Page 52 of Sincerely, the Duke
He moved in closer to her. She felt the fine cotton of his neckcloth as he held her hand to his chest. “Perhaps I didn’t fulfill mine either.”
Something in his tone touched deep inside her.Without thinking, she broke her hand free of his grasp, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed his cheek three times. One for each triplet. Realizing what she’d done, behaving so brazenly and not like a lady, not like a pure bride, she slowly leaned back and looked into his eyes.
“I hope it was all right I kissed you.” She started sliding her arms from around his neck, but his hands came up and took hold of her wrists. He pushed her hands back up to his nape and held them there.
His eyes searched her face. “Why wouldn’t it be all right to kiss your husband?”
“I want to do what is proper and don’t want you to think I’m a wanton or ruined lady because I enjoy your kisses.”
“What?” He laughed as his hands circled her waist, lifted her off the floor, and swung her around once before setting her on her feet again. “A wanton if you enjoy my kisses? Where did you get that idea? Is it something else your maid told you?”
Edwina nodded. “She said you would think I’d been with a man before if I acted as if I enjoyed your touch.”
He frowned. “Where would she have gotten an idea like that? Edwina, I know the difference between a lady and a lady of the evening. I will never confuse you with another. I want you to always respond to me.”
He caught her up against his chest as his lips came down on hers with firm pressure. She swallowed a small shivery gasp and closed her eyes as his lips molded solidly to hers. Without knowing why or how her mouth relaxed from the tightness, she joined the kiss. It was as if she knew exactly what to expect and began to kiss him back.
Edwina melted against him. The strength behind hishold was exhilarating. It was heavenly to be surrounded by such muscular arms, and having his lips moving so sensuously over hers, her whole body tingled. She stroked and tangled her fingers in the back of his hair, loving how the strands felt between her fingers.
A languid warmth stole through her bones and she felt as if she were light as air. His mouth moved against hers with an ardor that soothed, yet excited her as their kisses ebbed and flowed from short to long and soft to passionate. His hands slipped down her back and followed the curve of her waist to her hips before returning to her back again. Spirals of wonderful sensations curled tightly in her abdomen and then seemed to shoot throughout her body as she surrendered to the stirrings of passion his kisses awakened within her.
Edwina relaxed and concentrated on the pleasure soaring and building inside her. She enjoyed every gasp, moan, and breath that fell from his mouth into hers. They kissed long, deep, and savoringly. All her senses welcomed him—the woodsy soap, the luxurious feel of his velvet coat beneath her hands, and the taste of his warm mouth upon hers.
His lips left hers and he kissed her cheek, under her eye, and on down to the corner of her mouth and chin. Chills of pleasure made her tremble when his lips nuzzled her neck and around to the sensitive spot behind her ear before returning and melting to the contours of hers once more. She felt as if he treasured what he was doing and how he was making her feel.
When at last he drew his head away, she opened her eyes to gaze into his. Matching his raspy, uneven breaths, she said, “I like the way you are kissing me.”
“I’m glad I finally got it right.”
Edwina grew tentative for a moment and moistenedher lips before asking, “When kisses make me feel so wonderful, why is the act of… of intimacy painful?”
His arms tightened around her. “I don’t know what your maid told you but the pain lasts only a short time. Some ladies never experience discomfort at all. I will show you when you are ready.” He kissed her cheek, forehead, and then the tip of her nose.
“I want to give you a son, Rick,” she said earnestly.
“I’m glad,” he whispered in between kisses. “Thereissomething else you can do for me.”
“Yes, I will.”
He looked into her eyes. “Have your maid burn the nightgown you wore last night and anything that resembles it. The nightcaps too.”
She gave him a curious stare. “That’s ridiculous. They are in good condition and warm.”
He reached up and smoothed the hair above her ear. “You will never need them again. I will keep you warm. Give them to your maid to dispose of however she wants and never listen to anything she has to say again.”
Edwina studied what he said. Henrietta certainly hadn’t helped her on her wedding night. Maybe it was time to try doing it her husband’s way. “I don’t believe I will be asking her for any more advice.”
Rick smiled and bent his head to hers and sought her mouth once again. The kiss was long and generous. Their tongues swirled, played, and enticed. Edwina skimmed her hands along the width of his shoulders and down the breadth of his back. She loved the feel of the firm muscles of his arms hidden under the velvet while she explored his broad chest and followed the buttons of his waistcoat to his tapered waist, and then around his lean hips, leaving no doubt there was a fine cut of a man beneath his clothing.
Her searching caused him to tremble and his arms to tighten around her more possessively, pressing her breasts against the firmness of his powerful chest as if he were trying to bind her to him.
Pleasure twirled and soared through her. She had never experienced anything so wonderful as being held tightly in Rick’s arms and kissing him.
While they kissed, Rick’s hand slipped down her chest to her breast. He palmed it, gently squeezed, and felt its weight. The thrill of his touch was shattering to her senses. His lips left hers and glided across her cheek, over her chin, and to the soft, sweet skin behind her ear again.
Edwina was pleased by his tenderness and her desire for him but worry strayed back into her mind. Rick had been so good to her but she still had not accomplished what she needed to do for him. That weight was still on her shoulders. Perhaps tonight she would have another chance.
CHAPTER 17
