Page 51 of The Duke Meets His Match

“Yes. He needn’t have written it. I knew his wishes long before.”

Never before had he spoken about that day to anyone. He had sliced open his wounds, and although he felt shaken, the usual triggers had not sent him into a dark panic. He was in control of his mind and body. He looked in her eyes, bottomless depths of blue that a man could easily drown. He could stare into them forever.

Forever.

What a traitorous thought. He could never have that, could he? No, forever was not for men like him. Preparing himself for the inevitable disappointment, his eyes met hers. “You know it all.”

She hesitated, her beautiful eyes watching him. “I think you are the bravest, most honorable man I know.”

He sucked in a breath as her words sunk in. She didn’t look at him with pity or disgust. She didn’t step back or glance away.

But just because he was able to speak of the past without going into a dark void didn’t mean he was cured. “Chloe, I don’t know what you expected, but this doesn’t mean I’m cure—”

“Shhh.” She pressed a finger against his lips. “You did nothing wrong. Your friend knew what he was doing when he chose to step in front of that soldier. He chose to save you. Altering the battle plans that day may or may not have changed the outcome, but it was not your fault.”

The armor that guarded his chest cracked. The honesty he saw in the sapphire depths of her eyes slowly chipped away at the burden of guilt he’d carried for so long. Along with the relief came a desire to claim her so strong that his hands shook. She must have read it. Her eyes flared, and she licked her lips.

His mouth swooped down to capture hers. Miraculously, she didn’t push him away but clung to him. He kissed her without finesse, but with a raw primal need. Her soft moans fueled his lust, and he thrust his tongue inside her honeyed mouth and explored her like a man starved. He was parched, wandering alone in a desert, and she was his oasis. His hands were everywhere, sliding over silk and skin. He cradled her head and his fingers sank into the luxurious blond tresses.

Hair pins dropped to the desk and her hair fell about her shoulders. He buried his face in the golden glory and breathed in her unique scent of lemongrass. “I love your hair, your scent.”

She moaned, and he returned to her mouth and placed lingering kisses on the corners of her lips. “I’ve never known anyone like you. Special. Rare. Sweet.” He nuzzled her ear. “I burn for you.”

She sighed, a lovely sound. “I burn for you, too.”

“God, to be inside you once more.”

“Yes,” she breathed. “Once more.”

His heart jolted in his chest. “I want to see you. All of you without a stitch of clothing.”

Blue eyes widened. “It’s the middle of the afternoon. Your staff.”

“They wouldn’t dare enter.”

She nodded. His fingers deftly unbuttoned her gown and pushed back the silk. She slipped her arms through the sleeves, and the fabric slid down her body to pool at her feet. She stepped out of the fabric, and he unfastened her petticoat, and it followed the path of the gown. Large hands grasped her hips and spun her around to untie her stays. She turned to stand before him clad only in her shift and silk stockings, and was more enticing to him than any woman he’d ever laid eyes upon.

“Will you remove your shift?”

She swallowed, clearly nervous. But she was his Chloe, brave and daring. When her hands went to the straps of the thin garment, he thought he would burst with need. Slowly she raised the hem over her head and dropped it to the floor.

His eyes feasted on her creamy flesh. Her skin was soft, her breasts lush and full, her waist narrow, and her legs long and slim. “You’re so beautiful.”

He picked her up and sat her on the desk. The map crinkled beneath her, and he didn’t care. His thoughts were focused solely on her. On her slightly parted lips, the rise and fall of her chest, and the way her pupils slightly expanded when she grew aroused.

God, he wanted this woman.

Stepping closer, he nudged her legs apart with his thighs. He rolled down her stockings until her shapely legs were revealed to his hungry gaze. They were perfect, long and slightly muscled; he envisioned them wrapped around him as he thrust inside her hot, welcoming body.

Easy. She was a gift, and he needed to make this last, needed the memories for the long, sleepless nights ahead.

His hands skimmed her bare legs. “I’ve lain awake dreaming of kissing and licking you everywhere.”

“Everywhere?” she asked, her eyes focused on his face. Her pulse fluttered wildly at her neck.

“Here.” Lowering his head, his lips grazed hers. “And here,” he said, kissing a hot trail down the column of her slender throat. He lingered where her neck met her shoulder. “And your lovely breasts.” He heard her sharp intake of breath as he plumped one lush breast, licked and sucked her hardened nipple, then moved to the other. Her whimpers of pleasure urged him on, and a desire to taste her was so strong his knees nearly buckled. Laying her back on the desk, he greedily nipped and tasted, then his tongue dipped in her navel in a sensual swirl.

“And lower.” His palm cupped her sex and she gasped. He lowered to his knees and parted her silky thighs. Her womanly musk that spoke of her arousal made him grow even harder. Christ. If he didn’t taste her soon, he’d go mad. He lowered his head, blew gently on the blond curls.