Page 13 of The Duke's Perfect Scandal
She didn't know how to say it.She'd rehearsed a dozen versions of this conversation, but now that she was here, the words wouldn't come.How did you tell someone you’ve wanted them for years?
“Thea.”His voice was rough.“Whatever it is, just say it.”
She looked up at him—at the tension in his jaw, the way his hands were clenched at his sides, the hope he was trying so hard to hide.She could read him clearer than she ever had before.
Her heart stopped, and she opened her mouth to speak, but still no words came.
Before she even knew what she was doing, she kissed him.
It wasn't graceful.She rose on her toes and pressed her mouth to his, her hands fisting in the lapels of his coat.For one terrible moment, he was frozen.She thought she'd made a mistake.
Then his arms came around her, and he kissed her back.
There was nothing tender about it.The heat and hunger from years of wanting each other broke open all at once.His mouth moved against hers, demanding, and she opened for him with a sound she didn't recognize as her own.
“Thea.”He groaned her name against her lips, his hands sliding down her back to grip her bottom.“God, Thea, I've wanted—”
“Me, too.”She pulled back just enough to meet his eyes.“Wesley, I've always only wanted you.”
He kissed her again, deeper, his fingers tangling in her hair.Pins scattered as her careful coiffure came undone, but she didn't care.Nothing mattered except his mouth on hers, his hands on her body, the solid heat of him pressed against her.
When they broke apart, both of them breathing hard, Thea's mind was racing.They were in the garden.Anyone could see them.And she wanted more—so much more—than stolen kisses in the dark.
“Come with me,” she said, her voice unsteady.She took his hand and led him back toward the house.They slipped through a side door, avoiding the ballroom, and made their way down a darkened corridor.Her body ached with want.She'd waited years for this.She wasn't going to wait another minute.
Wesley's eyes were dark, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths.“What are we doing?”
“I need you, Wesley.”
The study that Thea pulled them into was dark.She locked the door behind them and turned to find Wesley watching her with an expression caught between desire and restraint.
“Thea.”He stepped toward her, cupping her face in his hands.“I need you to know that this isn't just tonight for me.I want you by my side—”
She kissed him again, softer this time.“I want that, too.But right now, I need you to stop talking and touch me, Wes.”
His control snapped.
He backed her against the door, his mouth finding hers.His hands were everywhere—her breasts, her hips, the curve of her backside through her gown.She arched into him, her breath catching when she felt the hard length of him press against her belly.
“I've thought about this,” he said against her neck.“Every night.What you'd feel like.What you'd taste like.”
“Then stop talking about it and show me.”
He fisted her skirts, working his hand beneath them, traveling up her thigh.
“Wesley—” She gasped as his fingers brushed along her seam.
“Christ, Thea.”His voice was rough against her ear.“You're so wet.”
“I've been thinking about you all night.”She rocked against his hand.“Every night for years.”
He groaned and slid two fingers inside her.She moaned, her head leaning back against the door as he worked her with his hand.The pleasure built with each stroke, and his lips found hers again.
“I need—” She was panting.“Wesley, I need—”
“Tell me what you need.”
“I told you.I want you, Wesley.Make me yours.”
