Page 38 of Courting the Duke (Reimagined Regency #2)

“Thank you for that.”

“I should thank you.” Hoxton leaned closer to Serena, thrilled that she was taking the initiative to satisfy her curiosity, as well as enhance their mutual pleasure.

Slender fingers splayed, she unfastened the placket of his breeches, her mouth finding his earlobe.

The tangy scent of her release and earthy taste on his lips was almost too much.

The softness of her body pulled at every one of his senses.

With each release of the buttons, his cock swelled.

Heavy-lidded eyes met his, her need palpable.

“No, I insist,” she said with a soft giggle. Her lack of artifice, combined with her ability to seemingly read his thoughts, drew him deeper under her spell.

He inhaled to regulate his breathing, his mind stuck on one thought—holding off finding his pleasure until he could sink his cock into her slick pussy. While he wanted to rush it, he’d let her set the pace. “If that is your wish.”

“My wish is to please you.” Serena palmed his cock, exploring his length with tentative fingers. “Is this fine?”

“It is more than fine.” Hoxton guided her hand, his breath becoming more ragged as he showed her the right pressure to bring him to the heights of pleasure.

After returning to England, he’d been reckless, eager to forget the horrors of war.

He’d had one mistress after another, looking for someone, anyone, to help him cope.

Once he found his passion for birds, he stopped his reckless behavior.

Having a wife would satisfy his desires, and with Serena, he expected his wit would continue to be challenged.

If not for his grandmother’s gossip, he could be completely confident in his marriage.

“Is it fine for me to do what you did?” Serena’s throaty voice cut right into his core, her palm continuing her concentrated efforts on his cock. Her breasts, rosy from his ministrations, lifted and fell with each breath.

He cupped her cheek, his thumb rubbing the swollen flesh of her full lower lip. The scar ran almost perfectly straight until it puckered at the bow of her mouth. “If that is your wish.”

“Is that your wish?” she asked with a cheeky grin, her confidence growing.

“It is my wish.” Hoxton laughed at her teasing question. She was eager to please him, and he was glad for her enthusiasm. He wanted no barriers between them, an unrealistic goal given his fickleness over the rumors.

With a tentative smile, she placed her hand in his as she lowered her knees to the cushion.

Anticipation sparked his blood, bringing his need to a greater height.

She gazed up at him with sultry eyes, her pupils enlarged and almost black in the blue light afforded by the moon.

Bared breasts beckoned, and he trailed his finger down one silky nipple.

She arched into his touch, lips pressed together in her desire.

When he began his seduction, he had considered nothing but his need for her.

Her desire for him was equally as strong, which made a promising start. Passion wasn’t an issue between them.

She bent her head, her tongue sliding over the crown of his cock.

Hoxton sucked in a breath, willing himself not to spunk at the first contact.

He stared into the garden to try to gain some sanity, but his gaze drifted back to her face.

She lifted her lashes to look at him, her movements tentative and unsure.

He offered her an encouraging smile. “You are doing fine,” he said, needing to reassure her.

The fact that she was trying was heartening.

Most ladies wouldn’t pleasure their husbands in such a manner.

“Fine is rather a low bar, isn’t it?” With a determined smile, she glided her tongue along his shaft, amber eyes watching his every expression.

His laugh at her quip turned into a groan as her warm, slick mouth challenged his self-control.

Pleasure was his for the taking, but he wanted to prolong the act.

Fighting his growing affection for her was not a battle he would win.

Indeed, he fought every instinct to give in to the ultimate fulfillment.

With every moan from his lips, she grew more enthusiastic.

His chest swelled with potent emotions for her, feelings he wasn’t keen on examining too closely.

He pressed his lips together and lay his head back, basking in the pleasurable sensations.

The creatures of the night serenaded them.

Hoxton slipped his hand into the thickness of her hair and gripped the abundant mass with desperate fingers.

He didn’t want to think the worst of her.

Thus far, she was kind and giving, the woman he wanted as his wife.

She took him deeper into her mouth, moving her hand in conjunction with her tongue.

His wife was a quick study, and soon he was near the brink.

Desperate, he splayed his fingers on her nape, battling the growing need to let passion overtake him.

While he wished to spunk, he couldn’t do that to her.

Using his grip as leverage, he brought her upright. “Straddle my waist.”

Liquid eyes met his, her lips plump and her neck flushed.

With a nod, she lifted her skirts. Her hands on his shoulders, he guided her onto his cock.

