Page 20 of A Lady by Chance

Patrick stepped close to her. “If you wish,” he said in a low voice.

She slid the sleeves off her arms and stepped out of the undergarment.

He pulled her against him and her head spun when their bodies contacted. His mouth claimed hers. She’d had no idea a man could kiss a woman like this. His tongue touched her mouth and she gasped. He broke the kiss, swept her into his arms and carried her to his bed. Jessica kept her gaze on his face as he lowered her onto the heather-scented sheets, then stretched out on his side next to her.

“Are you afraid, lass?”

She frowned. “Of course not. Why should I be?” But her heart beat furiously.

He smiled gently. “Good.” He brushed his lips against hers and she gasped when his warm hand cupped her breast. A thrill of wondrous female joy shot through her when his hard and proud manhood nudged her thigh.

With a sigh, he drew back from the kiss and stared down at her.

“You desire me,” she said, her heart thundering.

“More than I have ever wanted a woman in my life.”

“Even though we just met?” She trailed her fingers through his chest hair.

“Even though we just married,” he amended, the twinkle in his eyes delighting her.

“You do not mind that I might get into trouble now and then?”

“As long as I am the man to rescue you.” He kissed her again, a wickedly sensual open-mouthed melding of tongue, breath, and what she recognized as a fire that burned to be slaked. He slid kisses along her jaw to her ear. The tickle sent a shiver along her flesh and tightened the juncture between her legs.

Jessica grasped his forearm and thrilled at the play of muscle beneath her fingers. She had no idea touching a man could be so exciting. She wanted to touch more of him…all of him. Did he feel the same way about her? Desire coiled in her belly and she couldn’t stop herself from arching her breast into his hand. He groaned. She liked the way the sound vibrated against her neck. He nipped at her ear, then her jaw line, then her neck. She giggled at the tickle. Then she stopped giggling when he moved to the hollow in her throat.

Patrick shifted onto her. His weight pressed her into the mattress in a way that made her want to hug him even closer. He drew back. His manhood slid along her belly. Her mind muddled. What was he doing to her? He kissed her chest—then her breast! She didn’t know men and women did this. Jessica wrapped her arms around his neck. The edge of her palm brushed the edges of his nape and she speared her fingers into his hair. The thick locks were soft like Patches’ thick fur.

He lifted his head and looked at her. “You are beautiful.”

Heat crept up her face. “Are you ready for me to become your wife?”

He gave a hoarse laugh that made her stomach do a somersault. “Aye, lass. I am more than ready.” He gently thrust his hips and she breathed an ‘Oh,’ as his manhood slid along her thigh. “Can you not tell?” he asked in a husky voice.

She swallowed. “I suppose so. When we are finished, we can spend the rest of the night kissing and kissing.” She would never get enough of his kisses. She doubted she could ever live without them. God’s mercy on her if the rest of the things they’d did this night delighted her as much.

“Are you certain you are ready?” he asked. His voice sounded different. Deeper and roughened.

“I am your wife.”

“God save me.” Patrick reached down and fitted his manhood to her opening. “You will be the end of me.”

When he kissed her again, he thrust his tongue inside her mouth and she became aware of his manhood pushing into her. She started to ask what came next, when he thrust forward. A sharp pinch ripped through her. She drew a quick breath, then the pain vanished. Slowly, he pulled back, then thrust forward and back again. The strangeness gave way to a pleasurable, gliding rhythm. Jessica thought he would weary, but he continued and she was startled at the pleasure that built somewhere deep inside her. He didn’t seem to tire, but moved in and out without falter.

Jessica tightened her arms about his neck and thrilled when he shoved his hands beneath her and returned her hug. He nuzzled her neck, and when he kissed the sensitive flesh, pleasure swept through her.

Jessica cried out in surprise, then, at Patrick’s deep groan. He thrust harder and she arched her hips to meet his thrusts. Pleasure caused her stomach muscles to spasm, and this time he stiffened. Jessica realized he must have experienced the same pleasure she did and elation made her want to cry.

The Marriage Maker had done his job well. Patrick would make her the best-ever husband. He had already delighted her beyond her wildest expectations. And she would work hard to make him just as happy. A task that would never be difficult for Patrick and Baldain House needed her.

But all that could wait. For now, she wanted only one thing…

To spend the rest of the night in her husband’s arms.

***

A week later, a discreet knock at Patrick’s bedroom door announced Cobbs’ usual sunrise delivery of a breakfast tray. Patrick knew he would leave it before the door, not daring to enter, and the tray would hold a pot of strong tea, a small jug of milk, fresh-baked scones, a few thick slabs of fruit bread, a basket of oat cakes, and cheese. As every morning for the past seven days, Patrick and his bride would ignore the food until noon or beyond. He and his wife had better things to do than eat.