Chapter 18
Evelyn’s heart pounded against her ribs as Asher stared down at her, licking his lips.
She could hardly believe this was truly happening, and yet, she wanted it to with every part of her being.
When he finally moved to meet her lips, it was with a kiss so searingly decisive that she gasped into his mouth, shocked at the desire that flared between them.
It had been building for so long, but now, with them choosing each other, choosing to forget all else around them and explore this moment between them… it was unmatched.
His hands roamed over her curves, caressing and exploring as Evelyn melted against him with a soft moan.
He held her as though she was the most precious thing in the world to him, yet with a soft strength that reminded her of what had led them to this moment — him claiming her as his own, as no one else’s.
Which sent a thrill through her, making her want him even more.
He broke the kiss to trail his lips down the sensitive column of her throat, the light stubble on his chin rubbing against her and causing gooseflesh to break out all over her body.
Her fingers tangled into his hair as she arched into him, silently begging for more.
"I want to taste you," Asher murmured against her neck. "All of you."
She shivered, even though she didn’t completely understand what he meant – but she had a feeling she was going to enjoy it. "Please," she breathed, agreeing to whatever he had to offer.
She was a woman of knowledge, of puzzles, of words and facts and books. She knew the mechanics of how two mammals — or two people — came together, driven by the desire to create new life or, in some cases, by a need that ran deep inside.
But she hadn’t completely understood the whole of it.
Until now.
At her acceptance, with deft fingers, he undid the fastenings of her bodice, parting the fabric to allow her breasts to fall out, held back from being completely bared to him by only a thin layer of fabric.
Evelyn momentarily tensed as she suddenly felt too exposed, too vulnerable, but then he cupped her breasts reverently, rubbing his thumbs over the hardened peaks straining against her chemise, making her forget any hesitation.
Evelyn gasped and clutched at his shoulders, her nails digging in as she clung to him as her lifeline.
Asher seemed encouraged as he lowered his head and closed his lips around one rosy nipple, suckling her through the thin material. She cried out and arched into his mouth, having never before realized just what such a touch on her breasts could do.
He lavished attention on her nipples until she was panting and writhing beneath him, desperate for release, unknowing just how to attain it.
Only then did he step back, his eyes dark and hazy with need.
"Undress for me," he commanded gently. "I want to see my wife."
Heat rose in Evelyn’s cheeks. She usually didn’t like being told what to do, and yet… here, it had the opposite effect, made her want to continue all the more.
She turned, offering him her back, and he made quicker work of the buttons that ran down her spine than her maid ever had.
She shrugged out of her gown, allowing it to fall down her body with a wiggle of her hips until it landed with a pool of silk on the floor.
When she looked over her shoulder, he was watching with hungry eyes.
She slowly turned around until she stood before him in only her chemise and stockings, relief filling her when he ran his gaze up and down her as though he approved of what he saw.
Evelyn didn’t mind standing naked before him, but she would also feel much better if she were not the only one exposed.
She stepped toward him, working at his waistcoat and shirt. Her movements were hurried, rather frantic, but he didn’t seem to mind as he watched her, making no move to help.
Finally, the garments fell away to the floor, revealing a well-defined torso, his chest and shoulders making her mouth go dry.
She tried to swallow, but he didn’t give her much time to become used to him as he leaned down and lifted her, before depositing her on the bed with a bounce.
“This still all right with you, Evelyn?” he murmured, his voice husky as it ran over her body. She nodded, unable to form words, especially when he made no move to climb over her as she had assumed.
Instead, he remained at the foot of the bed near her feet, reaching for the hem of her chemise, slowly drawing it up her legs.
“What are you doing?” she asked uncertainly, but he just shook his head, that knowing smile remaining on his face.
“Just wait,” he said before having the audacity to wink at her. Secretly, she was thrilled. This was the Asher she was longing for, the one she wanted to pull out and keep with her instead of the cold, responsible duke he all too often turned into.
Inch by inch, he revealed her body, and whenever Evelyn wondered if she should lean down and stop him, if this was too much for him to see, he would lean in and press his lips against another place, his fingers trailing over skin which responded to his every touch.
When he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her mound, she nearly jumped out of her skin, but he held her there, not letting her move.
“Open for me, luv,” he said, nudging her thighs apart. She hesitated just a moment before deciding to trust him.
Then he dipped his head.
Before she could fully register what he was doing, he swiped his tongue along her slit.
Evelyn jolted as if she had been struck by lightning, a choked cry escaping her lips.
“Asher!” she cried out. “Is that… is this…”
“This is right,” he said, anticipating her question as he looked up at her. “I want to taste my wife, and taste you I shall. All you have to do is lie back and enjoy this.”
She eyed him with some trepidation, still uncertain that they could do such a thing, but he held her gaze so unwaveringly that she knew she had no choice but to trust him. He had proven himself throughout this marriage so far to be a steady pillar.
Why mistrust him now?
Asher must have sensed her acceptance, for he returned his head beneath her chemise, no longer just licking but laving, sucking, stoking her pleasure higher.
She reached down and twisted her fingers into his hair, in part to tell him what she was feeling, and in part to be connected to him in any way she could.
