Page 31 of Marrying a Marquess (Widows of Mayfair #3)

S he had no idea what to make of Nick in her bed and beneath the covers.

Part of her, the part that made her heart race and her woman parts tingle, was ecstatic.

Her levelheaded side felt nervous about being discovered.

And still another part of her wanted to reach out and take what she had desired for a long time.

Then even if he never married her, she would have this one night to remember.

She moved her pillow down so she lay flat on her back. She was afraid to make a sound, move, or even breathe. She feared he would change his mind and leave if she drew attention to herself.

“Priscilla?” he said, as he turned and looked at her with eyes bright with desire and his memorable crooked grin on his face. “I find myself suddenly wide awake.” He reached out and brushed his fingers down her cheek.

“Nick. I don’t think this is a good idea.” She knew without a doubt what he wanted.

“Why not? We are both free. You are a widow, and I’m single.

There’s nothing wrong with us enjoying the pleasure of our bodies.

” Her eyes widened as he sat up, tugged her toward him and guided her until she straddled his lap.

The fabric of her night rail gathered up around her thighs and she refused to look down to see how exposed she was to him.

The evidence of his arousal pushed against her core and she swallowed a moan.

Curling one hand around the back of her neck, he pulled her face close to his.

Instinct had her running her tongue across the top of her lip.

Nick groaned. “There is nothing wrong with giving and receiving pleasure between two people who care about each other.”

Whatever she was about to say was swallowed up by Nick’s mouth as he kissed her with a passion belonging to him and him alone.

His kiss, in its raw intensity and need, captured her within its power, and she willingly gave herself over to him.

To her surprise, the kiss transformed and he gave himself over to her.

Finding herself in a complete fog, but needing air, she wrapped her hand in his hair and gently tugged his head back. “Nick.” She broke the kiss and gasped for air.

“Breathe, but please don’t think. Just feel. Let me make you feel good.” Nick’s large, warm hands brushed the hem of her nightgown and she shivered. “Can I remove this?”

Not trusting herself to speak or even to look at him, she closed her eyes, nodded her head.

The soft linen of her nightgown teased her sensitive nipples as he pulled it over her head, exposing her completely to him.

Even her legs were open since she remained straddling his hips.

Her entire body quivered with excitement and desire.

She had only experienced lovemaking twice on the night of her wedding to Jasper, and she’d been self-conscious and nervous.

Neither of those things existed right now with Nick.

“You are so beautiful,” he said in a tone she’d only heard from him a few times.

His hands cupped her breasts, causing her to arch her back and her head to fall back.

“Your breasts fit perfectly in my hands.” He leaned forward and down, taking one nipple into his mouth and sucking it hard and deep.

Priscilla moaned as she felt the connection down to her very core.

“Your nipples taste so sweet and they’re so sensitive and responsive.

” He moved to the other nipple and did the same thing, and heat scalded her between her thighs.

Without warning, he flipped her onto her back.

She opened her eyes to see Nick’s grinning face as he now straddled her waist. “Now I have you just where I want you.” He reached up and behind his back, pulled off his shirt, and tossed it onto the floor.

Her eyes widened at the sight of his muscular chest sprinkled with dark hair that tapered down and disappeared into his breeches.

“You are making me amorous with those seeking eyes of yours,” he chuckled as he moved down her body, his warm lips placing featherlight kisses down her neck and across to the other side. Every inch of her skin tingled with greed wanting to feel his sinful lips.

He kissed down her chest, between her breasts, and downward still.

She gasped and held her breath as heat and wetness pooled between her thighs.

And lower he went. “Nick,” she whispered.

Was he going to...? She had never experienced this but had seen pictures of it in a gentleman’s manual she once found hidden behind other books in their library.

He eased her legs open with his hands. “Oh my God,” she breathed as he licked her between her thighs, causing her body to tremble.

His fingers opened her folds, his mouth sucked on her nub, and he inserted a finger inside her channel.

He kept doing this pleasurable form of torture, and she never wanted it to end.

Except it was overwhelming—too much and not enough simultaneously.

Needing an anchor before she lost herself in what was happening, she reached down and fisted Nick’s hair in her hand and exploded.

