Page 37 of Reforming the Rakish Marquess

“Tell me you are sure,” he pleaded. “I need to hear you say it.”

“I am sure,” she said. “Please. I need you more than I need to breathe, Jude.”

Juliana pushed herself harder against his body, and he brought the finger that had been inside her to her lips. She licked his finger and then sucked it into her mouth as she had done to his cock every night over the past several evenings. She tasted herself on his finger, and it was erotic, making her nothing but a wanton.

He responded by groaning and slowly pushing himself inside her. He removed his finger from her mouth and braced himself above her with a hand on each side of her head.

“This might hurt a bit, but it will only hurt this one time,” he said tenderly. “As much as it might kill me, I will go slow to allow you to adjust to me.”

She relished the sensation of him filling her up more and more with each inch of his cock. The only thing that might make the moment better was if she could feel his lips against hers while they joined together. She licked her lips, imagining what his kiss might taste like.

She winced when she felt a slight rush of pain. He stilled and let her adjust just as he said he would.

“Does it still hurt?” he asked after a few moments.

“No.” She moved against him, and it was the most wonderful thing she had ever felt. “I want more.”

He pulled himself back and then thrust forward, pushing himself all the way inside of her. She had enjoyed the attention they gave each other with their hands and mouths, but having him inside of her was something more than she could have imagined. She had never felt closer or more connected to another person.

He quickened his pace, and she instinctively wrapped her legs around him. With each of his movements, her panting became more erratic, and she dug her nails into his back.

“Jude,” she whispered in between moans.

“Nothing has ever felt better than being inside you, Juliana.”

She fought the tears that his words threatened to bring, clinging to him, as he increased the speed of his hips. Her legs gripped him tighter and she couldn’t stop herself from kissing and licking along his chest, in lieu of being able to kiss his lips.

He growled in response and shifted so he supported himself on hand, moving his free hand to lift her hip, which increased the sensation of his movement inside of her. A few moments later, she shattered beneath his powerful thrusts. Every inch of her body pulsated as waves of ecstasy crashed over her, so overwhelming that she had to stifle her moans with her palm to avoid waking the entire house.

He withdrew from her and whispered her name before liquid warmth pooled on her stomach. She glanced down at it before catching his gaze.

“If I had released inside of you, a babe would be more probable,” he said. Jude left the bed and returned with a cloth. He gently wiped between her legs and then cleaned her stomach. “There may be blood, so I attempted to remove the evidence. Your maid may know what has occurred if it reached your sheets.”

“I’ll deal with that if the time comes,” she said. She pondered more of what he said. “What should happen if there were to be a babe?”

“Then we shall marry,” he said.

The lack of hesitation in his response surprised her. “Oh.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Do you think I am the type of man who wouldn’t acknowledge a child of his own making, or protect the child’s mother?”

Juliana shook her head. “Of course not. I believe you to be quite honorable. I just know you don’t wish to marry.” She fought the sadness that speaking the words caused her.

She pondered the notion of a marriage and family with Jude, which the more time she spent with him, sounded quite lovely. He set the cloth on her bedside table and laid on his side beside her in the bed. She shivered from his closeness, as well as the cool air in the room.

“I should go,” he said.

“No,” she pleaded. “Please stay for a while longer.”

He hesitated for several moments, appearing to be at war with his own thoughts, but he relented and pulled the blankets over them.

She turned on her side to face him. “That was even better than I knew it could be.” Never would she be able to find the words to express what he had awakened within her from their joining. Physically, as well as emotionally.

“I am glad you are pleased, my lady.”

Heat spread through her entire body from the grin he gave her.

“Would you think me a wanton if I said I wished to have you inside of me again?” she asked, assessing his reaction.