Breathless(72)

He whispered, “Turn for me, love.”

She complied. He undid the line of small covered buttons that ran down her spine and when he finished, helped her ease her arms free of the delicate capped sleeves to expose the cream-colored silk shift that covered her corset. He brushed adoring lips over the flesh bared by the garments, the back of her neck, and the crowns of her shoulders while his hands moved up and over the breasts mounded by the veiled corset. “You have on too many clothes, Mrs. Randolph. How about you step out of your dress?”

She did and he placed it on the chair nearby.

Her shift was disposed of next, which left her dressed in her corset, gartered stockings, drawers, and fancy shoes. He liked the sensual vision she presented and ran a finger over the tops of her breasts. “I’m surprised you didn’t drop from the heat with all these things on, but I like this corset.”

“Do you?”

“Very much.”

Edged in lace and adorned with tiny seed pearls, it was made for a man’s adoring eyes, but it was soon rucked down so he could feast wantonly, and all she could do was moan and stand on legs that shook in response to each passionate circling of his enticing tongue and draw of his expert mouth. His hands found the dampness between her thighs and by the time he removed her drawers and they moved to the bed, she was rising and twisting on the edge of orgasm. “Let yourself go, darling,” he whispered encouragingly. “I have plenty more for you.”

He slid in one finger and then two and slowly used them to mimic the way he planned to love her later. The heat in the room climbed and her legs widened. He increased the pace and savored how wet she was and the sight of her nudity framed by the opened corset, as she rose and fell to the decadent rhythm. He captured her lips. “Come for me, Duchess. I know you’re ready.”

And a breath later she did, bucking wildly and calling his name.

Kent smiled the smile of a pleased male and eased his fingers free. He was on the verge of orgasm, too, but she was his and he was greedy, so he teased the stiff little bud at the apex of her thighs and dropped his head.

When his tongue found her she cried out. “What—”

“I just want a small taste, darlin.’”

He raised his head and, seeing the wonder in her eyes, he chuckled. “No?”

She fell back as if outdone and he laughed. “Oh, baby, we’re going to have so much fun, you and I.”

And Portia had to admit, it was fun until he slid himself inside and the size of him stretched her so painfully.

“Just relax, love. I won’t move until you’ve caught your breath.”

Regan was right. It did hurt and she was left bereft because she wanted to enjoy this part of the marriage bed, but she wouldn’t if it hurt this way. He was holding himself above her and there was genuine concern on his face.

“It’ll only hurt this one time. Promise. You ready?”

Biting her lip, she nodded and tensed when he began to move again. After a few minutes her body accepted him, the pain lessened, and she began answering his slow strokes. The flame caught again, this time more intensely. Feeling the familiar storm begin to gather, she smiled up. “Oh, Kent.”

“Liking it now?”

She wanted to reply but her body was responding so feverishly no words were needed. Caught up in the whirlwind as he increased his pace, she hooked her heels over his thrusting hips, ran her hands up and down his strong arms, and knew she’d died and gone to heaven.

“Welcome to the marriage bed, Mrs. Randolph.”

His thrusts were harder, stronger, and he reached down and raised her hips without missing a beat. He threw back his head, “God, you’re so tight. I could do you all night, woman.”

And then, as his orgasm broke, he roared and stroked harder, rougher, and she didn’t care because she was coming again, too, this time with a scream, and she didn’t care if they heard her in Tucson.

In the silent aftermath, he kissed her and she ran her fingers up the sweat on his back and down his spine. He was heavy but she didn’t mind. He finally broke the seal of their bodies and rolled off and lay beside her breathing harshly. “I don’t think I’m ever letting you out of this room.”

She chuckled softly.

He studied her and she did the same to him. He asked, “Are you okay? I probably should’ve been gentler.”

“I’m fine and so were you. When can we do it again?”

He laughed, dragged her atop and they did again, and again. When the sun came up, they finally fell asleep in each other’s arms.

For the next three days, they made love, many times, ate food delivered to the door by the hotel staff, and talked about everything from the silly to the serious.

One evening while outside watching the sunset, she said, “Who would have ever thought we’d end up married to each other?”

“I know. When I first met you, you were a skinny little thing with big eyes who didn’t smile.”

“That’s because I was so terrified of you and Rhine and Jim. All men really.”

“I know.”

“You did?”

“Yes. When any of us came into a room you’d leave or stand with a piece of furniture between you and whichever man it was.”

“I thought I was prey.”

“Rhine and Eddy talked with us about you and Regan.”