“Do you find me pleasing?” He glanced down at himself before returning his attention to her.
She trailed her gaze down his body, stopping when she spied his stiff shaft. Her hand moved to her chest, and her gaze darted back to his. “It is more than I imagined the male form to be.” She nibbled her lip before saying, “You are magnificent.”
He grinned as he rejoined her, wrapping one hand around her trim ankle. She sighed as he trailed his hand up to her garter, then untied it. He brought his lips to the bare skin just above her stoking, then kissed his way down the length of her leg as he removed the stocking.
Giles repeated the action, giving her other leg the same attention before moving to kiss her abdomen. When she did not protest, he slipped his hand between her thighs.
She let her legs fall apart, and for long sweet minutes, he caressed and kissed first her inner thighs and then her dewy core. He delighted in the little whimpers and hungry moans that emitted from her as he laved and stroked her quim.
When she bucked against him and came apart, he gave a devilish smile. “Are you satisfied now? You look as though you are.”
She shook her head in a half-hearted effort, then reached for him. “I want more.”
He got into the bed, placing one leg on each side of hers, holding himself above her with his arms. “Tell me you want me to make love to you, darling.” He ran his mouth along her neck, sucking and kissing her silken skin until she writhed beneath him.
“Please,” she said, her voice breathy and trembling.
He nipped at her neck. “Please, what?”
“Make love to me, Giles.”
“As you wish,” he said, before bringing his lips back to her neck. He wanted to bury his cock in her, but first, he needed her naked. He wanted her mad with desire, and he wanted to explore every inch of her.
She tilted her head back, inviting his exploration as he trailed kisses across her collarbone and down to the valley between her breasts. He pushed the material of her shift down with his chin, kissing and suckling his way lower.
He continued on his journey, kissing all the way to her toes and removing the gown before bringing his probing tongue and searching hands back to her middle.
Juliet reached for him and urged him back to her lips. Sweat glistened on her flushed skin as he kissed his way back up. A slow and deliberately sensual journey meant to set her on fire.
The sweet sounds she made intensified his need, and he moved faster than he had planned.
When he crushed her mouth with his, she kissed him like no woman ever had. She may not love him yet, but she damn sure desired him. He’d wager every bit as much as he desired her.
“Now, Giles. Please,” she sighed as she pressed against him.
Everything in him coiled with need. He placed the head of his cock at her entrance and captured her lips with his.
She trailed her hands across his back, sending jolts of pleasure through him.
He found her slick and fought the urge to plunge into her dampness. His arms shook with his effort to maintain control as he eased just the tip into her, then stilled.
Her rosy nipples pebbled and rubbed his chest, begging him to pay mind to them. He bent his head and pulled one rosy peak into his mouth and suckled it.
She thrust her hips, pulling him in deeper, then stilled, a sharp gasp emitting from her.
He lifted his head to meet her gaze. “Are you hurt?”
“No.” She smiled. “It is… this… you are marvelous.”
He stared at her, amazed over her reaction. He had fully expected to find pain etched into her features, but she was smiling. Laid out before him in all her naked glory, she was a vision of perfection. And she was all his.
Juliet reached up and rested her warm hand on his face. A soft grin still dimpled her cheeks. “I have the urge to move against you. May I?” she asked.
Chapter 11
Dover, England
Clear River Run
December 20, 1811
Juliet sat near the fire blazing in the hearth as she fashioned paper dolls and flowers. She was determined to throw herself into making this the best Christmas she could. Her first holiday as Duchess of Cleburne, and more importantly, the first as Giles’s wife.
The thought of him—of what they had shared the prior evening—had her blushing. Juliet had not been a fearful, unaware maiden. She was innocent, but not so naïve that she did not know what happened in the marital bed. Still, she never could have imagined lovemaking to be so… romantic.
Giles had been incredibly attentive as he explored her body and encouraged her passions. He’d taken his time and brought her unimaginable pleasure. The way her nipples had hardened with his attention, and her quim had throbbed as her skin tingled and warmed all over at his touch had taken her by surprise to be sure.
But nothing could have prepared her for her climaxes. They were earth shattering and left her more fulfilled than she ever would have imagined. Juliet never even dreamed that lovemaking could feel so splendid.
She could quickly become addicted to the act—to him—if she was not already. So long as her husband was the man sharing her bed, at any rate. Juliet wondered if he would come to her again tonight. She hoped he would.
But she also felt a measure of unease. The act was every bit—no, more intimate than she had expected. It was as if he stole a piece of her soul when they joined. Surely her heart would not be far behind, and she still did not know if she could trust him with that delicate organ.
But, oh, how she wished to give it to him.
She wanted to belong to him, heart, body, and soul. To have an epic love story that stood the test of time.
Juliet twisted the ribbon in her hand around the paper flower’s base, then glanced up as Giles strolled into her parlor. She flushed at the sight of him and wondered if he would guess where her thoughts had roamed.
Heavens, she hoped not.
He grinned, a devilish smile that made her toes curl, then said, “You look fetching.”
“I could say the same of you.” She averted her gaze for a moment as she reveled in the compliment he had given her.
“You could?” He arched a brow, “Or you would?” His tone held a teasing lilt.
Juliet giggled at his jesting, then said, “I do believe I would.”
Giles strode closer, a ribbon-wrapped bouquet of red flowers in his hand. “For you, darling.” He held out the hothouse blooms, a sparkle lighting his eyes.
Juliet could not help but smile. It warmed her heart that he’d done something special for her. And for a second time. The ring he had given her the day after Olivia’s ball had been special too. She wondered if her husband would always be so generous. If he would always endeavor to please her and spoil her.
“Thank you,” she said, setting aside the paper flower she’d been fashioning. She accepted the red blossoms from him and inhaled their scent. “They’re beautiful.”
“They pale in comparison to you.”
She could not help but laugh at his flowery words. “You flatter me.”
“I tell the truth.” He winked, his blue-green eyes full of mischief. “Will you join me for an outing?”
Juliet glanced down at her gown, then stood. “Just as soon as I change.”
His gaze roamed the length of her, sending spirals of heat through her body. “I would not change a single thing about you.”