Chapter 14

Fourteen

C onstantine took Seth's breath away as she strolled down the center of the ballroom on her father's arm. A bouquet of white rose's clutched in her hand and a beaming smile plastered on her heart-shaped face.

Everyone else in the ballroom faded away as she drew near. The rest of the ceremony passed in a haze as they said their vows, Seth's gaze never leaving hers.

When the vicar pronounced them husband and wife, he scooped his Marchioness into his arms amidst a great uproar of cheers and gasps.

"What are you doing?" Constantine asked, her eyes wide, the gold flecks dancing. "You'll cause a scandal."

"We already have," he said, as he began carrying her from the room. "Furthermore, I intend to ravish my wife, and I couldn't care less who knows it."

"Rogue." She pressed her cheek against the crook of his neck.

"You have no idea," he teased as he started up the stairs.

"I believe I'm about to find out." Constantine laughed, her gaze meeting his.

"You can count on it." He brushed his lips against hers, then hurried his pace.

It seemed as though he'd been waiting a lifetime to have her, and now that she was his, and he hers, he didn't care to waste another second.

Seth increased his pace, taking the stairs two at a time as she clung to him, then hurried down the west-wing hall and into his bedchamber, kicking the door shut in his wake.

He carried her to the bed and laid her upon the mattress before coming to rest beside her.

He propped his head up with one hand and stared down at her, then reached out and captured a wayward curl. As he twirled it through his fingers, he said, "You have made me exceedingly happy."

Her tongue slid over her bottom lip, wetting it as she stared up at him. She reached out to cup his face in her small hand. "Make love to me, Seth."

His blood ignited at the saucy tone of her voice and the fire sparkling in her eyes. He lost all control as he brought his lips to hers.

Driven half-mad with suppressed passion and filled with the desire to claim her, he began working her gown free as he kissed her.

Before long, he trailed his mouth over her bare skin, delighting in the sight of her laid out in all of her naked glory.

Constantine tugged at his jacket. "I want to see you… all of you."

He needed no further urging as he rolled from the bed and quickly discarded his own clothing.

She stared at him, her gaze traveling down his body, then pausing at his stiff cock. "Come, join me." She patted the mattress beside her. "Claim me."

A guttural moan tore from him as he did just that, pulling her against him. She was so soft, so sweet, and all his.

Before he finished the thought, he was kissing her. A searing, possessive kiss meant to claim her as much as stir her desire.

He skimmed his fingertips over her hip, then down to the thatch of curls between her legs. His sweet, sweet wife opened for him, and he slid his hand lower to caress and fondle her wet folds.

Constantine pressed against him, her moans coming faster as he worked her sex, slipping his finger in and out and stroking the sensitive bud. "Now, Seth. I need you now."

He moved to wedge himself between her thighs, then met her gaze. "I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't." She wriggled, bringing the head of his cock against her entrance.

Nothing in the world could have dammed the raw need her actions broke loose in him. Seth's arms shook as he pressed into her, inch by inch, filling and stretching her.

God, his wife felt good. Her heat and tightness enveloped him like a well-tailored glove as he worked himself inside of her tight passage.

She dug her fingernails into his back, urging him as she tipped her hips up to meet him.

He saw her cringe, her eyes pressed closed, but she did not stop. Not his little hellion. Instead, she pressed against him harder, forcing his length deeper until he was completelysubmerged in her heat.

Seth stilled, then brought his lips to hers. He kissed her gently at first, brushing his lips against hers in a series of tender kisses, then harder with all the hungerconsuming him.

Constantine rocked against him as he thrust, their movements turning frantic. His lips found her throat. He suckled and laved the tender skin as he pumped in and out of her, his passion building with every thrust.

He whispered into her ear as they drew nearer to their precipice, "I love you. You complete me."

"Seth, oh God." She threw her head back as spasms racked her body, her core pulsing around his cock.

He thrust again, once, twice, then found his own release, spilling his seed deep within her.

Sated and happier than he ever thought possible, he gathered her to him. He stroked her hair and rubbed her back as he held her and reveled in the aftermath of their lovemaking.

Constantine settled her head on his chest, her breaths still coming in rapid succession. She feathered her fingertips over his skin and sighed. "I want to do that often."

He grinned, not at all surprised by her boldness. "You have my word that we will."

She gave a satisfied smile. "Every day for the rest of our lives?"

"Twice a day, at least," he teased.

Her smile only broadened. "Then, I have little doubt that I shall enjoy being your wife."

He nipped at her playfully, and she gave a little squeal of delight before settling back into his arms.

Long moments of silence surrounded them as she snuggled against him before she popped up, her gaze locking on his, and said, "Thank you for not giving up on me."

He stroked his hand over her cheek, then twined his fingers in her golden curls. "It never crossed my mind."

He brought his lips to hers, claiming her all over again.