“You look lovely, sweetheart.” He moved closer to her, and she took one step back. He reached his hand out. “Come here.”
If they were to have a pleasurable night, one worthy of his bride, he would have to calm whatever concerns she had. “Let’s have a glass of champagne.”
Her shoulders relaxed, and her nervous smile turned genuine. “That’s a splendid idea.”
He walked to the small table underneath the window where the bottle he’d ordered sat and poured two glasses. He returned to the two comfortable chairs in front of the fireplace and handed her one.
He took his seat and leaned back, resting his foot on his knee, careful to keep his dressing gown closed lest his bride jump up and race from the room. “Did you enjoy the wedding breakfast?” It was best to start with something innocuous to relax her.
“Yes. In fact, I must tell you that I am glad you did not go along with my initial wishes and have a small celebration. It was nice to see my father and his family, even though Lady Rockingham and I had never been more than passing acquaintances.”
“She seems like a pleasant woman.” Hunt viewed her over the rim of his glass, noting that his wife‘s color had returned to normal and she seemed less anxious.
“I guess so.” She shrugged. “I was whipped away from my father’s home by Grandmama before I even got to know the woman. It did always trouble me, however, that Papa married his wife before a full year of mourning was up. During that time, he and I became close, but once his new wife appeared, things changed, then Grandmama arrived and off I went.”
She shifted in her chair to face him directly. “Your brothers are looking good. Since they spend so much time at the club, I never see them. They don’t move about in Society, do they?”
Hunt shook his head as he refilled their glasses. “No. Driscoll was always too serious for the frivolity of the ton, and Dante, even though fully accepted by our father and raised with us, was never comfortable with Society.”
“I imagine with their good looks they would both be easily accepted.”
“Ah, so my bride notices my brothers’ good looks. Didn’t you know you are supposed to only admire me?” He downed the last of his drink and placed the glass on the small table between them, ready to move the evening’s activities along. He patted his thighs. “Come sit on my lap.”
Diana smirked. “Becoming anxious, my lord?” Her nervousness seemed to have passed. The wine had done its job.
She stood, took the last sip from her glass, and placed it next to his. After crossing the space between them, she sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“So sweet.” Hunt dipped his head and took her lips in a soft, nibbling kiss. Once she pressed harder against his mouth, he pulled her flush to his body and turned the kiss into something erotic and possessive.
Flower-scented locks from her head fell to surround them like a curtain. He nudged her lips to open and then swept in, tasting, feeling, plundering. She met him touch for touch, a slight moan coming from somewhere deep inside her.
Hunt ran his hands up her curves to her shoulders and slipped the dressing gown off. It pooled in her lap. He pulled back and ran the backs of his fingers down her cheek. “We will be more comfortable in the bed.”
She shook her head. “Not yet.” Leaning forward, she kissed his jaw and licked the sensitive skin under his ear.
He felt her smile against his skin when he moaned. Taking back control, he cupped her face and covered her mouth with a long, slow, sultry kiss. Diana began to shift on his lap which, given the size of his erection, was not a good idea.
“Easy, darling.” To get her into the bed, he had to raise her passion that he tasted before to match his.
With a flick of his wrists, he brushed the thin straps holding up her silk nightgown. It slithered down her body, teasing him, revealing the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. Full, rounded breasts with dusky nipples, pert and already hard as pebbles. He could not stop staring. “Oh, sweetheart,” he breathed.
He covered her shoulders with his hands and tilted her body back. Placing his lips on her breast, he licked a nipple and then covered the entire area with his mouth and suckled as greedily as a babe.
Diana grabbed the sides of his head with her hands, digging her fingernails into his scalp, and moaned.
“Does that feel good?”
“Yes. Yes. It does.” Her voice was breathless, her panting filling the air with the sounds of pleasure.
It was time to relocate to the more comfortable bed. “Stand up, sweeting,” he mumbled not taking his mouth from her breast.
“Can’t.”
Hunt pulled back and placed his hands under her arms and lifted her to her feet. The dressing gown and nightgown slid to the floor in a rush of silk. He sat back, and she stood before him, the firelight accenting her curves. “My God, Diana. You’re stunning.” His eyes never l
eaving her, moving over her glorious form, he shook his head. “Mallory got it all wrong.”
She sucked in a breath and, as much as he wanted to have her just stand there so he could admire the breathtaking beauty she was, her reaction to his comment warned him the blackguard was not a subject they should discuss. To distract her, he stood and scooped her into his arms, kicking her garments aside as he kissed her, and moved them to the bed.