A Wild Night's Bride (The Devil DeVere #1)(33)

He muffled her anguish with his mouth and poured his entire soul into the kiss. Nipping, gliding, tangling tongues, he yanked her breasts free from the confines of her gown, mouthing her nipples through her thin shift, while she went to work on his breeches with a mutual desperation to release him and share the sweet friction as he slid into her.

Fumbling with clothing, they stumbled to the bed and collapsed in a wild tangle of limbs atop the thick featherbed. Her legs wrapped tightly about his waist, Ned rolled her beneath him with a low groan and plunged into her, burying his staff to the hilt where he held motionless.

She rocked against him. “Please,” she begged. He answered by dragging against her and driving back in, his heart slamming against his breastbone from his effort for control. “How did you lose your position?”

“The queen found out. I suspected Lord Malden. He was jealous.”

He gave her one...two...three more agonizingly sublime strokes.

“The prince should have protected you. A gentleman would have done so.”

“But he had already lost interest and was fixated on the actress Mary Robinson.” She tried to laugh, but it emerged closer to a sob.

“He left you to fend for yourself? He’s a damned fool. If he was any other man. I promise you, Phoebe...” His breathing was heavy. The blessed friction of plunge and drag increased in tempo as he pounded into her, willing her to understand the storm raging inside him.

“Then the theater closed. Oh, please. Harder.”

Teeth clenched, Ned grunted. “So you were forced to seek a protector to meet your needs.” He wasn’t finished with his questions yet, but he was avowed to fill her need, to show her bliss like she’d never known. He slid his hands under her hips and raised her higher, pushing harder, driving deeper.

“But then I met you and only wanted you. I only need you, Ned!” Her body seized. She cried out, and with a great shudder, he joined her as their minds and bodies collided and shattered in ecstasy.

***

Phoebe opened her eyes to find herself wrapped in the warmth and comfort of Ned’s body. The top of her head was pillowed by his shoulder. His chest rose and fell beneath her cheek, his beating heart a strong and solid comfort to her ear. In all her life, she had never felt more secure, more at peace, than lying in this man’s strong arms. Afraid to move, terrified to do anything to break the tranquil spell that enveloped her, she stole a glance up at his face only to find him studying her with a thoughtful look.

“What are you thinking?” She kissed his chest, tracing her tongue around the disk of his nipple.

He stroked her hair and sighed. “That I must return to West Riding soon. I had only intended a short stay in London to arrange for this house. But then I began to consider whether I might have a different use for it than what I had originally intended, that perhaps since I only rarely come to town, I could extend the lease and put it in your name instead.”

She closed her eyes in an attempt to hide her irrational disappointment. “You said before that you would not be a suitable candidate to be my protector.”

“I did say that, but then I began actually considering such an arrangement, only to realize I am simply not a man to keep a mistress. Thus, I have decided against it.”

Her heart gave a painful lurch. “When do you leave London?”

“As soon as I can wrap up a few loose ends. Speaking of which, as much as I truly desire to stay here alone with you in this great bed and make love to you until our minds and bones are jelly, I must tend to some pressing matters, DeVere being one of them.” He looked down at her, and his mouth twitched. “You do realize we’ve left the poor chap completely to his own devices.”

“Try as I might, my darling, I am having difficulty commanding any true sympathy for the rogue.”

“Tsk. Tsk,” he chided. “He is my best friend, after all. And while undoubtedly a rogue, he does have his moments.”

She gave him a dubious arch of her brow.

“I think it highly unlikely we ever would have met without his meddling machinations.”

“I suppose there is that.” She offered a tiny smile and then sat up, taking care to avert her face. “It’s been lovely.” Her lips quivered. “Truly lovely. I’ll get dressed now. Could you perhaps convey me to Drury Lane? Or if it’s too much trouble, I shall call a hack.”

A heavy weight shifted on the mattress, and warm hands gripped her bare shoulders. “I must disabuse you of that notion, my dear girl. While I must go out, you are going nowhere.”

She turned around. “What are you saying?”

He cupped her chin, forcing her to meet his warm, hazel gaze. “I won’t let you leave me. Like it or not, you are in my life to stay. I told you I briefly wondered if I could be content with you as my mistress. I am not such a man. I do not love either easily or lightly, Phoebe.”

Her heart rose to her throat. “Love?”

“Aye, love.” His thumb caressed her cheek. “And for the record, I have loved only once before.”

“Please tell me,” she said, desperate to know.

He pulled her into his arms. “There is surprisingly little to tell. I met Annalee the summer I graduated university. It was at a garden party thrown by my neighbor Diana, who was also her cousin. It was love at first sight, or at least calf love. When DeVere set his sights on her, as well, I knew I couldn’t let him have her. It came to blows.”