Page 10 of The Duchess’s Absolutely Delightful Dream (The Notorious Briarwoods #14)

“Good.” She nodded, twining their fingers. “Now, turn your eyes to the loch, and watch nature at play, and stop being so serious.”

He let out a laugh. “Whatever you say, Duchess,” he said.

“Very good.” Her lips twitched. “I’m glad you know that you should obey my commands.”

“I like your commands,” he rumbled softly. “I have been giving commands for a decade.”

“Well then,” she said softly, stroking his hair back from his cheek. Daring, dear God, daring to do as she wished, as she felt was right, she cradled his strong, handsome face. A face which bore the marks of man who had seen much suffering.

He was a man who needed to be saved, who needed to understand that he would be all right if he would but allow himself to be.

And she would be all right too because she was choosing him. And whatever they could have. She was so grateful to have realized that she did not have to choose grief, and widowhood, and chastising herself, and martyrdom.

No, she could choose differently here in the heather, under the ever-brightening Scottish sky. Here, she could simply enjoy life, and him, and all that life had to offer… Where everything was exactly as it should be.

Every part of Octavian ached to discover Elspeth’s body and the pleasure he could bring her.

In all his life, he’d never known the sort of captivation that he felt for her here in the Highlands.

And in the little hidden-away cove on the loch, where they could watch water ripple, he rolled her onto her back and studied her perfect features.

How he loved the way her fiery hair teased over the green grass and purple heather.

Her pale skin glowed in the dawn light, and her pink lips beckoned.

How had he been so lucky? It never could have occurred to him that a woman like this would be waiting for him when he’d chosen to escape to the Highlands for a respite.

She made him wish to never leave, and so he would savor every moment of this. He could drink deeply of it, of her, knowing that it would end. The shortness of it would surely make this all the sweeter.

Gently, he stroked the side of her face, then teased his fingertips over her mouth.

Her lips parted before he traced down the delicate line of her throat to where her gown hugged her bosom. How he longed to see her perfect breasts.

He hesitated for a single moment, but then he bent and kissed her. And as he seduced her mouth, he gently stroked his fingertips over the swells of her bosom.

Her beautiful hands came to rest on his shoulders, pulling him closer, urging him on.

He accepted her urging and gave in. Gave into this moment that they both so clearly longed for.

And he knew they both needed this for different reasons, but they did need it. Needed each other.

His hands began to shake slightly as he worked at her bosom, freeing her breasts.

Her soft skin swept him into heaven as he gently massaged her. Then he could bear it no more, and he lowered his mouth to her nipple. Taking the pink nub into his mouth, he teased it, kissed it, dragged his tongue over it before he did the same to the other.

With each touch, each caress, each kiss, logic slipped further and further away and passion reigned.

As he worshiped at her breast, he took hold of her skirt and slid his hand to her bare thigh.

She trembled, eager for his touch.

Slowly, he let his fingers wander ever upward, to the juncture of her thighs.

There he met her curls, and then he delved into her slick petals.

A groan of sheer bliss slipped past his lips. She was slick for him. Hot and eager, her body longed for him. Just as his longed for her, evident by his hard cock pressed against his breeches.

It ached. It ached for her. But not yet. He wasn’t a brute. He wanted to ease her into this. He wanted her to feel pleasure and safety with him so she could be free to give herself over to her ecstasy.

Then gently, he stroked his fingers over her nub. He gazed down on her face, studying her for the signs that he had found that perfect spot. The spot that would pitch her into bliss.

When her lips parted and her cheeks pinkened and her body began to undulate, he knew he’d found it.

Slowly, he circled his fingers. Biting his own lower lip to keep himself focused on her pleasure alone, he stroked and stroked, loving the feel of her beneath his touch.

And when her hips rocked upward, he teased her opening with a finger.

She gasped.

She was tight and so, carefully, he added another finger, rocking them in and out, stretching her gently…finding that other spot that could transform a mere exchange between a man and woman into something that mere words could not describe.

And as he used his fingers within her and over her nub, she clutched his shoulders.

Her mouth parted, her eyes widened, and her breath caught.

Ripple after ripple traveled through her, and he knew in the way her core tightened around his fingers that her body was giving over to release.

He eased himself down beside her. The scents of the Highland summer surrounding them mixed with their desire. And he held her. Held a window into a world that he’d never dared to contemplate.

A world where there was nothing but beauty. Nothing but this.