More striking, he wanted her to know him. He had never before wished to share his past with anyone. Never desired to share his future either, but with her—he wanted to share everything. Even his heart. Not that he had a choice in that matter. The minx had absconded with it from the start. He just had not realized it.
His duchess set his blood on fire and his pulse to racing. She made him want to be a better man, and she filled the void in his soul. The way she matched his wit, teased him in return and countered his playful harassment of her kept him entertained.
She endeared herself to him all the more every time she spoke, each caress bringing him closer, every kiss making him crave her more. And their lovemaking—Lord, it was all-encompassing. Her passion met his, and her sense of adventure kept him enthralled.
Half of the time, Giles wished to take her sweet mouth with his, if for no other reason than to stifle her smart remarks. The rest of the time, he simply craved the connection to her.
He found her to be an endless source of amusement and companionship. She was not at all like the empty-headed misses of the ton. No, his Juliet possessed brains, as well as good looks and impeccable taste.
She was nothing like he had feared her to be. Nothing at all like his mother, or the other beautiful woman he had known.
Juliet’s beauty ran far deeper than her face. She was kind, considerate, and compassionate—she was everything good. Everything he wanted and needed for the rest of his days.
“Your mind seems to have wandered off,” Juliet said as she sat her cross-stitching aside.
God, he wanted her.
Desired her as he had never desired another woman.
Every time their bodies came into contact, passion engulfed him, sending pleasurable heat and shivers through the core of his being.
Giles gave into the desire presently heating his blood and went to her. “I was just thinking about how badly I want you.”
She set her cross-stitching aside, then came into his embrace. “Then take me.” She stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his.
His cock jerked as his tongue stroked hers, their lips moving together as one. He thought he would tire of her by now. No woman had ever managed to hold his interest after a few assignations. That is, until Juliet. He had now bedded his wife a half dozen or more times, and still, he craved her.
Giles had come to accept that she was made for him. Fate and God knew what they were doing when they brought him and Juliet together. It could be the only explanation, and he was eternally grateful for their foresight. He treasured her and always would.
Juliet loosed his cravat, then pulled it free before setting to work on his waistcoat.
He covered her hand with his and met her gaze. “I want tonight to be about you. Lay in front of the fire and let me worship you.”
She gave him a saucy come hither look, her blue eyes smoldering, then moved to stretch out on the rug before the hearth.
Giles’s blood burned with desire as his cock throbbed with need. Mercy, Juliet was stunning, and oh so tempting. He feared that he would spill in his breeches like a green lad if he did not take her soon. And yet, he was determined to go slow.
He removed his shirt before he unbuttoned the fall of his breeches and kicked them free. His small clothes soon followed.
Her eyes smoldered as she stared at his naked form.
He stood there, allowing her to drink in the sight of him while allowing himself some much-needed time to gain control.
Juliet pushed up onto her elbows. Her gaze burned into his as she said, “Do you intend to leave me fully clothed?”
“Certainly not,” he more groaned than spoke the words as he joined her on the rug. He made quick work of stripping her gown and chemise from her delectable body, then gazed at her.
The firelight cast her in an orange glow, her skin radiant, and hair spread around her. She put him in mind of a nymph—tempting him with the mere sight of her.
He fastened his mouth over her rosy nipple, suckling and lapping as he slid his hand between her legs.
She moaned and arched beneath him, greedily taking what he offered, and he reveled in her response.
His fingers found her curls at the apex of her thighs, and he stroked through them to the core of her need. She was hot and wet for him.
He wanted to plunge into her, to fill her and stretch her. To claim her and satisfy his own lust. But he would stay the course until she was begging and writhing with a need all her own.
He moved his mouth to her other nipple and stroked his finger over her moist folds. When her thighs fell open, he slipped his finger into the inviting heat.
As he stroked his finger in and out of her throbbing quim, he trailed fiery kisses between her breasts. Moving lower, he licked and kissed his way down her abdomen to the curve of her hip.
“Oh. Ah… Giles,” She rocked against his hand. “Giles. I need… more. I want more.”
Her breathy sighs and pleading words ignited his blood to the point of frenzy. Desperate to taste her, he brought his mouth to the tiny swollen pearl above her dewy petals and sucked as he stroked his finger faster. The scent of her female essence drove him near to madness.
Her moans became more desperate as she ground against him. “I’m… I… Oh, Giles. Oh God,” she cried.
“That’s the way, darling. Take what you want. Be greedy,” he encouraged as he slid a second finger into her tight, slick quim.
He stared at her as he pumped his fingers faster, harder. He trailed his other hand up to her breasts and rolled her nipple between his fingers.
She pressed her head back against the floor; her plump lips slightly parted as she moaned her pleasure. A cascade of silver-streaked golden hair fanned out around her, and her smooth, creamy skin flushed pink.
She was stunning. So sweet, and all his.
Giles brought his tongue back to the tiny bud between her thighs and licked her essence as she bucked hard against his mouth. Then he suckled as he stroked his fingers inside of her, driving her mad with passion.
“Oh. Oh, Heavens. Giles,” she pressed against him, her fingers tangled in his hair as she came undone. Her quim quivered beneath his touch. Her release washing over his fingers and tongue as it burst free.
“Yes, darling?” He said, his tone teasing.
She went limp. Her legs and bottom falling to the rug as her legs shook.
“That,” she drew in a shaky breath, “was very nice.”
“Nice?” He arched an amused brow.
She nodded. “Yes.”
He positioned himself between her thighs. “Then, I will endeavor to make this mind-shattering.”
She thrust her hips, drawing his cock deep into her quim.
He stared into her smoldering blue eyes as he thrust into her again and again.
She brought her hands to his shoulders and arched her hips, taking him deeper still. Her gaze bore into his as she moaned and cried his name.
Giles thought, this joining… his wife… being inside of her… was Heaven.
She raked her fingernails up his back, and he thrust harder.
He kissed and suckled at the flesh of her throat as he drove her back to the edge of desire.
“Ah… Oh, God. Oh, Giles…” Her moans increased as she reached her precipice.
She moved with him, her hips following his rhythm, her heels pressed into his buttocks, pulling him closer as she dug her fingers into his lower back.
He thrust faster, harder, until they were both panting and wild with need.