Page 49 of The Not So Perfect Duke

All of him. Naked.

In her haste, one button popped and flew across the room. A rumble of laughter left his throat.

“My eager darling.”

Althea had no idea this could be—fun. That teasing and lightheartedness would be involved. She gave him a brilliant smile as she clasped the ends of his shirt and pulled with all her might. The last two buttons pinged and skittered across the floor. She quickly divested him of the shirt, casting it aside, then stood back to admire the view.

He was lean but muscled, nonetheless. As if sculpted in marble. His chest was dusted with golden hair, narrowing to a straight line and disappearing under the waistline of his trousers.

Yes, his trousers.

They were the next to go.

Once undone, she pushed them and his drawers past his hips. He kicked the clothing aside. Oh, he was astonishing. Althea had no idea men, when erect, could be so formidable. How many virgins whimpered at the sight of a naked man, wondering how on earth was that going to fit inside her?

Not Althea.

She could not wait to take all of him. Sighing at the glorious sight, Althea trailed the tips of her fingers across his flawless skin, down his muscled arms, and across his hip. Then she grasped him. So thick, so potent. The temptation was too great. She had to taste him. Dropping to her knees, she trailed her tongue along his length before he protested. Such a musky, earthy experience heightened her interest in exploring further.

Damon’s only response was a tortured groan.

Althea then placed the head of his shaft in her mouth and licked enthusiastically.

After several minutes, he grasped her arms and brought her to her feet. “We will explore this later, I promise. I will lose all control if my cock is in your luscious mouth one second more.”

“I will hold you to that promise. I want this—your cock—inside me now.”

Damon moaned at her words. “Then you shall have what you want.” Damon kissed her soundly, then backed her up until they reached the bed. Althea laid upon it, her entire body thrumming with need. Damon brought out a small case from the side table drawer. “Sheaths.”

Althea watched as he deftly fitted one on his erect shaft. He climbed on the bed and spread her legs.

“I cannot wait, either.” He inserted two fingers inside her, and she gasped. “So deliciously wet, still. You tasted so blasted sweet. Better than the wine.” The head of his cock—as he called it—replaced his fingers, and with deliberate care, he pushed inside her. Inch by inch. “If I am hurting you, tell me. But I know you will.”

Not hurt exactly, a slight pinch, but that feeling of fullness, as if he had taken complete possession of her body, was not something she had ever experienced.

Oh, it is lovely.

He was completely seated, but he stayed still. Impatient, Althea lifted her hips.

“Wait. Just stay like this. For a moment,” Damon rasped.

* * *

Damon had to savor this. To commit it to memory. This was a moment of clarity when everything in the world finally made sense to him. This is what he was brought into the world for. To be joined with this lovely lady until the end of his days.

He had heard the talk amongst the elites that when rakish rogues fell, they fell hard. In the past, Damon scoffed at such declarations. But he need only look at the members of The Rakes to see the proof. First Christian, then Ash, Brandon, Gideon, and now—him?

Oh, yes. Even the infamous rake, Damon Cranston.

“Um, Damon?” Althea whispered.

“A moment longer,” he replied raggedly. He took that minute, then pulled all the way out and thrust back in, bringing about a series of gasps from Althea.

“More?” he asked.

“Oh, yes. More.”

Damon started slow, with long, even strokes, rising above her so that he rubbed against her clit. Her gasps turned to moans, ending with a loud mewling. Those sounds of passion urged him on, increasing the pace until he was pounding into her with wild abandon. How much time passed, he hardly cared. Damon silently thanked providence for his stamina, for he needed it now more than ever.