Page 86 of The Untamed Heart

“But you’ve still got a good deal to go,” she protested, laughing as he reached for her, tugging her to her feet.

“You’ve a great deal more and I have no intention of being here until the New Year undoing all that lot,” he said, gesturing to the gorgeous gown she’d worn for their special day.

“Don’t you like it?” she asked, smoothing her hands down the rich apple green silk. She had always adored bold colours, and it had reminded her of him, of all the new things growing in the garden, and the promise of the wonderful spring to come when everything would burst to life.

“I think it’s glorious. For God’s sake, take it off,” he said solemnly.

She grinned, throwing her arms about his neck as he kissed her hard, his warm hands sliding down her back to her waist. Eustacia’s breath hitched as she felt the press of his arousal against her belly, then his hands fell lower still. He gripped her bottom firmly and gave a heartfelt sigh of pleasure as he tugged her close, which made her snort with amusement.

“Are you laughing at me, wife?” he demanded.

“N-No,” she lied, which became true as a wicked light gleamed in his eyes and he stole her breath, deepening the kiss and taking more, and more, until her mind melted and every other part of her followed suit. Eustacia could do nothing but follow where he led her and held on for dear life.

Finally, he broke the kiss. Eustacia gasped, giddy and overwhelmed. “Oh!”

Marcus flashed her a grin of such satisfaction her heart soared. He was so happy it almost hurt to look at him.

“My beautiful wife,” he said, gazing at her with something like wonder in his eyes. “I still cannot believe you are really mine. You are quite certain this isn’t some marvellous dream?”

“Quite sure,” she whispered, finding her throat was suddenly tight with emotion.

Desire burned in his eyes. She pressed closer, revelling in the heat blazing from his body, even through his remaining clothes. The proud jut of his arousal demanded her attention. Eustacia had never been shy. Growing up in a less than respectable part of town, Sebastian had done an admirable job of keeping her safe and relatively innocent, but she had never been a shrinking violet.

Too curious to care about whether she was too dreadfully bold, for she knew Marcus would not think badly of her, Eustacia’s hand moved to cover the hard line beneath his perfectly tailored trousers. She heard his breath hitch and glanced up at him.

“You don’t mind?” she asked cautiously.

He made a choked sound and closed his eyes, which she took as a positive sign, and so caressed him there, carefully sliding her hand up and down. To her delight, his breathing sped, a dark flush of colour visible at his throat. Oh, now, this was fascinating.

Biting her lip, Eustacia gathered her nerve and unbuttoned the fall of his trousers. His eyes flicked open, his gaze heavy-lidded and dangerous as her hand moved inside.

“Yes,” he murmured, the gruff delivery of that one word thrilling her.

Her hand slid beneath layers of expensive fabric and finally touched his skin. This time they both sucked in a breath at once, and she did not know which of them was more stunned by the contact. The heat of his skin was a startling contrast to her cool hand, and this most masculine part of him was so very hard, yet her fingertips glided over satin, a sensation so sensual everything feminine inside her throbbed with anticipation.

Marcus sighed as she closed her hand around him and stroked.

“I believe I shall enjoy married life,” he murmured.

Eustacia swallowed down the desire to laugh, in case he took her amusement amiss, but he gazed at her and grinned, and it was such a naughty, boyish expression that she dissolved.

“Oh, you are dreadful,” she scolded him. “Isn’t this supposed to be a solemn act?”

“What rot,” he said scornfully. “Solemnity is the last thing required, as I am certain you know. But as much as I wish to hear you laugh, and shout, and cry out, it is serious too. For I take your pleasure most seriously, Eustacia, and I ask that you are always honest with me in this. Do nothing to please me, if it does not please you too.”

She nodded happily as he kissed her again.

“I love you,” he whispered against her mouth.

“I love you too, so very much,” she replied, as she firmed her grip on the hard length of his arousal. He groaned and pulled her hard against him, kissing her ferociously and then just as suddenly breaking the kiss.

“Right, that’s it. Take it off!” The command in his voice made her shiver.

She let go her hold on him and turned around, presenting him with the fastenings at her back.

Most of her dresses fastened in the front, for she had never had a lady’s maid to dress her. This one was different, and she had imagined him undoing the fastenings every night since she had ordered it.

“Damn it, I’m all fingers and thumbs suddenly,” he said in frustration as he made his way down her back until finally the bodice sagged.