Page 91 of How Not to Marry a Duke

“Are you all right?” His voice was hoarse.

She shifted her hips and the pain ebbed into a tingling pleasure. She understood mating but nothing prepared her for the fullness of him, the feeling of skin against skin, the wondrous feeling of…

One. “We are one.”

He released a ragged breath against her cheek. “Yes, one.”

She watched the planes of his face, the firm jaw, the slash of eyebrows over green eyes, and her heart pounded with pleasure and with another emotion—love.

Was she falling in love with him? The thought barely crossed her mind before another followed. Could he ever love her in return?

“Warwick, I—”

He cut her off with a searing kiss that melted her heart and ratcheted her need. They became wild together, arching and thrusting, and she held on to him until her limbs quivered and passion rose in her like the hottest fire. She cried out as she peaked and soared to a shuddering ecstasy. He thrust once, twice more, then stiffened and pulled out as ropes of hot seed spurted across her belly.

…

Warwick’s heart thundered in his chest. Withdrawing from the tight heat of Adeline’s body had taken all his restraint. Warwick held her close to his heart, his limbs wrapped around her. Her eyes were closed, her lashes lush fans shielding her gaze. He caressed her arms, the side of her breast, her hips. He would never get enough of her.

Her lids fluttered open, and her brilliant blue eyes met his.

“Are you all right?” He needed to know that he hadn’t hurt her.

Her lips curved in a slow smile. “Wonderful. I’m wonderful.”

He grinned like a simpleton. “I shall get you a clean cloth.”

He dreaded letting her go as he fetched a cloth and dipped it in a basin of water. He cleansed the evidence of his lovemaking from her smooth skin. She reached for his arm. “Come back to me.” She raised her arm.

“Adeline.” Despite what she’d said, she’d been a virgin. Even more damning, he had no regrets or willpower. Damn, he wanted her again.

He returned to the couch and sat beside her. His gaze roved over her flushed breasts, the dusky-tipped nipples that he’d licked and sucked, the smooth abdomen and long legs, and the heaven he’d found between her thighs. He was afraid to hold her again, afraid he wouldn’t be able to let go and would give in to the raging and swiftly building need he felt for her.

“No.” She pressed a finger to his lips. “Let me speak first. I have no regrets.”

“And your innocence?”

“What of it? I still plan to marry in the future.”

The idea of her with another man caused a possessive roar in his head. Christ! What is wrong with me?

She swept her legs to the side of the couch and stood. She shook out the borrowed dress and bent to step into it. The sight of her naked backside and a glimpse of a lush breast made him hot and heavy in an instant. He closed his eyes. If he wasn’t careful, he’d become obsessed or worse. Who was he fooling? He was already consumed.

This was wrong. All wrong. It was never part of their plan. “You may say you are not concerned with your innocence, but I have acted dishonorably.”

“You are worried about your honor?”

“Yes.”

She tilted her head to the side and regarded him, and her blue eyes were brilliant in the flickering lamplight. “I thought it might be from…from something else?”

“Something else? Like what?”

“Love.” The word was whispered softly.

He scowled. “That is irrational. It’s because we are of similar intellect and attracted to each other, both with strong biological needs.”

A flicker crossed her lovely features, nearly a wince, but it was gone in a flash. He could almost feel the cold wave enter the room, and he realized he sounded like a cad. His struggle with feelings and emotions had come out harshly, and he wanted to explain, to fix things.