Page 66 of Second Duke's the Charm

He released first one ribbon, then the other, and the silk slid down her body to pool at her feet. Hot and cold flashed across her skin, puckering her nipples as he gazed at her in silence. Instinctively, she moved to hide her nakedness, but he shook his head.

“Don’t,” he murmured. “You’re beautiful. So beautiful. God. My imagination didn’t do you justice.”

There was no mockery in his tone, and the way he was looking at her was almost reverent. It gave her some much-needed confidence.

“So, what comes next?”

He shook his head, as if to clear it. “Now I touch you. And kiss you. Everywhere.”

“Shouldn’t you be naked, too?”

“Not if you want this to last longer than five minutes,” he said wryly. “Remember the last time you touched me? At Careby’s? I was like a virgin myself.”

Tess bit her lip, amused at his self-deprecation. Most men made a point of insinuating their endless stamina in the bedroom, but Thornton was confident enough to joke about the exact opposite.

“I don’t care how long you last,” she said, with perfect honesty. “I just want you to touch me.”

“Your wish is my command. If there’s anything you don’t like, just tell me and I’ll stop. Agreed?”

“Agreed.”

She’d barely completed the word when he cupped the back of her head, threaded his fingers through her hair, and pulled her in for a kiss. Her breasts squashed against his chest and she groaned at the extraordinary sensation of skin against skin. Her bare toes curled into the Aubusson rug.

Every inch of her was sensitive to his touch as he skimmed his free hand along the dip of her waist, then around, to mold the curve of her bottom. She went up on tiptoe, trying to get closer still, stroking his back and shoulders in return.

The soft edge of the mattress bumped the back of her legs, and she vaguely registered that he’d turned them both around. And then he was lowering her down, onto the cool, smooth coverlet, covering her with his big body.

Tess squirmed against him, pleasantly surprised that his weight was thrilling, and not threatening. He was unquestionably stronger than her, but despite the ardency of his passion, it was clear he was showing some restraint.

Just to be sure, she panted, “Wait!”

He stilled instantly, lifting himself up onto his forearmsabove her so that she lay caged beneath him. She felt like a feast, laid out on the bed for his delectation.

“What?” He seemed a little out of breath, which she took to be a good thing. It wasn’t fair that she was the only one panting.

“Nothing. Just checking to see if you meant what you said about stopping.”

“You like what I’m doing?”

“Absolutely. Carry on.”

“Thank God.”

He lowered himself and kissed her again, his bare chest pressing hers, his breeches-clad thighs settling between her legs. She slid her fingers into the front waistband of his breeches, loving how the muscles of his stomach tensed at her touch. And then she stroked lower, cupping the hard bulge of him through the cloth, and he ground against her hand.

“Wicked girl. Yes.”

Tess bit her lip, delighted by his praise. She would have explored more, but when she tried to slip her hand into his falls, he moved away with a chiding sound.

“A virgin like you isn’t ready for the sight of an erect cock just yet.”

“I think I am.”

He shook his head. “You’re going to have to curb your maidenly curiosity a while longer. I’m not done with you.” He hovered over her breast and the teasing play of his breath made her skin pebble. “Fair warning. I’m going to kiss you here.”

He flicked her with his tongue, then sucked her nipple into his mouth, and she bit back a groan of pleasure. Her blood was pounding, thick and slow like treacle, and a yearning ache was gnawing at her insides.

He sent her a wicked glance. “Like that, little virgin?”