A tinge of vulnerability shot through her. For all her talk, and ease with Blake in the bedroom, having a man kiss the sensitive flesh between her legs wasn’t something she’d experienced before.

“What is it?” Blake asked, his chin dangerously close to her damp panties, his eyes narrowed in concern.

“I-I’ve not.” Darn, she wasn’t a virgin, but in this she was. “No one has ever,” she let her gaze drift to her mound before returning to him.

Recognition flecked in his eyes and a soft smile spread over his lips. “Never?”

She gave a quick shake of her head.

He lowered his lips to kiss the skin below her belly button, his eyes never left hers. “I like that.”

With his three simple words, she let the vulnerability go and relaxed into Blake’s masterful arms. His tongue sought her flesh as he removed the scrap of material between her thighs. He pressed hot, open-mouthed kisses around her core until her thighs opened to give him room. Blake kissed, licked, and moaned over her until her will nearly snapped with the want of more. When his lips connected with the most sensitive spot on her body, Samantha nearly leapt from the bed. Blake kept her anchored, his tongue swirling around her, chasing, and coaxing tiny building spasms deep inside her body. The intensity of her pending release was like nothing she’d experienced before. He took her to the edge, drew back, and had her clutching his shoulders tight.

He was teasing her, teaching her to crave this from him, and all she could do was beg for more. “Please.”

With a flick of his tongue and a gentle suck, Samantha welled over and cried out her release. Her body trembled as she rode the sensation to the very end.

When Samantha felt it was safe to open her eyes, she found Blake smiling over her. His broad hands ran the length of her body as he waited for her attention.

“You’re sinful,” she uttered, her voice low and throaty.

He placed a delicate kiss on her lips. “You’re sexy. Now that I’ve tasted you, I’m going to want more.”

Her hand feathered over his hip, surprised to see he’d managed to free himself of his clothes. Not being of the mind to take and not give, Samantha offered a grin before pushing Blake on his back to have a taste of him. Following his example, she traced his hip, first with her fingers then with her tongue. The salty musk of his skin tantalized her taste buds until her mouth watered.

“Should I be worried?” he hissed as she let her cheek graze his erection.

“What?” she asked, pretending innocence with her tone. “I’ve seen movies.” She hadn’t but she wanted to keep him guessing. In this, she had a brief encounter. Then there were the books she’d read once in a while.

Seems tens of authors must have some idea how this worked.

“But…”

Samantha drew him into the deep, warm cavern of her mouth.

“Sweet lord.” Blake moaned, his hips tilting forward, asking for more.

Samantha smiled over him, lapping, tasting, and desiring his pleasure nearly as much as her own. The musky scent of his skin and sex filled her as she brought him to the very edge of release before pulling back. She would have continued, but Blake gently forced her away. “Too much.”

“You don’t like?” she teased, knowing he more than liked what she was doing. She wanted to finish him as he’d done to her.

“Another time,” he said, before reaching for his wallet and removing a condom.

Samantha helped him with the thin latex and then crawled over his body. She kissed him fully on the mouth, their tastes mingled as he pressed inside her. Slick with desire, he filled every inch of her, stretching her. Blake rose to meet her body, retreated, and plunged again. His fingers tangled with her hair and held tight as her body responded to his with renewed passion and need.

Samantha couldn’t get enough of him. Her br**sts scraped against the soft dusting of hair on his chest, his heartbeat pressed past his ribs and into hers. As much as she told herself their time together was for a physical release, a mutually satisfying sexual experience, tiny slivers of her heart melted into his.

They moved together, straining like strings of a violin until she unwound and shattered. Muscles strained on Blake’s arms as he held her close and moaned his release into her ear.

Samantha knew, as the world stilled and Blake said tender things in her ear, that she was in trouble. Falling in love with her husband was not part of their plan. Voicing her concerns, in the honesty that was their relationship, didn’t seem wise either.

As their breath slowed, and the heat from their bodies drifted into the air, Samantha forced herself away from his arms. Her stomach growled at that moment, giving her the perfect escape. “I’m starving.”

****

Albany Hall filled with people, all wanting to get a glimpse of the new Duchess, the woman Blake finally married.

People would whisper, that Blake knew, but none would dare show anything but respect to him and his bride.

Blake caught Samantha at the far end of the room, talking with Gwen and the couple standing beside her. Samantha wore a stunning ivory silk evening gown that dipped to the small of her graceful back. He’d placed an emerald pendant around her neck with matching earrings to adorn her ears. The four-inch heels peeked out from under the silk through a slit that went the length of her thigh.

His wife was magnificent. Poised with elegance that couldn’t be taught, and beauty that wasn’t skin deep, Blake felt truly proud to call her his wife.

Carter, who had flown in for the reception, stood by his side. “I can’t get over the transformation of your wife,” he whispered so only Blake could hear.