Later that evening, after all the feasting and dancing had ended and everyone had retired to their bedchambers, Connor led Eden into his ducal suite, where they would spend this first night together and all others to come.
He was already familiar with the exquisite feel of her body from his hapless attempt to undress her the other night. Tonight, he hoped to exhibit a bit more prowess. He had dismissed Holden for the evening, for Eden would assist him if required, although there was nothing he could not manage himself.
As for her, he wasquitecapable of assisting her out of her clothes. After all, was this not his reputation? And she was awake and willing this time, so there was that too.
She stood in the center of his large, elegantly appointed chamber with her hands clasped, uncertain what to do. “Eden, the duchess quarters are attached to mine, with an interior door between them. That suite of rooms is yours to settle in, for I’m sure you’ll prefer not having Holden rush in and out as you wash and dress. You’ll have your privacy and ample space for your entire wardrobe. But I hope that door will always remain open betweenusand that you will share my bed from here on out. Or I do not mind sharing yours, if that is your preference,” he said, motioning to the adjacent room.
“I won’t care which bed we share, as long as we are together.” She came to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Can you believe we are married?”
He nodded. “Yes, it is the fact that I took so long to ask you that has me shaking my head in dismay.”
He kissed her as he began to undo the ties and tapes to her gown. Having her awake and not about to topple if he dared release her allowed him to work at his leisure and soon have the gown and corset off her, leaving her in a sheer shift.
He smiled upon gazing at the softness of her body and feeling the silkiness of her skin. She sighed when he kissed her neck and moaned softly with pleasure as he began to suckle lightly on one of the tender pulses. “Your turn,” she whispered, shifting in his arms so that she faced him.
He had only removed his jacket, but now took off his waistcoat and cravat. Eden helped him with the cuff links, and soon his shirt was off, too. Her eyes widened as she took in the width and breadth of his shoulders, and the light spray of dark hair dusted with silver across the broad length of his chest. But she inhaled sharply upon noticing the jagged scar along his arm. “Connor! You said you were wounded in battle, but I never realized it was such a serious injury. You might have lost your arm.” She leaned closer to examine it and then lightly kiss it.
“It healed years ago, Eden. What I did not realize is that my heart had yet to fully recover. But it will now, with you by my side.”
They both disrobed completely, for they both felt this strong connection to each other. To reveal hearts, bodies, and minds was the only way they knew to be with each other. He was not bashful by nature, but Eden was. However, not with him, because she trusted him so profoundly. When he took her to bed and began to explore her body, she was eager to learn what to do. “Let me lead the way this time, love,” he said.
He took it slow with her—at first.
But it was not long before their passions were aroused. She responded to the flick of his tongue across the tips of her breasts, and the slide of his hand to the sensitive spot between her legs. She was ready for him when he entered her, wrapping her slender legs around his hips and impatiently lifting herself upward to take all of him in when he meant to use care this first time. “Eden, love,” he said with a groan, quickly shedding that plan and giving her the passion she desired.
He watched her beautiful face as she responded with awe and heightened arousal when he began this mating dance, moving in and out of her with primal confidence and an ease gained from experience. He knew when she was close to the edge, knew how to enhance her pleasure, and exactly when she tumbled to her release. He kissed her on the mouth as she cried out in ecstasy, feeling the waves of pleasure ripple through her body, and waiting for his turn to take his.
The look of her, with her wild red hair splayed across his pillows, her creamy breasts thrust into the air as she arched her back and felt the climax of her desire, did him in. He’d never seen a more beautiful sight. In two quick thrusts, he followed suit.
Afterward, as she rested in his arms while he stroked her hair, she asked him for a full report. “How was it for you, Connor? Was I terrible? It was only my first time.”
“Eden, sweetheart, do I look displeased?”
She glanced up at him and grinned. “No, you look quite smug and triumphant.”
He chuckled. “It was wonderful. Truly. Better than anything I’ve ever experienced before.”
“But you do have a lot of experience. Was I better than your worst? You do not have to be tactful about it. I’d rather know the truth.”
He wasn’t going to deny his years of experience. Nor did he intend to lie to her. There was no need, because he loved everything about her, down to the lovely scent of her skin that stirred him on a primal level.
Eden was perfect, and he told her so. “You were better than thebest, Eden. There is not a one who can compare to you. I know you love your scientific studies, and there is no denying intimacy has an important biological aspect to it. But it is most of all about feelings, and not at all based on common sense or logic. How are you feeling about what we just did?”
“Very good,” she assured him. “I’m quite happy. Well satisfied.”
“Same for me, but…” He rolled her under him. “As for satisfied… I am certainly well pleased, but not yet done. I still crave you.”
She smiled at him, obviously delighted by his remark, and drew him closer.
He’d always loved the rich, dark-red earthen color of her hair that also had hints of gold in it. She was on the tall side of average in height, but this suited him fine because he was tall himself. She was the perfect shape, too. Full breasts, long and slender legs, and a smile that filled one’s heart with sunshine.
No one had a lovelier mouth or more beautiful eyes that held starlight in their irises.
At her encouragement, they made love again.
He wasn’t certain who was the more eager, her or him. They fit together like long-lost lovers who’d been searching through eternity for their mate and had now found each other. There was no holding back, and they were both grunting and laughing as they tumbled over the precipice of ardor together, each of them more deeply in love and more bonded in unity than when they started.
Eden had wanted her moonlight kiss.
