Page 83 of The Duke and the Hellion Bride
“I suppose I have you to thank for this?” Diana said flatly, feigning annoyance.
Evelyn shrugged. “Well, I knew you would be too stubborn to do anything about it. And someone had to make sure you didn’t go ahead and ruin the best thing that has ever happened to you.”
“Evelyn...” Diana’s chin began to wobble. “I don’t know how I can ever thank you.”
“Oh, I am sure you will think of something,” Evelyn grinned.
“We owe you more than you can imagine.” Magnus came in behind Diana, one hand rested firmly on her waist. Since they had left Lord Herrod’s, hardly a second had passed in which he was not holding her in some way. Not that Diana was complaining.
“What about me?” Lord Northwood chimed in.
Magnus snorted. “Lord Herrod should be the one thanking you. He might be dead, otherwise.”
“What does that mean?” Evelyn cried out, looking between the two men. “What on earth happened?”
“Perhaps I can fill in the blanks,” Lord Northwood said. “Besides, I can only imagine how tired the two of you are...” He raised a knowing eyebrow at Diana and Magnus. “Such that myself and Miss Goldsmith will gladly watch the children for the rest of the day. Give you two a chance to... to rest up...” His eyebrow raised further, and Diana felt herself flush furiously at the implication.
“Perhaps you are correct,” Magnus agreed, his grip on Diana’s waist tightening. “Diana, what do you think? A short nap, perhaps? You must be exhausted.”
She turned to look at her husband, seeing in his eyes an expression that she knew as well as any other. One that existed in her dreams. One she had thought of every day since leaving him. One which made her stomach flutter and her heart race, and her body turn hot as her knees began to shake because it was a look that could mean only one thing.
“Ah, yes,” she agreed, meeting his eyes with a wicked grinned. “A short nap, I think. Shall we...” She indicated toward the manor.
The girls complained to see the two go, but Evelyn and Lord Northwood were rather adept at keeping them back as Diana and Magnus made their way inside.
From there it was a short walk up the stairs, down the hallway, and into the master bedroom. Diana was the first through the door, prickles already breaking out across her body with the sense of anticipation. Love and romance were all well and good but right now, there was one thing on her mind, and it was perhaps the complete opposite of romance.
The door closed behind her and she spun about, fully intending to throw herself at her husband. But he stood back a small way, stopping her before she even had a chance to start.
“Diana,” he began. “Before we do anything else, I need for you to know something.”
“Oh...” She blinked, suddenly unsure, a little annoyed, for all she wanted was, well, her husband. “What is it?”
“I told you already that I love you, and that is as true then as it is now.” He nodded and swallowed. “But it is more than that, and I need you to know how sorry I am for what happened. How --”
“I told you, it is not something you need to apologize for.”
“I do,” he pressed on her. “For how I behaved the last time we were together. I was scared. I was unsure. I ran because I did not stop and think what these feelings mean. And I need you to know that although I have changed, there will be times where I might... where I might falter. Where I might question myself. But when this happens, you must know it will have nothing to do with you. You are the beacon that keeps me steady, that brings me home, the reason that I am standing here right now. I don’t always do the right thing....” He laughed nervously. “But for you, I will try. And where an heir is concerned --”
“I am going to stop you, please.” She held up a hand. “I appreciate what you have said. More than you can imagine. But Magnus...” She sighed. “I have not seen you in days, we are finally alone, and if you do not take me right now and throw me on that bed, then I am afraid I might have to do so myself.” She pumped her eyebrows at him, relishing the shocked and then amorous look that swept across his face. “And to be honest with you, I just can’t see that being anywhere near as fun. So...” She tilted her head and looked right at him. “Are we doing this or not?”
The compassionate, heartfelt expression melted from Magnus’ face in an instant, replaced by one that could only be compared to a predator in the wild who found himself lucky enough to stumble upon wounded prey.
He leapt for her. Hands, taking her by the face. Pulling her into him as his body pressed close. Head tilting, leaning in, lips finding her mouth and kissing her fully as if his life depended on it. Perhaps it did?
His touch sent sparks erupting across Diana’s entire body so that she very nearly collapsed. She might have, was he not holding her up. Kissing one another as if trying to devour the other, for a few long seconds that was all they did. Wet, sloppy kisses that went beyond mere attraction. Kisses that told of a deep desire – a need to be together. Tongues lapped and wrestled. Teeth nibbled and tore. Their breathing become one, as did the beating of the hearts and truly, Diana could have stayed that way and kissed him forever.
But then she found herself stepping backwards, pulling Magnus toward the bed.
Then she found herself on her back, writhing up the bed as Magnus climbed on top, mounting her as a lion might in the wild.
Then she found her hands around his pants, opening them with a sense of urgency that was matched by the way he tore open her dress at the front. This wasn’t the tender love making as had been experienced the first time. This was a new beast; one Diana was very much excited to live in.
Diana’s breasts broke from her dress and Magnus pulled them toward his mouth. His soft lips wrapped around her right nipple, suckling gently and she could feel herself harden. He then bit down, she yelped, her grinned and looked at her, moving then onto the left breast.
As he fondled her, Diana continued at his pants, wrenching them down so that his manhood sprung free and poked into her stomach. It was already hard, and she wrapped a hand around his, relishing the way his body turned stiff, and he groaned, pulling his lips free from her because he could not take it.
“Magnus,” she breathed as his head buried into her neck. More kisses. Her hand continuing to stroke him.
