Page 90 of How Not to Marry a Duke

“I want to take off your shirt. It’s only fair.”

“I would not refuse you anything tonight.”

She reached for his shirt and tugged it loose from his trousers. He helped her slip it over his head, then tossed it on his desk. Her greedy gaze took him in, and she swallowed. He was all lean muscle and power. A boxer’s physique. His powerful shoulders were wide, and his chest had a sprinkling of hair. A trail of hair lowered down his abdomen to disappear into the waistband of his trousers. She wanted to see more of him, much more. Her fingers went to the placket of his trousers.

“Wait.”

She lifted her eyes to his. “I’ve treated men. I’ve seen the male anatomy before.”

“Not like this.” He fingered a strap of her shift. “Let me see you first.”

The shift slipped from her shoulders, grazed her hardened nipples, then fell in a wisp of fabric to her feet. She was aware of a brightly burning lantern on his desk, and suddenly, she wanted the room to be dim. The last time they were together, she hadn’t been completely naked, and she worried he would think her olive complexion too dark. Prior insecurities rose in a rush.

His nostrils flared and he reached for her. “God, Adeline. You are beautiful. All that I’ve fantasized about and more.”

Her worries eased, and her own curiosity about his body increased, and she grew bold. She had a strong urge to see him—all of him. She pressed a hand against his chest, her fingers trailing down to the muscled hardness of his abdomen.

“You are beautiful, too.” She reached for a button of his placket, and this time he didn’t stop her. Her fingers brushed the bulge of his manhood, and he groaned.

“Adeline.”

Another button freed, and she watched, fascinated, as the tip of his erection was visible. A crimson head, smooth and thick. Then inches more until all of him was revealed to her gaze.

“Oh my.” She touched the smooth head with her forefinger and a drop of clear fluid appeared. He moaned. She looked up. His eyes were closed, his expression tight. “Am I hurting you?”

“God no.”

“You’re right. You look nothing like my patient.”

He opened his eyes and she saw stark hunger. For her. “I sure as hell hope not.” He removed his trousers and kicked them aside. “Come close.”

He pulled her roughly, almost violently, to him. At the first touch of naked flesh against naked flesh, they both gasped. Desire pooled low in her belly, deep between her thighs, and she throbbed for him. An invisible web of attraction had been building between them that had led to this moment. The future may be full of unknowns, yet only tonight mattered. This one night mattered.

His breath brushed her lips. “I swore I would be honorable.”

“You are.”

“Hardly. I am not thinking honorable thoughts right now.”

“Good. Nor am I.”

He shook his head, as if trying to clear his thoughts. “I can give you pleasure. Just like last time. And still not ruin you.”

She ached for him. Being together was not ruin. “It’s my choice, remember?”

“Then I will savor you tonight like you should be savored.” He lifted her into his arms and lay her down on the couch. He took her mouth with a savage intensity, shattering thoughts, crushing promises, and leaving no doubt as to how badly he wanted her. His mouth didn’t become softer as he kissed her, but even more feverish and demanding. When he finally dipped his head to her breasts, she was mindless with need. She gasped and arched in bliss.

One hand slid down her taut stomach to the swell of her hips, then lower still to her thighs. She squirmed beneath him, her body crying out for his skillful touch. Blessedly, he knew just what she cried out for. His fingers touched her between her thighs, touched her right where she was hot and swollen and pulsing. His mouth captured her groan. Her legs parted and he stroked the sensitive flesh. Need unfurled inside her, and her hips moved of their own volition. The friction was a delicious sensation, and every nerve ending in her body tightened in quivering anticipation.

“Warwick, please.” She moaned his name not knowing what she was asking for.

“Easy, love.” His voice was gruff and she opened her eyes to meet his heavy-lidded gaze. Whatever madness drove her, drove him as well.

He shifted above her, and his hardness slid down her slit. He looked into her eyes. “There will be pain. If I could take it upon myself, I would.” Her eyes opened and she watched his handsome face above her, the fiery need in his green eyes, the tenseness in his arms as he held himself in control. For her. Her heart did a treacherous slide.

“I know.” She understood. Whatever had brought them together was as inevitable as the tide.

The head of his hardness slid inside her an inch. Then another. She squirmed beneath him, wanton with need. Her breasts tingled against his hair-roughed chest. She smoothed her palms over his broad back, feeling the muscled power. Then he thrust inside her. She gasped at the invasion. She was wet and ready, but he was large.