Page 76 of The Duke's Second Bride

“You ruin me,” he said simply. “I crave you more with every breath. I could spend a lifetime learning how to make you tremble, and it still would not be enough.”

The words set her alight.

“Then don’t stop,” she urged, her voice breaking on the need building inside her.

His answering growl reverberated against her skin as his lips descended again, lower this time, until her moans filled the room. He teased, he learned, he pushed her to the edge until she was writhing beneath him, her fingers clutching desperately at the sheets.

When at last he joined their bodies, Ava cried out, the sensation so overwhelming she thought she might shatter.

Christian stilled for a heartbeat, his breath ragged against her ear.

“Look at me,” he commanded.

She did, her eyes locking with his. What she saw there stole her breath: desire, deep, raw, and unguarded.

“You feel like heaven,” he rasped, moving within her now, each thrust strong, deliberate, meant to brand her with the truth of his claim.

Her moans mingled with his groans, their mouths finding one another again and again between ragged breaths.

“Don’t stop,” she pleaded, nails scraping lightly across his back. “Please, Christian, don’t ever stop.”

“I do not intend to, darling,” he answered against her lips, his voice harsh with fervor.

Pleasure built between them, cresting higher, until Ava cried out his name, her body breaking apart in ecstasy. He followed, pulling out of her, and his release spilled down her lower belly as he let out a guttural sound.

After he swiftly grabbed a towel to clean her up, Christian pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her.

They lay tangled together, breathless and damp with exertion, his arms a solid, protective weight around her.

Christian pressed a kiss to her temple, murmuring against her hair. “Every night with you is better than the last.”

Ava nestled closer, a smile curving her lips. “You really think so?”

“Mmhm,” his chest vibrated as he answered.

“I never thought it could be so…exhilarating,” she confessed, recalling how mechanical, how bland William’s was.

Christian shifted, guiding her face gently but firmly to his. His gaze locked on hers, molten and commanding.

“You deserve exhilaration,” he murmured, his voice a low growl meant only for her. “You deserve passion, devotion, every ounce of pleasure a man can give. And I intend to give it to you. All of it, every night, until you can’t imagine wanting for more.”

Her lips parted, breath catching at the promise in his tone.

His thumb brushed over her mouth, lingering, teasing. “My wife… mine to cherish. And devour.”

Then he kissed her.

Today had been a perfect day, set in a string of several perfect days, like a string of pearls in an expensive necklace.

As she drifted off to sleep that night, warm in the embrace of her husband, Ava knew she would be happy to live in this moment forever.

CHAPTER 27

“This is very well done, Edith,” Ava said. “Everyone seems to be having a tremendous time.”

Edith hosted a garden party a week later. It was one social event that both Ava and Christian knew they would be going to, without question.

The party was full of everyone from about town. Edith was well known in the ton for her charity work. This particular party was being thrown as a sort of benefit.