Chapter Twenty-Two

L exi was unable to fathom her good fortune. On the verge of losing all and giving up on perfection, she'd reached its peak. And here she was, atop a cliff on the Scottish border overlooking the River Esk from her bedroom window in Seacliff Castle, her new home. She was the Duchess of Duncan and had been welcomed by the entire village. Just hours ago, she'd vowed to do all she could for her dentist-prince, or her duke-prince… her Dustin.

"Are you ready, Your Grace?" he asked, as his hands came around her from behind. She turned in his embrace and faced her handsome and muscular man who'd somehow magically taken her as his wife and brought her to his enchanting castle. Noise from the guests downstairs drifted up and the cool breeze sent the curtains flying toward her. The cold air made her tremble—or was it the anticipation of their wedding night?

"I have you," Dustin said as he held her tightly. He'd removed his shirt and was barefoot and only wearing plain, black breeches.

As she melted into his arms, his hands trailed past her elbow and shoulder. Dustin pulled the lace chemise off with expert hands and pulled it down until Lexi could step out of it.

She'd never stood bared to another person. "How can I please you? What should I do?"

Dustin pinched his lips and knelt before her. He looked up at her as his hands reached the widest point of her thighs, then her bottom.

"I shall please you tonight," he said hoarsely. "If you allow it."

"I'm afraid you know exactly what to do and I don't."

Then he kissed her belly button and Lexi flinched.

"Nothing," he kissed her left nipple, "will please me more," now her right nipple, "than to teach you."

He held her bottom and pulled her closer. Bit by bit, he covered her entire body with kisses and rose to face her. He leaned in to kiss her more and she gasped. Somehow, that spurred him on and Dustin picked her up and carried her to the enormous four-post bed. A ducal bed.

He supported her head as he set her down but he climbed over her, one leg on either side of her center. Lexi looked down and saw his manhood, large and emanating a magnetic heat.

"I want to kiss you everywhere," he said. And he did, slowly and gently. Every time he paused and looked up at Lexi, she fell more and more in love with him. Seeing his eyes grow black with desire for her, his breath ragged as he kissed her, Lexi felt more cherished than ever. She'd found love where she'd least expected it. And once she let go of the control and pointless need for perfection, she'd attained it.

"Have I told you that you are absolutely perfect?" Dustin mumbled when he trailed a path of kisses down her abdomen. Lower, and lower.

He cupped her carefully, giving her time to relax into his hand.

"What are you doing to me?" she asked through her teeth as she tensed. He felt her muscles inside and felt her hot and delicious wetness.

"Anything you'll allow."

With those words, he kissed her center, tasting the salty perfection of her. The pinkness of her mound made his entire body ache for her but he took his time. For the first time for as long as he could remember, Dustin wasn't on the run. He wasn't rushed to get to the next exam, patient, or ship. He was here in the present moment with his perfect bride.

"Do you allow this?" He carefully pushed a finger into the opening and felt her tightness.

"Ah!"

"Did it hurt?"

Out of breath, she suddenly grasped his head and pulled him up. "This is what I want. Deeper."

Dustin knew exactly what to do, climbed off, and knelt before her on the bed. He reached to cup her buttocks and slowly inserted himself. As if she knew instinctively, she lifted her lower body and let him support her in his palms. Her stomach muscles rippled as she pushed against him.

"Come up," Dustin grabbed her waist and supported her as he positioned himself between her legs. She instinctively understood and put her weight on her neck and shoulders with her middle resting in his strong arms.

"You'll open up your middle like this so that I can penetrate deeper," Dustin said and he looked down at her perky breasts, erect nipples, and pushed in. He fit so perfectly and so deeply into her as he'd never thought possible. "Lexi," he rasped.

He pushed harder and she screamed but never closed her mouth. Her head tilted backward and he could see her entire gorgeous pink mouth, even the small gold marks he'd made. She was his, and he'd do anything to keep his beauty safe and happy.

She moaned and her forehead was all red, a vein throbbing as she inhaled. The most sensual sounds came from her but then she let go of him and grasped the sheets.

"Reach for the feeling, don't try to fight it." He threw himself into her with heart, body, and soul. "Let it whisk you away like a wave."

She blinked momentarily but he had her slim body firmly in his strong arms.

It was easy to support her weight and he nudged her hips to teach her how to meet his thrusts. "Press your thighs together."

"I don't want to hurt you."

That made him laugh for he was in anything but pain. His gorgeous, innocent wife was in a rather advanced position; it was just her first time. This was going to be fun.