Page 123 of An Unwanted Spinster for the Duke

He hesitated for just a moment. Then, he looked into her beautiful hazel eyes.

Could he risk not seeing her again? Could he risk losing her?

No.

“I’ll eat turnips, carrots, or whatever else you want me to eat. I’d do anything just for you to take me back.”

“I don’t really care if you eat meat or not,” she said, laughing.

“Then why?”

“I wanted to see if you’d give it up for me.”

Relief washed over him. If he was hearing her right, she was prepared to take him back.

He finally rose to his feet, although his eyes were on her all the while, as if waiting for her to tell him to kneel back down.

“I love you,” he confessed, his voice cracking. “I love you, Marianne Carlyle, Duchess of Oakmere. I love every bit of you—the fierceness and intelligence, and even your stubbornness. Even though you drive me mad, I cannot imagine another day without you.”

She stepped forward then. Gone was her facade—it only crumbled. She reached up to cup his face, her eyes shining with tears.

“You make me so angry, but I love you too, Dominic Carlyle, Duke of Oakmere,” she croaked. “I missed you so much. I thought you wouldn’t come for me.”

Then, they closed the gap between them.

Dominic was not sure how it happened, but their lips met. The kiss was gentle at first, seeking and asking. Then, it got deeper, becoming hungry and urgent.

It was a rediscovery. All the longing they felt exploded at that moment.

Dominic tugged at her hair, loosening the strands. He threaded his fingers into them as he led her into a passionate dance. He slowly backed her up against the wall, his lips trailing down her neck to her collarbone.

“Are you certain of this?” he asked, hoping she would not resist him.

“Yes, Dominic! I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”

So, he carried her in his arms and gently placed her in the middle of her bed. He did so carefully, as if she were made of glass—one that could shatter any time. But she was pulling him down, urgently tugging at his shirt.

Their clothes quickly came off until they were bare to each other again. It felt like a lifetime ago when Dominic last saw her like this—naked and pliant and wanting.

He kissed her shoulder adoringly, lingering there as if he had forever. And yes, he would continue fighting for that forever.

“Dominic,” she begged.

Who was he to deny her anything? He felt her shatter when his lips closed around a nipple and sucked on it hard. But he was not ready to stop yet. This was just the beginning. He entered her gently and slowly, torturing her and himself.

He was home.

Her heat enveloped him, and there was nothing else to do but to engage in that age-old dance between lovers.

This time, there was no rush. Each thrust was heaven, as she squeezed him tightly. His hips soon pumped faster and faster, and their breathing became more ragged. When she cried out and shuddered, clenching around him, it was hard not to follow her over the edge.

He came hard. Everything was blurry, and yet it was pure bliss.

“You can keep the bacon, too,” she said in a teasing voice as she kissed his shoulder.

She still held him tight, and he was still inside her.

Dominic chuckled. “Thank you, merciful one,” he teased back.