sure the tenderness he showed was an indication of what was to come, and I couldn’t wait to make a life with him.
Forever.
EPILOGUE
Pearl
Five years later…
I stared up at the home that was now officially ours and sighed. It was so big and cold. Much like Duke’s father, who was now buried in the graveyard on the property, along with most of Duke’s other ancestors. Ugh, so creepy.
I’d been here twice. Once when Mr. Hill had summoned us to the home, furious Duke had married me. To be fair, I’m not sure he had a problem with me, per se. He would have been angry regardless of who Duke brought home, particularly because it had all happened so fast, and Duke hadn’t taken measures to make sure I wasn’t a ‘low-life gold digger.’
The second time had been when Hill was close to death. But it wasn’t to say goodbye. That would have been far too after school special. He’d wanted to remind Duke of everything he’d done wrong as a child. Three minutes in, I’d had enough and lost my temper.
Duke had laughed as I’d given his father the dress down he’d greatly deserved, and then immediately felt horribly guilty, considering the man was dying of cancer.
“Baby, he’s a bastard. He’s dying alone and he no longer affects us and our life together.”
I nodded into his chest as he held me. “But he’s sick, honey. I should have been kinder.”
He lifted my chin and wiped my tears away gently. “You can save that kindness for someone who’ll appreciate it.”
I searched his eyes and sighed. “Are you okay?”
