“There is little I want more.” He gave a devilish grin. “That is if that is your wish.”
“It is.”
Chapter 10
Upon their arrival at Clear Water Run, Giles introduced Juliet to his servants, then gave her a tour of the ducal estate. He enjoyed watching her make discoveries and found the way she squinted to study various things—a portrait, books in the library, and a small figurine on one of the mantles—adorable.
By the time he completed the tour and showed her to her suite of rooms on the second floor and adjacent to his, the sun had set. He opened the door slowly as he was in no hurry to part with her. In fact, he still wanted to make love to her but would suppress his desire until she wanted him as well.
Even if it killed him—and it well may.
He stepped aside, holding the door open so she could enter, then stood in the doorway watching as she took in her surroundings.
“Oh.” She looked around from the frothy light green drapes to the cream-colored bed coverings and plush velvet chair of the same shade, most all of them accented with gold trim or patterns of light green. “It is beautiful,” she said.
He stepped beside her and placed a hand on the small of her back. “I am pleased you like your suit. All the same, you have leave to redecorate any rooms in the house that displease you.”
“You are very kind, husband.” She gave a sweet smile. “Though I can assure you, I will have no need to redecorate. Your home is stunning as it is.”
“Our home,” He took a step into the chamber, “and I am glad you like our home, but do not hesitate to make changes. I want you to feel that Clear River Run is your home, too. You are my duchess.” He placed one finger beneath her chin and angled her head until their gazes met. “This is your home. Never forget it.”
Perhaps he emphasized the point of it being their home a bit overmuch. Still, it was exceedingly important to him that she came to think of the estate as such. He wanted her to be comfortable here just as much as he wanted her here with him. Most of all, Giles desired Juliet to want to share his home with him.
She turned to him and studied him through lowered lashes as she nibbled at her lower lip.
“What is it, darling?” he asked.
“Will you stay with me?”
“Always,” he replied, then drew closer.
The woman was a temptress, though he would bet she did not know it. His loins tightened as he studied her. Full pink lips beckoned him to join her, while her body’s curves begged him to explore them. He inhaled, fighting the urge to take her in his arms and ravish her, for he did not dare think that was what she was asking for.
Juliet turned toward the bed, then took two tentative steps before turning back to him. “The sun has set.”
“Indeed.” He wondered where she was going with this line of conversation.
She continued to the bed, then sat on the edge of the overstuffed mattress. “I am ready to become your wife.”
Bloody hell, was she attempting to seduce him? He stared at her for a moment before he found the words to reply.
“You are already my wife.” He cocked a curious brow as he turned her words over in his mind. Did she mean for him to bed her now? His cock jumped at the thought, but he remained in place, studying her.
She patted the bed as she averted her gaze. “On paper, yes, but I will not truly be yours until you bed me.” She returned her eyes to him, her cheeks now covered in a brilliant blush. “I want you to consummate our union.”
He very much wanted the same thing. But he wanted to do it right. He could not move too quickly. But if she were attempting to seduce him, he did not want to deny her.
Giving a tender smile, Giles held her gaze as he moved to join her on the bed. He pulled her close as he brought his mouth to hers. A tender kiss that morphed into a passionate melding of lips and tongue.
She demanded more, pulling him closer and kissing him with a ferocity that required answering. His wife may be innocent, but he believed she knew what she was asking for in this case.
He laid her back on the bed as their mouths molded together, tongues swirling and sparring. His blood heated as his body pressed to hers. He wanted her—maybe worse than he’d ever wanted a woman. The realization should have startled him, but instead, he found comfort in it.
After all, shouldn’t a man long to bed his wife?
Juliet shoved at his coat, then tugged at his shirt as she kissed him with a hunger that matched his.
Giles reached for her skirts and worked them up her legs as he trailed fervent kisses down her neck to her chest. When he had the yards of silk gathered at her waist, he stroked his fingertips over her mound, through the soft curls that shielded her quim.
She went rigid at his touch. Her eyes closed for a moment as she swallowed.
“Do not fear me, darling. I will not hurt you if I can help it.” He knew they could not entirely avoid it, but meant to make their first time as comfortable for her as possible. Even if it killed him, he would go slow with her.
He took her lips tenderly and stroked her bare flesh as he waited for her to relax. Or throw him out of her room.
Dear God, do not let her cast him out now.
When she opened her mouth to him, he deepened the kiss. Her body softened against his as he trailed kisses across her cheek, and along her jaw, before pulling his gaze back to hers. All the while, Giles stroked the silken flesh of her thighs and abdomen.
“You are the most alluring woman. I want to see you wearing nothing save for my rings.” He sat up, then offered her his hand. “Let me remove your gown, darling.”
A light blush covered her high cheekbones as she allowed him to help her from the bed, but she did not act coy. Instead, she gave a sultry pout, then turned her back to him.
He unfastened the tiny buttons running down the back of her gown before he allowed it to slide down her body. He angled his head and nuzzled his face against her neck, trailing kisses across her heated flesh as he loosened her corset ties.
A small sigh left her lips, causing him to pull away enough to look at her face. “Do my ministrations please you, darling?” He reached for her stays, working to free her from her remaining garments.
“Yes,” she said, her tone breathy. “Do you think me wicked for it?”
“I adore you for it,” he said before he nipped then kissed her neck.
Once he had her stripped down to her sheer white shift, Giles moved to stand before her. He trailed his gaze over her, absorbing every detail of her from the top of her head to her silk-covered toes.
She was a goddess with her blond curls and blue eyes, a sensual grin playing at her lips. He lifted her hands to his chest and rested them against his heart before leaning in to take her lips once more.
She ran her hands over his chest, searing his skin through the fabric of his garments. Hesitating at a button on his waistcoat, she began to play with it. He walked her back toward the bed, his lips never leaving hers.
Juliet broke the kiss and lowered herself onto the mattress. She fumbled his waistcoat open. Then tugged at his shirt as he ran his hand through her soft, blond tresses, and sprinkled kisses across her cheek.
He pulled back. His gaze never left her face as he removed his clothing. The flush of desire that crept across his wife’s chest and face warmed his heart. She never glanced away, just stared at him with passion-filled eyes.