The Duke's Bride: Regency Romance (Regency Brides Book 1)

by Joanne Wadsworth

  “I—” She squirmed a little, wriggling upward and higher toward the pillows, her hands slipping free of their bonds.

  “No, remain right where you are.” He caught her ankles, dragged her back down, her skirts rucking up to her waist and exposing her most private parts. He feasted his gaze on her below then trailed one finger through the golden curls covering her entrance. “Have no fear. This part of you here is where I long to be, snuggled deep inside you.”

  “I’m anxious, but more because I’ve always wanted to be your wife. These past few days I’ve been pushing you away for your own good.” A myriad of emotions tumbled through her, love the strongest of them all. She squeezed her eyes shut, this moment one she’d been waiting so very long for.

  “Look at me, Ellie.”

  She opened her eyes and breathed slowly in and out.

  “I see you’ve managed to free your hands. Touch me if you wish. I need to feel your hands on me, to know you want me as much as I want you.”

  “I’m not sure which part of you I want to touch first.” Although she began with his delicious mouth. She ran her thumbs across his divine lips, which were made for kissing, then she stroked down his neck and swished over the hard planes of his chest. She adored all of him, even his injured leg where a long scar cut through the flesh of his upper thigh. Breathless, and a whole lot dizzy, she murmured, “I love you, Pierce. Thank you for sabotaging my wedding and making me your wife.”

  “I never would have allowed you to wed Tidmore. I love you, and I apologize that it took so long for me to realize the truth and come after you. My heart is yours, will always be yours.” He lifted her feet, pressed them into the mattress and spread her knees wider. Gently, he massaged her inner thighs, kneading with delicious strokes all the way to her groin. “It’s time for you to relax. Set your elbows down and rest back on the bed. Think only of how much I want to love you, of how I wish to give you the ultimate pleasure, with my hands and my mouth.”

  “Whatever you do, may I do to you in return?” Head on the pillow, she placed all her trust in him, just as she’d always done through the years.

  “Later. Much later.” He eased onto the bed between her thighs, hooked her legs over his shoulders until her bottom lifted off the bed and she lay fully exposed to him.

  “Oh goodness.” She slapped her hands over her eyes.

  “You’re beautiful, deliciously pink and lush looking. I can’t wait to press my mouth here and—”

  “Wait. What?” She flung her hands away.

  “I told you to relax.” He chuckled then grinning, parted her folds and plunged one finger deep inside her. She jumped as pleasure ricocheted so fiercely through her and hardened her nipples into tight points, her gown wrapped around her waist and her hands fisted in the fur cover. “I see you like that. Are you ready for more?”

  “No—yes—no.”

  “I believe you are.” He stroked her harder and faster, rubbed his thumb across her nub until she arched into his touch.

  “More.” She couldn’t halt her plea.

  Another finger, two now working a sweet magic inside her, stretching and filling her, then he dipped his head and licked her flesh in the most intimate way, with both his wicked fingers moving in a deep and delicious rhythm. Every flick of his tongue and drive of his fingers had her climbing higher, the sensation building to a peak that she had nowhere to go but to soar from.

  “Pierce?” Her body splintered, her core rippling with wave after wave of pure bliss.

  “They’ll be a pinch of pain, but I promise it won’t be for long.” His words washed over her, her mind and body still somewhere far away in that glorious place he’d taken her to.

  Chapter 26

  Ashten didn’t wish to hurt Ellie, not one bit, but so too he didn’t wish to be parted from her another moment longer. He would join them together and make her his wife in every way. With one more stroke of her below, he gripped his shaft and rubbed the head over her slick folds. He wanted to make her come, over and over until she couldn’t breathe for the pleasure. He gorged himself on her full breasts, then her pouty mouth until she moaned against his lips and kissed him just as ferociously in return.

  Yes, it was time. No more could he hold on. With his hands on her hips, he lifted her higher to accept his full length, then as she arched into him, he pushed against her barrier, tore through her innocence and plunged deep inside her.

  “Oh my.” She sighed against his lips as he kissed her, then she hooked her legs around his hips, clutched his butt and pulled him in even deeper. “Mmm, it is as you said. You belong here, snuggled deep inside me.”

  “Yes, my love, as I always will.” He lifted up, then slowly pushed back in. “Come soar to the heavens with me. I want to join you there this time.”

  “It’s such a beautiful place.” She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him. “I could get rather addicted to flying there with you.”

  He pounded harder and deeper, then got lost as her inner muscles tightened and dragged him in even further. He kissed her with all the love he held within him, his release exploding powerfully along with hers as she came a second time, and deep within his wife, he spilled his seed and prayed it would take ahold. He wanted a family with her, one as loving and loud as her own family was, and he wanted to hold his wife and children close to his heart for the rest of his life, to never be alone again, but to share all that he was with her.

  “My heart is yours,” he whispered against her lips.

  “I never knew this moment could be so wonderful.” Hands buried in his hair, she brought his mouth back to hers and kissed him with a seductively sweet kiss that stirred his cock back to life. “Thrilling too, like when one races across the fields on horseback.”

  “You could ride me if you wished.” He wanted her atop him, had been envisaging her doing so for days. “Ellie, now that your body has accepted mine, when we join together as one, we can enjoy a multitude of various positions.” He kissed her and she kissed him back, with an excitement that said he’d certainly tweaked her curiosity. His wife was so incredibly alluring with her golden eyes that shimmered with love, her beautiful creamy skin and luscious pouty lips.

  “I can truly ride you? How is that even possible?”

