Page 67 of Sincerely, the Duke
Placing fingertips under her chin, he said huskily, “Edwina, look at me.”
Lifting her lashes, she stared into his beautiful blue eyes. Fear and excitement warred inside her. She knew there would be pain and the possibility of life-altering consequences. She must put those fears aside and give herself up to the way Rick made her feel when he held and kissed her and embrace the unexpected fact she was falling in love with her husband.
Quirking his head to the side, he asked, “What did I tell you about your maid?”
“Forget everything she said and never listen to her again,” she whispered.
Rick’s arms circled her again. Pulling her gently against him, he placed his lips near her ear. A low, attractive chuckle whispered past his lips. “Do that for me and hear only my voice whispering to you tonight.”
Snuggling into the warmth of his bare chest, she answered, “Yes, make me forget everything she said.”
“It starts with you not being afraid to look at me and not being afraid for me to feast my eyes on you. We’ll go slow.”
A tremor of expectancy shivered through her. “All right.”
Rick stepped back and held his arms out. An easy, attractive smile formed on his lips and her stomach tightened. “Look at me and touch me wherever you wish.”
Edwina reached out and placed her hand at the base of his warm neck. With an open palm she made a path along the smooth width of his muscular shoulders and chest before skimming down his rippled ribs to the open flap of his trousers. The amazement and stimulating wonder of how firm he felt caused fluttering in her chest, abdomen, and elsewhere. She gave herself over to the undeniably pleasurable sensations of looking at him, touching him.
Rick moaned with pleasure at her caresses and gave her a searing kiss. Without forethought she lifted her arms and wound them around his neck. Edwina melted against him as their tongues swirled in each other’s mouths.
With unhurried movements, he untied the ribbon of her nightgown and brushed it off one shoulder. Bending his head, he kissed down the column of her neck to her chest and lingered over the swell of her breasts before kissing his way up her tingling skin. He covered her mouth with his in a long, gentle, sweet kiss as his hands tangled in the length of her hair.
Passion seared hot and their kisses turned fervent. His hands palmed her breasts and the excitement of his touch was thrilling. Thousands of sensations blossomed inside her all at once, causing her to reel as shivers of pleasure tingled down to her abdomen and lower to settle between her legs.
In one fluid motion, he hooked his arm under her legs, picked her up, and gently laid her on the bed. With her heart beating faster than it ever had, she trembled,but not from fear—from the wonderful feeling of anticipation.
Rick sat on the edge of the bed and slid his trousers off before stretching his nude lean body beside her.
He drew her into his embrace.
“Now, it’s your turn.”
Edwina needed no other encouragement. In his arms, she was safe. She took hold of her nightgown and started pulling it up her legs. Rick smiled and helped her ease the garment up her body, over her head, and toss it.
When they lay bare together, her cool soft breasts pressed against his warm solid chest. Edwina gasped at the intimacy and could have never imagined the heady experience of skin on skin. His confident hands moved across her shoulders all the way down her back and over her buttocks.
“Your body is as beautiful as your face, Edwina,” he whispered, his hand tracing the line of her shoulder down her arm to the plane of her hip and back again. “I knew it would be.”
“You are beautiful too and you look magnificently strong.”
He chuckled lightly. “If you think so, touch me and let me know.”
That was an easy request to fulfill. With eager hands she explored down the length of his chest, his midriff, his lean and narrow hips. The sensation was wondrous, evoking unimaginable excitement and delight as they took turns getting to know each other.
Rick knew exactly when to take over and make her fully his.
He made love to her with a slow tenderness that overwhelmed her as they became one. His movements, kisses,and caresses were a slow, sensual giving of indescribable pleasure. She gave herself up to the exquisite feelings spiraling through her body. Waves of sensations collected in her womanly core, robbing her of breath before fading into pleasant, languid ripples of immense satisfaction. Moments later, Rick joined her in the heavenly climax.
He whispered her name over and over before saying on a gasp of breath, “That is what loving is supposed to feel like.”
They lay on their backs not moving. Edwina finally understood what happened on the wedding night and was breathless with awe.
After a time, their breathing slowed and the last tremors of sensation ebbed into feelings of contentment.
Rick turned to her and asked, “Did I hurt you?”
She lifted herself onto her elbow and looked him. “Not at all.” With gentle strokes, she brushed his hair away from his forehead and stared at him in amazement. “Why would my maid have told me there would be excruciating pain? All I felt was immense pleasure. I should have trusted you.”
