Chapter Twenty-Two #2
Her heart started beating so hard she feared it might burst from her chest. He gazed down into her eyes as if he had forgotten what he was about to say.
“Ask me,” she whispered.
Hope made her knees weaken, so when he took his hands from her waist, she all but sagged against him.
“Esme de Neville.” He took hold of both her hands, and she realized, for the first time, that he was trembling too. “With your father’s permission, I would like to ask for your hand in marriage.”
She blinked. “You would like to ask?”
“I am asking.” He tightened his grip. “Marry me, Esme. Make me the happiest man in all the land. And I will spend the rest of my days endeavoring to deserve you.”
Joy bubbled up inside her, robbing her of all proper responses so that when she first opened her mouth, no sound came out.
“I will,” she managed, gasping for air.
Adam let out a whoop before clasping her to his chest and holding her tight.
“I hardly dare to believe it,” he whispered.
“I told you to dare to dream.” She smiled tremulously, feeling happy tears brimming in her eyes.
My father has consented to our match!
Naught could stop them marrying now.
“And that is precisely what I did.” He gazed down at her with so much love shining from his eyes that they hardly needed the light from the wall sconces. “My bright and beautiful Esme.”
Esme cleared her throat. “Adam, there is something that I must ask of you.”
He stilled. “Anything.”
She rose up on her tiptoes to close the distance between them. “Will you kiss me now?”
His answer was to bring his lips crashing down onto hers, plundering her mouth until all strength left her limbs and she clung to him as wave after wave of desire rippled through her.
His hands stroked her spine and cradled her breasts, the thin material of her night rail providing little barrier between them.
His kisses were hot, matching the spiraling heat rising through Esme’s body.
She gasped as his hands cupped her buttocks, bringing her hips into close contact with the part of him that strained hard at his breeches.
“You should most probably leave,” he said raggedly.
“Is that what you want?” Esme was busy tugging at his shirt, desperate to run her hands over the warmth of his skin.
“It is the last thing that I want.” He lifted her hair from her neck and pressed his lips to that sensitive spot until she writhed against him.
“Then I shall stay.” She smiled in victory as his shirt finally came free and her palms could caress the curves of his muscular chest.
“If you stay, I cannot promise restraint.” His words were muffled against her neck.
Esme’s wandering hands came over his shoulders before trailing a path downwards. “Good,” she breathed.
With a groan, Adam lifted her up and laid her gently on his bed. “If you are sure?” He unclasped her cloak, and she sat up so he could pull it away.
“I have never been more sure of anything.”
When Adam lifted off his shirt, she leaned back on her elbows to better admire the rippling breadth of him.
“Do I please you, milady?” He put his hands at either side of her and dopped a featherlight kiss onto her lips.
“Very much.” She let her head fall back, surrendering to his caresses. His hands moved down over her body, skimming over the place she most wanted him to linger. She felt him grip the hem of her night rail and an intense feeling of anticipation mingled with relief fair robbed her of reason.
She lifted her hips and arms, helping him remove the garment in one smooth moment. He gazed down at her with his green eyes, drinking her in.
“Do I please you, good sir?” she asked impishly.
“More than you can ever know.” Adam’s weight gently came down on top of her as he kissed and nibbled his way over her breasts and stomach. When she realized where his kisses were leading, she half sat up in surprise, but Adam lowered her back down with a firm but steady hand.
“Stay there,” he almost growled.
Never had she anticipated such giddy heights of sensation.
Esme could not help calling out when the warmth of his tongue first entered her most secret place.
She clenched her hands into fists as her hips bucked beneath him, unable to control the spiraling tension which released into spasms of pleasure and left her limbs tingling.
He kissed his way back up her body, giving her time to catch her breath as he wrestled with his breeches.
“Can I?” he whispered into her ear.
“Can you what?” For a moment, Esme did not understand. But then she felt the tip of him against her stomach. Instead of answering, she instinctively moved him into position, matching his deep sigh of contentment when he slid deep inside her.
Almost at once, her pleasure began to build anew. She clung to his shoulders as he rocked, slowly at first, but quicker and quicker as her desire exploded once again. Adam took a great, shuddering breath and then collapsed against her, murmuring her name.
“You’re mine now.” He rolled to one side and cradled her to his chest.
“I have been for the longest time.” She traced a hand over his shoulders, loving the contrast between his strength and gentleness.
“I want to marry you right away, before anyone can change their mind.”
“No one is going to change their minds.” Contentment washed over her and Esme closed her eyes. “Though to make sure, I should stay here all through the night and ensure the housemaids find me in your arms.”
“Naked?” His voice was teasing.
“Entirely,” she confirmed.
Adam tensed and she thought he was about to protest, but then she realized that he was laughing quietly. “I am minded to think that is a most excellent idea.”
“Good.” She snuggled against him, feeling entirely at home as his arms wrapped around her.
She was happy and safe.
Forever.