Duke Looks Like a Groomsman - Valerie Bowman Page 0,77
on her face.
It was too much. His legs tensed. His thighs ached. He wanted to come so badly he hurt with the need. He moved his hand down between them, to stroke his thumb against her, intent on making her come once more.
“Rhys,” she said. “I want your pleasure.”
She’d said it in such a commanding voice, he had no choice but to obey the lady. Pulling her tight against him, he pumped into her again and again before releasing his seed in the most mind-numbing orgasm of his entire life. Then he collapsed atop her, his heart pounding, his body trembling, more satisfied than he’d ever been.
Moments passed before his breathing righted and Rhys rolled to his side, immediately pulling Julianna against him and wrapping his arms around her. “You’re mine,” he breathed. “And I’m yours.”
“Forever,” she replied, kissing his forearm.
They laid like that for several minutes, both basking in the glow of their lovemaking before Julianna finally pulled out of his arms and pushed herself up against the pillows next to him.
Her face turned serious. “I want you to know something, Rhys.”
“What’s that, Love?” He trailed his hand along her outer thigh.
“I know you lost the bet and I don’t care if you’re poor. In fact, you may use my dowry to pay off your debts if you like.”
Rhys gently reached up and stroked her cheek with his fingers. “Thank you, my love, but the truth is that I am not in debt.”
Her brow furrowed. “You’re not?”
He shook his head. “Not a farthing. In fact, I’ve managed to double the amount my father left several times over.”
Her mouth fell open. “How is that possible? The papers are always reporting how much you lose at Hollister’s, and Lady Helen said—”
A wicked grin spread across his lips. He pulled her fingers up to his mouth and kissed them. “Haven’t we learned that the papers aren’t always right? And something tells me Lady Helen doesn’t know much about my financial situation.” He rolled his eyes comically.
“You haven’t lost your fortune?” she asked, still agog.
“Afraid not. You see, after I lose for the sake of the papers—to keep the gossip mills happy—I go elsewhere and win exorbitant sums.”
Julianna shook her head again. “Why would you do that? Why would you want everyone to think you lost?”
Rhys let out a long, loud sigh. “For the same reason I didn’t want to believe that you truly cared about me.” He pushed himself up against the headboard, propping a pillow behind him. “I’ve spent my life being convinced—mainly by my father—that women would only want me for my money and title.”
“And when you saw the story in the paper, you decided I was one of them,” she murmured.
He kissed her fingers again. “I think I’d convicted you in my head long before that, Julianna. But it was my own insecurity that I was trying to hide from. I should have told you the truth from the beginning. I was far too arrogant, or at least I pretended to be, but mostly that was just what I want people to think about me. I finally had to face the fact that I’m not always right. Being a servant was humbling. It taught me many things, I’m thankful to say. I can honestly say that I won’t pretend to be something I’m not anymore. Even a drunken, penniless, lout.”
“Or a groomsman?” She smiled at him.
“Or a groomsman,” he replied with a laugh.
She threaded her fingers through his. “I was wrong too, Rhys. I should have told you I loved you. Instead, I allowed my anger with you for believing the worst about me and my own pride stand in the way of our happiness. I was far too stubborn for my own good.”
Rhys brought their hands to his lips and kissed her wrist. “Lord help our future children, Love. They will no doubt be doubly stubborn.”
“I’m already worried about their marriage prospects,” she said with a laugh.
“Speaking of marriage, I’ll go speak to your father first thing in the morning,” Rhys said with a resolute nod.
Julianna traced her fingertip along the edge of the sheet. She nodded. “Yes, and while you’re doing that, I must find Lord Murdock and tell him the truth. I owe him a sincere apology.”
“Something tells me Murdock will spring back quickly. Perhaps Lady Helen can keep him company.”
Julianna slapped Rhys’s shoulder, but she couldn’t help her giggle. “That’s awful, and you know it.”
Rhys shrugged. “On the contrary. It sounds as if the man