Page 78 of The Duke’s Wager

“Lucy…” Edward’s voice was thick and heavy, and his hand hovered over her hips. “I must admit that I do not believe I will be able to stop, should you kiss me again.”

She knew what he meant. She could feel the evidence of his arousal pressing against her most intimate of areas, but rather than be embarrassed about it, she felt elated – and freed.

She leaned even closer to him, her lips only barely touching his as she spoke.

“Make me yours, Edward.”

Edward did not waste time. His lips met hers in a feverish kiss, and his hands pulled her even closer to him. Lucy could feel him growing even harder, and she pressed her body against his eagerly. She wanted to feel more of him – wanted to feel all of him – and she yanked at his shirt until he pulled it over his head.

“Lucy…” He paused, his breathing labored. “Are you certain?”

Her entire body was trembling, and she felt feverish. Her hands tugged at her dress, pulling it up – over her legs, then finally over her head.

“God, Lucy…” Edward gasped the words as he stared at her bare form. For a few painful seconds, time was frozen. Then Edward bent his head forward, and his lips touched her breasts while his hands moved to her back, pressing her even closer to him.

They hurriedly discarded the last articles of their clothing, and Lucy moved her hips desperately. She wanted to feel him inside of her, but Edward still held back. His hands moved slowly, and she gasped when a finger touched the small nub above her entrance.

Their eyes met – each pair laced with pure, unadulterated lust and desperation for the other.

A soft gasp escaped her lips when a finger slipped inside her warmth. A muscle jumped in his jaw, and she pressed her forehead against his. Her hips rhythmically moved with his ministrations, speeding up along with his hand.

A pleasant warmth started building in the pit of her stomach, but just as it felt as though the tension would release, he pulled his hand away from her.

“What… what are you doing?”

She looked at him through a haze of lust and he put both hands on her hips. He took one of her hands and lead it towards his own lap, where his hardness proudly stood. Lucy blushed at the sight of his manhood, but she did not pull away when he moved her hand to touch it.

A soft groan escaped his lips too when she wrapped her hand around his member and started moving it up and down slowly on instinct.

Their lips met in another teeth-clashing kiss, and his hands lifted her quickly. Lucy wrapped both her hands around his neck, and their eyes met. No words were spoken – they were both certain.

She cried out when he set her down slowly, entering her as he did so. They were one. For a while, neither of them moved. They merely settled there, as one, eyes meeting and foreheads resting together.

Then his hands clutched at her hips once more and he moved her up, then back down. The initial pain left, making space for a euphoric feeling as their movements increased speed. The close proximity, the smell of his sweat, the motion of the carriage… it felt incredible, too good almost. Tension built inside of her as their bodies moved against each other and when the ball of tension exploded, Lucy let out a loud cry, pressing her face in Edward’s neck.

He moved a few more times against hers, before also releasing a grunt, pressing her body against his hard enough for it to hurt.

For a minute, they were silent – overwhelmed by the ecstasy of what had transpired. Edward’s hands shook when he handed her dress back to her, and they covered themselves quietly.

“Edward…”

She did not know what it was she wanted to say, but he did not grant her the opportunity to say much. Instead, he leaned in for another kiss – a tender one this time – and he sighed deeply.

“My grandparents spoke about holding a ball at our estate. I would like for you to come. I want… I want to formally introduce you to them, Lucy. As the woman I intend to court.”

The carriage came to a halt in front of her estate, and Lucy nodded eagerly.

“Yes. I’d love to attend, Edward. Thank you.”

He pressed another kiss against her lips, his eyes shining with joy. “I will see you soon, my love.”

Though the sun was up, the house was still asleep. Lucy made her way to her room quickly, a hand pressed against her stomach.

The realization struck her as she climbed into the warm bed Maria left for her.

She was irrevocably in love with Edward Lockhart.

CHAPTER THIRTY