They would announce their betrothal once they returned to London. Now that they’d confessed their feelings for each other, she was ready to start their lives together right away. Tonight, she wanted him to hold her in his arms. Her mind flashed to his words the night before.I want to lay you downonly with garnets wrapped around your throat and explore every curve and slope of your body.
Harriet wanted that as well. She didn’t want to wait. The click of the door caused her to turn. She discovered Anthony slipping in. He grinned at her, and her stomach dipped. This would be her husband.
He walked to her. “I’m here, my love.”
“I wasn’t sure if you would come. The dinner and party went so late.”
Anthony stroked the side of her cheek. “I would never pass up an opportunity to spend time with you.”
She blushed. He placed a soft kiss across her lips. His eyes flared with an intensity that made Harriet hot all over. “Anthony, I want you to explore me while I’m only wearing these garnets.”
Harriet realized it was a bold statement, especially from someone who had no skills in the art of seduction, but she hadn’t been able to get his words out of her mind. He sucked in a breath as if calming himself and said, “We can wait.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to.”
His eyes dipped down to the necklace; a groan escaped him. Anthony grasped her face with both his hands and kissed her deeply. His tongue stroked against hers. Harriet found herself bending into him, needing to feel his body pressed against her.
He broke the kiss and untied her wrap, sliding it to the ground. His hands slid along her skin under the necklace, sending goosebumps across her body. “I want to see you with just these, Harriet.”
She blushed as his hand slid from her throat down her front. His fingers grazed her feminine area, and a whimper of want escaped her lips. He smiled, the desire in his eyesdarkening. His open hunger for her felt empowering. Harriet found herself not hesitant at all to be bare before this man.
Grasping the front of her nightgown, she began to slide it up. He took over, slowly pulling it up as if he were savoring a present about to be revealed. The thought made Harriet smile—maybe he was.
As the bottom of the nightgown slid over her breasts, he said huskily, “Christ, Harriet. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.”
He tugged the fabric from her completely, and she stood before him in only his garnets. His eyes blazed with desire. Perhaps she should feel shy, but she didn’t. Harriet smiled at him coyly. “Is this what you wanted to see?”
Anthony didn’t respond but walked her backwards to the bed. When the back of her knees hit the bedding, she sat. He stared down at her. “You are amazing.”
She played with the necklace. “Do you think it suits me?”
He growled and yanked his shirt from his body, then his pants and shoes, before joining her on the bed. They scooted further up, and Anthony glided a hand along her bare skin as if he were tracing the contours of her body in his mind.
The ache in her lower half intensified as his hand slid between her breasts, across her stomach, and then gently explored her sex.”
He played with the sensitive nub until she was writhing under his touch. The ache was growing with every passing second. Harriet whimpered in protest when he stopped the delicious torment and slid a finger into her core. The sensation had her digging her heels into the bed and bucking against his hands.
Anthony grinned. “Do you like that, my sweet?”
She nodded, and he leaned forward, kissing her in a way that matched the intensity of his fingers inside of her. She clungto his neck, bucking against his hand while demanding more of his tongue and teasing. The ache between her thighs reached a precipice that made Harriet feel as if she were racing towards something.
She’d explored and touched herself alone, but never had it felt this intense. Her hips bucked greedily, and then suddenly her core exploded. The shattered ache pulsated throughout her body. She looked up at him, filled with wonder and satisfaction.
He grinned down at her, still, stroking her feminine area. His shaft pressed against her leg, hard and demanding. She pulled him forward. “I want you to fill me, Anthony.”
A hesitancy flickered across his face. She smiled at him with adoration. “You are mine and I’m yours. I don’t want to wait.”
Anthony kissed her and positioned himself between her thighs. “This may burn or hurt slightly, but it will only be the first time.”
She ran her hands along his back. “I trust you.”
He kissed her deeply as she felt the tip of his shaft at her entrance. Slowly, he slid into her. There was a slight burn as he pushed forward. He scattered kisses across her face, comforting her. Once their bodies were fully joined, Harriet smiled up at him. This was messy perfection. She reveled in having him buried so deep in her. Slowly, he withdrew and slid back in. Harriet followed his motions and gasped when the ache in her core started to build again.
The meeting of their hips became more frantic as they adjusted to each other and the heightened need for release swirled around them. Harriet's eyes connected with Anthony’s. They were filled with so much love. His hips pushed against hers over and over again. She gasped when suddenly the ache in her core shattered once more.
She moaned as Anthony’s pace quickened. He cupped her chin and kissed her hungrily. Harriet clung to him until, with one more thrust, he groaned against her mouth. His body movement slowed to gentle, small rocks. Their chest pressed against one another; their hearts pounding.
Eventually, he fell to the side, taking her with him. Anthony kissed her shoulder, neck, and cheek. She snuggled her back deeper into his chest. He ran his fingers along the curve of her breasts and hips. Huskily, he said, “Merry Christmas, my love.”
