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He deserved to be punished.

Even though, it seemed, the problem of her ever finding out about her brother’s murder was resolved, and he could now simply let go and enjoy their life together, he had never felt worse.

“Patience,” he said.

Her name on his lips was enough to stop her. Wide blue eyes, guileless and pure, gazed back at him. Pink lips parted on a hitched breath.

Desire pulsed through his veins as he looked her over. He stood and stripped his shirt and breeches off. The cool air of the room caressed his skin, raising goosebumps along his arms.

“Undress for me,” he commanded huskily. “Slowly.”

She bit her lip as she untied the belt of her dressing gown. Her small hands shook as she untied the ribbons at her bosom. The thin white fabric of her chemise slipped from her smooth shoulders, revealing the tantalizing curves of her breasts, tipped with tender nipples. Lower it fell, catching on the flare of her hips before floating to the floor.

Dorian’s lungs refused to take in any air. She was perfection—flawless limbs and soft femininity. He walked to her. Reaching out a calloused palm, he cupped the warm weight of her breast, brushing a thumb over the peak. She gasped, arching into his touch.

He gathered her close, crushing her soft curves against the hard planes of his chest. One hand fisted in her hair, the one in the glove splaying across her lower back. Dipping his head, he captured her mouth in a searing kiss, all tongue and teeth and desperate hunger.

As she melted into him, pliant and responsive, something fractured inside Dorian yet again. She was softening his resolve, making him believe, if only for a moment, that he was worth her love and affection…capable of a deep connection.

Something he craved like air and yet feared.

He deepened the kiss, his tongue hungry for hers. It was more than base lust. More than fleeting pleasure or carnal satisfaction. In her guileless embrace, her sweet responsiveness, he found…home. Acceptance. Love. Everything his life had lacked.

And yet, he didn’t deserve her.

Cradling her face, he pulled back to meet her dazed eyes, his thumb stroking her kiss-swollen lips. “My darling Patience…” His voice broke on her name. “What are you doing to me?”

Dorian gazed down at his wife, his heart swelling with emotions he dared not name. Her eyes, dark with desire, also shimmered with a tender vulnerability that made his breath catch. Slowly, almost shyly, she trailed her fingertips down his chest, mapping the contours of his flesh.

“Let me love you…all of you,” she whispered. “Let me show you how I feel.”

Her words made a shudder run through him, collapsing his restraint.

All of him…

With a groan, Dorian captured her wandering hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a fervent kiss to her palm.

“Then have me, sweet girl. I am yours.”

Patience pushed him back onto the bed. His back hit the mattress, and he watched how she walked to him leisurely, her small, curvy body making his cock stand harder. Those round hips with gorgeous dimples, her thin waist and soft belly, the amazing, heavy breasts, and those rosebud nipples…

She was going to take control.

Alarm filled him. Never in his life had he wanted to give up control. It was terrifying. And fear would spark his fury.

And yet…with her he felt safe.

“Show me what you need,” he murmured. “Take the lead, darling.”

Her eyes widened. His chest heaved in hungry gulps of air as she straddled his hips, the wet heat of her core pressing against his straining erection. Dorian’s hands flew to her waist, but she caught them and took his gloved hand into both of hers.

“This is what I need,” she said softly. “Let me see. Let me in, Dorian.”

His heart slammed so hard against his rib cage it might break through his bones. Panic seized his limbs, stole his breath, made him as rigid as a statue.

“No one has seen it for twelve years but my physician,” he murmured. “It is a terrible sight, sweet girl.”

“You know me by now. Terrible sights will not discourage me.”