“That is too bad. I like your underwear.”
He raised a dark brow. “You do… do you?”
“I never knew you were,” she swallowed, “so well formed under all those heavy clothes.”
Like it had a mind of its own, her hand reached out and touched his bicep. Her fingers ran a line down his breastbone. She had never touched a man so intimately. The hair on his chest was curled, coarse, and dark brown. It tickled her palm.
“I told you, I will not take you to bed until you agree to be my wife.”
“Is this bribery?”
“Unfortunately, a woman must cherish certain things. Her virginity is of sole importance to her standing in society. You must be sure.”
“Yes to it all then. This night could not be more special. I have seen you dressed in fine clothes all your life. I know that neither of us likes the pomp and circumstance that comes with our positions in society. Tonight, rumpled and half dressed, I think this is the best. I know you are speaking from your heart.”
Spencer took her hand and slipped the ring over her finger. He stared at it for a long moment. “In my wildest dreams I never imagined this outcome. I thought I would have to fight for you and battle to convince you that I love you.”
“You have always been competitive in games.” She grinned. “I could make it more difficult if you wish.”
“You are a strong-willed woman. I will pick battles with you another day. Tonight, I will show you that you made the correct choice.” He kissed her, gentle and sweet, and poured in all the love he felt. “But, I’ll be dammed if I will take your virginity on the floor of my parlor. You at least must give me that.”
“What I’ll give you is a minute to come up with an alternate plan.”
“You forget, milady, I told you I am tired of wasting the minutes I could have spent making love to you.” He pulled her from the chair, scooped her into his arms, and strode up the long marble staircase. When he got to the bedroom door, he kicked it open with his foot. Setting her down on her feet in the middle of the floor, he stepped back.
Amelia reached and pulled out the pins that held her hair. It fell around her shoulders in a dark cascade. She shook her head, and loved the way his eyes flared. He stalked over to her, and pulled her against him. Everything about him felt hard and all male. The spicy scent of his heated skin made her head swim.
His hand slid down her waist. He spun her and feverishly worked the buttons at the back of her frock. His speed told her he had been with women before. This should have shocked her, but instead there was a thrill of all he could teach her. She reminded herself that out of all those other women, he had chosen her.
She held her breath until the last button was undone. He dropped his head and kissed her neck, then pushed her dress off her shoulders. It fell like a curtain to puddle at her feet. He took her hand and guided her to step free. Amelia shivered from the cool air of the room and Spencer’s heated gaze.
“You are so damned beautiful.” His voice sounded half strangled. He ran a feather-light touch over her silk chemise. He lingered and circled his fingers on her breast, then added the kiss of his lips. His breath was hot.
Spencer tugged the ties until the chemise gave way and slid to the floor. Embarrassed, Amelia placed a hand over her chest.
He smiled a seductive grin. “Never cover yourself. I could look at you for all my days. You are like the sun.” He gripped his suspenders, drew his own pants down, and kicked them to the side. He pulled the undershirt over his head and tossed it aside, his eyes never leaving her body.
“I am yours for the taking. I can offer you nothing more tonight than what you see.”
Amelia held back a nervous giggle. “You’re a duke for goodness sake, what on earth are you babbling about?”
“Tonight, I am but a man. Your man I hope.” His smile was warm and genuine and only one of the things she loved about him. There were a million things Amelia wanted to do at that moment, but instead she stared. He was every dark fantasy she had ever carried.
Tall. Strong. Muscled.
He rolled his eyes towards the ceiling. “I do not know how much you have been told about men, but your wicked gaze will make me lose myself. Come here.” His subtle demand made her skin tingle with electricity.
Spencer grabbed her in a heated embrace, his bare skin hot against hers. He kissed her and walked back, until they tumbled onto the bed. “I would wager a bet that if your family told you anything about joining with a man, they told you,” he used a high feminine voice to imitate her mother, “a wife’s job is to lie there and take what a man must do.”