Page 36 of The Duke’s Second Bride (Regency Second Chances #4)

“My father?” she repeated, her voice even. “He was a very proper man. He cared a great deal about appearances. He wanted his daughter to be a lady above all else.”

Luke tilted his head. “Did… did he read with you? Or play games?”

Ava’s smile was tender, though Christian saw the truth beneath it. “Not much, no. He was not a playful sort. My mother wasn’t either. They thought games made one careless.”

Christian’s jaw tightened, a hot flare of anger sparking in his chest.

A childhood without play. He could scarcely bear to imagine it. Not for Ava.

Ava reached across to brush a crumb from Luke’s sleeve, her tone brightening. “But I always found friends elsewhere. The animals on the estate were better companions than any governess. Dogs and horses, especially. They never cared if my hair was out of place.”

Luke’s eyes lit. “Like Pudding?”

“Exactly like Pudding,” Ava said, chuckling. “Though the cows never climbed into my lap at tea.”

Luke burst into laughter at the thought. The heaviness in Christian’s chest eased at the sight, though a protective vow still burned in him like iron: she would never again be made to feel unwanted.

Not under his roof. Not while she bore his name.

Ava met his gaze across the table, and for a moment, the laughter softened into something quiet, almost reverent. She had turned a boy’s innocent question into a story of resilience and warmth.

Christian silently admired her strength.

Still, he promised himself and her, silently, that she’d never have to spin light out of shadows.

The house had grown hushed after dinner, the lingering echo of Luke’s laughter fading into the quiet of the halls.

Ava let Christian lead her upstairs, their hands brushing together as though they were newlyweds instead of a married couple weeks into their union.

The candles burned low, throwing golden light against the walls, gilding his hair and shoulders as they walked.

Once in their chamber, he drew the door closed with deliberate care. The sound of the latch clicking into place sent a thrill up her spine.

She knew that look in his eyes now, the one that promised she would not fall asleep untouched.

Christian stood before her, tall and commanding in his shirt-sleeves. His gaze roamed over her with a reverence that left her breathless.

“You were magnificent tonight,” he murmured. “Luke thinks you hung the stars.”

Ava’s lips curved. “And what about you?” she teased softly.

“I think he underestimates you,” he replied, his voice low, roughened with feeling.

Her cheeks warmed. He stepped closer, and she felt the heat of him, his presence so large it seemed to press against her skin even before his hands found her waist.

“Christian…” she whispered, her voice more plea than word.

His fingers traced the edge of her bodice, skimming upward until his palm cupped her cheek. He tilted her face, studying her as though he could memorize every shift in her expression.

“Tell me what you desire,” he said quietly.

She met his gaze, heart hammering. “You. I want you, Christian.”

“Mmm,” he whispered, “that’s my good girl. I’ll give you exactly what you want.”

His mouth claimed hers, hot and hungry, his kiss demanding and unyielding. Her knees weakened under the force of it, and she clutched at his shoulders, pulling him closer.

The kiss deepened until she felt nothing but the heat of him, the taste of him, the way he devoured her like a man starved. He guided her backwards until her knees hit the edge of the bed, and then he lowered her with a care that contrasted deliciously with the urgency of his mouth.

Her gown loosened beneath his hands, fabric sliding down her arms like water. He kissed each newly bared inch of skin, his lips reverent, worshipful, as though she were something sacred.

Ava gasped, her body arching toward him.

“Christian…” she breathed, fingers tangling in his hair as he trailed kisses along her collarbone.

He lifted his head, his eyes molten. “Do you know what you do to me?”

“Tell me,” she whispered.

“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.