Chapter 18
T he bridal wedding chamber was festooned with ribbons, lace, and flowers.
The room was a riot of joy and color. It made Mercy feel as if this was the beginning of one great celebration. And then she realized that’s exactly what this was.
She stood in the beautiful silk night rail that Gemma had helped her slip into, waiting. Waiting had never been so hard.
It felt like she had waited for all time, even though it had only been an hour since the sun set, the guests had left, and she had come upstairs.
The soft knock and then the opening of the door that led to Leander’s room was so very welcome. Even so, she jumped.
He strode forward, a taper in his hand and a long emerald robe sweeping about him. His dark hair shone blue in the moonlight, and his eyes were twin dark pools.
“Are you ready?”
She nodded. “Very.”
He smiled, a wolfish smile. “No nerves?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she replied. “I am very nervous. But you made certain that I would wish to do this. If it is anything like the hints of what you showed me, I plan to enjoy it immensely.”
His smile broadened and his own gaze sparked with anticipation. “Then I best not keep you waiting.”
“Thank you. I have grown most tense while waiting.”
“Well, we can’t have that,” he growled softly as he placed the taper down on the table beside the bed.
He crossed to her then and, without a word, took her in his arms.
She gasped. She had never felt so… So very naked before. The night rail was so thin she could feel his heat. The silk skimmed over her skin, awakening it.
A low groan of need rumbled from his throat. “I want to see you.”
She nodded and reached for the ribbon at her neck, but her fingers fumbled.
“Let me help,” he whispered, and in a single pull, he undid the rose-colored ribbon and helped her slide the gown from her body.
She stood naked before him. Her nipples immediately hardened under his gaze, and she felt the area between her thighs ache for him.
He licked his lips as if imagining tasting her.
His jaw tensed and then he swept her into his arms, carried her to the bed, and placed her down upon the counterpane.
Clearly overtaken by his own desire for her, he shrugged the robe off his body and climbed onto the bed.
She let out a gasp as she caught sight of his chiseled body.
His velvety skin brushed hers, and she let out a soft moan.
Slowly, he pulled her against him, letting her get used to him. And then, slowly, he began to whisper his fingers over her. All over her. From her clavicles to her breasts to her nipples. He took his time, teasing every curve of her body until she was arching against him.
When at last he stroked his fingers over her hips and delved them down to the valley of her thighs, she rocked her body towards him.
He said not another word, but he clearly liked the wet heat he found between her legs. Leander moved downward upon the bed, gazed at her sex as if it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, and then lowered his mouth to her.
A startled cry tore from her mouth as he took her with his lips, his tongue. He did not hesitate as he awakened her. With each stroke of his masterful tongue, she climbed higher and higher. Then he slipped a finger into her hot sheath, and then another.
Wave after wave of pleasure so intense she could not think pulsed through her.
A male sound of satisfaction rumbled from him and then he lifted himself up, covering her body with his, and said, “Now I’m going to make you mine.”
“Yes,” she breathed. “Yes.”
Leander angled his body towards her and his sex, large and hard, thrust at her opening.
She winced as pain shot through her, but then, as quickly as it came, it disappeared.
He took his time, stroking her body inwardly with his sex until he was building a rhythm.
The hot, hard thrusts began to drive her wild with need again. She stared up at him, trusting, uncertain, yet knowing she was perfectly safe with him.
“I love you,” she whispered. “I love you.”
He laced his hands with hers, tilted his hips, and rocked deep. “I love you too, Mercy.”
And just that change in angle and the delicious sound of her name on his lips drove her back over the edge into paradise.
He watched her take her bliss, and then he could clearly control himself no longer and joined her there.
Leander pumped his hips against her, threw back his head, and cried out his love.
Panting, they collapsed together in a tangle of limbs.
Mercy stroked his beautiful body, savoring the feel of him. Savoring the fact that he was hers. Forever.
Her duke. Her husband. Her Leander.