Page 3 of Claiming His Lost Duchess (The Dukes of Sin #8)
CHAPTER TWO
T he light in his eyes flickered out, and he asked her carefully,
“Do ye know what yer invitation means?”
Did she really? Perhaps, but what she knew was that tonight marked the beginning of her new life away from all the pain she had known. She wanted to do this. She wanted… him.
Such notions had never occurred to her before and it was almost daunting how overwhelmed she felt by the strange heat brewing within her at the mere sight of him.
He had suggested that she stay safe during her time in the inn, and what could be safer than having this man spend the night as well?
The excuse was weak, but she was willing to give it if it was needed. All she knew is that she wanted him to embrace her, she desired to let him erase all of the thoughts that had haunted her for days now, even the whispers of her past that were much further back than that.
“Yes, I do,” she replied eventually.
The words were barely past her lips before his lips were on hers, kissing her deeply. Joan felt his hands rest on her hips and stepped backwards as he nudged her back slightly, his lips never leaving hers, even as he slammed the door shut behind them.
He continued to kiss her, nibbling her lower lip and drinking in all the sounds she made as she melted in his arms. She has never been touched like this, never imagined it would feel this good.
Joan clung to him desperately, digging her fingertips into the fabric of his cloak as he cornered her into a wall.
With what seemed like great difficulty, he pulled away, not going far, and mumbling softly in question,
“Is this something ye do a lot? Invite men into your room?”
Joan panted, wanting to kiss him again, to drink up the lingering taste of ale on his lips. It is a lot harder to think of answering his questions when he latches his lips to her neck, kissing and sucking at the skin there.
Vaguely, she knew she wanted to tell him the truth. For some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to lie to him.
“Ah… I’ve never done this before,” she replied quietly. “And I am more nervous about it all than I seem.”
Almost immediately, she noticed a change of pace. He pulled back even further, but his hands were still gripping the skirts of her dress, lightly feeling for her body beneath the fabric.
“This is yer… are ye serious? And… are ye certain you want this? Here and now?” he hesitated before adding, “Me?”
Joan had never imagined she would have ever get to this point.
Far from her uncle's clutches, so close to freedom she could taste it.
She had never even imagined being in this sort of situation, with a stranger no less, and she knew that if she was caught later, she would never get a chance to experience this ever again.
She would never get to fully know what the burn in her stomach that seemed to drip down to her core was, but she wanted to explore it. She wanted to know why this man ignited her insides with only his touch and look. She wanted to understand this bubbling need within her.
“I am sure. I want you,” she whispered against his lips.
He kissed her back with as much fervor, his hands roaming her body again. One of them slid up to her breast, and she arched into his touch, while the other cupped her buttock, pushing her forward so he could grind against her.
“I promise,”he mumbled as he left fleeting kiss along her jaw and the curve of her neck. “I will make this as pleasurable for ye as I possibly can.”
“I’d be more inclined to believe you if you told me your name,” she gasped breathlessly.
He laughed, nimble fingers undoing her cloak and the buttons at the back of her dress.
“You may call me Graham.”
The name had barely settled in her mind before he carefully helped her disrobe, his touch and kisses keeping her sated and calm as he slowly got rid of the clothes between them.
By the time she had managed to recall some of her senses, he had carried her to the bed and had laid her down. He somehow looked even more handsome like this, hovering over her, his dark gaze roaming over her body hungrily.
“I made ye a promise,” he reminded her softly, placing a gentle kiss on her nose, a stark contrast against the desire burning in his eyes as his hand went up her chemise.
“I’ll take good care ye and show pleasure unlike anything ye've never kent afore.
Just trust me, an' tell me at once, if ye want tae stop.”
Joan nodded, unable to find her voice in that moment, but he took her response for what it was anyway.
He did keep his word right from the start, his hands caressing every inch of her skin he could reach. He kissed her lips, her cheeks and her jaw, parting her lips open with his tongue, making her shudder as she got to taste him.
Meanwhile, his touch continued to spread flames across her body, and when his hand made its way between her legs, she couldn’t help but spread them further, giving him all the access to her he would require.
Her actions seemed to please him because he kissed her even deeper and she whined as he inserted a finger past her folds.
“How does that feel? Good?” he asked as he slowly withdrew it only to press it back in.
