Page 56 of Duke of Decadence
He stared in awe, humbled by her love, her trust. What had he ever done to deserve her, to get a second chance at living a good life? Cradling her face between his hands, he kissed her chastely at first, his control hanging by the thinnest thread. The need to claim her in every way surged through him—frantic and potent.
“If I could…” he started.
“I want you to,” she whispered.
He took her hand and stared at the engagement ring on her finger. “You are mine Julia. Mine.”
“I am most assuredly yours, Your Grace.”
His hands fell away from her, and he started to undress. He untied his cravat, removed his coat, shed his linen shirt, then stripped out of his Hessians and breeches, until he was standing naked in front of her. He waited to see what she would say or do—but she seemed suspended in thought, studying his form. Of course his manhood reacted to her intense scrutiny, throbbing with need and growing harder by the moment.
She circled him quietly, and finally, he felt her light touch on his backside, her delicate fingers tracing the lines of his buttocks, traveling up his back and to his shoulders. She sighed deeply.
“You are a perfect specimen,” she said.
He chuckled under his breath, not wanting to embarrass her in any way. By doing this, he gave her the power to choose whether they would make love now or after they spoke their vows at church. If he had his way, she’d be naked and underneath him within seconds.
“Alonzo,” she said.
He turned her direction. “Yes, my sweet?”
Her gaze drifted to his manhood. “Are all men…”
“No,” he said immediately. “I am larger than most.”
“I know that cocky grin,” she said. “You are being half truthful and arrogant.”
“Trust me when I tell you, I am well-endowed.”
She laughed and so did he.
“Will you help me with my laces?” She stood before him, presenting her back.
He longed to touch her unbound hair and ran his fingers through it—pure silk. He gently moved it aside and undid her laces. She turned around again and smiled up at him, her eyes wide and curious.
“Do not be nervous, sweet one. And do not feel obligated…”
She lifted her gown over her head and kicked her slippers off, revealing her flesh—pale and soft, the curve of her hip, her flat stomach, her generous breasts, all he could ever want in a woman. But it was her dark brown eyes and thick, golden lashes that had won him over that first day. Now they were filled with lust and love for him—just him.
They stood a foot apart, admiring each other, perhaps both afraid to touch.
Then he could wait no longer, and lowered his mouth to her breast, kissing it tenderly, flicking his tongue over her dusky-colored nipple. She arched into him, silently begging for whatever he had to give her.
“Yes, my sweet Julia.” He caressed her stomach, then her upper thigh, drawn to the gold between her legs, that soft spot of curls and wet flesh. His brave Julia did not falter or go weak kneed on him. Much to the contrary, she stood as straight and beautiful as one of Stanhope’s statues. Perhaps Alonzo should commission a statue of his own—one of Julia naked…
Dropping to his knees in front of her, he gazed up at her, hoping to see proof in her eyes that she wished him to continue loving her. She nodded.Yes.His fingers sought the silky heat between her thighs.
He inserted a fingertip inside her, and she moaned with pleasure. So did he, for she was tight and wet. His finger sank deeper. Then he used his tongue to trace wicked circles on her flesh, finding the center of her pleasure and licking and nipping until she screamed in release.
He caught her before she sank to the floor and carried her to the thick carpet in front of the hearth.
“I love you, Julia.”
“I know,” she said with a self-satisfied smile.
“Why Lady Julia, I believe you are the most arrogant woman I have ever met.”
“Then we are a perfect match…”
With that, The Duke of Pridegate spread her beneath him and made passionate love to his future duchess—everything in their world peaceful and perfect.
