“Get me out of these clothes,” she demanded.
With the same urgency, he removed her corset, stopping to bury his face between her breasts, cupping them in his hands and kissing her nipples through the fine fabric.
Then he stripped her naked, his eyes burning with desire until they dipped to the bruises on her hip and thigh. “As God is my witness, no one will ever hurt you again.”
She didn’t want to think about the terrible things that had happened, only about this perfect moment with him. “I need you.” She took his hand and smoothed it over her breast. “Make me feel like I did at Fortune’s Den last night.”
His thumb grazed her nipple. “It would be my pleasure.”
He was on her in a heartbeat, kissing her wildly before turning her around, his erection pressing against her buttocks.
“Everything about you is spectacular,” he said against her neck as he slid his hand down between the apex of her thighs. His fingers teased her entrance before gliding over her bud. “You’re so beautiful.”
She almost cried.
No one had ever said such wonderful things.
No one had ever made her feel special.
But his fingers moved in enticing circles over her flesh, his other hand caressing her breast, anchoring her to him. She moaned aloud, each cry getting louder as her body shuddered and she came so hard her knees buckled.
Theo swept her up into his arms and lowered her onto the mattress. “I’m so hard, love. I’ll try not to hurt you. You’re certain you want to continue?”
“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”
He smiled. “You came so splendidly you’ve earned a confession.”
“I have?”
He rose above her, his powerful arms bearing his weight, a golden lock of hair hanging over his brow. “I volunteered to escort Delphine to her modiste appointment. I didn’t care to read the newspaper. I came only to watch you.”
Her heart was racing. “Why?”
“Because I have always found you enchanting.” He nudged her legs open with his knee and settled between them. “I’ve imagined this moment many times. It hurt to think that you hated me. Know I never meant to hurt you.”
He kissed her again, his body pressing her into the mattress, the feel of his warm skin on hers like a dream come true.
She wrapped her legs around him as he entered her slowly, each gentle nudge tearing a gasp from her lips. She stared into his eyes, relishing the feeling of having him inside her.
“Are you ready to take all of me, Eleanor?”
She wet her lips and nodded.
He didn’t thrust to the hilt straight away. He withdrew, rubbing his manhood over her slick folds until he drove her mad with need. When he entered her, she couldn’t help but express her pleasure.
“Yes. Don’t wait.”
“Forgive me,” he uttered as one sharp thrust left him buried deep inside her. “You feel so damn good. Take a minute to get used to me.”
A minute?
She could stay like this for a lifetime.
Never in her wildest dreams did she think this was possible.
Then he started moving, sliding out, then sinking deep. Filling her. The rhythm was so intoxicating she was breathless with desire. They couldn’t get enough of each other. The tempo changed. She begged him not to stop. He angled his hips, rubbing against her as he pumped so hard the bed creaked and took a chunk out of the plaster.
“Theo!” She came again, a wave of euphoria rippling to her toes. She gripped his tight buttocks, holding him inside her, not wanting to let go.
“Love, I’ll spill inside you if I don’t withdraw.”
He came over her belly, a deep groan rumbling in his throat.
She watched, loving the glint of passion in his eyes, how he uttered her name when he lost control, gawping at his toned physique when he retrieved a handkerchief from his coat pocket.
He lay in bed beside her, cleaning her belly. “I’ve barely had time to recover, yet I need you again.” He hauled her on top of him.
She rested her head on his chest, his hair tickling her face, his heartbeat thumping loudly in her ear. “Is that a good sign?”
He chuckled as he stroked her hair. “An extremely good sign. I’m yours whenever you want me. I can’t get enough of you, Eleanor.”
Men were fickle. That’s what Lady Summers professed. One minute, a lady is his diamond of the first water; the next, she’s a pebble beneath his feet.
A wise woman would guard her heart.
But Eleanor knew it was too late to save herself.
Theo had taken a piece the night he’d kissed her at the theatre. Stole another with all the thoughtful things he had done at the shop. He had claimed the rest while making love to her in bed. No matter what happened in her life, nothing would ever be this perfect.
