Page 52 of Always a Princess

“I don’t know if I remember how to do this,” she whispered.

“Don’t worry. I will take care of everything. Don’t think. Don’t hold back.”

Thea felt as though she was already ready to come apart. Slowly, he undressed her, sliding the silk and lace from her shoulders. His fingertips glided down the skin of her décolletage. Her nipples budded into tight peaks as he rounded each one.

“Exquisite,” he whispered once more before taking her lips in a kiss that stole any remaining thoughts from her mind.

His mouth left her lips to explore her body, inch by aching inch. Thea pressed into him as he covered her nipple, and his hand slid around the curve of her thigh. She tugged at the shirt still covering his skin, and he shrugged it off.

Words ceased as their bodies took over. Her palms explored the hard planes of his chest and the broad muscles of his back. He found the heat between her legs, and she moaned as he slid his thumb along it.

His moan and the flex of his hips into her thigh sent Thea wild. She could feel his hardness pulsing against her. He went lower and buried his face between her legs.

Thea’s eyes widened before rolling back in her head. Never before had she ever …

Thea screamed out her pleasure, unable to hold back against the intensity of what roared through her body, mind, and soul.

Her entire form arched, almost to the breaking point, as he urged more and more pleasure from her. Thea gave up any semblance of control over what was happening within her. Her limbs thrashed, and she cried out. Finally, his lips pulled away, and she breathlessly gripped the bedcovers beneath her, as if that would keep her from being washed away in the storm he had just unbridled.

Thea vaguely realized he was stripping off his remaining clothing and returning to her. Her arms outstretched, straining for him. Alexander’s smile was wide as he took in her expression.

“Perfection,” he whispered before she pulled him into her.

His hand found her slickness, and his fingers sent her moaning again as pleasure rushed through her. And when he settled between her thighs, and pressed into her, she lost control altogether. His thrust halted within her as her body pulsated without her command.

“My God,” he whispered into her lips as he kissed her.

Speech ceased, and Thea lost track of how many times she cried out, unable to keep silent as he moved within her. Over and over, she lifted toward him as ecstasy overtook her in unending waves. Deep in the throes of bliss, Alexander roared out his pleasure. They both stilled, breathless, with rivulets of sweat on their skin.

Neither spoke for long minutes.

“Extraordinary,” Alexander whispered against her lips.

“I think I died at least once,” Thea said.

He chuckled as he kissed her. “Le petite mort,” he whispered. “I felt it too. Are you all right?”

“All right doesn’t begin to cover it. Though I may never move again.”

“You’re perfect. Sleep. I will take care of everything.”

EPILOGUE

Mr. Brook Beaumont lifted his bride into the air as he kissed her. From her place in the front row, Thea could see joy radiating from Louisa as he did.

She hadn’t gotten her chance to paint him yet, Thea knew, but she had a feeling they would have an interesting honeymoon.

Sophia had been married the day before, in a much smaller ceremony at the viscount’s country estate. As Sophia seemed to already have the young man wrapped around her little finger, Thea had high hopes for her happiness as well. Sophia was the matron of honor in Louisa’s wedding, as Louisa had served as her sister’s maid of honor as well.

To see both of her charges, her beloved cousins, married to men they both favored while standing beside her own prince of a husband … Thea wasn’t sure life could get any better.

“They are both settled now. Are you happy?” Alexander whispered into her ear.

She turned in the circle of his arms to meet his sparkling blue gaze. “Gloriously.”

“Then all is as it should be.”

“Thank you,” she said.