He slid closer, his thigh pressing to hers. “You can wear whatever you wish. Or nothing at all. Either way, I intend to make you moan my name.”
“That is quite enough, Giles.” Mother approached from behind.
He and Juliet turned to meet her, and he forced a welcoming smile even as he begrudged Mother’s interruption. She had bloody bad timing, to be sure.
“I wish to become better acquainted with you, Duchess.” She threaded her arm through Juliet’s. “Come along, dear.”
Giles suppressed a groan as Mother led Juliet over to a nearby sofa. He begrudgingly followed, then seated himself in a high-back chair beside Thorne.
He sipped his wine as Mother regaled Juliet with tales of his childhood shenanigans and peppered her with questions.
On occasion, Olivia or the countess shared tidbits about Juliet, and when they did, Giles paid close attention. All the while, he longed to get his wife alone.
They spent the following two hours in much the same way. Everyone sipped wine, feasted on fruit, and laughing as they traded tales and engaged in general conversation. Unable to stand another moment, Giles met Juliet’s gaze. “It has been a long day.”
As if she could read his intention, she stifled a yawn. “I fear I am rather tired,” she said, then turned her attention to the dowager duchess. “Might we be excused?”
His mother patted Juliet’s hand. “Of course, dear.” She turned to Giles and gave him a knowing peer. “Let the poor dear sleep. She needs her rest after such a busy day.”
He nodded at his mother as Juliet stood, though he had no intentions of obeying her edict.
The rest of the company rose as well, and Giles and Juliet bid them all a good night before he led her out of the parlor. As they mounted the stairs, he took her hands in his. “I had a wonderful time tonight.”
“As did I.” She smiled. “Your mother is rather amusing.”
“She is a pain in the arse,” Giles said, then clasped Juliet’s hand a little tighter. “That nonsense she said about sleep…” He turned his gaze on Juliet, questioning. Perhaps his wife was exhausted. He’d not blame her if she were. “We needn’t make love if you are tired. I will be content to just hold you.”
Juliet shook her head. “I have no intention of sleeping. Not when you teased me so relentlessly earlier.”
He brought his hand to his chest. “Me?” He pretended innocence as he added, “I am not the one who did the seducing in the parlor. Why, I’m still hard from the sight of you in that scrap of red silk.”
“Good,” She quickened her step, pulling him toward their bedchamber. “Then you are ready for me.”
Chapter 15
Dover, England
Clear River Run
December 25, 1811
Giles reached for Juliet and pulled her into his arms as he opened his eyes. “Merry Christmas, darling,” he said.
Her eyes opened slowly in a flitter of lashes before her gaze meet his. “Is it morning already,” she asked, her voice heavy with sleep.
“Indeed, it is.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Though I will not object if you wish to remain in bed.”
She grinned and stretched before settling back against him. “I fear our guests will demand our presence.” She rolled away from him.
Giles caught her around the waist and drew her back to him. “They can wait for a while.” He pressed his erection against her hip. “But I fear I cannot.”
“Did you not get enough of me last night?” She asked, her gaze moving to the remnants of the bow she had wrapped herself in before bed.
“I shall never get enough of you. Have you not reached that conclusion yet?”
She giggled. “I have, as luck would have it, I will never get enough of you either.”
Giles moved over her, settling between her thighs. He captured her lips as he buried his cock in her damp quim. She was always wet for him, and it was one of the many, many things he loved about her.
Today would be the day he told her of his true feelings.
The thought excited him as much as being joined with her did, and he kissed her more deeply as he thrust in and out of her.
His wife was an angel and knew he did not deserve her. But fate had smiled on him and delivered her into his arms. She was a gift he would never take for granted.
He kissed her neck before capturing her nipple and suckling the hard bud. Her cry of desire drove him on as he pulled his cock out and pushed back in, filling her completely.
Juliet wrapped her legs around his hips, angling herself so that he drove deeper. She met him stroke-for-stroke, her eyes glazed with desire and moans filling their chamber.
Her inner muscles contracted, squeezing his cock, as she screamed his name, her release washing through her.
Giles thrust a few more times, then spilled into her in an explosion of ecstasy.
Body sated, he rolled them, so she came to rest on top of him, his cock still nestled in her warmth. She lay against his chest, their hearts beating together as their labored breaths filled the bedchamber.
Giles stroked his hand over her hair as he held her. She was more than he had ever dared to dream of. More than he had any right to hold. With his heart full to bursting, he kissed the top of her head, then said, “I have something for you.”
“You have already given me so much.” She pressed her lips to his collarbone.
He lifted her from him and eased her onto the bed next to him. “You deserve more. You are worthy of everything,” he said as he rose from the bed.
“Nonsense,” she said as she watched him traverse the room.
He pulled an elongated white box from his drawer, then returned to the bed. “Whether or not you want it, this belongs to you.” He held the box out.
Juliet sat up and accepted the parcel from him. After studying it with curiosity, she turned her blue eyes on him. “What is it?”
“Open it and find out,” he challenged. Giles held his breath as she pried the lid off. His pulse speed as she plucked the key from the box, then turned her attention back to him.
“What does it unlock?” She worried her lower lip as she awaited his reply.
Giles captured her hand and brought it to rest against his chest. “My heart, darling. It belongs to you now.”
Her eyes clouded with unshed tears. “I will cherish it always, Giles.”
He pulled her close and captured her lips. After kissing her soundly, he stared into her eyes. “I love you, Juliet.”
A tear streaked down her cheek as she said, “I love you too, Giles. I have for some time. I was just afraid to admit it out loud.”
He kissed the tear from her cheek, then cupped her face in his hand. “You have no cause for fear, darling. Your heart is safe in my keeping.”
She hugged him close. “Your love is the greatest gift I have ever received.” Then she sprang from the bed and went to her trinket box. “I will cherish and keep it always.”
Giles watched her as she pulled a long chain from the ornate silver box, then threaded the key through it.
She strode back to the bed and held the chain out. “Clasp it for me,” she said, then presented her back. “I want to wear it close to my own heart.”