A Duke in Time (The Widow Rules #1) - Janna MacGregor Page 0,104

when he was with her. “Shall I take you in my mouth as you’ve done for me?”

“Later,” he whispered then kissed her soundly, all the while still ministering to her, each stroke making her ache even more.

She bucked into his hand, wanting the release she craved.

“Now.” Her words echoed throughout the darkened room.

He entered her with two fingers, keeping his thumb pressed against the sensitive nub. The waves of pleasure came faster and faster until she closed her eyes. A crest of sensation, a kind she’d never experienced before, rolled through her. It reached deep inside, stealing her breath, and she gasped. Everything within her exploded into a million pieces, then as her body calmed, those same pieces drifted slowly and reassembled.

Christian immediately took her in a gentle, soulful kiss. “Good?”

She panted, desperate to catch her breath. “Very.”

A grin tugged at one side of his mouth. She answered in kind with one of her own.

He balanced on his knees and took her hips in his hands, tilting her toward him. When he had her positioned just right, he held her gaze. “Put me in.”

It wasn’t a demand, but the need in his voice squeezed her heart. In response, it beat double time. She guided his member to her center, and then he pushed in little by little.

He kissed her again. Whether it was to distract her or seduce her, Katherine didn’t care as long as he continued to hold her. When he was fully seated inside of her, he buried his head into her neck and started to gently roll his hips. She matched his movements, and he groaned against her neck. “You’re my haven.”

He adjusted her again, and she wrapped her legs around his hips. As his movements became more frantic, he deepened his penetration. Everything within her unfolded as if giving him access to her deepest desires and wants. “Christian,” she murmured, holding on tight.

“I feel it too,” he uttered. By now, his member was a piston inside of her. Over and over, he drove into her, claiming her and her body as his. He moved harder and faster until she thought she couldn’t take anymore.

He stilled above her. He clenched his eyes closed. The cords in his neck were pulled taut. The raw power of him above her stole her breath. As his climax claimed him, he roared her name as he pulled out of her body.

At the same time, she whispered, “I love you.” Instantly, her heart flipped in her chest. She held her breath, waiting, but he didn’t respond or even acknowledge her.

Once Christian seemed to realize she was there with him, he slowly gathered her in his arms, then rolled until she rested on top of him. With the gentlest of touches, he brushed the back of his fingers across her cheeks. “You’ve ruined me.”

“How so?” She laughed while leaning into his touch.

“You’ve ruined me for all others.” Christian continued to stroke her cheeks, but his gaze never left hers. “I love you also.”

She concentrated on the dark intensity of his eyes. A thousand reasons to shout for joy rushed through her. He loved her. “Really?”

“Truly.” With the most tender care, he cupped her cheeks. “I never thought I’d find this. Never thought I’d find you.”

The warmth of his body next to hers was a luxury she didn’t think she’d ever get used to. Now, everything had changed. He was an addiction, and she never wanted to be cured. She breathed deep, inhaling the scent of their coupling. She’d remember this moment for the rest of her life. Did all lovers experience such intimacy?

“I have a confession,” he murmured.

“What?” Katherine leaned close and kissed the indentation in his square chin.

An endearing yet sheepish grin tugged at his full lips. “I couldn’t keep away from you if my life depended on it. But why didn’t you let me know you were leaving last night? I would have taken you home.”

“You were asleep. I didn’t want to wake you, and Morgan was kind enough to see me home.”

His gaze held hers captive. The weightiness of it made her stomach clench.

“Katherine, I want to redefine our partnership.” The room grew suddenly silent. The exaggerated pulse at the base of his neck matched hers. He took her hand and entwined their fingers then brought their hands to rest next to his heart. “I think we should make it permanent.”

“As in work?” she answered.

A lopsided grin appeared. “You’re not going to make this easy for me, are you? Have