“What did you call me?” The heat of his body warmed her, and his lips touched the corner of her mouth.
“Thea. Everyone calls you Dotty, but I wanted my own special name for you. Do you mind?”
A blush rose in her cheeks. It seemed as if she was always blushing around him. Her grandmother called her Thea as well. And as uncertain as she was over their betrothal, she was inordinately pleased at his request. “No, I like it. What shall I call you?”
“Dom. Only one other person called me that”—the muscles in his throat worked as he swallowed—“and he is dead. May I kiss you?”
Myriad thoughts and feelings had been rushing around in her head, but his question brought her up short. Goodness, wasn’t he already kissing her? Apparently, she had a lot to learn. “Yes.”
He feathered his lips lightly over hers. When she puckered her lips to kiss him back, he grinned and touched his mouth to hers. His tongue ran along the seam.
“Open for me.”
Dotty didn’t understand what he planned to do, but did as he asked, surprised at the feel of his tongue against hers. She copied his movement, returning his strokes.
When he groaned, she jerked back. “Did I hurt you?”
“Never. You feel so good.” He held her tighter.
Sliding her hands from his chest to circle his neck, she pulled herself flush against his body. For some reason, until this evening, she had not realized he was so tall. He tilted his head and there was no more thinking. Only him, his taste of brandy and musk. A deep thrumming started inside her. No wonder ladies were not supposed to kiss gentlemen unless they were betrothed. She didn’t even know how she felt about Merton, Dom, but what he was doing to her felt wonderful.
His hands seemed to touch everywhere as if he couldn’t stop. Her breasts ached, and when he ran his fingers over them sparks flew through her. She gasped, surprised at what she was feeling.
Suddenly he stopped. His palms moved to her waist, and his lips left hers. His tone was stiff. “I’m sorry. I should not have touched you so intimately.”
Did he think she had not liked it? She placed two fingers over his lips to stop him from speaking again. “Please don’t apologize. I enjoyed it.”
Dom stared at her for several moments before smiling and placing a kiss on her palm. “I am exceedingly happy we are marrying.”
“Yes, I think I am, too.” Especially when he lost his formal manners.
Even though she had no experience with men, the way he’d touched her felt right. After those kisses, Dotty didn’t know how anyone could think Dom was emotionless.Reservedwas a better description.
He did have good points. He had saved her from ruin this evening, and he had helped her rescue the kittens and Tom. On the other hand, she would be miserable wedded to Dom if he did not change. Perhaps no one else had offered him the challenge of helping others, both personally and in the Lords. Could she be the right wife for him after all?
If only Charlotte and her family didn’t dislike him so much. As soon as she could, Dotty would speak with Grace. Dotty didn’t want to be estranged from her friends; as an only child, Dom would benefit from knowing his cousins better. There must be a way to bring about a reconciliation.
Dom gazed at her, his deep blue eyes warm, his face all hard, lean planes, reflecting his Norman ancestry. If they were not living in modern times, she could envision him throwing her up onto his horse and riding off. Suddenly, she knew she would love him and once he loved her, nothing would come between them.
She would have everything she had ever dreamed of.
Chapter Eleven
Dom covered Thea’s mouth once more with his, intending to wipe away any doubts she had. Claim her as his. All of her. Forever.
She tasted of tea, and wine, and woman with a hint of lavender. From the moment he touched his lips to hers, she couldn’t get enough. Although she was clearly an innocent, she hadn’t been shocked when he stroked her. He had, quite frankly, never expected such warmth in a wife. Now that he had a sample of what could be, he could scarcely believe his good fortune. Suddenly, it was very important that she want their wedding as much as he did. She was his.
Her hard nipples pressed into his chest and she moaned. He slid his palms over her back and down to her bottom. He wanted to feel her silken skin beneath him, be in her, filling her with his seed. A month seemed like a very long time.
He slid his fingers over Thea’s breasts again. She gave him a low breathy cry and kissed him with a naïve fervor that undid him.
He had always been able to please women, yet this was so much more important than simply giving pleasure. He should slow down, but he needed to bind her to him, make her his in a way he’d never thought important before. If only he could take her home now. . . . Perhaps that was the answer. As a country squire’s daughter Thea had much to learn in order to fulfill the role of his marchioness. She should move to Merton House so his mother could show her how to go on. His mother being in residence would make it all proper. Surely her parents wouldn’t mind. They would be ecstatic with this marriage. After all, it wasn’t every day that the daughter of an unknown baronet married a marquis.
He broke the kiss. “We should go back before Worthington comes looking for you.”
She sighed. “He is not at all happy, is he?”
“I would say that is an understatement. At the very least, he’d like to murder me.” Though Worthington would probably consider castration as well.