Joan was quickly losing all comprehension of speech but she still managed to exhale,
“Y-Yes… ah.”
He added another finger and smiled as she arched her back off the bed, looking to press closer towards him. Dutifully, held her close as his fingers continue to move in and out of her, until he had reduced her to a bumbling, tense mess.
A wave of pleasure wrought through her and she pressed her face into his shoulder to muffled her cries.
Graham tutted in disapproval as he released her and moved to settle between her legs as he undid his breeches.
“Don’t hide yer gorgeous sounds from me. I want to hear it all. I want to see all of ye,” he paused as his manhood sprung free of his breeches and he pressed the tip against her folds. “Feel all of ye.”
Joan stared up at him, watching and feeling with bated breath as he inserted himself into her. The intrusion came with pain and she cried out, clutching at the sheets of the bed.
“Don’t worry,” he told her gently. “The pain will fade. I won’t move until ye tell me to.”
His consistent reassurances ate at whatever concerns sprung forth and it wasn’t long before she found herself relax slightly, wanting more of the tingle of pleasure she could feel running up her spine.
So, she reached for one of his hands that had a firm grip on her hips, prompting softly as she rested her hand over it.
“Go on.”
Clearly, he did not need to be told twice.
He pulled out of her almost completely, thrusting back inside with the utmost care.
Still, the length and girth of him took her breath away, the feeling so intense, it nearly overwhelmed her.
It felt so much, so good and she was thankful that she had given herself the chance to experience the dance of desire.
If after all of this, she ended up getting caught, at least she would have had a choice over her body — one she might never get again.
Graham seemed just as affected, his hips stuttering with how he was doing his best to keep a slow pace as the moved in and out of her.
“My God, ye feel unlike anything I could’ve dreamed of. Utterly incredible.” He pulled her hips suddenly to meet his thrust, grinding forward deep and slow. “Utterly breathtaking.”
Joan let out a moan that startled her, but somehow spurred him on and he repeated the way he has moved, over and over again until the room was filled with their moans and groans, and the sounds of flesh meeting flesh.
As the brink drew closer and closer, Joan grew needy somehow, reaching her hands out to his face.
Graham leaned into her touch, letting her pull him into a kiss.
And then the spark that had been growing between them exploded.
He grunted against her lips, his grip on her tightening to an almost bruising pressure and she sighed, reveling in the release they shared. It took a moment for her to notice that Graham had slipped out of her and away and she whined at the missing warmth.
“I was only getting situated in a more comfortable position,” he whispered from her side and when she turned to face him, he kissed her deeply.
There was something about that moment that Joan knew she would treasure for a long time and as she let him pull her closer, pressing her face against his neck, she found herself falling into a deep sleep much more easily than she had in a long while.
Daybreak greeted Joan with a headache.
With a wince, she opened her eyes, noting that the windows had not been closed the before. It allowed her to note how early it was and she sighed, wondering what discomfort had sprung her awake. She felt warm, too warm even and it confused her.
She slowly turned to look behind her, unable to withhold the gasp that had escaped her lips as she found a man lying beside her, fast asleep. And naked.
Oh God , she gasped, horrified. What on earth have I done? How could I – with a stranger?
Memories of the night before returned and she was forced to relive an onslaught of actions that had been fueled by whatever was left of the courage that had led her out of her house, until this point.
She was horrified and shocked by how she had let this man into her room and had also giving him permission to bed her.
I must leave now , she decided, embarrassed and scared.
With burning cheeks, she quickly crawled out of the bed and got dressed, throwing her clothes on haphazardly.
She knew she did not have much time, as he could wake up at any moment.
Joan could imagine that the conversation would be a nightmare and the idea of getting caught was a horrifying and risky premise she had no desire to indulged in.
As she pulled on her shoes, she noticed a satchel sitting on a table, by the bed and beside the satchel was a ring.
His family heirloom.
She hesitated for a moment, then she grabbed the satchel, stuffing it amongst her things as she walked to the door.
But just as her hand came upon the door handle, she couldn’t help but turn back for one last look at him.
Just the sight of his peacefully sleeping form served as a fresh reminder of the warmth of his touch and the dizzying feeling that accompanied his kisses.
With a heavy mind, she pulled her bag closer to herself and left the room.