It must have encouraged him, for he slid a finger inside of her, making her cry out. When he added a second, she nearly came off the bed as he matched the rhythm of his tongue against his thrusts.
Evelyn writhed beneath him, unable to form any words but rather just incoherently gasp and whimper. It seemed he had the power to take away her very ability to form a cohesive thought, let alone a sentence.
Then what she could only describe as a bright light within her began to ripple through her body, and soon she was shaking around him, until the light exploded into brilliant radiance.
She cried as he worked her through the release, his touch gentling while she slowly drifted back down to the present, to the mattress, to the man who now lay on his side next to her, a smile of complete satisfaction on his face.
“Well?” he asked, and she lifted her brows. Did he want a commentary on his performance? “Was I right?”
“About what?”
“That you should trust me?”
She couldn’t help but shake her head at him, although a smirk remained on her lips.
“Perhaps you were,” she admitted. “To be honest, I had no idea that such a thing could be done.”
“Let me guess, you only knew what you read in textbooks?”
“I suppose that is accurate,” she said, heat filling her face at the reminder of how different their previous experiences had been.
“How fortunate for you that I am a most willing teacher,” he said, reaching out and lifting her chin as he always did when she found herself unable to meet his eyes. “Anything that happened in my past — my distant past — I now believe was to prepare me for you.”
She looked at him in some disbelief, but she set that to the side as she focused on what came next.
“What you did,” she said, unable to say the words aloud to accurately describe it, “can that be done… in the opposite configuration?”
“Why yes, my wife,” he said with a slow smile. “It most certainly can.”
“Will you show me?”
“What did I just tell you about being a willing teacher?” he said with a laugh. “Come here.”
He crooked his finger to beckon her forward, and she couldn’t help but crawl toward him eagerly.
Her heart pounding with anticipation and nerves, Evelyn shuffled forward until she was lying right next to Asher, watching him lean back against the pillows, the candlelight playing over his defined muscles.
She let her gaze travel down his body, lingering on the impressive bulge straining against his trousers.
Ready for her.
She reminded herself that all she wanted was to give him the same pleasure he had just shown her.
She could do this.
With trembling fingers, she reached for the buttons of his falls. She fumbled a moment before getting them undone, her breath catching as his erection sprang free.
He was large and thick, the broad head flushed a deep red, glistening at the tip.
She licked her lips before she realized what she was doing, then flicked her gaze over to Asher.
“Can I touch it?”
“Please do,” he said, laughter in his voice, but he took pity on her as he took her hand and guided it toward him, wrapping her fingers around his shaft.
Evelyn marveled at the satiny hardness, the way he throbbed against her palm.
Asher moved her hand up and down a few times, showing her how he liked to be touched, and after a few moments, she had the rhythm, and he released his hand.
He hissed in a breath, his hips jerking as she stroked him base to tip. "Yes, just like that," he encouraged hoarsely.
Emboldened, Evelyn lowered her head and flicked her tongue experimentally over him. The salty-bitter taste of him hit her mouth and she licked again, swirling around the crown, teasing the sensitive underside.
Asher's hand fisted in her hair as a guttural sound tore from his throat. "Evelyn," he panted. "Your mouth, I need..."
Understanding, she parted her lips around him. He placed a hand on the back of her head, gently guiding her up and down until she had a better idea of what she was doing.
She could only fit a few inches, but she made up for it with enthusiasm. It was a strange yet intoxicating feeling, having him heavy against her tongue, the head of his manhood nudging against the side of her mouth, the back of her throat now and again.
Asher cursed, his fingers threading into her hair, continuing to guide her motions.
“Evelyn,” he groaned. “Your mouth feels incredible.”
The raw masculine sounds spilling from him sent heat lancing through her core. She loved that she could reduce this powerful man to a trembling mess with just her mouth.
Hollowing her cheeks, Evelyn increased her efforts, driven by an instinctive need to please him. Over and over she worked him, urged on by his rough groans and breathless praise.
"Evelyn, I’m close... I'm going to..." The words choked off into a groan as Asher went rigid. Hot liquid spurted across her tongue as he pulsed in her mouth, hips rocking helplessly as he spent himself.
Finally exhausted, Asher collapsed back on the bed, chest heaving. He tugged Evelyn up and into his arms, burying his face in her hair. "You are... extraordinary," he murmured reverently.
Evelyn glowed with feminine satisfaction, thrilled that she had pleased him so thoroughly. She nuzzled into his neck, basking in his warmth and solidity.
They lay entwined for long moments, heartbeats slowing as sweat cooled on their skin. Asher's hands roamed her back in soothing patterns.
While she had enjoyed what they had done together, the pleasure she had given and received, this intimacy — lying together after, telling one another how they felt — was what truly thrilled her, more than anything else they had done.
And she knew with great certainty that this wasn’t just a bit of fun.
She had growing feelings for him.
Which meant it would hurt all the more if she was ever not enough for him, if he didn’t return the feelings.
She had no idea just what she was going to do about it.
But she also had no wish to be anywhere else. At least not right now.
She would deal with the consequences later.