A Duke in Time--The Widow Rules

by Janna MacGregor

  He couldn’t help but straighten to his full height. He wanted her eyes on him, devouring him with each sultry glance.

  “How utterly glorious you are. Where shall I touch first? I want to know what you like, where you’re ticklish.” She lightly scored her nails over one of his nipples. “Are yours as sensitive as mine?”

  He hissed in response. His blood pounded fire through his body. A wildfire couldn’t compare to the heat this woman managed to elicit from him.

  “I take that as a yes.” As her gaze tenderly scouted the planes of his muscles, she gasped softly when she discovered his scar. She reached and tenderly traced the rough edge that ran in a diagonal direction down his left side.

  He didn’t flinch. “I earned this during my second battle. A French soldier had missed a direct stab to my heart but managed to inflict this reminder of all I could have lost in the war.”

  “Oh, Christian.” Katherine leaned down and traced her lips across the scar. “Thank God you’re here.”

  “Those words coming from you makes them more precious than any earthly possession I own. They center me,” he said softly. “Truly.”

  She bit her lip then looked up. “I meant every word. Are there more?”

  He shook his head.

  “That’s good.” She took her hand away, then untied her chemise, never breaking her stare. It slid to the floor in a straight fall. With her hazel eyes greener this evening and her light brown hair glowing from the firelight, she reminded him of a wood nymph set to enchant him. But he was already captivated.

  Whatever magic she wanted to weave this evening, he’d gladly submit.

  “My God, Katherine.” His voice deepened on its own accord as his hungry gaze devoured her body. “You’re beautiful.”

  “Now, your turn. I want to see the rest of you.”

  * * *

  Christian was correct—when they were together, everything faded except for the two of them. Not shy, she waited for the proverbial unveiling of his body. The wound she’d discovered on his chest had taken her breath away. Another six inches closer to his heart, and he wouldn’t be here today with her.

  With a practiced ease, he toed off one formal evening slipper, then the other, before discarding his stockings. When he stood, she forgot how to breathe. She had already admired his broad shoulders where muscles rippled, but her heartbeat pounded in triple-time at his trim waist that melted into lean hips. Her body ached as she studied the outline of his erection straining against his black silk breeches. When she raised her gaze, his eyes smoldered.

  “Are you sure?” he asked softly.

  “Yes. I want this.” Katherine stepped forward and trailed her hands down his chest. She deserved this, finally making love to a man, to Christian. When she leaned close, their naked chests touched. The feel of him was so perfect against her. “Now you’ll see what it’s like to sleep in my bed.”

  “Oh, really?” he drawled, then nibbled her lips.

  She drew back, then lightly nipped one of his nipples in return.

  His eyes flashed and he grabbed her closer to him. “You’re claiming my bed as your own?”

  “The linens make the bed, and those are mine.” Bold and confident, she was certain who she was tonight. She wasn’t an unclaimed bastard, a no one from York. She was a woman who would share an incredible moment tonight with this man. She slipped her hand between them and unbuttoned his falls. With greedy, impatient hands, she pushed his breeches past his hips. They caught on his muscled thighs, but her gaze was locked on his cock.

  Christian stepped out of his breeches; Katherine reached to touch him. If at all possible, he seemed to be thicker and harder than he was the other night.

  He grunted when she wrapped her hand around him. It reminded her of a hot, steel rod wrapped in velvet. His signature sandalwood scent mixed with his own musk became a heady fragrance.

  Bolder, she took him in a kiss, then touched the tip of his cock where a pearl of moisture lay like a perfect jewel. “Does it always do that?”

  His eyes widened, then a perplexing grin creased his lips. Kissing her in return, Christian swung her into his arms. “Always when I’m with you.” Without another word, he carefully laid her on the bed. She scooted over so he could join her.

  He surprised her when he straddled her hips, then rested on his elbows, keeping his weight off her.

  Unable to resist touching him, she smoothed his hair from his face, then undulated her hips to his. His cock pulsed against her lower belly. The intense sensation made her want more. The top of her thighs were already wet because of him. Katherine knew that her body was preparing for when he’d enter her. She’d never felt so sensual and wanton in her life. She pushed against him again.

  “Minx,” he teased, then kissed her, stealing every sound in the room and every thought she possessed. The only thing she knew was that this moment was theirs.

  Christian slid lower and took one nipple in his mouth while he palmed the other breast. The sensation made her see stars. She raked her hands through his hair and then held him to her, begging him to continue. He chuckled slightly but did it again. She moaned as she cradled his head between her hands. He lifted himself then kissed her on the mouth with a slow sensual ease.

  Before she could kiss him in return, he returned his attention to her other breast. She arched her back at the sensation.

  Suddenly, he lightly nipped her. In response, she mewled softly. He drove her wild, and she never wanted him to stop.

  Thankfully, he didn’t. He kissed the undersides of her breasts, then shifted a little lower until he kissed her belly. She gently stroked her fingers through his hair while cataloging every touch and caress. He made her feel as if she were precious and wanted.

  He kept going lower, pressing his lips against her hipbone. With languid eyes, he tilted his gaze to her. “How would you feel about me going lower?”

