Page 111 of The Duke's Rules Of Engagement
Her finger brushed over that spot that made her wild. It was more sensitive than ever, and just grazing it made her whole body jerk.
“There,” he murmured. “I want to feel you bringing yourself pleasure, Jo. Show me.”
He replaced his hand under her thigh to support her, then thrust inside her, deep, pushing her fingertips against her own body. She let out a needy whimper, and he groaned.
“Yes,” he gritted out. “Just like that.”
He began a rhythm of hard thrusts, pushing her against the wall, rubbing her fingers against her core, driving into her so thoroughly she could feel him everywhere. His breaths came in gusty whooshes of air that seemed as if they were being wrenched out of him.
“Jo,” he said over her lips, around her body, inside her. They were together, one, safe and whole in a cocoon of love. Jo’s newly patched heart, her mind, her body filled to bursting with it. Every one of her muscles thrummed with pleasure as her fingers trembled over her center.
She opened her eyes and watched her fiancé as he drove into her again and again, his eyes squeezed shut, his jaw tense, a sheen of sweat shimmering on his forehead, the cords of his neck standing out in stark relief. He was beautiful. He washers.
She shattered into a million shards of bright light, her body sparking and glowing and thrashing and completely outside her control. But she did nothing to control it, knowing she was safe in Matthew’s arms.
She cried out her joy and pleasure as she came apart, and then she felt him follow, his whole body turning into steel against hers as he grew impossibly big within her and then, with a hoarse gasp, pushed deep, deeper than she’d thought possible. It felt so exquisite, it sent her own body into renewed spasms as he jerked out his release. This time, he came inside her. This time, they were joined.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Three hours later, Jo sat in the parlor twisting her hands in her lap as Mrs. Ferguson went to answer the door. Jo knew who it was, but Lilly, Bess, Mama, and Mrs. Ferguson had no idea. Though Jo had been bursting to tell them, and though it had taken a herculean effort not to spill everything, she’d somehow managed to hold her tongue.
A moment later Mrs. Ferguson returned, pale-faced, her eyes darting from Jo to Mama. “The Duke of Crestmont inquires if Mrs. Porter is at home.”
Mama glanced at Jo in alarm. “Why?”
Jo couldn’t restrain her feelings from her mother this time. She pulled in a shaky breath, tears sprang to her eyes, and she managed a watery smile. One glance at her made Mama’s back go straight.
“Send him up,” she told Mrs. Ferguson tightly.
Bess jumped out of her chair. “I’ll make some tea.”
When the Fergusons had left, Lilly demanded, “Jo, what is going on? Why is he here?”
“I am surmising that he is here, given we are lacking in male relatives, to ask me for permission to court Jo,” Mama said.
Jo broke out in a clammy sweat, suddenly feeling like a young girl again. “Mmm,” she managed. “I think it might be something like that.”
Mama arched a brow. “You may be smitten, Jo, but understand, I shall be hesitant to accept, given how he has treated you. I shan’t allow someone in my home who will throw around their power to harm anyone that I love in any way, form, or fashion.”
There it was again—her mama bear coming out to play. The fact that Matthew was a duke of the realm mattered not—Matthew would have to be at the top of his game to spar with Jo’s mother when she was in this state.
“He promised not to break my heart again,” she told Mama, hoping to give him a fighting chance.
Mama sniffed. “We’ll see about that.”
They were all standing when, seconds later, the door opened, and there he was, in his finely tailored dark tailcoat and light trousers, his black shoes polished to a high shine.
“The Duke of Crestmont,” Mrs. Ferguson announced.
Holding his hat to his chest, he stepped inside the parlor, and Mrs. Ferguson stepped out, closing the four of them in.
Matthew bowed. “Miss Porter, Miss Appleby.” He turned to Mama.
“Your Grace.” Jo moved to stand beside him. “I’d like to introduce you to my mother, Mrs. Jane Porter. Mama, this is the Duke of Crestmont.”
Matthew bowed again. “Mrs. Porter.”
Lilly scowled at Matthew from behind slitted eyes. “So, Your Grace, is it true? Have you come to your senses at last?”
