Chapter Ten
Diana
Diana slipped from the bed as quietly as possible, not wanting to wake Graham.
She hadn’t expected that they’d share a bed together the entire night.
But the night was spent dozing off after the exquisite bliss of a climax and then one of them waking the other to do it again.
Her body ached, but it was well worth it.
She’d tired out muscles that she’d never known existed.
She studied her sleeping husband in the morning light streaming through the curtains.
His dark hair was thoroughly mussed, one arm flung across the space where she’d been lying.
Even in sleep, he looked satisfied—almost smug.
As well he should be, given how many times he’d made her cry out his name throughout all hours of the night.
It was clear why women were discouraged from knowing about such pleasures before marriage. Because now that she’d had her husband, she certainly didn’t want to stop.
Her skin heated again from recalling how wanton she had been in their marriage bed.
The way he’d turned her onto her stomach and taken her from behind, so deep she’d seen stars and knew she’d beg for him to do so again.
The way he’d pulled her atop him, teaching her to ride him as she’d ridden Luna, praising her when she found the rhythm that pleased them both.
And the exploration they did with their mouths…
And she knew she was a frightful sight after the most exciting night of her life.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Graham mumbled into his pillow.
“To order a bath. I’m rather in need of one.”
“Mmm.” He cracked one eye open. “Come back to bed after.”
“I think you are missing the point of the bath, husband.” Diana giggled then leaned down and kissed his shoulder, before slipping into her chemise and venturing to her adjoining chambers. For a moment, she paused and pondered how affectionate acts seemed natural already. Easy, even.
She rang for Mary, and immediately asked for hot water to be brought up for the bath.
While she waited, she examined herself in the mirror. Her lips were swollen from kisses, her neck marked with the places where his mouth had been, and her hair in complete disarray. She looked thoroughly debauched…and quite satisfied.
The servants arrived, filling the copper tub with steaming water and Mary left lavender oils and fresh towels. Diana dismissed them, then pulled off her chemise and tested the water with her toe.
“Starting without me?”
She turned to find Graham leaning against the doorframe, completely naked and given the state of his manhood…aroused.
“You appeared content in your bed,” she said, trying not to stare at his naked body now that she could see him even better in the daylight. Yet his gaze wasn’t focused on her eyes.
“Our bed.” He slunk toward her, and captured her hands in his. “I think we have demonstrated the necessity of sharing a bed.”
Her heart fluttered in her chest. She almost thought she might wake at any moment to find that it all had been a dream. She blinked her eyes closed and when she opened them, she was elated to find that it was all real.
Graham helped her into the tub, and Diana sighed as the hot water soothed her aching muscles. Then he climbed in behind her, pulling her back against his chest.
“This is heaven,” she murmured, relaxing into his embrace.
“No,” he corrected her, sudsing up her arms. “Heaven was last night. This is merely pleasant.”
Diana laughed. “Merely pleasant? You wound me, husband.”
“Then let me make amends.” His soapy hands moved to her breasts, massaging them gently. “Better?”
“Much.” She arched into his touch as his thumbs circled her nipples. Despite her soreness, desire began to stir again.
Graham took his time washing every inch of her, his touch alternating between soothing and arousing. When his hand slipped between her thighs, Diana gasped.
“Still sore?” he murmured against her ear.
“Yes, but—” She lost her words as his fingers found that sensitive bundle of nerves, circling gently.
“Let me make you feel good,” he coaxed, his touch light. “Just relax against me and I’ll do everything.”
Diana melted into his chest as he worked her body with maddening slowness.
He massaged her thighs and brushed his fingers over her sensitive nub.
He kissed and licked along her ear and neck.
The pleasure built gradually and she had never felt more relaxed, yet more aware of every sensation in her body.
She tensed just as she was about to fall over the edge of the building pleasure that he teased her with for what felt like an hour.
“That’s it,” he encouraged. “Just let go.”
She came with a soft cry, the climax gentle but intense, lasting for what felt like minutes. Graham held her through it, pressing kisses upon her temple.
“Better?” he asked when she could breathe again.
“Much,” she sighed, then realized he was still hard against her back. “What about you?”
“I feel quite confident that I’ll get my turn later, if last night was any indication.” He reached for the soap again. “Now let me wash your hair.”
