Grace pushed his jacket open, tugging it off. He allowed his hands to roam over her body. It was as smooth as the softest silk. Her nipples furled into tight buds, as she closed her eyes, allowing him to possess her. “You are perfect.”
A sultry smile shaped her lips. “And you, my lord, have too many clothes on. Hold still for a moment while I untie your cuffs.”
After Matt had pulled the shirt over his head, Grace reached up and took his lips. It wasn’t until they spoke of their parents that she realized the depth of her love for him.
The next thing she knew his erection was free and his pantaloons fell to the floor.
Matt backed them to the bed and sat, removing his boots and stockings.
When he rose, he was naked and beautiful. Grace reached out, pressing her fingers against his chest, studying it before she ran her hands through the thick, silky hair and down over his stomach. His body tightened beneath her touch. But he stayed motionless as she reached behind him and traced his back to his bottom. His body was all solid muscle.
Grace looked down at his shaft and touched it. Hard and so soft at the same time and, oh Lord, the pleasure he gave her. The throbbing between her legs increased, and she shuddered in anticipation. She didn’t want to wait any longer to feel him inside her body. Trailing her hands up over his chest, she touched his nipples and licked them. They rewarded her by tightening. “Make love to me.”
He picked her up, holding her like a child holds a favorite doll, and climbed in the bed. His chest hair abraded her already sensitive nipples. He settled between her legs, and she waited for him to enter her. When he didn’t, she arched up, trying to encourage him. “What is it?”
He answered not in words, but by moving his lips, in soft featherlike kisses down her neck, over her breasts, sucking first one then the other. Tension wound inside her, and she gasped for air. She shook with a stronger, deeper desire than she’d ever known. The searing need for him that had started at the apex of her legs soared through her. “Matt, I need you inside me.”
Chuckling wickedly, he moved his lips down over her stomach. Her mouth dried, and her breath became raspy. When he licked her core, Grace cried out and almost came off the bed.
“Do you like this, my love?”
That had to be one of the stupidest questions she’d ever heard. She tried to find the breath to answer but could only manage a high-pitched moan.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
Grabbing at him, Grace tried to pull him up. As much as she liked what he was doing, she needed him now. Just the thought made her shudder again. “Please, Matt.”
He licked his way up her body and just when she thought she’d die if she had to wait any longer, he plunged into her, withdrew, and thrust in again. She wrapped her legs around him, sobbing with need. Flames engulfed her, and her core ignited. Grace clung to him and spun apart as he pumped into her one last time and shuddered.
Matt held her close as her arms and legs relaxed. “I can’t believe how lucky I am to have found you. This is your place.”
He’d tucked her, limp and sated, in next to him. “My place?”
His lips pressed against her head tilted up. “Next to me. You fit perfectly.”
When she gave it some thought, Grace discovered he was right. She was safe and secure being held by him like this. She rolled just enough to see his face. “What are you thinking of?”
He smiled down at her, his eyes more green now. “I was wondering if we’ll scandalize the servants like my parents did.”
Running her fingers lightly over his chest, she made her voice as sultry as she could. “What did they do to scandalize them?”
He kissed her and cupped a breast. “They made love whenever and wherever they wished.”
She pulled his head down and ran her tongue over his lips. “I think we’re already on our way. Until the children are here, that is.”
“I’m not going to think about our brothers and sisters now.” He kissed her slowly, tantalizingly. He was trying to keep from going too fast, but she wanted none of that. They were in a bed for the first time since that night and she intended to take full advantage of it. Pressing against him she moved one leg across his hip.
His eyes smoldered. “Again?”
“Again.”
* * *
Grace dressed with care that evening. She wore a gown injonquillesilk. The neck was square and quite low, the high waist trimmed with a band of lace and seed pearls. Short epaulet sleeves left her shoulders mostly bare. The skirt flowed down and ended in a demi-train. Looping a long strand of pearls three times around her neck, she allowed one part to dangle lower. Pearls hung on gold wire adorned her ears.
Bolton dressed her hair high, pulling tendrils to fall past her shoulders, before securing the knot with combs. Grace collected her Norwich silk shawl, fan, and reticule.
“We haven’t had you dressed so fine since you were last in London.”
