Page 31 of The Blind Lyon (The Lyon’s Den Connected World)

Despite the miserable conditions, Allan and his wife lingered at the accident scene until it was confirmed that everyone had been accounted for.

Two people had lost their lives, but another four had survived, as well as most of the horses.

Only then did he lead Annette back to his own carriage and assist her into the vehicle.

“Teddy, please take us home. I have had enough of the rain and the chill.” What he wanted more than anything was to fall into bed with his wife and then spend the rest of the night and wee hours exploring her body, showing her how much he adored her.

The driver nodded. “Right away, Your Grace. I’ll be sure to enjoy a whiskey once the horseflesh is taken care of, and the carriage is put away.”

Barely had he entered the carriage than it lurched into motion. Allan fell onto the bench beside his wife. He took her into his arms and found her lips with his, for right now, words weren’t needed.

By the time they arrived at his townhouse, he was already quite lost in the wonder that was Annette.

Decorum and propriety were thrown to the winds as they went up the short walkway together, exchanging kisses and caresses as they went.

The butler let them in, but Allan hardly paid him any mind, for he couldn’t keep his hands off his wife.

It was almost as if this was the wedding night they should have had, and he would allow nothing to interrupt that.

“I’ll just, uh, retire for the night, Your Grace, if you don’t require anything else,” the butler said with embarrassment in his tone.

“Excellent idea, Kern. I don’t expect to see you or any of the staff until well after noon tomorrow,” he said between kisses.

Just before the stairs, he shed his tailcoat.

It fell to the marble floor with a dull plop.

At some point before the second-floor landing, she helped him remove her gown.

One of her slippers came with it; the other wasn’t on her foot.

Perhaps it was lost to the mud or the carriage.

Not long after that, he toed out of his boots and shed his waistcoat.

At the third-floor landing, he relieved his wife of her stays, and still, they somehow managed to maintain connection through kisses and caresses.

A few feet later, she peeled his wet shirt from his torso, and it fell to the floor along with his cuffs and collar.

His cane clattered to the marble, but he didn’t care.

Seconds later, Allan swept her up into his arms, pressed the latch, shoved the door to his suite open with a foot, and then carried his wife into the bedchamber.

She reached out and second later, the sound of the wooden panel snicking closed met his ears.

“Dear God, I want you so much,” he whispered against her lips that he somehow couldn’t have enough of. Little by little, he let her down until she stood on her own feet.

“I haven’t bid you nay, Masterson, but I understand your sentiment.

” The husky desire in her voice sent desire shivering down his spine and into his member.

“I need you as well, and honestly, I might just eat you with a spoon.” She flicked a fingernail over one of his nipples, and he hissed with heightened arousal.

“Or perhaps we should ring for a bottle of champagne. I wouldn’t mind lapping that off your belly. ”

“Later.” And he would let her with enthusiasm, but right now, he wanted her without anything else.

“I can promise you that for the next several hours, we’ll make lasting memories.

” He snaked a hand about her nape and then dragged her against his body.

“How damned fortunate am I to have finally won you?” There was no shame in admitting it.

Hell, he wanted to shout it from the rooftops.

“There is nothing stopping you from taking whatever you want,” she said as she rested her palms on his chest. The hunger in her voice fed his own. “Show me why Mrs. Dove-Lyon wanted you in her clutches to match with someone for such a high price.”

Instead of answering with words, he brought his mouth crashing down on hers.

As always, her lips cradled his as if she had been made exclusively for him, and when he put his hands on either side of her head to hold her steady, a tiny sigh left her throat, and she kissed him back with more intensity.

His fingers slipped into her unbound hair.

The thick, damp tresses warranted further exploration, so he buried his hands in the mass, curled his fingers into it and lightly tugged so that her chin lifted, and he could better kiss her senseless.

Again, he was lost, and he hoped he never found his way out. And it was everything he’d ever hoped being in love would be.

When his member twitched with insistence, he uttered a soft growl and pulled away.

