Chapter 32 #2
Relief settled over Seraphine so suddenly.
Only hours ago she had believed Damien had been eager to send her away, that Scotland had been little more than an excuse to rid himself of a wife he had married out of duty.
Now every misunderstanding unraveled before her eyes.
Every cold refusal, every stern order, every sleepless night had not been born of indifference but fear.
He had never wanted to lose me. He had been desperately trying to keep me alive.
The knowledge warmed her heart until tears blurred her vision once more.
He carried her through the quiet corridors of Wexford Manor and into his bedchamber.
The familiar room, with its tall windows, polished mahogany furnishings, and quietly burning fire, suddenly felt warmer than it ever had before.
Damien gently lowered her onto her feet beside the bed but made no move to step away. Instead, he rested his forehead lightly against hers. For several moments neither of them spoke. There was no need.
"I shall spend the rest of my life making amends," he said.
She smiled. "I believe that is rather a long courtship."
His lips curved into a smile. "I have every intention of courting my own wife."
"I should hope so."
His hand rose slowly, brushing an escaped curl away from her face with remarkable gentleness. Then his hand slid gently to the curve of her waist.
Possessive. Certain. Certain that she belonged beside him. She rested one hand against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her fingertips.
It matched her own. She breathed in the familiar manly scent, and she wondered how she had ever mistaken his quietness for coldness.
There had always been warmth beneath it. She simply had not known where to look.
His lips met hers in a soft, lingering kiss. It was unhurried. Gentle.
For so long, she had searched for someone who would make her feel safe.
She had never imagined that safety would feel like this, warm hands, whispered promises, and a kiss that told her, without a single word, that she had finally come home.
Damien's lips rested lightly upon her shoulders, careful and passionate.
His hands began to move down the sides of her body, lingering against the sides of her breasts with slow, gentle movements.
Hours of fear and strain seemed to melt away beneath the simple comfort of his touch.
Seraphine had not realized how tightly she had held herself until now.
She released a quiet sigh. "That is better."
He whispered. "I want to please you."
Before she could think of another teasing reply, he reached for her breast. His fingers brushed so lightly against her peak. It sent a flutter racing through her chest. Slowly, almost granting permission without words, she threw her head back. The simple gesture made him moan.
It amazed her that something so small could make her heart feel impossibly full.
He brushed his thumb across her rosy peak. She gasped. Warmth spread through her as though every heartbeat had become brighter.
She closed her eyes for just a moment, leaning ever so slightly into his hand before she realized what she was doing.
When she opened them again, Damien was watching her with an expression so hungry it almost undid her.
"You are beautiful," he said.
She found herself studying him with quiet admiration.
His broad shoulders filled the firelit room with reassuring strength, yet there was nothing intimidating in the way he looked at her now.
The guarded chill that had once lingered in his green eyes had softened into something gentler, something vulnerable.
His dark hair had become slightly disordered from the long day's ride, and for the first time since she had met him, he looked less like the formidable Duke of Wexford and more like simply... Damien. The man she loved.
He noticed her gaze lingering.
"What is it?"
She smiled. "I was merely thinking how extraordinarily handsome my husband is."
One dark eyebrow lifted. "Is that so?"
"It is."
After a moment he moved behind her, his fingers finding the ribbons fastening the back of her gown.
"May I?" he asked softly.
She nodded. "I should like that."
His movements remained slow and unhurried as he carefully loosened each ribbon, taking care not to rush or tug at the delicate fabric. The tension in her shoulders eased further with every patient gesture.
When the final fastening came loose, he stepped back respectfully. "I shall lose my mind looking at such beauty."
She turned to him with a smile that reached her eyes. "Thank you."
Then she watched as he pulled on his cravat, untying it from his neck. He threw the fabric on the floor and continued to disrobe, one item after another until he stood naked before her.
Seraphine allowed her eyes to take him in. His broad shoulders gave way to strong arms. His chest was molded into hard ridges. Thick muscular thighs surrounded a mound of black curls and his rigid hard staff.
She took a deep breath.
"We must continue what we started on our wedding night," he said as he stepped toward her.
"Yes, I want to do that more than anything," she said.
She felt his lips press against hers, thick with desire. His large hand cupped her breast pinching at her peak. Seraphine moaned into his mouth.
Then she felt his other hand slide down her waist and to her secret place between her thighs. She threw her hands onto his shoulders to steady herself.
"Open your legs," he commanded.
She blushed and did as he said. She felt his thumb move over her rosebud. Her fingers dug into his arms to keep her from falling as her knees grew weak.
"Oh, Damien," she said.
"You will drive me mad if you say my name like that," he whispered.
She bit her lower lip and allowed him to massage her tender spot in slow circles. Her toes curled.
"Do you like that?" he asked.
"Yes, more than I expected," she said.
"Good." He kissed her shoulder softly.
Seraphine felt the pulsing deep in her belly. It throbbed through her building and building.
"Oh, I am… I am feeling…" she said.
"Do not fight it. I want you to cum for me," he moaned.
With those words, Seraphine released as she stood before him. She leaned forward resting her naked body against his. His arm slipped around her waist holding her up.
The delicious feeling flooded through her in bliss.
Damien lifted her from her feet and set her on the bed.
"I want you. I want to make you mine once and for all time," he whispered.
Seraphine wiggled into the bed, scarcely able to answer as she still enjoyed her release.
"Yes, please take me," she said.
She opened her thighs wide and Damien positioned himself between them. Seraphine locked onto his green eyes. His handsome face made her feel lustfully impatient.
Then she felt the tip of him press against her opening. He entered her slowly. She arched her back as she felt him fill her. They moved together. He slid back and forth. His hips rocked with the motion. Her mouth opened to release a moan and his closed upon it, capturing the sound.
They kissed with a hunger that had built for so long, while they became one.
When it was over, they lay together in complete ecstasy, wrapped in each other's arms as the Duke and Duchess of Wexford.