Oh, heavens! She was still clutching it to her. She let her hands fall to her sides and then reveled in Oliver sliding the muslin down her body. And then she was just in her chemise, her nipples peaked and straining upwards.
“So beautiful,” he whispered. “Still so beautiful.”
Oliver leaned over her and captured her mouth in one more searing kiss. His hand brushed against her breasts, and then he toyed with one nipple, pinching her slightly until she gasped for breath.
He laughed. “Braden was afraid you’d lead me around by my cock.” He pinched her nipple once more until she moaned. “But I think we’re evenly matched.”
Grace’s mouth fell open. “My brother didnotsay that.”
“Oh, yes.” He nodded. “He was quite worried I’d let you run roughshod over me the rest of our lives.”
“Shows how well he knowsyou.” Grace scowled. “Is that why you were in there so long? He was trying to talk you out of marrying me?” When she next saw her brother…
Oliver’s blue eyes twinkled. “You know he adores you. He just wanted to be certain I was worthy of you.”
“Worthy?” It did not sound likeworthhad anything to do with that particular conversation.
“That we were well matched,” he amended.
“And you convinced him that we are?”
Oliver grinned at her. “Wearein my bed, Grace.”
Well, that was true. “Oh, Oliver, it still doesn’t seem real.”
His smile widened. “Well, I’mreallynever letting you go.”
That sounded like the Oliver she knew. “Lord Prestwood, I do believe you arestillentirely too dressed,” she teased.
He leaned back on his knees and worked at the fastenings of his trousers, and Grace pushed up on her elbows and then drew her chemise up, over her head. Oliver came back over top of her and licked his tongue across one nipple.
Heavens, she nearly melted just then.
He untied her drawers with one hand while he captured her nipple with his mouth.
“Oh!” She bucked beneath him.
Oliver kissed his way from her breast, up her neck and settled on her lips. “I love you Grace Prestwood, I always have.”
And she loved him. She loved him more than anything in the world. Grace lifted her bottom off the bed and slid her drawers down her legs. And then she was completely bare beneath him.
Oliver tossed his trousers over the side of the bed and kneed her legs apart. Her eyes drifted to that part of him that she’d seen only once so long ago. Heavens, this time he’d be inside her. There would be no going back then. She’d truly be his for all time and eternity. She could hardly wait.
He brushed his finger across her swollen nub, and heat coursed within her, pounding through her veins, right beneath his fingertip that swirled ever so gently around her.
Grace’s breath came out in shallow pants. She’d wanted this, waited for this for four years. “Please,” she begged.
“As my wife commands.” He took himself in his hand and pressed against her entrance.
Grace closed her eyes, reveling in the feel of his strength against her most private place. And then he pushed inside her, stretching her like she’d never imagined was possible. She sucked in a breath as he pushed a little deeper. Oh, to have him joined with her, filling her…
“Look at me, Grace,” he whispered. “I want to see your eyes.”
Dutifully, her eyes fluttered open, and the intensity, the love, reflected in his blue depths nearly took her breath away.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said.
But there was no way around that. It was going to hurt. She knew it would. Both of her sisters had been very honest about that. “Please, Oliver, make me yours.”