She tried to speak, to ask for mercy, but the words wouldn’t come.

She was incapable of anything but feeling.

Her entire body shook as something she’d never experienced before battered her from the inside out.

And she meant battered in an exceptionally good way.

“Nick,” she gasped, her hand now pushing at his head. “I can’t. Too much.”

He chuckled—the audacity of him. He kissed his way up her body, taking her mouth in a deep, languid kiss, and she tasted something earthy.

“Stay right here.” He jumped off the bed.

Where did he think she would go? She couldn’t move even if she wanted to. Her body still pulsed from the pleasure he had given her. And yet, she desired more. Wanted to feel the fullness of him deep inside her as he sought his pleasure.

After he removed his breeches and undergarments, he climbed back on top of her and grinned. “Miss me?” He kissed her, then frowned. “You’re quiet.”

“I can’t speak,” she giggled. “Or rather, I couldn’t speak. Not after...”

He shook his head. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I don’t have a French letter on me. We can’t...”

“Yes, we can.” French letter or not, she wanted this. Wanted him regardless of the risk. “We can.”

He took her lips, his lips sipping and tasting her. His tongue danced with hers. One hand touched her, his thumb circling her nub, setting her nerves on fire. His manhood nudged against her opening, and she spread her legs, wanting him. All of him.

“Priscilla,” he groaned as he entered her in one push until he was seated deep inside her.

A place she always knew he belonged. She wrapped her legs around his waist. “You are so warm and tight,” he murmured against her neck as his hips retreated, then returned, tantalizing her and making her legs tremble and weaken.

He kissed her again, his tongue mimicking his manhood.

In and out. In and out. Faster and faster.

Her back arched, taking him as deep as her body would allow.

Shooting stars flashed across the room as her body trembled.

She hugged Nick as his body coiled up tight and he groaned through his clenched teeth.

He collapsed on top of her, then rolled to the side, his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back to his front.

“Thank you,” he murmured as he kissed her neck. “That was amazing.”

Tears silently trickled down her cheeks onto her pillow and she hoped Nick didn’t see them. Her emotions were overwhelming her senses. She was happy, sad, in love, and frightened. What had happened between her and Nick just now? Was it normal?

“You are quiet again,” Nick said, his breath warm against her neck. “Did I hurt you?”

“No,” she whispered as she placed her arms over his. “It was wonderful. I’m half-asleep.”

“Go to sleep then. I’ll bid you goodbye now, as you’ll be asleep when I leave.”

“All right.” It was true that she was half-asleep, but she didn’t want to sleep.

She wanted to enjoy this night with Nick, as it might be their only one.

She fought to stay awake and enjoy being cradled in his arms. His breathing slowed and he began to snore, she sighed with relief.

His snoring wasn’t loud enough to rattle the floorboards, but it wasn’t soft either.

She turned around, facing him and studied him by candlelight having kept two candles lit.

When relaxed in sleep, Nick looked younger and more at ease.

Usually, he was wound tight and ready to pounce, which made her wonder what caused the tension that had been a companion to him ever since she could remember.

How exhausting it must be for him to deal with it day in and day out.

He needed to find a way to tame it. After tonight, he had one less thing to contend with.

Her stomach fluttered. He wasn’t going to be a father to his ex-mistress’s baby.

The shock when Nick spoke Latham’s name and the relief she felt knowing he was out of her life pleased her.

She cupped his cheek with her hand, and pulled it back immediately when she witnessed his brows draw tight, his mouth frown, and his body tense. And when he yelled, “Stay away from me!” Priscilla froze.

“Come near me again and I’ll kill you.” Nick’s head thrashed from side to side. “No. Get out!”

Priscilla held her breath, wondering if she should wake him. He appeared distressed and frightened, and his voice sounded like a young boy’s. She placed her hand on his chest, shocked at how fast his heart beat against her palm. “Nick. It’s Priscilla. You’re having a nightmare.”

He swatted her hand off his chest. “Get away from me, you bloody arse!” he cried out.

She tried again. Her hand rested on his chest again. “Nick, wake up,” she whispered in her most soothing tone. “You’re dreaming.”