Page 30 of Duke with a Lie (Wicked Dukes Society #4)

These were the moments when she allowed herself to hope that perhaps one day, if she worked diligently enough to chip away at the ice he kept around his heart, he might love her as she loved him.

That mayhap one day, he would see how perfectly they were matched.

Even if she knew those hopes were foolish.

She huffed out a small sigh, staring into the shadows, admiring the way the moonlight dappled his forearm where it rested over her above the bedclothes.

They had adjourned to the largest of several bedrooms upstairs, and they had made love until well after midnight, until they had both been sated and exhausted in the very best way.

How she wished that tomorrow would not come, bringing her one day closer to the end of the house party, when they would inevitably part.

What would she do when she saw him again in London?

Would they meet as strangers, Aubrey pretending as if they had never been lovers?

Would he have his newest conquest on his arm?

Rhiannon shuddered as heavy dread curdled her stomach. She didn’t want to think about Aubrey carrying on with his life any more than she wanted to think about returning to hers. Carnis was awaiting her acceptance of his proposal. Like morning, her return to her ordinary life was inevitable.

Aubrey shifted, and she felt the press of a warm mouth to her bare shoulder. “Are you cold, love?”

She had been too caught up in her ruminations to realize he had awakened. “No.”

She wondered if she ought to ask him about his nightmare but decided against it. Whatever had brought it upon him, the dream was over.

He dotted another kiss on her shoulder. “Then why did you shiver just now?”

Because I was thinking of my future without you in it , she almost confessed.

But she couldn’t. Her pride wouldn’t allow it.

Aubrey had been painfully honest with her, ad nauseum, even as she already was more than aware of his reputation.

He was a rake. This was nothing more than a temporary arrangement between them.

It didn’t matter how much her heart recklessly yearned for it to blossom into something more.

“Perhaps I am cold,” she lied, not wanting to broach the subject of what was bothering her. “Do you think you might warm me?”

“Of course.” He tightened his arm on her waist, pulling her more snugly against him. “But I can also start a fire in the hearth for you.”

“I don’t want a fire in the hearth. I just want you.”

He gently nipped the skin of her upper arm. “You have me.”

But for how long? Each second that passed was one less that she would have with him.

She missed him already, and he was still here, holding her in his arms. Tears pricked her eyes, and she fluttered her lashes frantically, willing them to disperse before they slid down her cheeks.

Thank heavens for the darkness surrounding them. He couldn’t see her ignominy.

She snuggled her bottom against him and felt the distinctive ridge of him prodding her backside. “It would seem I certainly do have you.”

If only desire were sufficient to hold him to her.

She knew now the power she held in that regard. He wanted her every bit as much as she wanted him. Not even his sense of loyalty to her brother had stopped him.

He nuzzled her throat. “Minx. Hold still. I can’t make love to you again. Your poor body needs a respite.”

The ache deep within her suggested otherwise.

Rhiannon wiggled her rump again. “Are you certain it does?”

He made a low, growling sound, his cock gliding between the cleft of her bottom. “I’m trying to be a gentleman.”

“And yet you keep telling me that you aren’t one,” she pointed out, undulating her hips just a bit so that he settled at her entrance from behind. “You’re a bad, conscienceless rake. You’re not caring. You’re not kind. You’re not even honorable.”

“That’s right,” he murmured into her ear. “And don’t forget it. Would an honorable man do this?”

He slid his arm under the bedclothes and guided her left leg over his, angling her so that she could feel the full press of his cock against her entrance. Oh, that was nice. Better than nice, but not quite good enough. It didn’t matter that they had made love earlier. She already wanted him again.

The more she had of him, the more she needed, or so it seemed. Her appetite where he was concerned was voracious. He dipped his hand between her legs, his fingers parting her folds to find the tender bud that longed for his touch most.

“I don’t think an honorable man would,” she managed breathlessly. “But fortunately for you, I don’t think I like honorable men very much.”

He kissed her ear. “Fortune’s fickle wheel has finally served me a good turn. Pity it cannot last. But I fully intend to avail myself of it whilst I can.”

Aubrey nibbled at her earlobe as his fingers moved with greater purpose, teasing her pearl.

She closed her eyes and surrendered to the pleasure he bestowed upon her, banishing all thoughts of their time coming to an end.

For these few, stolen hours, it was as if they were the only souls in the world.

She could love him with her whole heart.

She no longer had to admire him from afar.

He was here, in her bed, holding her in his arms. And she was surrounded by his strength and warmth.

What a miraculous gift these days were, theirs alone.

“You’re soaked,” he said in her ear, his voice laden with frank sensual appreciation. “So wet for me. Your body was made for mine.”

“Yes,” she whispered, turning her head, her lips seeking his.

They found each other through the darkness, meeting in an open-mouthed kiss that swiftly deepened.

And for a few moments, they stayed that way, kissing each other with all the pent-up mutual passion they possessed.

The rain overhead sped up, and she swore it was in time to her frantic heart’s rhythmic beats.

The world fell away. It was just the two of them in the charmed little gamekeeper’s cottage, making love in the night.

There was no one to keep them apart. She sucked on his tongue and reached back, threading her hand in his thick golden hair, her fingers tightening on the soft strands as he plundered her mouth.

They had no need for words. All they required was each other, and that was what they had.

He fed her slow and steady kisses, thrusting against her without penetrating, each slick glide of his length through her folds making her increasingly breathless.

His fingers flew over her with greater speed, finding the spot that was so deliciously sensitive that she couldn’t keep herself from…

Oh, dear sweet God, it was there.

Right there.

So close, so close, so close.

She held her breath and gave him her tongue, and he moved against her, prolonging the moment until she was delirious with pleasure. Her release hit her fast and hard. She cried out into his kiss, her body trembling beneath the force as ripple after ripple of bliss tore through her.

He withdrew his touch and gripped himself, shoving his cock inside her with one thrust. His low, satisfied groan when he was seated to the hilt reverberated in the pulses she felt in her clitoris.

Her body was so uniquely attuned to his.

She could spend from nothing more than thinking about what they had done together as her own fingers moved over her intimate flesh.

Aubrey began making love to her slowly, passionately, exquisitely, as if they forever instead of just one stolen night in an abandoned cottage.

He kissed her all the while, his free hand drifting to cup her breast as he moved in and out of her.

The unique angle was glorious. He held her hips and buried himself in her again and again until she was climaxing once more, moaning helplessly into his lips.

He was not far behind her, the frenzied bursts of his movement telling her that he was ready as well.

She sucked on his tongue, moaning. He withdrew from her body with a helpless groan, and she felt the hot spurt of his seed on her lower back.

Their lips moved as one, still seeking, kissing, until they finally slowed, breathless and sated.

Rhiannon had never loved him more.

Nor could she recall a time in her life when she had ever been happier.