Her Christmas Pleasure (7 page)

“Did he?” His revelation was surprising. She had no idea Lawrence’s father would want something to blossom between her and Damien. She half believed they thought she’d mourn Lawrence forever.

Celia frowned. Of course they wouldn’t want her to be unhappy. They’d want only the best for her and Theo. And since Lawrence wasn’t with them any longer and they’d always cared for Damien like a second son…

“It makes absolute sense,” she said aloud, tightening her fingers around his as the realization hit her.

“What does?”

“The earl encouraging us to be together. He’s always loved you, you know. And Theo thinks you’re marvelous. He always asks for you.”

“Does he?”

They came to the top of the stairs. Damien tugged gently on her arm, directing her toward his bedchamber.

“Yes.” She trailed behind him, admiring his strong, muscular physique. Just looking at him, her hand in his, knowing the promise of what he might do to her once they got behind that closed door, made her skin tingle in anticipation. “He does. He admires you so. He—he even told me he wishes you were his father.”

“He told you that?” He sounded startled. He glanced over his shoulder at her, a
slight frown marred his handsome face.

“Yes. He loves you.” As did she, for she did love Damien—so much.

“And what about you?” They stopped in front of his closed bedchamber door. He turned to face her. “How do
you
feel about me?”

Her lips parted, but the words stuck in her throat. This was the moment she’d envisioned since she woke this morning. She needed to confess. He would leave her if she didn’t.

He might leave her anyway if she did.

It was a chance she had to take.

Damien waited for Celia to say something, anything. Her pink tongue snuck out to swipe at her bottom lip, and his cock twitched. Inhaling deeply, he glanced about the dark hall before reaching for the door handle.

“We should go inside and discuss this in private,” he suggested, not wanting an unexpected audience to come upon them discussing such a private matter.

Dread filled him when she nodded mutely, a forlorn expression marring her pretty face.

Nerves made his hands shake as he led her inside his bedchamber. A fire was lit within, blazing cheerily in the hearth, and it reminded him of last night.

The entire room reminded him of last night. Visions of her kneeling before his chair, ethereal in the firelight, crowded his mind, and he reached for her. He trailed his fingers along the length of her slender arm as she stopped to look at him.

“Damien.” She released a shuddering breath. “I don’t want you to leave.” The words rushed out, and she clamped her lips shut.

“Why?” He had to know, had to hear her explanation.

She rested her hands on his chest and plucked at a stray thread on his waistcoat. “I would miss you terribly.” Her gaze dropped from his. “So would Theo.”

“Is that the only reason, Celia?” He touched her hair, the circle of ivy resting on top of her head. The sharp edge of a leaf pricked him, and he carefully plucked the wreath from her head, tossing it onto a nearby chair. She kept her gaze fixed firmly on his front, her fingers stroking and making his skin tighten with need.

Such an innocent touch, yet it conjured all sorts of wicked imagery. All the things he could do to her, with her…

“I think I was in denial, only because I was afraid to feel,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “But it was obvious, and for so long. We make a good pair, Damien. Don’t you think?”

“Celia.” He cupped her chin with gentle fingers and tilted her head back so she had no choice but to meet his gaze. “I never confessed to you my feelings. I was afraid Lawrence would get in the way.”

“But he’s…gone.” Her eyes were a wide, beautiful blue, filled with unshed tears. His heart ached. Was it a mistake to mention Lawrence’s name?

“I know. And you’re still here. As am I. And I must agree.” He dropped a kiss to the tip of her nose and then brushed her mouth with his, a fleeting touch that filled him with yearning. “I too believe we make a good pair.”

A shaky smile curved her lips. She shook her head, an errant tear falling to slide down her cheek. She dropped her hands to her sides. “I cannot bear the thought of you leaving. Will you stay?”

“Do you want me to?” He wiped the tear away with the pad of his thumb.

She nodded, and the hair he tousled while removing the ivy fell about her face. “I—I think my heart might break if you were to leave.”

Damien’s heart might break just from hearing her confession.

He wrapped his arms around her narrow waist and crushed her to him, pressing his face in her fragrant hair. Her words were like a balm to his soul, reassuring him he had what he’d always wanted.