  “I’d enjoy that,” she purred.

  He trailed open mouth kisses across her midsection, then stopped. “What if I kissed you there, and you came against my mouth?”

  Her heart quivered, and heat rushed to the spot where he caressed her. This was more than she ever dared hoped for. “Would you enjoy that?”

  When he nodded, the silky strands of his hair caressed her skin. “I know I’d enjoyed it, and I think you’d enjoy it too. I want to give you every conceivable pleasure I can think of this evening,” he whispered. “If you aren’t comfortable, then we won’t. Tonight is for us to enjoy each other.”

  She held his gaze. “I just thought we’d do”—she waved her hand between them—“it.”

  “It?” He smiled and, in response, her heart did a flip in her chest. “Oh, darling,” he sighed. “The preparation for ‘it’ is the most important part. Don’t you agree? The other day you liked it when I touched you here.” He stroked gently through her curls, and she arched her hips.

  When she looked down, an incredibly erotic sight greeted her.

  He was leisurely stroking himself. “I want you to feel everything with me. But you decide how and when.”

  Her heart melted a tad. She released a shuddered breath. “I want everything too.”

  Katherine watched as Christian bent down and rested between her legs. He arranged her in such a way that she was spread out before him. She couldn’t imagine sharing herself this with any other man except him. It seemed natural. He ran his tongue along her cleft, then held her open with his fingers to give him better access.

  He kissed her once, then his tongue danced against her nub in a slow, measured routine that had her gripping the cover, seeking purchase. He circled the sensitive spot over and over, then he would break his rhythm by sucking on it. She closed her eyes and let the sensation consume her.

  With a finger, he entered her. She felt a tightness she’d never experienced, but it didn’t diminish the driving need for more. She grew more desperate for his touch and arched her hips toward his mouth. His movements quickened.

&
nbsp; She was wet and achy, but she didn’t want him to stop. Ever. This was a delicious torment, one she’d gladly experience over and over again as long as it was Christian. When he inserted a second finger and stretched her even more, she whimpered with need.

  Every sense she possessed was barreling out of control. She could feel her orgasm almost upon her while he gently moved his fingers in and out and his mouth continued to pleasure her.

  When she thought she could bear no more, Katherine closed her eyes. Her body stiffened in release as she gasped his name. Pleasure radiated through every limb until it congregated low within her body, then bloomed into a riot of sensation. She felt weightless as her release was ten times more potent than the one they’d shared the other day.

  When she opened her eyes, he’d materialized like a specter above her. He was panting gently, and the intensity of his expression meant he was as affected as she was. “Katherine.” The sound of her name in his rough voice pierced every part of her, marking her as his.

  She lift her arms to hold him, and he eagerly moved over her. She would have him, claim him in this moment of time, and nothing and no one would come between them.

  He kissed her neck as he pushed his hot length against her belly in a move that she suspected mimicked their soon-to-be coupling. She stroked his strong back, learning every muscle, bone, and sinew as he moved. All the while, she wondered if he would be able to tell this was her first time.

  Christian reached between them, settling himself at her entrance, and barely entered her. He kissed the tender area below her ear. “So tight,” he whispered.

  Indeed, so tight that she felt like her body was being invaded and she had nowhere to retreat. She wrapped her legs around him, hoping the position would help relieve the pressure.

  With a grunt, he continued, “Do you have any idea how good you feel?”

  Before she could answer, he drew back slightly, then in one stroke, he was inside her—completely.

  For a moment, everything stopped. She shifted her hips higher, which caused the tightness to ease.

  “Did I hurt you?” He didn’t move—not a single muscle. She could feel him suspended above her, no doubt wondering. She turned her head to the side and closed her eyes. She couldn’t look at him. What would he say?

  As importantly, what would she say?

  “Katherine, look at me.” His voice had turned incredibly tender.

  With a Herculean effort, she turned to face him and opened her eyes. Resting his weight on his elbows, he loomed before her like a Greek god who’d swept down from Mount Olympus. The cords of his neck muscles were taut from the exertion of staying still.

  “I’m going to pull out slowly.”

  “No. I’m fine.” She placed her arms around his neck. “Please don’t. I want this. I want tonight with you,” she pleaded. “I want you.” Her gaze locked with his questioning one. “Please.”

  He shifted slightly, never looking away, and it brought their bodies closer. “We’ll go slowly, then.”

  Both breathed in and out at the same time.

  For several moments, they simply stared at each other while she did her best to keep her face frozen. She swallowed. Not wanting to start the conversation that would be inevitable, she nodded. Why had she not thought this through? Because it was Christian. He was like a bountiful feast to a starving woman, and she’d been ravenous for him.

  With her arms wrapped around him, she kissed him again, and his deep groan encouraged her to continue. He pulled his cock out slowly, then pushed in.

  “Relax, sweetheart,” he said.

  The affection in his voice and the gentle movement of his body made her feel treasured and connected with another human being in a way she couldn’t have imagined before. He returned her kiss. His movements became surer and smoother. She hitched her legs tighter around his trim waist. She lifted her hips and met each thrust in rhythm. He held her gaze and gradually increased the pace. He whispered her name, sending waves of pleasure through her. Each stroke made her want more of him. With her hands, she caressed the corded muscles of his back, desperate to learn every inch of him. She kissed him with everything she possessed, her heart and soul.

