Page 88 of The Untamed Heart

Murmuring words she felt more than understood, he kissed her everywhere, trailing paths with his tongue and hands that left her skin ablaze. Lower and lower he moved, nuzzling into the softness of her belly, the crease of her thigh.

Eustacia’s breath caught as he pressed his mouth to the little thicket of curls between her thighs. Simmering heat surged up from her toes, a great wave of wanting that made her writhe with impatience. She pressed the back of her hand against her mouth, smothering the sound she made as his mouth drifted lower, this kiss so intimate she could not hold back the shocked exclamation. His tongue darted out, licking softly, and she was undone, no more than clay to be moulded in his hands.

“Oh,” she sighed, giving herself over to him completely, utterly abandoned, wanton, and delighted to be so.

Marcus gazed down at Eustacia. His lungs worked like bellows, and he fought to steady his breath, for he was damned if he’d give into a coughing fit now, of all times. It wasn’t easy.

She stole his breath at the best of times, but like this—so trusting, so giving, and making soft sounds of pleasure that drove him beyond any passion he could remember—he was helpless.

His entire body was rigid with desire, every inch of him desperate with need for the woman who returned his gaze without a flicker of embarrassment. She was bold, his wife, bold and fierce and wildly independent, and yet she wanted him. Needed him, too. He knew that, knew there was a place for him in her life. Not to tame her, he knew better than to even try that, but to safeguard her, to be her protector, friend, companion, lover, and her champion in all things.

In the past, he had fought for what he thought was right, for his country, for the safety of future generations. But now, finally, he had something, someone of his own to fight for, even if the fighting was over.

The sweet, tart taste of her filled his mouth, but it was not enough. How could it be?

“Why did you stop?” she asked, sounding far away, her eyes hazy with pleasure.

“I haven’t, I was just taking a moment to appreciate my good fortune,” he assured her.

Never taking his eyes from hers, he leaned in and pressed a kiss against her inner thigh. Eustacia sighed, the sound sending shivers of desire down his spine.

The wicked creature canted her hips upward, and Marcus smiled against her skin, captivated by her. Any fears he might have secretly held that Eustacia would be afraid, that the night might not go as he hoped, were swept away for good.

Marcus rewarded her daring by delicately revealing the tender heart of her sex and laving it with his tongue. Eustacia clutched at the sheets and threw her head back, moaning as he repeated the move. He was lost then, any part of him not already entirely under her spell, caught and bound for all time. The wonderful sounds he drew from her, soft words of pleading and breathy gasps, were so inflaming he feared he would not last long enough to bring her to completion.

Somehow, he reined in his own desires as she shattered, one hand tightened in his hair as she cried out, wordless murmurs of joy that made his heart soar.

But his patience was burnt to cinders, and he fell upon her, taking her mouth hungrily, as if her breath was his own.

“Eustacia, Eustacia, oh God.”

Desperation seared his body as she reached for him, her hand closing around his aching shaft once more. She stroked, her touch bold and sure now, sending bright sparks of joy glittering through him, and the thought of letting her continue touching him so was a wicked temptation.

Yet this was her wedding night. This night he claimed her as his wife, and there were hours and days and nights to come to explore all else they could share.

So, he drew her hand away, though it pained him to do so.

She stared at him, her gaze frank and curious. “But you liked it.”

“More than words can express, but I need to be inside you. Now, Eustacia.”

Understanding made her cheeks flush a deeper pink and she let out a breath, opening her legs in silent invitation.

Marcus closed his eyes as the bodies met. “Yes,” he murmured, finding his place between her thighs. “Oh, thank you, God. Yes, yes…”

He groaned, pushing himself inside the welcoming heat of her body. Unable to stop himself, he thrust deep, and then froze, afraid he had hurt her.

Eustacia only sighed, clinging to him.

Reassured, he moved inside her, overwhelmed by her, the scent of her, sweet and womanly, filled his nose, and the sounds of her pleasure were lovelier to him than any music. His hands mapped her silken skin, rejoicing in every lush and exquisite curve. He looked down at her then, into eyes of blue, steady and sure, and knew that he was loved, and that he would love this woman for the rest of his days.

Emotion welled up in him, surprising him with his own tenderness, and when she came beneath him, suddenly and with complete abandon, his throat tightened, his heart too full at the miracle of it all, of her. Yet as her body tightened around him, holding him to her, anchoring him here in this moment, he could not hold back. He shattered, crying out and giving her all that he was, for now and forever.

Marcus stared down at Eustacia. He felt a little stunned, a little… overwrought, actually, and it took him a moment before he felt able to speak, but Eustacia beat him to it.

“Well. That was marvellous. Can we do it again?”

Marcus burst out laughing, giddy with happiness, as light-hearted as a boy, something he had never expected to feel again.