Chapter 32

Violet lost herself in his kiss until there was no breath left in her lungs. Greyson put her down on her feet before he began to slowly remove her clothes, starting with her traveling cloak and then gently untying the laces at the back of her dress.

She suddenly felt shy when the dress slipped down her shoulders, but he gently gripped her hands and moved them aside when she attempted to cover her chest.

"Please, don't hide. I have waited so long to look at you." His voice was thick and raspy with emotion, sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine.

Doing as he asked, Violet lowered her arms, allowing him to guide her hands, his eyes sweeping over her lustfully. She felt the heat rushing to her cheeks as he placed his hands on her hips, gently turning her around so that he could unfasten the laces at the back of her corset.

A gasp of surprise escaped her lips when she felt him press a gentle kiss to her shoulder. The corset gave way, leaving her in nothing but her chemise.

"God, you are stunning," Greyson whispered in her ear, wrapping his arms around her from behind and cupping her breasts.

Her nipples hardened beneath his touch. A deep need for Greyson to explore her body had taken her by surprise, quashing all the doubts she'd had about waiting for marriage. She wanted and needed him now.

Groans of pleasure filled the air when she stepped back, pressing her buttocks firmly against his groin.

"Be careful what you ask for," he growled in her ear and nibbled on the tender flesh.

"Hmmm, is that a threat, My Lord?" Her legs quivered.

"If you want it to be."

Greyson gripped the fabric of her chemise and pulled it over her head, exposing her naked body that had been chilled by the rain. His hands quickly gripped her arms, spinning her around until she faced him, her breasts pressed against his chest.

Her lips parted in a groan of pleasure, but Greyson quickly muffled the sound, thrusting his tongue into her mouth. Their breaths mingled as their tongues fought for dominance.

It wasn't until Greyson slowed the kiss that Violet melted fully into his arms. He lifted her into his arms once again and carried her to his bed, laying her down before taking a step back and removing his clothes.

A deep blush spread across her face when she caught a glimpse of the bulge in his breeches.

Greyson smirked, enjoying her blush before positioning himself above her on the bed. He hooked a finger under her chin, coaxing her to look at him. "Are you nervous?"

"A little. I don't want it to hurt," she whispered as her nerves grew.

The feel of his muscles beneath her fingertips as she placed her hands on his chest made her quiver with anticipation, despite the subtle anxiety she felt.

"You don't have to be scared. I promise I will be as gentle as I can."

He kissed a path down her face, starting at her forehead and pausing to suck on her neck. His lips trailed down her body, stopping at her right breast before moving onto the left.

Greyson took his time to lick her nipple while pinching the other.

Shivers of pleasure ran down her spine, coursing through her body as tiny goosebumps appeared on her arms.

Placing his hands on her hips, he slowly kissed a path down her chest and abdomen, caressing her flesh with his tongue before burying his head between her thighs.

Waves of hot pleasure filled her core, making delicious sensations coil in her stomach. Every flick of his tongue created an ebb and flow of pleasure that drove her insane until she began to pant for more. Her fingers dug into the sheet on either side of her body, crumpling the fabric as her pleasure reached its apex.

"Greyson!" she cried out, feeling the waves of pleasure rip through her body like the storm that raged outside.

Greyson kept licking her folds, gently bringing her down from her high as her limbs trembled.

Violet arched her back and then fell onto the bed, raking her fingers through her messy hair. "I thought I was going to faint for a second," she breathed.

"Don't fall asleep on me just yet, that was just the beginning." Greyson lifted his head and gave her a cheeky smile that made her heart flutter with desire.

"What do you mean?" She propped herself up on her elbows and looked into his eyes when he began to reposition himself between her thighs.

Reaching out, Greyson leaned forward and cupped her chin, positioning her knees on either side of his hips. "Think of what just happened as the opening act. Things are about to get a lot more pleasurable soon." He winked at her and then pushed her back down with one hand on her shoulder.

Violet's heart beat faster as she felt his arousal poke her inner thigh, before entering her with a gentle thrust. The pain lasted for a mere moment as she shut her eyes.

The sensation was strange to her, full and pleasurable as if the act had somehow brought them closer together. She didn't have time to think of anything else as the sensation quickly grew more urgent and demanding with every stroke.

Her lips parted with silent gasps as she reached up and placed a hand on his shoulder, steadying herself as he created a slow rhythm. Holding one of her knees to his chest, he reached down and cupped her breast with his free hand, playing with her nipple when she began to pant and whimper.

"Greyson…" She couldn't help but call his name over and over again as they both got lost in their pleasure.

Loud moans spilled from Greyson's lips, and Violet looked up to see the pure look of pleasure on his face. Every thrust seemed to grow urgent as flesh melted into flesh.

Her muscles began to quiver again as his thrusts drove her to the edge of pleasure. It wasn't long until her legs stiffened and her core clenched around his length. She let out a loud moan as she climaxed.

Greyson cried out, his breaths coming in sharp bursts. "Violet!"

She felt him spill inside her as he collapsed on top of her, gasping for air as he turned his face to the side.

The two lay in each other's arms for a while, enjoying the aftershocks.

The moment seemed to stretch into eternity before Greyson rolled onto his side and drew her into his arms, gently stroking her hair. "I hope I didn't hurt you," he whispered above her head, pressing a kiss to her hair.