Celia. She was all his.

“I love you.” His voice was fierce, his heart full to bursting. “I love you so much, Celia. And I believed I would never be able to tell you.”

“Oh, Damien.” Her arms went around him and she stroked his back. “I love you too. I wish—I wish you would’ve confessed your feelings sooner.”

“You weren’t ready yet.” He kissed the top of her head. Perhaps he hadn’t been ready either. “Though I can’t deny I’ve been silently suffering for what feels like an age.”

She laughed and shook her head, withdrawing from him slightly. “I hope I didn’t put you through too much torture.”

“It was the most torturous experience I’ve ever suffered through.” Her somber expression forced him to kiss her. “The reward will be more than worth it, I believe.”

She melted against him and reached between them to rest her hand against the center of his chest, her palm atop his wildly racing heart. Their mouths met in a gentle, searching kiss, their tongues tangling lazily. He groaned.

He should wait, should make an honorable woman out of her. He’d marry her as soon as he was able and bring her and Theo back to his small town house in London. Regretfully resign from the job with the marquis so he could continue his work for Urswick, managing the books and finances for his estates and holdings. He had a feeling the earl would be most pleased with the newfound arrangements.

Hopefully the countess would become pleased as well.

“I want you, Damien,” Celia murmured when she broke the kiss. She watched him with glittering eyes.

All thoughts of keeping his hands from her flew out the window. Without a word, he bent and swooped her into his arms, earning a startled gasp. He strode toward the bed and deposited her on her feet, waving an impatient hand at her. “Undress,” he practically growled.

Her delicate brows rose, and a smirk formed. “Are you turning into a heathen?”

“I find I can hardly wait to get naked with you, Celia, so I suggest you get undressed and hurry. I’ll help you,” he added with what he hoped was a charming smile.

Her smirk grew. “Only if I get to help you too.”

“Oh, I’ll allow that, don’t worry.”

They assisted in removing each other’s clothing, Celia needing the majority of the help in removing her gown and corset. No lady’s maid played a part in tonight’s game, he mused as he unlaced her corset, removing it as quickly as he could. His breath stuck in his throat while he drank in her beauty. As she stood in her thin shift, he could see her hard nipples poking against the nearly sheer fabric. And he couldn’t help but notice the shadow of dark hair between her legs.

His cock strained against his binding trousers. He divested himself of them, thankful he’d already stumbled about removing his boots. She studied him with unabashed interest, staring directly at his groin, and her cheeks turned pink when she realized he caught her.

“You’re staring,” he teased, and she jerked her gaze away from his growing cock.

“I just can’t believe…this is happening.”

“It’s most definitely happening, sweetheart.” He wrapped his fingers around her upper arms and led her backward until her legs hit the edge of the bed. With one gentle shove, she was falling onto the bed, and he followed. Pressing her into the mattress with his weight, he braced his hands on either side of her head, leaning in to kiss her. “I
vow tonight will be even more spectacular than last.”

She smiled lazily and arched against him, his erection brushing against her soft belly and leaving a wet trail on her skin. He was so eager to get inside her he was afraid he might burst. “That’s a big promise.”

“I don’t break my promises.” Dipping his head, he kissed his way along her elegant neck, licking and nipping at her soft skin. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

“I can’t wait.” She wound her arms around him, settling her hands on his buttocks and giving him a firm squeeze. “I love you, Damien.”

Would he ever grow tired of hearing those words? He doubted it. “I love you too.”

Celia rolled over on her side, trying to catch her breath. Damien slid close behind her and wrapped his arm around her middle, a large hand cupping her breast in a possessive manner. His thumb skittered across her peaked nipple, and she shivered. He kissed the side of her neck, his mouth damp and hot. She felt the slight jump of his burgeoning erection when he pressed his lower body against her. She sighed loudly.

He’d already made love to her twice. He appeared ready for round three, but she was desperate for a moment’s rest.

The man, quite frankly, wore her out.

“I wanted to make an honorable woman out of you,” he murmured against her neck. “Earlier I thought I should marry you first before I tumbled you back into my bed.”

