Page 56 of Project Duke

She felt her whole body harden and tense at that. The thought of anyone or anything touching her in that spot brought a familiar wave of fear and revulsion.

And yet, it was Nathaniel. He wouldn’t pinch her. Wouldn’t humiliate her.

He would kiss her.

And then she knew…his lips on her body wouldn’t be hurting or humiliating.

But healing.

“Yes,” she whispered, not even believing her own lips. “Yes.”

Their gazes still melded, inch by inch, he lowered himself to that spot. She closed her eyes, knowing he wouldn’t harm her but unable to relax.

The pain never came.

It was gentle, a sweet touch, then after a few moments, another one. And another.

So soft. Feather-like. Like petals falling on her.

A silky lick of his tongue followed, and she felt herself melt.

“Are you all right, love?” he asked, continuing with those butterfly kisses.

With every loving caress of his lips and tongue against her skin, the shadow receded. “Chase him away, Nathaniel,” she whispered as her hands brushed down his hard, broad back.

He moved down then, down her chest just like he had last night, and then to her breasts, kissing the flesh that crested her bodice.

“Good,” he murmured and licked at the crease between her breasts with his tongue. “He had no place being part of your life in the first place. You’re mine, love. Mine. There will never ever be anything you cannot do or say to me.” His arms reached around her and began untying her laces as he looked up at her, leaning over her breasts. “I want all of you. Every thought. Every feeling. Every touch. I want you to know that nothing you desire is wrong or bad.”

Every word he said was like a lick of pleasure against her senses, opening her up like a flower towards the first sunlight of spring.

He released the ties at the back of her dress and pulled her sleeves and the bodice down. The air was still warm after a hot summer day, and it was strange but wonderful to feel a slight wind on the bare skin of her shoulders and chest for the first time. He pulled her gown over her hips and off, and she remained in nothing but her petticoats and her chemise and her corset.

He rolled her over onto her side, the quilt soft against her skin.

He undid her corset, tugging at the lacing. Then he planted gentle kisses on her back as he pulled the sides apart.

Pulling it over her head, he tossed it aside, and then off went the chemise. She shivered, feeling his lips on her skin where no one had ever touched her before. When she lay with her chest bare, his gaze went over her, lingering on her breasts. He let out a long breath, his gaze growing heated.

Calliope’s throat contracted. She felt exposed, and vulnerable, and yet…so good. Seeing Nathaniel so affected made her breath hitch and her insides melt.

“Do you like what you see?” she asked carefully.

His eyes darted to meet hers. “Like? I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so beautiful in my life, darling. Let me see you whole.”

His gaze dropped to the petticoats that were still around her waist. She undid the hooks and pulled them down, her hands shaking.

This must be the most exhilarating experience of her whole life, being naked in front of this magnificent man who could have been a piece of art that came to life. He was enormous, blotting out almost a third of the starry sky above him.

He let out a shaky breath when his gaze slowly traveled over her waist and her hips and stopped at the apex of her thighs.

“Heavens, Calliope,” he murmured, swallowing hard. “You are perfect.”

And he was so much more. She shook, from the feel of air brushing over her heated skin, from his gaze full of liquid desire, from the stunning beauty around them.

“Let me see you, too,” she murmured. “Let me see how perfect you are.”

He gave a slow chuckle and started to undo the hooks of his coat, then undid his cravat and removed his waistcoat. Off went the white shirt over his head, and while he was busy removing his trousers, Calliope moistened her lips as she looked over his gorgeous chest. The muscles there were large and broad like waves, leading down into a beautifully sculpted stomach with ripples like hills and valleys. The biceps of his strong arms rolled as he moved, his shoulders massive and broad. Soft-looking blond hair speckled his chest, and there was a thin trail leading from his belly button farther down…