"It hurt a little at first, but not much after a while. It felt good somehow, as if this was what we were supposed to be doing all along."

She ran her fingers over his arms, enjoying the feel of his muscles. She felt more content and happier than she had ever felt before in her life.

She never wanted the moment to end, but she knew that she'd have to return home before her parents came looking for her.

"That's how it's supposed to feel when you're with the right person." His voice was thick and heavy, as if he were about to fall asleep while he trailed his fingers up and down her back.

Curiosity got the better of her as she propped herself up on one elbow and looked into his eyes. "Have you ever felt this way with any of the other women?"

Greyson's lips curled into a contented smile as he gathered her hair into his hands, piling it atop her head before letting it tumble down her shoulders.

"No. It felt good before, I won't lie, but it never felt so good to the point where I wanted to be with that person for the rest of my life. With you, it feels like home—as if a part of me that was missing has finally fallen into place."

Her heart soared with gratitude as she leaned closer and kissed him, breathing him in.

"You never have to worry about any of that, Violet. I promise you that I haven't thought of another woman since you came along. You are all that I have thought about or even dreamed about since the moment you approached me in that dingy, little café."

A soft giggle escaped her lips as he reached over and tugged on a strand of her hair, twirling it between his fingers as if it were a silk ribbon.

"To be fair, I didn't just approach you. We were set up by minds that were far more cunning than ours put together."

"You're right. I don't know how Marie Webster does it, but she knows what she's doing. You know, she came to tell me that you were leaving London?" He let the strand of hair fall down her shoulder before he brushed her cheek with the back of his knuckles.

"Oh, I did tell her I was leaving last time we spoke, but I changed my mind after reading your mother's letter. I knew I had to be here for you no matter what." Violet searched his face for any hint of sadness, not wanting to upset him so soon after the moment they had shared.

"Thank you. Thank you for not giving up on me. I would have scoured the ends of the earth to find you, but I'm glad that you decided to come back. And I'm glad that Miss Webster decided to meddle, no matter how frightening she may be at times."

Violet giggled again and burrowed her face into the crook of his neck, taking in the heady scent of his cologne. "You know, I hope she does find happiness. The way she was looking at Dominic Harding, I could see a deep longing in her eyes to find someone to love."

"Or someone to get her wheels running like I just did with you," Greyson chimed in unceremoniously.

"Greyson Stone, don't be so vulgar." She playfully swatted his shoulder before settling back down.

"What? I was only being honest. I saw the way he looked at her during that luncheon. It is exactly the same way that you look at me whenever you want to take advantage." His lips curled into a cheeky smile.

"I never took advantage of you! It was you who ravaged me on your chaise lounge, you who compromised my virtue in the orchard, and you who carried me up the stairs and into your chambers!" Violet narrowed her eyes at him accusingly.

"I didn't hear you complaining at any point." His smile turned into a wide grin.

Closing her eyes, Violet couldn't help but smile. "It is true, I would have allowed you to take me in the dining room if the others hadn't been there."

"Violet Smith, now that does shock me!" Greyson propped himself up on his elbow and tickled her sides before taking her lips in a passionate kiss. "Promise me we will always be this way with each other. Let's always be honest and endeavor to bring out the best in each other?"

He held her gaze and lifted his hand, his fingers splayed wide.

"I promise," Violet whispered back and intertwined their fingers, before drawing him in for another passionate kiss.

Realizing with a start that she needed to get back home, Violet quickly drew away from him and jumped from the bed, reaching for her clothes and hurriedly pulling them on.

"And just where do you think you are going?" Greyson asked with a frown.

"Home, of course. My parents will have half of London looking for me soon. I left a note saying that I was going out, but I didn't say where I would be."

She nearly fell when she struggled to pull her chemise over her head.

Greyson slid to the edge of the bed and watched her with great amusement. "You know, I can send a messenger with a note saying that you were caught in the storm and that I asked you to stay. I can always have my mother's maid say that she acted as a chaperone so that everything would be proper."

Violet stopped dancing around with one arm stuck in the sleeve of her dress. "Why did you wait until now to suggest that?"

His smirk widened into a mischievous smile that reached his eyes. "I didn't think I would get another chance to see you dancing around like that."

Violet flung her shawl at his head.

Greyson ducked just in time, allowing the item of clothing to fly past his head. He chuckled as Violet jumped into his arms.

"You know, you women can be quite violent at times. I was just having a bit of fun."

She rubbed her nose against his as his arms came around her, wrapping her in a tight embrace. "I know, I just didn't want you to think that you could get away with this all the time. There will have to be some kind of balance in our marriage."

Greyson gripped her sides and pulled her onto his chest, taking her lips in a deep kiss. "I'll show you how to balance," he whispered between kisses.

"Please do," she whispered back. "I need you to show me how to do everything better, including how to love you. And if that means you teach me how to balance everything for the rest of my life, then I will forever be your grateful student."

She gazed lovingly into his eyes before running her fingers through his hair.

"I think there is still a great deal that both of us can learn from one another. Marie Webster was right when she said that love conquers all in the end, no matter how many gentle nudges it may need in the right direction." Greyson smiled at her, feeling utterly content with his life.