The carriage pulled to a stop and he didn’t even pretend to walk her inside. Picking her up, he carried her from the carriage and up the stairs.
She let out a half scream, half laugh as he broke into a run.
By the time they made it to the bedroom, they were both breathless as he yanked on her clothes all the while kissing her.
“Do not tear the dress. It’ll be a month before I have more.”
He slowed his hands. “You’d better help me strip you naked then because I want to see your skin. Now.”
“My nipples?” She gave him a seductive smile as she slowly untied her skirts.
He made that sound again, the one that reverberated deep from his throat and straight between her legs.
“Yes. And your stomach. I’m going to kiss every inch of you right down to the bottom of your feet and then…”
She whimpered as the skirt finally gave. He was half on her on the bed and she couldn’t remove any of the layers. “Chad.”
He stood up then and between the two of them, they stripped in record time. Chad picked her up, her legs wrapping about his waist.
Even though she’d not given him her maidenhead yet, she had no fear in this moment. He’d spent hour after hour, night after night, pleasuring her. She wasn’t the least bit afraid of feeling his skin against hers. And as his manhood rubbed against her folds, she found herself growing more and more excited. Her nipples tingled with pressure as she rubbed against him, their mouths locked together.
Without intent, she pressed into him and he slid inside her. It burned like the last time but also a deep satisfaction at the joining filled her and she slid further down his thick length.
She hadn’t tried this again. Because, well, she was afraid, deep in her heart, that once they did this, everything would change. Would he lose interest?
But the thoughts fell out of her head again. Because he felt so good as he held her body to his. He stilled as she slid further down his shaft.
A sharp pain made her gasp. “Chad!”
“It’s all right, my love. I’ve got you.” He kissed her temple then and he took the step to the bed. But rather than lay her down, he sat with her in his lap and then lay back, her on top of him. “We don’t move until you’re ready.”
Her heart swelled. Oh, she loved this man.
She kissed him again as the pain receded. With slow measured movements, he pushed himself all the way inside her until they were completely joined. “Chad,” she said, with him fully seated. “I have to tell you something.”
“What is it love?”
“I think I love you,” she said as he slid back out and then into her body. This time, it didn’t hurt. Instead, pleasure radiated out from her deep inside. “I don’t need you to say anything, but I just want you to know that your happiness means everything to me and I’ll give you whatever you need.”
He pushed into her again, his arms cradling her body to his chest. He kissed her then, long and slow as the rhythm beat faster, their bodies moving together until she shattered in ecstasy.
It only took two more strokes, and he came undone as well, spasms racking his body. When he quieted, he didn’t let her go, didn’t slide out from inside her. Instead, he kissed her temple, her cheeks, her hair.
“Sleep, love,” he murmured as her eyes drifted closed. “I’ll wake you for dinner.”
To her amazement, she did exactly as he asked.
* * *
A deep ache radiated from his chest down his limbs.
She’d told him that she loved him as she’d broken apart in his arms.
He didn’t deserve any of it.
What had he done? He’d mucked up their wedding, he’d all but informed her he intended to return to his life as a rake, and he’d certainly made it clear he was marrying her for her dowry.
No one in his entire life had ever loved him and he knew why. He didn’t deserve it. He didn’t deserve Abigail.