  In response, he devoured her with a kiss that made her want to beg for more. She tried to memorize his every facial expression. In that moment, they belonged to each other in an inseparable bond that could never be broken.

  Instinctively, her body clenched every muscle when his face contorted into a grimace as he reached his peak. He took her mouth with his in a wrenching kiss of need. She pulled him tight, creating an oasis that was just for the two of them, locking out everything else. He groaned her name, then pulled out of her carefully. His hot seed shot across her stomach. In that moment, she knew she’d seen something extremely rare.

  He’d lost control because of her.

  Carefully, he shifted his weight and lay on his side. With his hand, he pushed away the lock of hair that had strayed from her chignon, which had to be a rat’s nest by now.

  “Katherine, do you know what happened here tonight?” He ran his lips along the slope of her jaw. The thrum of his deep cadence centered her, leaving an indelible mark upon her heart. “I held heaven in my arms.”

  “Oh, Christian,” she murmured, laughing. “Why do you do this to me?”

  “Do what?” The puzzled but endearing look on his face made her want to pull him back into her embrace.

  “The things you say,” she answered softly.

  “I’ve never wanted anyone in the way I want you,” he crooned quietly. He glanced where their bodies touched, then raised his gaze to hers. “Why me?”

  “Why you?” She didn’t hide the bemusement from her voice.

  “Why did you choose me to be your first?” A hint of mystery shadowed his eyes.

  “Because … because it felt right. It was you.”

  He blinked slowly. That’s when she saw the uncertainty there.

  Katherine reached and smoothed his brow, not taking her eyes from his, willing him to see the truth. “You make me feel that in a crowded room with a thousand others, I’m the only person there.” She cupped both of his cheeks, not allowing him to look away. “I’ve never had someone see me that way in my entire life. I trust you.”

  He studied her face for a long time without saying a word. “Thank you for telling me,” he said softly. He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.

  Only with him did such a sweet, tender kiss let her hope … let her believe that the scars she carried for all those years could be mended. She’d shared a part of herself tonight—how he made her feel—because she trusted him.

  And he was the only man she would ever want to build a life with.

  Then the truth hit her square in the chest.

  Her traitorous heart, the one she’d taught to be careful around unrequited love, hadn’t protested a peep when the inevitable had happened.

  She hadn’t simply fallen in love with Christian.

  Oh no.

  She’d jumped off the highest cliff.

  Chapter Twenty

  Drained physically from their coupling, Christian flipped on his back. Katherine curled into him and he wrapped his arm around her. Within seconds, their breathing fell into a natural rhythm with each other. For several long moments, they lay there in silence. It felt perfect to have her here beside him. For the world, he’d like nothing more but to hold her and make love to her again, but they had things to discuss.

  He turned on his side to face her. Resting his head on his bent arm, he studied her. With his free hand, he reached for hers resting by her side, then entwined their fingers together. “Are you sorry you married him?”

  “Yes.” She turned to face him. “But by marrying him, I was accepted by society. And with that, my business grew.”

  “A mercenary, I see,” he teased.

  “Is that how you see me?” Her mouth threaded into a frown. “An accurate description, perhaps.”

  “I s
ee you as a brave and accomplished woman.” His gaze traveled over her lithe figure. He could take her again right now. She was every man’s dream. Lush breasts that fit perfectly in his hands. Sweet lips. And when she wrapped her arms around him, he felt acceptance. No slights, no judgments, just warmth. She was the light that guided him home.

  “You have every right to use the Vareck name to your advantage.” He tugged her hand to his lips. “I can’t imagine the pain you felt when he left.”

  “I was delighted we’d married.” Her voice had turned incredibly gentle. “I thought we’d have a simple but happy life together. It was what I wanted in my marriage. I thought there was a chance we’d find love for each other. I’d have a husband who wanted to be with me. We’d have a family. That’s all I desired.”

  The wistfulness in her voice held him spellbound. It wasn’t his half brother she was mourning but her ideal of marriage.

  “After he finished the wedding breakfast, Meriwether told me he had business in Portsmouth that couldn’t wait. He had his eye on a racehorse that he thought to purchase.” She anchored her gaze on the fireplace. “That’s when I knew…”

  “That’s when you knew he was a wastrel?” Christian scooted closer to her.

  “No.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “That he was leaving me for good. I couldn’t acknowledge it. I didn’t even try to stop him. But I used my married name for everything. He’d at least given me that.”

  “His mother was the same way, and so was our father.”

  Her gaze drifted back to his. “What do you mean?”

  “Disingenuous profligates. The worst of the worst. Meri’s mother was my father’s mistress.” He practically spit the words. “Actually, disingenuous is too kind of a term for them. After they married, the parties they hosted made a bacchanalia look like an afternoon garden party. Their orgies were legendary throughout all of London. When I went to Eton, my fellow students would regale me with tales of my stepmother’s sexual conquests of their fathers. When we became older, those same students told of her conquests of them. Age made no difference to my stepmother.”