It took less than thirty seconds for him to tumble them both onto his large four-poster bed in a tangle of limbs.

He laughed with delight when she squealed.

“You are easily the most delicious sweet; perhaps a late birthday celebration, hmm?” As he lay on his side next to her, he put a hand beneath the hem of her damp shift, drew his fingers up her leg to rest on her knee.

The silky skin beckoned, and he couldn’t believe this wonderful woman loved him back.

Inch by inch, he encouraged the fine lawn garment up her legs.

The bit of lace at the hem provided an interesting texture against the back of his hand.

“A lovely idea, and one I don’t mind celebrating at all.

” Annette’s breathing quickened as he teased his fingertips over her inner thigh.

He chuckled, for her interest was piqued.

“For so long I have wished for this moment, when I could give away my heart without fear.” She cleared her throat.

“Somehow, you’ve managed to help me conquer them and come out of exile. I’m a bit in awe.”

“So gracious. One would think you were always meant to be a duchess.” The thought brought tears to his eyes.

After he removed his spectacles and tossed them to the pillows at the head of the bed, Allan moved down her body.

He pressed a feather-weighted kiss to each of her knees that felt soft and rather adorable, slowly spreading her legs as he went.

Her beribboned garters tempted him, but he left them and the silky hosiery on her legs, a rather erotic touch.

“Hmm, shall I have you naked or just take you immediately?” He danced his fingers along her inner thigh, and her breath hitched.

“You are an intelligent man. I’m certain you can puzzle it out.” Yet the trembles that moved through her body transferred to his fingertips.

“Minx. Perhaps I should enjoy you both ways.” He caressed his fingers along the inside of her thighs, let his knuckles rub at her center, grinned when she gasped. All he wanted to do was bury his face between those satiny ivory thighs and taste her.

“I’m waiting, Masterson.” Urgency and a hint of command rang in her tones—his dearest duchess.

Deciding against oral stimulation for the moment, Allan came back up her body while nibbling a path along the side of her neck.

When he reached her shoulder, he followed the lace edged bodice of her shift with his lips and tongue while cupping a breast through the fabric.

Not long after worrying that nipple with the pad of his thumb, the bud hardened, and she wriggled from the attention.

“I need much more from you than that.” Apparently not content to remain passive, Annette plucked at the buttons of his frontfalls. “Let me see you.” With her every movement, the scent of pears and vanilla drifted to his nose.

“There is no rush. I wish to savor this coupling.” In fact, they had all night. The thought caused his shaft to harden further. Since they were still a bit damp, the ambient chill in the air kissed his skin, ramping his desire.

“How adorable are you?” Her low-pitched laughter sent awareness skittering through him.

“Touch me. I want your hands on me, driving me wild.” She drew her fingers over his chest, casually tangling those slender digits in the mat of hair there.

He hissed out a breath when she lightly gave some of them a tug.

“Gladly.” Allan cupped her face between his palms, entwining his fingers into her hair while he knelt at her side, pulling her head back to expose her neck.

She uttered no protest, and the trust she offered humbled him, then he claimed her mouth.

He treated her to long, drugging kisses that went deeper and harder each time, robbing them both of breath.

With his tongue, he hinted at exactly what he would do to her body in mere moments, but she surprised him by trying to boss him with her own.

When she clutched his shoulders and molded herself to his form so they were both more or less on their knees, he tugged the shift up and off her body. And threw it to the floor.

“Having you naked is one of the best moments.”

How much did he love this woman? With a grin, he kissed her, couldn’t have enough of her. “I’m so glad that damned wager at the Lyon’s Den meant that I was given you.” That was nothing except truth.

“Fate was kind to me when I stumbled into your path. I was so frightened, but you hold my heart in your hands.” Annette settled onto her back.

“No more delays, Peregrine. I want to feel you against me.” When he covered her body with his, she smoothed her hands down his bare back and sighed.

“There is something about having a man’s weight on top of me, sharing in his warmth, knowing that he is aroused for no other reason than he wants me, desires me. ”

“How could I not? You have impressed me from the first.”