The Heart of a Duke(96)

His tender words whispered through her, a warm, tickling breath against her cheek. His lips moved to the sensitive underside of her chin, trailing a scattering of small kisses down her throat. She tipped her head for him to gain better access, struggling to drink in his words.

He kissed her, and she curved her arms around his broad shoulders and clasped him closer, kissing him back. Tentative at first, and then with more confidence when she heard his guttural groan. She let her tongue explore the warmth of his mouth, the fullness of his top lip, tasting him as she yearned to do. Brandy sweetened his mouth.

His hands moved to the shoulders of her robe and slipped it down her arms. Light-headed, she swayed on her feet, his supportive arm no longer bracing her. He stepped back, and his eyes roved over her body, from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. He missed nothing.

Her dressing gown was a diaphanous cloud of green, its décolletage loosely draped over her breasts, and a slit strategically cut down one side to bare a tantalizing glimpse of naked leg. It was part of Emily’s trousseau, and Julia had discovered it on her bed when she had retired. Emily had always been perceptive.

Daniel’s eyes flared, his lips parted, and a swath of red climbed his neck. He unbuttoned a few buttons on his shirt and slipped it over his head, letting it pool over her discarded robe. He yanked her to him.

“Remind me to thank your sister.” His voice was hoarse.

His mouth captured hers, and she moaned as his hand cupped her bottom.

Her fingers moved over the taut muscles of his back, feeling the warmth of his burning skin, hearing his sharp indrawn breath as her fingers danced over him, careful to avoid the bandage circling his waist.

His arm slid under her legs, and he swung her off her feet. Startled, her heart pounded as he carried her to the bed. He tumbled backward, still clutching her, and she cried out as they landed with a bouncing thump. She struggled to lift herself, but his arm around her waist rolled her so she lay beneath him.

“Daniel—” she gasped.

“Say yes, Julia.”

What was the question? The shock of his hand, bold upon her breast, had her thoughts scrambled. Her eyes closed and she sighed. Good lord.

“Say yes, Julia.”

She opened her eyes to see Daniel looming above her, his eyes dark and passion-glazed, imploring her. She slid her arms around his neck, lifting her head up to meet his lips. “Yes. Yes to everything.”

His smile was slow and wicked and wrapped around her heart as he leaned down to kiss her, his tongue gliding over her lips. “I promise to take care of you, to go gently. To ensure you enjoy it. Wait here.” He sat up and slowly shed his trousers.

She sat up, too, fascinated. Her eyes widened and she swallowed at the sight of his erection. Her lips parted, and her heart stuttered. “Perhaps . . . perhaps we should slow down,” she managed, after she cleared her throat.

He laughed and gave her a gentle push back onto the bed, following her down. “You are so right. Slow is better.” He breathed her in, burying his face in the valley between her breasts as he eased her gown from her body.

His mouth closed over her nipple, teasing it into response.

“Better than treacle tart,” he murmured against the sensitive skin, his lips moving to the underside of her breast. His hands dug into the soft flesh of her waist, holding her still as she squirmed.

“Daniel.” His name was a mere whisper on her lips. He was firm against her, and his arousal emboldened her. Her hand slid between them and closed over his warm shaft.

He sucked in a breath, his breathing ragged. She opened her eyes and watched his pupils dilate, the green of them dark and slumberous.

Eventually, he grasped her hand and pressed it to his chest, kissing her. “That,” he kissed her again, “is not helping to,” another kiss, “slow things down.”

She smiled against his lips. “Perhaps it’s time to move a little faster.”

His laughter was low and almost pained. “I do adore that you are a brave woman. My fearless warrior.”

She gasped as his hand moved lower to slip between her legs, his lips curving against hers. She knew she was moist, and she flushed, though she was unashamed. Her passion stunned her, for she wanted him. Now.

He moved his hand beneath her knee, bending it. “It will take a few minutes for your body to become accustomed to me, Julia.”

He shifted and slowly eased into her entrance, pausing at her sharp intake of breath. “Are you all right?”

Her eyes tightly closed, she bit her lip against the unfamiliar pressure inside her, opening her to him. It felt hot and tight, and so deliciously erotic. She nodded jerkily. He cupped her cheek, lifting her face to his, bathing her face in sweet kisses. He pressed them to her closed lids, her nose, her cheeks, then claimed her mouth as his hips lifted and he began to gently move.