Page 53 of To Desire

She did.

Groaning at the sight of her, her fingers wrapped around his biceps . . . he would wait no longer. Thrusting into her, he swallowed her cry with a kiss meant to soothe. Darien did not dare move, waiting until her kiss was filled with the same ardor as before he’d taken her virginity. Waited until the pain ebbed. When Liana’s lips told him that time had come, he began to move. Slowly, deliberately. He would ensure this first time would be filled with memories of more pleasure than pain.

When finally he lifted his lips and peered down at her, Darien nearly spilled his seed at the sight of Liana beneath him. She had relaxed her grip on his shoulder. Liana even began to move her hips as well.

“Does it still pain you?”

She shook her head. “Nay, though it does feel . . . quite different from anything I’ve experienced before.”

Darien chuckled. “I would imagine that is so.”

When he began to circle his hips, Liana moaned. “I like that, very much.”

“Then I shall be certain to continue.”

Before long, they had found a rhythm, one that he’d have kept if Liana had not begun to beg for something, even if she did not know what that something was.

He did.

Determined for her to find her release again, it was only when she stilled and cried out his name that he buried himself in her and let go completely.

Looking into the eyes of the woman that would be his wife, the next Countess of Ellsworth, he told her what he thought the first time they met.

“When you opened the door of your cottage, I thought you were perfect. But there was another feeling, one I could not describe, even to myself at the time. As if . . . as if I knew you, even though I did not.”

He pulled from her but did not move.

Liana’s hands cupped his face, as he’d done to her many times.

“You did not know me, but your soul knew mine. We were meant for each other, Darien, from the start.”

He believed her.

“We’ve much to discuss. And hurdles to face.”

“Aye,” she agreed. “We do.”

“If England’s succession crisis can be solved, certainly our own predicament can be as well. And we will do so, together.”

She pulled his face to hers, Liana’s answer a kiss. Of love. Of longing. And of destiny.