“I don’t think I ever asked you properly,” he whispered, scattering kisses on her lovely face.
“What?”
He stopped her hands. “Edith, I’d consider myself honoured if you’d become my countess, my wife, and my only one.”
“Yes.” She hugged him. “But only if you take me right now.”
“Say no more.” He opened the door and checked the corridor for wandering servants.
Empty.
He hauled her up and carried her to his bedroom. Under no circumstances would he take her in his parlour. After locking the door, he laid her on the bed and smiled when she laughed.
“My countess.”
He took his time removing her clothes and unbuttoning the shirt to reveal the swells of her breasts, one inch at a time. Once the corset was gone, her nipples pressed against the thin fabric of her chemise. The skirts pooled at her feet when he unfastened them. Her drawers slid off her legs with a soft swish, and then she was all for him.
He kissed her collarbone and breasts before rolling down the stockings. He paused only to caress a few offending bruises on her thighs.
“If my uncle is responsible for these bruises, I’ll see him punished.” He kissed each bruise until her breathing sped up.
He took care of the bruises on her arms as well, hating that she’d risked her life only because she’d been with him at the wrong time. She ran her fingers through his hair; it was a slow gesture that seduced him more than a kiss.
He closed his eyes, savouring the feeling of her delicate fingers on his scalp. The only good thing about the carriage accident was that it reinforced his determination to marry her.
He caressed the length of her legs, pausing on her inner thighs. Just brushing her delicate skin caused her to inhale deeply.
The candlelight agreed with her. It kissed her creamy skin, giving it a beautiful golden hue. He took his time stroking her breasts and teasing her pretty nipples. She arched her back as he ran his hand over her belly and thighs.
He lowered his head to let his lips follow the path of his fingers. Every inch of her was deliciously smooth skin, scented with jasmine. His body hardened to the point of aching for her. But he wouldn’t rush. This moment was meant to be savoured.
She moaned when he drew her nipple into his mouth and sucked hard while rolling the other between his fingers. Crimson flooded her cheeks and lips. Her nipples darkened, too. He went lower, brushing his lips over her belly.
“Oh, Perry!” She lurched when he kissed her intimately.
He was addicted to her sweetness, beauty, and fierce spirit. Her scent dampened the air, intoxicating him.
“I love you,” he said before kissing her again.
Her moans grew louder, but he didn’t speed up. He wanted to enjoy each little noise she made with the slow lashes of his tongue and tiny kisses.
When she panted and writhed under his lips, he propped himself on his elbows and kept rubbing her, watching her. Shewas a sight to behold, all flushed, lips and nipples glistening, and half-hooded eyes. Little pulses heralded her release. She muffled her scream with the pillow, but the sound reached his heart anyway.
He kept touching her just because he enjoyed it.
She widened her legs and gripped his buttocks, inviting him. “Take me.”
Her voice was deliciously husky, enchanting like a siren’s song.
“Wait.”
He left her side only to slide on a fresh sheath and kiss her again. She hooked her legs around him, pressing her heels against the small of his back.
“Please,” she begged.
He buried himself with one push and groaned deep in his throat. She gripped his shoulders and lifted her hips, taking him more deeply. It was a perfect moment with her wrapped like a vine around him and him sensing only her—her softness, her scent, her strength.
They remained still, staring into each other’s eyes and sharing their breaths. He traced the lovely curve of her cheek with his fingertip, thanking heaven for having sent an angel to him.
Then he began to move back and forth. When he moved, she moved with him, finding a slow rhythm both because he didn’t want to hurt her and because she had to be still sore.
When she sank her pearly teeth into her bottom lip, he shuddered, feeling that bite on his skin. His need for her bordered on physical pain. The slow pace allowed him to stroke her breasts, shoulders, and face, and he loved that she didn’t close her eyes but stared at him without an ounce of embarrassment. There was no room for that.
He sped up, and she matched his speed, following him. Their bodies moved together in the most ancient of the dances. He managed to steal a kiss before thrusting deeper.
Their heat and breath mingled, their chests touched, and they shouted at the same time. She sagged in the bed, wrapping her arms and legs around him, and he rested his head on her chest, panting.
Every moment in his life, even the darkest one, was worth it because it’d led him to the embrace of the most amazing woman he’d ever met.