Graham massaged her scalp, working the soap through her long tresses with infinite care.
“You’re going to spoil me,” she murmured.
“That’s the plan.” He rinsed her hair with fresh water from the pitcher.
Once her hair was rinsed, Diana shifted in the tub so she faced him. She took the soap and lathered her hands and then went to work massaging his chest and shoulders, placing kisses on his neck and jaw when his head fell back over the side of the tub.
“I should have married you a long time ago,” he teased.
“Too bad I couldn’t have followed you into a garden during my first season,” Diana replied, running her soapy hands down his torso.
He captured her mouth in a lingering kiss. “We’ll just make up for lost time.”
Diana’s hands slid lower until her fingertips brushed the base of his cock. He gave a sharp intake of breath, his eyes opening to meet hers. She could see the desire in them.
Her lips curved with mischief. “You’ve been very attentive, husband. It seems only fair that I return the favor.”
“Diana…” His voice was a low warning, but he did nothing to stop her. Instead, he rested his arms on the edge of the tub and watched. His cock was hard as she wrapped her fingers around his manhood.
The soap made her hand glide easily, and she loved watching the way that his expression shifted to need from her touch. She stroked slowly at first, watching his head lean back against the rim of the tub, throat working as he swallowed hard.
He released a low growl and gripped the sides of the tub. She tightened her hold and varied her speed, delighting in every moan he gave her. She must be doing something right.
“Is this good for you?” she whispered, leaning closer to kiss his throat. She had never felt bolder and more beautiful in her life knowing that she controlled his pleasure the way she did.
His laugh was shaky. “Far better than good.”
She quickened her strokes, fascinated by the way his chest heaved and the way the muscles in his neck flexed. When she brushed her thumb over the sensitive head, he cursed softly, his entire body tensing beneath her hand.
“Diana—” His plea broke off as he shot his seed into her hand, swirling in the water. He groaned as he put his hand over hers to still her movement.
She smiled, reveling in her triumph. “There. Now we’re even.”
He caught her chin and kissed her hard. “I can’t think of a better way to start the day.”
Graham helped her out of the tub and then dried them both. He then helped her into the silk wrapper that Mary left. “I’m going to have breakfast sent up.”
She followed him back into his chamber where he donned a burgundy banyan before reaching for the bell pull. Within a quarter hour later, they had breakfast trays with eggs, bacon, fresh bread, jam, and strong tea set out on the small table in the shared parlor in their suite.
Once they were alone, Diana eagerly arranged a plate for herself. “I’m famished.”
“I can’t imagine why,” Graham said with a wicked grin, buttering a piece of bread for her.
They both ate as if they had been starving, making little conversation between bites. Diana couldn’t remember the last time that she had ever been so hungry.
“I have something for you,” Graham said once they’d finished eating. He retrieved a large box from his wardrobe and set it on the bed.
“What is it?”
“Open it and see.”
Diana lifted the lid and instantly ran her fingers along the fabric. Inside lay a beautiful deep emerald green riding habit. It was more serviceable than flashy, which was perfect.
“Graham,” she gushed. “Thank you. This is perfect!”
“I want you to feel comfortable as you build your confidence riding your horse.”
Diana placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. “I’m going to dress in it now.”
“Graham shook his head. “I supposed I had better dress, too.”
“Yes,” she exclaimed. “I want my lesson.”
After they dressed, the pair made their way out to the mews, and Diana couldn’t help but blush at the memory of the last time she had been there, before her father practically locked her away until she had married.
Diana immediately went to Luna, who appeared excited to see her. “Ready for another lesson, girl?”
The groom approached and saddled Luna for her, and then saddled Midnight.
Graham helped her mount her horse, and then he leaped into his own saddle.
For the next hour, Graham instructed her while he rode beside her and Luna.
Diana’s confidence grew with each loop they made as Graham coached her through walking, then trotting, then the terrifying joy of her first canter.
“Excellent!” Graham called as she brought Luna back for a walk. Her heart was pounding. “You’re a natural, Diana.”
When he finally helped her dismount, she couldn’t believe that she had just done that. And wasn’t certain how she had gone her whole life without being allowed to do so.