harder. When she came, she cried out loudly, her legs clamping around his head. He thrust his fingers into her, feeling her body grip him. She released a long sigh and dissolved into the bedding, her arms and legs limp.
He feared she would still experience pain, but perhaps her relaxed state would make their coupling easier. Positioning his body above her, he kissed her forehead, her nose, her chin. “I love you.”
“Me too,” she whispered.
He smiled and brushed the back of his fingers over her soft cheek. Would she ever make the same declaration to him? Perhaps he didn’t need to hear the words for there was no mistaking the affection for him in her gaze.
He prepared to enter her, uncertain if he should give her fair warning first. He kissed her again and surged forward while his mouth still covered hers.
She stiffened and tore her mouth from his. “Oh, my Lord! Gads, that—”
She snapped her mouth closed and stared up at him with wide eyes. He held still, his tortured breath stirring her hair. She felt amazing surrounding him, but he hated that she had to suffer for his pleasure.
He kissed her temple. “I’m sorry, darling. This is the only time it will hurt, I promise.”
She shook her head. “I’m all right. It was just a bit…shocking.”
“You are a horrible liar.”
Her chin lifted. “I am not lying. And this can’t be all there is to it, so please continue.”
His laugh was strained, but he genuinely appreciated her pluck. Gently, he withdrew and slid back inside her. As he repeated the motion, she sighed and closed her eyes. Her hands brushed his buttocks and tension seemed to drain from her.
“Move your hips with me,” he murmured.
When he thrust into her, she met him and sighed again. He stopped to kiss her then pushed into her once more. She quickly adapted her movements with his and soon he was lost in her. Her soft moans filled him with elation as she welcomed him, loving him back with her body. Her fingers clutched at his back, urging him to go deeper.
His thoughts abandoned him, all except one word repeating in his head. You. He had found what he had been searching for all this time. Vivian was his guiding star, leading him back to the life he had always been meant to live. She was his hope, his deepest desires, and his destiny.
“You are mine,” he murmured moments before she sent him to his la petite mort. He surrendered to it, welcoming his temporary destruction, for his beloved Vivian would put him together again as only she could.
Twenty-eight
Luke hadn’t realized he had been holding his breath, but when Vivian signed her name to the marriage settlement, it came out in a whoosh. She laid down the quill and accepted his mother’s enthusiastic congratulations.
Richard clapped him on the back. “Well done, brother.”
When Mother released Vivian from her embrace, she joined hands with Luke. Their fate was sealed, come what may. Vivian was his and soon she would have his name to prove his devotion. He lifted her hand to his lips, drew in her sweet scent, and marked her with a kiss.
Mother slanted a smile at him. “What an exhausting day. I am afraid you will have to excuse me so I might retire for the evening. Richard, will you escort me to my door?”
“My pleasure, Mother. I should collect Phoebe and make our way back to Shafer Hall.”
When they were alone, Luke scooped Vivian into his arms and carried her to the settee. He settled on the upholstered piece with her on his lap and traced the rim of her ear with his finger. She leaned into his touch.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“The soreness is mostly gone and I feel amazing.” She wiggled to around to face him, her eyes snapping with the curious energy he had loved from the moment they had met. “Will we share a bed often? I wouldn’t like waiting long between visits.”
Luke laughed, rejoicing in the fact Vivian was as passionate as he had judged her to be. “Try keeping me away.” He nuzzled her neck, becoming aroused again. If he hadn’t taken her innocence only hours earlier, he would already have her half undressed. “Perhaps I should send you to your chambers while I still have the wherewithal to do so.”
“Soon.” She played with the hair at his collar, her expression turning thoughtful. “Miss Truax wasn’t at dinner. Has she been locked in her chambers