Page 84 of It's All About the Duke
Marlena had no doubts, no misgivings. He wanted to be with her as much as she wanted to be with him. She wasn’t asking for forever. She knew because of their pasts that was impossible. But they could have this afternoon. That’s all she was asking for.
“I can do it,” she said. “You’re not taking anything. I am giving.”
Marlena reached out her hand to him. “Third door on the right.”
Time ticked by. He didn’t reach for her though she saw in the dark depths of his eyes he wanted to. More seconds passed. She feared he was going to walk out the door and deny her. Should she chase him as she had her cousins so many years ago and demand he not run away from her? Should she back away and honor his request?
Just as her spirits dropped Rath swooped down and covered her mouth with his in a ravishing kiss that stole her breath. Then, as if she weighed no more than a stone, he bent down, scooped her up in his arms, and headed up the stairs with her.
Within seconds they were in her room with the door closed. He laid her on the bed and covered her body with his. Their desire for each other was too frantic to be slow. With impatient hands and fierce kisses, they quickly stripped off her clothing and then disposed of his as eagerly. Rath stretched his lean, nude body next to hers, and she turned to face him.
“No, wait,” he said huskily. “I want to look at you first.”
Slowly, she rolled to her back. He rose up over her. Rath stared into her eyes for a long moment before touching her face with his fingertips. He gave her a pleasing smile, and then his gaze and his hand drifted down her face to her breasts, her stomach, between her legs before sweeping back up to her face again.
“You’re beautiful,” he said and pulled the two combs out of her hair and settled its length around her shoulders.
“I’m glad you think so.”
She ran her palms over his wide, smooth chest, his broad shoulders, and then moved her hands up and down his muscular back. It was exciting to feel his bare, warm skin. She stared at his rippled midriff, and slim hips, and touched him again.
“You’re strong,” Marlena whispered.
“And you are not an easy lady to say no to, Marlena.”
“I want to keep it that way, Rath,” she said as he captured her lips beneath his.
Rath’s hand traced the line of her shoulder, down her arm to the plane of her hip, and back up again and again. He continued to kiss her, caress her. Marlena relaxed, surrendering her body totally to him so he could show her all he knew about loving a woman. He kissed her tenderly, slowly, while caressing her breasts, her waist, and down her legs. A tremor of expectancy shivered throughher. Delightful shivers of pleasure tingled along her spine, down her abdomen to settle and gather in her most womanly part.
“Your touch is always so light and gentle with me. I thought when we were alone like this… you might be rough.”
He looked at her curiously. “Why would you think that?”
“You are a rake. I thought you might be rough or harsh and not gentle.”
“You amaze me, Marlena. You thought I might be rough with you and yet you still wanted me in your bed?”
“I admit I really didn’t know what to expect, but I am very happy with the way you touch me and how you make me feel.”
He kissed her lips softly and whispered, “Rakes might be heartless, but they are not harsh.”
“I’m glad I know the difference now.”
“So am I.”
At his touch, ripples of desire flooded her once more. Pleasure swept over her. He placed one hand on her waist, and with the other, he supported his weight as he fitted himself against her. A soft tremor shook her and she gasped softly when the weight of his body settled on hers.
Rath made love to her with tenderness that overwhelmed her. His movements were slow, sensual, and worshipful. He kissed her, stroked her body, and moved gently on top of her. An inexpressible, eager wanting kept increasing between her legs and caused her to join the rhythm of his hips meeting hers.
Rath continued his tender assault on her senses, gently moving until she whispered his name in unexpected wonder at what she was experiencing. As the extraordinary feelings ebbed, she murmured a blissfully contented sighand watched Rath release his own passion. Marlena closed her eyes and hugged him to her as she buried her face in his neck, celebrating the feeling of strength and joy in his body.
They lay there side by side in the afternoon light, not moving. She was too filled with the wonder of everything she’d felt to think about the future. What would she do now that she was no longer innocent? She slowly shook her head.Innocent?Was she trying to fool herself? She hadn’t been innocent for a long time. Not since she became Miss Truth.
Rath raised up on his elbow and looked down at her. “Did I just hear you laugh?”
He was so handsome with his dark hair rumpled and his dark eyes staring into hers. “Probably. I was just telling myself that I would think about tomorrow—tomorrow.”
“No,” he said, and with the tips of his fingers under her chin he kissed her sweetly on the lips. “Let’s talk about it today. Right now. I’ll start by telling you I don’t want to be your guardian anymore.”
