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“You only say it because I’m your husband,” Grant teased, but her words warmed his heart, nonetheless. Even if her opinion was biased, it mattered to him very much and made him proud.

Wren shook her head. “No, if it was rubbish, I would tell you ‘good effort’, but you must begin writing again.” Then the box in his hands took her attention and she studied it. “What is that?”

Grant held them out of her reach. “You can open these, but only if you pay with a kiss.”

His heart melted at the flush of her cheeks as she lifted to her toes and shyly pressed a kiss to his lips. How he loved his wife. Everything about her was precious to him.

“I suppose that peck will have to do.” He walked to a settee and gestured to it. “Sit, my lady.”

Once Wren was seated, he placed the parcels on her lap and joined her.

First, she opened the patisserie box, making soft sounds of appreciation as she looked over the pastries. “How enchanting. I do not wish to ruin them.”

“We will eat them anyway.” Grant laughed when she held the box away. “Open the other one.”

It was the most enjoyable thing to watch as she unwrapped the handkerchiefs and gloves, touching them with reverence.

“These are the most beautiful things I have ever owned,” she exclaimed, holding them to her chest.

Such gratitude for such a simple gift, he thought. There would be hard times ahead for them. His social peers would do their best to make Wren aware she was not on their level, and he wished there was something he could do to prevent it. She was unspoiled and so easily pleased, and so different from other women of his stratus.

His opinion was only made more true when she said, “Thank you,” and placed the items down carefully before she wrapped her arms around his neck. “You are so wonderful to me.”

Grant nuzzled her neck, inhaling the fresh scent of a very light floral. When her breath caught, it was obvious she enjoyed his touches and caresses.

“I want you so much,” Grant whispered in her ear, and then traced it with his tongue.

“Mm mm.” Wren’s fingers slid through his hair.

Already hard as stone, he could not wait to have her again. They’d made love the night before and again that morning, but as he’d predicted on their wedding night, he was insatiable when it came to Wren.

“Can I?” he asked, trailing kisses from her ear to her jawline and down to the base of her throat, the entire time sliding his hand up her skirt until reaching her thigh. “If you don’t want to, just tell me ‘no’. I understand.”

“I want you too.” Wren was breathless, the words barely above a whisper.

After ensuring to move the parcels out of the way, he laid her back onto the settee, pushed her dress up just enough to allow him access, and trailed his tongue up her thigh. Wren trembled.

It was important that Wren was ready for him. He was her first lover and although she was eager, it could be she was still tender. Upon reaching her apex, he slid his tongue between her netherlips slowly, then flicked at the nub with the tip of his tongue.

Wren melted under him as he continued until she reached release, her sex constricting as she let out a long moan.

He was so hard by then that it was almost painful. It took all his willpower not to thrust too fast or deeply. Somehow he managed to enter her, sliding in slowly, allowing for her to stretch to accommodate his girth.

Each movement brought him closer to release. He was so ready and hot for her that it only took several thrusts before searing heat coiled under his shaft. The climax was hard, and he collapsed, shuddering and covering Wren with his body. When he finally was able to move, he lifted himself up to look down at her. “It is hard to control myself with you. I desire you so much, Wren.”

“I do not mind. It is quite enjoyable,” Wren replied with a saucy smile. “I like that you want me.”

“Good, because I do so very much.”

Once they repositioned their clothes, he buttoned the front of his trousers and she smoothed her now-crumpled dress, Grant opened the patisserie box and picked an éclair.

When he put the pastry to her mouth, Wren took a bite, chewed, and closed her eyes. “So very delicious.” She watched as he too bit off a piece and then took the delicacy from him.

“Now I have some news to share that I think will delight you.” Grant kissed a bit of cream from the corner of Wren’s mouth and then proceeded to tell her about the gathering that would be held in their honor.

“Miles informed me that his parents, the Duke and Duchess of Spencer, are to hold a social gathering in our honor.”

Her eyes rounded. “Oh. That is wonderful. Terrifying, but wonderful.” Unexpectedly, Wren began to cry.

He held her tightly, mystified by her reaction. “Why are you crying?”

“Y-your friends are wonderful. Your sister is wonderful. I cannot believe how very fortunate I am to have met you. That they do not shun me is already enough, but that they are to ensure I do not suffer at the hands of unkind people is more than I could ever expect.” She sniffled.

“Don’t cry. Of course, my friends will do what they can to help. Miles and I are very close, and this is in a way his wedding gift to us. He may seem distant and cold, but believe me, he is one of the kindest people I have had the privilege to know.”

“I must speak to Felicity.” Wren’s disposition changed, and she pushed away from him to stand as she smoothed her skirts and hurried from the room. But first, she bent to give him a kiss. “I’m so happy.”

Grant shook his head, glad to have made his new wife so pleased with so little. He lifted the patisserie box and was about to pick a morsel when Wren reappeared and snatched it from his grip.

“If Felicity is to help me prepare for this event, I will pay her with a choice of pastry.” With that, she hurried out again.