Page 51 of Reforming the Rakish Marquess

Jude pulled back and caught her gaze again. He didn’t see pity in her eyes, only adoration and the depth of affection she held for him. He clasped her jaw and stared at her lips, the anticipation strong within him for what a kiss between them might mean.

Tossing his fears aside, he leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers.

Chapter Fifteen

If Juliana wasn’t certain she was in love with Jude before, she found that she was even more so. The intensity and intimacy of his kiss was more than anything she had dreamt of when she imagined what true love would be like.

He had opened himself up wide and shared his darkest secrets with her. Once he unburdened himself, he softened and felt more at ease in her embrace. She observed a visible change in his posture, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders after he released everything that had been weighing him down for far too long.

If his father were still alive, she’d give the man a piece of her mind for hurting the man she loved with all of her heart. He’d never know another day of pain if she had anything to say about it.

He deepened their kiss and nibbled at her bottom lip. The sensation caused her to gasp, and his tongue swept into her mouth, massaging it against hers. She matched his movements and pushed her body closer to his as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her in place. He was still naked from the waist up, and she pressed her hands to his bare, muscular chest.

They continued with growing intensity for several moments before he broke the kiss.

“As much as it pains me to say so,” he said, “nothing can occur between us at present.”

Juliana wasn’t sure what he meant, and her expression must have informed him of such, since he continued.

“I feel better than I have in a long time,” he shared. “The next time we are intimate, if that is what you still desire, I don’t want it to be because I am attempting to escape my past.”

She placed a quick kiss on his lips. “I quite understand.” An idea occurred to her. “Perhaps we can simply lie together and sleep. If the dreams return, I will be there to help you remember where you are and not be at unease if you should awaken.”

He contemplated her for a moment. “I don’t know if I should.”

“You need rest, Jude, and I will help ensure you get it. We will banish these nightmares.” She believed it with every fiber of her being. She would love him as hard as she could and will his nightmares to never return.

“I am feeling quite exhausted after the events of the evening, so I suppose your offer is agreeable.” He rose and pulled her to stand. “Shall we, my lady?”

She removed her robe, revealing her night rail underneath. She caught his eyes on her form, watching her while he removed his boots. It was all she needed to confirm he still desired her, which made her grin. She would leave the garment on while sleeping to help reduce the temptation for them both.

They each shifted to different sides of the bed and climbed into their places, almost as if they were a married couple who had shared a bed for years. Jude pulled the blankets up over them and they lay on their backs next to each other, their shoulders touching. They lay in silence together for a few moments.

“Would it break any of the rules if I held you while we slept?” he asked.

She wanted nothing more than to be in his arms. She had already decided over her evening meal that she would fight for him, and then fate brought him to her home in the middle of the night.

“I think that would be acceptable.”

He shifted to his side and helped her turn on hers, facing away from him. He draped his arm over her and pulled her closer to him. Her back fit perfectly against his front.

He nuzzled her neck and placed a gentle kiss on the top of her shoulder.

“I’ve never held anyone in this way before. It’s quite wonderful here with you. I had never slept in the same bed with a woman until last night.”

She turned her head so she could look over her shoulder.

“Is it wrong that I delight somewhat at learning that?” she asked.

“Only if it is wrong that I would be driven to maddening jealousy if I thought another man had held you in this way,” he said.

She adored the effect she had on him almost as much as she did the effect he had on her.

“You will be pleased to know you are my first everything,” she shared. “I had never even been kissed in that way before tonight, and I didn’t know kissing could be like that.”

“I didn’t either,” he replied. “And it might surprise you to know I have nothing to compare it to.”

She shifted and turned to her other side so she could face him.