Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

H ector was a little surprised by how nervous he felt the next morning.

He had spent so long running from Juliet and imagining dire consequences in the aftermath of giving into his desires that he had expected his life to upend after he had finally taken her, but nothing had change overnight

He was still the Duke of Islington, and she was still his.

Hector brushed a lock of her hair that had fallen across her cheek and smiled at how she scrunched up her face at the sensation of it being swept away.

“My God, you are beautiful,” he breathed, still in awe of her.

She had been perfect for him the night before, so enthusiastic in her reactions, the sounds she made, and how sensitive she was. He felt foolish for not giving in sooner.

He had finally gotten a taste of her and feared he would spend oblivion in a worse state of mental anguish than he had been in before.

“Is it early still?”

Hector blinked and smiled down at her stirring form.

“That depends…Do you have any plans for the day?”

“God, no,” she whined, burrowing deeper into his arms. “If I have any, please inform them that I have passed away, and therefore, I will be indisposed until further notice.”

“I never would have expected you to have such a flair for the dramatic,” he teased, pressing a kiss against her jaw as she threw her head back to groan in response.

“I merely want to soak in this feeling for a while longer,” she said quietly as a pretty flush spread across her cheeks.

Hector ran his hand down her side, noting the bruises and marks he had left across her skin with a feeling of satisfaction. Still, he felt the urge to ask, “Are you still all right?”

Juliet made a noncommittal noise and pressed closer to him.

“I am. A little sore in some places, but I do not mind that. I feel good.”

Her last statement eased a weight that had been on his chest since he had woken up and brought him great relief.

“Good. I am glad,” he muttered, nuzzling into her hair.

She chuckled and reached up to comb her fingers through his hair. She softly inquired, “And you? How are you feeling?”

Hector was unable to decipher her loaded question. He decided to respond simply and focused on what he could feel without thinking too much.

“I am all right. Very much so in fact.”

That appeared to be the correct answer because her eyes lit up, and she smiled.

“Good. I am thankful for that,” she told him quietly, tilting her face up to him.

Hector wasted no time in kissing her and quickly discovered that he had only been temporarily sated after the previous night’s activities.

Considering all the ways in which this wife of his had already challenged him, he supposed he should have expected that getting one taste of her wouldn’t last him very long.

He still wanted her again and again until the very essence of her was soaked into his tongue and skin and her noises of pleasure rang in his mind.

Hector could feel himself stirring. His yearning set his skin and flesh alight as he contemplated rolling her onto her stomach and pressing into her until his name was all she could utter.

Before he could put his thoughts into action, he was interrupted by a knock upon his door.

“Your Grace?” came John’s voice. “I understand that you might require your rest, but there is still the matter of Lord Elwike’s outstanding dinner invitation to you and the Duchess which has been scheduled for this evening.”

Juliet raised her head in confusion. “What dinner invitation?”

Hector sighed and leaned away from her slightly to shout in the direction of the door.

“I did not forget. The Duchess and I will be ready in time. Thank you, John.”

“Of course, Your Grace.” the butler responded, followed by the footfall of his retreat.

“Hector, what is he talking about? What dinner invitation?” Juliet questioned with a frown.

Hector could already sense this wasn’t a conversation that would progress well, but it was necessary that she understood what was happening, so he fought the urge to be nonchalant about it.

“My cousin and his wife invited us for dinner upon hearing of our arrival in London. It is to take place tonight.”

“And you are just telling me this now?” she asked incredulously.

Hector fought the urge to sigh again.

“We were occupied with other matters. And now, you know, so you can prepare yourself for it.”

“You are easily the most infuriating person I have ever met,” she stated coolly, rising out of the bed.

“After last night, I was of the impression that you were willing to excuse that side of me,” he grinned and watched as she rifled through his wardrobe for a dressing gown.

She merely scoffed as she found one to shroud herself in, not bothering to answer him before she left the room.

Hector lay in bed for a while longer, pretending he didn’t already miss her warmth, and tried to ignore how her absence tugged at his heart.