Only a Lady Will Do by Tamara Gill
Chapter 32
They snuck away from the ball, and Iris wasn't naive enough not to know that both their families knew they were leaving, and together. They did not raise a brow when both declared they would like to depart, and with two carriages brought around the front of the townhouse, Iris hoped that no one else would notice their disappearance.
The duke's carriage pulled up at the front of the ducal townhouse while hers was taken around back to the mews. The footman guided her through the gardens, and she felt the tension leave her shoulders when Josh came to the terrace doors leading onto the gardens to escort her inside.
"I did not think I would ever see you grace this home again," he declared, wrapping his arm around her waist and giving her a comforting squeeze.
Iris's blood pumped fast through her veins, and she felt her nipples tighten, the longing between her legs increase. Since having been intimate with Josh, when apart from him, her need for him had only increased.
She had wondered if they were to be separated for the remainder of their lives, however would she survive not being with him?
He guided her up the stairs, the house quiet but alight with candles, flowers everywhere just as it always was.
Josh walked them along the long corridor and past her own suite of rooms to come to his. She had not been in his room before and wondered what it was like.
It was unlike anything she had seen in her life. Iris felt her mouth gape at the ornate, painted ceiling. The large, four-poster mahogany bed had three steps leading up to the mattress itself, placing it higher than the rest of the room's furniture. Dark-blue silk bedding covered the bed, the settee before the fire, and the desk chair, all upholstered in the same color. The room sparkled with gold and rich blues and greens. The Aubusson rug underneath her silk slippers, opulent and soft.
This would be her room, too, when she shared his bed. "I cannot help but wonder what my suite of rooms will look like after seeing this one. Your bedroom is the most magnificent room I've ever seen in my life."
He chuckled, throwing his superfine coat over a nearby chair. Josh walked to the door, snipping the lock, and came toward her.
Iris swallowed, nervous for some reason but also excited for what was to come. He was so handsome, his eyes dark pools full of promise and need. She reached for him when he came close enough, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Our bedroom, Duchess. Of course, you do have one of your own through those doors just there," he said, pointing across the room, "but I hope you spend most of your time in here. With me."
She kissed him quickly, needing to taste him again. Remind herself that this was real, and they were engaged again, but this time, without any secrets or hurts that could raise their ugly heads and destroy them.
His lips, soft at first, demanded more, and she was soon swept into a haze of desire. He kissed her hard, almost punishing her with his need, but she met his every want with those of her own. How she had missed him. Had wanted him so very much, even through the pain she endured this past week.
His fingers worked the buttons of her gown quickly, slipping her dress from her shoulders to pool at her feet. Josh's blood pumped loud in his ears. He needed her, needed to know she was indeed here and his from this day forward.
Her fine shift that sat over her corset was almost transparent, and he could see the outline of her small stomach, the flaring of her hips. He wanted to kiss every inch of her. Mark and learn every part of her, declare that she was his and no one else's.
Josh untied the delicate ribbons on her shift, slipping that too from her body. He turned her about, his hands furiously working the stays. They, too, fell to the floor. Then, wanting to kiss her as much as his need to breathe, he whipped her about, taking her face in his hands and kissing her soundly.
She met his demand, her sweet tongue dancing with his, making his cock stand on end, weep with need for her.
He slid his hands down the soft skin of her back, feeling the small indentation from her stays before cupping her ass. He lifted her, pleased when she wrapped her legs about his hips and pressed against him, her wet cunny, hungry for him as much as he was for her.
He took the few steps to the bed, tumbling them onto the soft mattress and not bothering to pull down the bedding. His need rode him hard, and he could not think straight for want of her.
"You're so beautiful," he declared, settling between her legs and rubbing himself along her slick, hot heat.
She gasped, her teeth pinning her bottom lip as he teased her. "I want you, Josh. Do not make me wait."
He grinned, dipping his head to kiss the sensitive spot just beneath her ear, her neck, and then down to her perfect-handful breasts. He took one into his mouth, laving her nipple, watching it with awe as it puckered farther at his touch.
He rolled her other nipple between his fingers, eliciting a moan from her lips. His cock twitched at the sound, and he knew he had to make her come before he went anywhere near her, or he'd spill before she gained her climax.
A man could only take so much, and he had thought she was lost to him. That never again would he have her in his arms. The knowledge and the realization she was here now, his and only his for the remainder of their lives, drove him to distraction. Made him lose any control he may have held.
"I will not, darling," he said, kissing her flat stomach, working his way out to her hip, nibbling and kissing his way between her thighs. She opened for him, and he marveled that she was so willing to do anything he wanted.
The jagged, red scar from her carriage accident came into view on her thigh, and he kissed his way along it. Iris ran her fingers into his hair, her hand soothing the guilt he would forever feel having written the bet that injured her.
"Josh," she moaned when he kissed the sensitive inner flesh of her thigh. He licked his lips, the sight of her wet, weeping cunny making his head spin. He pushed her legs apart, kissing her where she ached.
She gasped, her fingers spiking against his skull. He worked her flesh, kissed and tasted her need. She was sweet and musky, perfect in every way. She lifted her ass off the bed, seeking her pleasure. Josh reveled in her freedom, her womanly wiles that took what she wanted from him without fear or shame.
"You taste so sweet, my darling. I'm going to make you come so hard," he declared, his tongue mad against her engorged nubbin. He teased the opening of her sex before pushing two fingers into her hot heat. She shuddered at his intrusion, her body bucking at his touch.
She held his head against her flesh as the first tremors of her climax skittered through her core.
She called out his name, a chant as she took her pleasure. Josh laved at her flesh, wanting more, always wanting more of her.
He came atop her, her gaze luminous and pleased. Her legs wrapped about his hips, pulling him close.
He needed no encouragement. Josh thrust into her, unable to wait for a second longer. She gasped his name, brought him down for a kiss. He took her mouth, owned every part of it, mimicking what his cock was doing with his tongue.
His heart was full, his body alive and teetering on edge. He wanted her to come again but did not know if he could hold off. He pushed, deep, angling himself to tease her in a way he knew worked.
She reared up, grinding herself against him, and he lost his breath. Where had the little hellcat, the siren in his arms, come from? He adored this side of Iris, and that it was all for him, no one else would ever have her in such a way, was an elixir to his soul.
He took her relentlessly, and she shattered beneath him, her fingers scored down his back as she came for the second time in the night.
He promised it would not be her last as he lost himself within her, a small part of him hoping that his seed would take root and they would start their family this evening.
He wanted all of her, forever and even longer than that, if he could negotiate with God. He slumped to her side, pulling her into the crook of his arm. Their breathing ragged, he smiled into the firelit room, content for the first time in what felt like a lifetime.
"I love you," she whispered, kissing his chest before promptly falling into a deep sleep.
Josh chuckled, kissing the top of her head. "I love and adore you, Duchess," he declared, unable to wait until he married her, which, if he could make use of the special license he'd procured, would be tomorrow.