Sinking down, she inhaled sharply, her mouth parted, and head thrown back.

Wishing to bring her pleasure again, he leaned in and caught her nipple in his mouth, sucking on the constricted flesh.

She dug her nails into his coat, her hips grinding onto him.

His own needs warred with his desire to please her.

He drew his fingertips up her thighs, finding the engorged nub at her apex.

The earthy scent of her body and his need hovered around them.

She rocked her hips faster, her tiny moans spurring him on.

He had never dreamed that he could experience such an intense lust for a woman, yet wish to see to her needs before his own.

Her inner muscles latched onto his cock, and maintaining control became unbearable.

Serena lowered her head and rested her forehead against his, her breath coming in pants. “Hoxton, I… oh…” she shuddered, her grip tightening on his shoulders.

“Oh, indeed.” Pleased she’d found fulfillment again, he let the sensations wash over him.

Holding her hips, he pumped into her tight sheath until every thought left his mind except the heat of her receptive body.

She rested against his chest, her lips finding his.

He played his mouth across hers, content in the aftermath of their coupling.

Arms wrapped around his neck, she snuggled her head beneath his chin.

Affection for her seeped into his heart.

A touch of panic followed. When he decided to marry, he’d never had any expectation of falling in love.

He wasn’t sure if he truly loved her or if it was simply lust. If he loved her, would he doubt her?

It was a losing battle inside his mind. He caressed her back, the stillness of the night adding to his gratification.

“Are you chilled?” he asked on a yawn, his body sated.

“Not while you hold me.” She snuggled closer to him, either unaware or uncaring of their half-dressed state.

Hoxton had hopes they would meld nicely in the marriage bed, and they had.

When he’d conceived of seducing her under the night sky, he hadn’t cared about the consequences.

Now that the passion had faded and reality set in, there was a possibility that someone might come upon them.

Not that anyone would dare say a word—well, his grandmother might, but she was in her rooms.

Thoughts of his grandmother brought him up short, and the niggling doubt returned, cutting into his contentment.

“Despite my grandmother’s rudeness, are you content?

” He wasn’t sure why he asked the question or whether he truly wanted an answer.

His grandmother’s suspicions continued to plague him.

Perhaps he could ferret out the information without asking Serena outright.

Cowardly, yes, but he didn’t wish to ruin his budding relationship with his new wife.

“I could put the same question to you. I know marriage to me wasn’t what you planned.” Serena angled her neck and met his regard, a slight frown wrinkling her forehead.

“I am not unhappy with the match.” It wasn’t a complete lie because, for the most part, he was content.

The way she avoided his questions was suspect, however, and he didn’t wish to dance around the truth any longer.

It might prove foolish to rush the line of battle without knowing the lay of the land first. He tried another tactic, needing to give her the benefit of the doubt.

“I want to know about you and your aspirations.”

“I didn’t wish to remain a paid companion, if that is what you’re asking.

I had more grandiose ideas for my future.

” She lowered her lashes and hid her eyes from view.

“Never in my dreams did I think I could achieve my current status as your wife. If not for Blackstone locking us in the cellar, our marriage would have never come to pass.”

He lifted her chin with his finger, his emotions in turmoil. Was that an admission of guilt or merely an observation on her part?

Scuffling footsteps sounded, and the indistinct murmur of voices could be heard from the main path.

“Oh, dear.” She scrambled off his lap, her hand on her mouth to suppress a giggle.

With her breasts pale in the moonlight and her hair awry, she had never looked more tempting, nor could he be more troubled by his own cowardice.

He handed her a handkerchief to clean herself before he righted his own clothes.

He’d been close to asking her outright if she was in cahoots with Blackstone, and he was glad he hadn’t.

The voices were coming closer and clearer.

It was most definitely a man and a woman.

“How do I look?” she whispered, licking her bottom lip.

“Well tossed.” Hoxton righted her bodice, her skin silky beneath his knuckles. “There.”

She lifted onto her toes and placed a kiss on his mouth. Joy radiated from her upturned face. “I know it is silly to be afraid of being caught. We are married after all.”

“We are indeed.” He held his arm out to her. Until his grandmother ruined his growing infatuation with his wife, he had been more than content with his choice of bride. While he had suspicions, he also wasn’t sure whether he truly wanted to know the truth. What did it matter at this juncture?

His mind said no, but his sense of honor said yes.