Page 65 of The Duke’s Wager

Edward’s hands suddenly stopped, wrapping around her back and pulling her even closer, and she sucked in a deep breath as she landed against his chest.

He leaned his forehead against hers, and she finally reached out to touch him. She could feel the hotness of his skin even over his shirt, and her hands moved over his arms to behind his neck before she slowly traced a path over his jaw, forcing him to look her in the eye.

His eyes were clouded over with desire, and she carefully touched his lower lip. His lips opened under her touch, kissing her thumb gently.

He was going to kiss her. She could see it in his eyes. Then their lips met, and it was as though a thousand lights exploded behind her eyes.

They were soft, but his kiss was determined. A moan escaped her as he deepened the kiss, and she wrapped her arms around his neck in an attempt to hold onto him even closer.

She wanted more. Though they were in each other’s arms, pressed tightly against each other, it was not enough. Layers of clothes still separated them, and for once, this was not something she wanted.

She did not want to be separated by him, she wanted…

All thoughts disappeared from her mind when he tore his lips away from her, quickly attaching them to her neck. She pressed her chest against his, tilting her head to elongate her neck.

“Edward…”

Her voice was husky with desire, and he drew away from her ever so slightly, watching her through darkened eyes.

“Lucy, you drive me mad. Every time I close my eyes, you are there. You encompass every part of my life, my waking moments, and my dreams, you are there and I do not want it to be any other way.”

His hands carefully trailed from her shoulders to cup her heaving breasts over her clothes. She pressed her chest into his hands even further, and emboldened by this, he pulled her closer by her waist once more. His lips met her with a force that she could not withstand, even had she wanted to.

She met the kiss with equal fervor, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her body even closer to his. His hand tangled in her hair as he pushed her into the wall, kissing a sloppy trail down her neck as he fiddled with the strings of her gown.

Desperate to feel skin, Lucy tugged at his shirt until there was enough space for her hands to reach under it and explore the soft skin of his back.

They both paused their ministrations when laughter drifted towards them from outside. They registered it at the same time: the opera had finished. All those who had attended were on their way out.

Lucy paled at the thought. If the opera was finished and the guests were leaving, that would mean that her father was amongst these guests. He would soon be looking for her.

Her breath raced. If he found her like this, in a room with Edward, disheveled… he would kill them both. He would never forgive her, he would…

Panic set in and she stared at Edward with wide eyes, her breath racing.

“Edward… My father!”

She was afraid, so utterly afraid, and the closer the voices and laughter came, the more the fear constricted her throat.

She ran her hands over her hair, trying her best to tame the mess it had become, before she tried twisting her hands behind her back in an attempt to fix her gown. It did not work, and she groaned in frustration.

Edward, who had by now tucked his shirt into his trousers again, quickly pushed her hands away. “Let me help you.”

Lucy kept running her hands over her hair, as Edward made quick work of the laces binding her gown. Once the mirror told her that she looked presentable again, she took a quick step away.

Seemingly confused, he tilted his head and stepped towards her, but Lucy quickly shook her head and held a steady hand up between her.

“No, my lord. Stay away from me.”

“Lucy…” The hurt in his voice was palpable, and she smiled at him gently in an attempt to show him that she was not mad.

“It is not that I object to your proximity my lord, but I have to admit… I am not quite certain what I would do if your wants were upon me again, and I am not certain about you, but…” There was a twinkle in his eye, and she folded her hands together innocently. “I would very much prefer not being murdered by my father tonight.”

Edward laughed mischievously at this, his eyes sparkling with delight. “Oh, my lady… I am rather certain it would be a noble, worthy death. But I do concede.”

He took a step back and she laughed shyly before turning to leave, her hand wavering over the doorknob.

“Lucy…” Edward spoke quickly, his voice pleading, and she waited, turning her head to look at him. “Meet me at the cemetery before sunrise. I want to watch the sunrise with you. I want to spend that magical moment with you as a new day breaks.”