“You dishonored me last night, so it was too late.” She giggled when he licked at her ear. It tickled, and he knew it. “Evidently you’re ready to dishonor me once more.”

“How can you tell?” He nudged his lower body against her again, the thick length of his erection rubbing against her bottom.

“You’re insatiable.” Her legs spread the slightest bit, allowing him the advantage.

“Years of pent-up emotion and want.” His other hand gripped her waist. He slid inside her welcoming body, filling her completely. She whimpered when he withdrew and surged back in, taking him even deeper. “God, I love the way you feel.”

She tipped her head back, closed her eyes as he continued to move inside her. He was showing her so many ways a couple could make love. Her previous experience had been rather limited, though she couldn’t fault Lawrence. But he hadn’t been adventurous, at least in the bedchamber.

She was thankful her Damien was incredibly adventurous.

Celia moaned his name and turned her head so she could brush her lips along his jaw. He shifted, their mouths meeting as he increased his pace, his fingers playing with her nipple. Her climax bore down on her. Her body tightened in anticipation of the blissful rush of sensation.

“Come for me, Celia.” His harsh pants were loud against her ear, his sweat-slickened body sticking to hers. The power of his thrusts, his commanding tone, the way his fingers stroked and played with her sensitive nipples—it was all too much.

She fell apart, crying out her pleasure as wave after wave took over her body, her inner walls clenched around the length of him. He clamped a hand over her mouth to muffle her pleasured sobs, pushing as deeply as he could before letting forth a guttural groan and spilling himself inside her body. He jerked against her again and again, tightening his arm around her, his face buried in the spot where her neck met her shoulder.

Their coupling was quick, yet she’d never felt more alive. Her skin tingled, her
body vibrated from within and she smiled, arching against him like a cat. “I’m exhausted.”

“I’ll let you rest before I attack you again.” He gave her forehead a smacking kiss, and she giggled.

“I’ll hold you to that.”

He snuggled her close and nuzzled her neck, petting her breasts and stomach with gentle fingers. She sighed, so content she never wanted to leave his embrace or his bed.

“I suppose the festivities are still going on,” she said after they remained silent for a few long moments.

“I refuse to go down there. I’m not about to let you go.” He squeezed her close.

“We’re celebrating on our own tonight. We shall join in with the Boxing Day festivities tomorrow.”

“When shall we tell them?”

“About what?”

She slapped his forearm. “You know.”

He chuckled. “Tomorrow. First thing, if you’d like. We can announce our plans at breakfast.”

“I’d hope to be married by the end of the month. Do you think it possible?” She nibbled on her lower lip, almost afraid to hear his answer.

“Whatever you want, my love.”

She turned to face him and sneaked her arms around his neck. She stroked his hair, digging her fingers into his scalp, and he closed his eyes. He didn’t even realize what she was doing until she nudged him so hard he had no choice but to roll over on his back, and she went with him. She straddled his hips, stared into his vivid blue eyes.

“I could do this all night.” She caressed his damp skin, threading her fingers through the soft hair on his chest.

He grinned. “Marvelous. I feel the same way.”

“Shall we tell Theo first thing in the morning, before we announce it at breakfast? I think he’ll be pleased with the news.”

His face grew somber. “Do you truly believe so?”

His worried expression endeared him to her even further, if that was possible. “I already told you Theo adores you.”

“Yes, you did. Theo and I spoke in the library when you came upon us yesterday. He confessed his greatest wish was to have a father for Christmas. And he wanted me. Just as you said.” Unrestrained emotion sparkled in his gaze. “I hope he realizes I never want to replace his father. I’ll always honor Lawrence and include him in his son’s life. He is his heir, after all. And Lawrence was my best friend.”

Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. She bent over him, brushing his mouth with hers. “Thank you. Your words mean more to me than I can say.”

“I told you, I always keep my promises.” He stroked her hair back from her face.

“And I shall never break the one I’m going to make to you.”

“I shall hold you to that,” she said with a shaky smile.

“Please do.”

Their lips met in a lingering kiss, and she knew without a doubt that Damien meant every word.