Page 64 of Love, the Duke
Their lovemaking was frantic at times, but always tender and loving. There were moans, sighs, and gasps as he made her his. She wasn’t prepared for the shock of pleasure that rippled and lingered, but there was no doubt that she had become his wife in word and deed. When it was over, she was sure she’d just experienced her first miracle. It had to be one. How else could coupling bring such gratification to two people at the same time? The intense moment was explosive and left them both catching their breath.
The pleasure and awe of their coming together as husband and wife was almost more than she could bear.
When it was over, Hurst rolled onto his back and placed his arm underneath his head. Ophelia curled beside him with her hand on his chest. They lay quiet, happy, and sated.
After a while, she lifted her head to look at him and asked softly, “Did you know how wonderful it would be?”
“For two people enjoying each other in bed?” he asked with a patient smile. “I had an inkling or two. About being married to you—” He reached down and kissed her bare shoulder before looking into her eyes. “I knew it would be wonderful, and it far exceeded what I’d imagined.”
Ophelia smiled too. It felt intensely good to have his body against her. Sharing his heat, feeling his breathingfrom the rise and fall of his chest. “Will we share a bed often?”
He frowned and grumbled curiously, “Why would you suspect we wouldn’t?”
“We have separate rooms.”
His brows knitted closer as if he was thinking what he should answer. “It never dawned on me you might think of these chambers as mine and yours. It is ours. All of it.”
“Oh,” she answered.
“Separate rooms so I can get up in the mornings and dress without waking you. Whether we are in this bed or the one in the other room, have no worry, Ophelia. We will share it.” He quirked his head and added with a slight grin, “Besides, that is how babies are made.”
Dipping her head to kiss his collarbone, she nuzzled his skin and whispered earnestly, “I hope I give you a son.”
“Look at me,” he whispered as he lifted her chin with the tips of his fingers. “That will be if it’s destined to be.”
His voice was husky, persuasive, and his gaze was so penetrating she couldn’t have looked away if she’d wanted to. Her head tilted back, and she looked deeply into his eyes. “Then so be it.”
With the palm of his hand, he brushed her hair down the length of her spine, spreading his fingers wide so he could caress her tresses and her skin. “Along with all the other things you have on your mind tonight, and I know they are important to you. They are to me too but hear me. We will worry about them tomorrow when we can do something about them. Right now, I need to feel your heart beating next to mine. You make me want to forget about everything but you, and I want you to forget everything but me tonight.”
She smiled and rose up over him. Her hair fell softly to the front of her shoulders and then pooled against his skin as she whispered against his lips, “I already have.”