  “You need to be seated over my hips while I’m lying below you.”

  “Interesting.” She raised a quizzical brow. “And you don’t mind having an adventurous wife who wishes to ride you, in your bed that is?”

  “Your adventurous nature is what I adore the most about you.”

  “Then how do we make this switch?”

  “Allow me.” He rolled them both over.

  “That was quick.” She giggled as she straddled his hips proper from atop, his cock still buried deep within her. “You are a man of action.”

  “I didn’t care to wait a second longer.” Every inch of her glorious body caught the flickering firelight as she wriggled against his groin, his cock disappearing deep into her slick channel. She lifted up a touch, her breasts swaying heavy and full, her rosy nipples making his mouth water in his desire to devour them.

  “Am I doing this right?” She lifted and exposed an inch of his shaft, then gently ran one finger around the base and gasped.

  “Lift up a touch higher, Ellie.”

  She did, exposing another inch of his cock.

  “Higher still.”

  Another inch, her finger sliding over her slick essence coating him.

  “Now lower yourself until you’re fully seated again.”

  She sank down on him with excruciating slowness, her breath quickening and her eyes rolling as she moaned her approval.

  “Did you like that?” Slowly, he grazed a finger from between her breasts to her belly, then trailed lower and swirled through the golden curls covering her entrance. With a gentle swish, he rubbed her nub.

  “Mmm, oh yes, and you feel incredible inside of me.” Back arched, she covered his hand and held his fingers in place agai
nst her nub as she lifted again and lowered back down. “Your fingers are magical.”

  “I adore touching you.”

  “Then please, don’t stop.” She eased up again, slid her hand around his exposed cock then let go and sank back down on him.

  With her breasts bobbing right in front of his face, he shoved his elbows behind him and latched his mouth over one nipple. He nipped it with his teeth, then licked and sucked on it.

  Her breathing stuttered, her smile so wicked. “I believe I shall enjoy riding you, Your Grace.”

  “I believe I shall enjoy it more.” He gripped her hips, lifted her then dropped her back down harder. “Ride me as fast and as furiously as you wish. I promise I shall enjoy every second of it.”

  “Are you certain?” Peeking through her long lashes, she built her pace, lifting and lowering, faster and faster, her back arched and breasts thrust out.

  He groaned. “I’m positively certain.”

  “Then I’m riding you correctly?” She reached behind her and cupped his balls.

  “Hell, yes.” He jerked at her incredible touch.

  “This is a beautiful way to make love.” She caressed both his balls, then built her speed until she was flying across the fields with him.

  He aided her where he could, holding her hips to keep her in place and his cock hardened impossibly further as her sweet channel tightened so beautifully around him. Such seductive torture, of the kind he wished to endure for the rest of his life. He stretched out under her, a shimmer of heat blazing at the base of his spine and ricocheting around to the front. Damn, he wouldn’t be able to hold on much longer. He flicked her nub and she sucked in a harsh breath, her belly tightening and her torso shaking.

  “I feel too much.” She lifted up again, her channel accepting all of him as she came back down on him.

  “So do I.” He flicked her nub a second time and she cried out his name, her body convulsing over his.

  Blood pounding, his cock hammering at him, he accepted all of her as her inner muscles squeezed his flesh in the most delicious of ways. He thrust his hips higher to catch every last contraction and she sank ever deeper over him. With his balls tightening, he pounded and she bucked overtop, his cock deep in the heart of her, right where he belonged.

  “You’re my wife, always mine,” he growled as he came in a hot rush.

  “Mmm,” she murmured as she slowed her pace, her eyelids drifting down. She slumped on top of his chest, her smile so content. “Yes, I’m always yours.”

  He tucked her close against his heart, beyond content with her in his arms. Never could he imagine his life without her, and now he no longer had to.

  Together, forever entwined, he drifted toward sleep with the woman he loved held securely within his arms.

  She was the only woman who’d ever stolen his heart.

  The only woman who’d ever hold it too.

  Chapter 27

  Inside her husband’s bedchamber at Blackgale House in town a month later, Ellie gripped Pierce’s shoulders as sweet pleasure coursed through her. Sheer happiness and peace invaded her heart, the man connected as one with her as equally at peace as she was, and she sensed that to the very depths of her soul. Their bond had strengthened and tightened these past few weeks as they’d enjoyed a very long honeymoon on their journey back from Gretna Green. Three weeks they’d spent at Blackgale Park before returning to London a week ago.

  “What are you thinking, my sweet?”

  “That Gorman must be wondering if he’s to ever see us again.” She also needed to do more than just send another letter of apology to her family for missing yet another family dinner. “Also, Mama will descend on us before too long if we don’t drop by.”

  “Then I’ll lock the front door. I’m certainly not leaving this bedchamber until I’ve gotten you with child.” Smiling wickedly, he snuck a gold silk ribbon from under his pillow and caressed it across her skin, down her back and over her bare bottom as she laid overtop of him.

  “Is that the ribbon you pocketed after pulling me from the river?” Surely, he hadn’t kept it all these years? She’d never forget the moment when he’d removed it from her bedraggled locks after saving her life so many years ago.

  “Yes, and it’s always been my good luck charm. Wherever I go, this ribbon goes. I even kept it in my shirt pocket, close to my heart, while in the hussars.”

  “If you’d told me that before now, I would have known you loved me.” Her heart clenched with the deep love she held for him. “By the way, my courses are late, by a fortnight, and they’re never late.”

  “Are you telling me I’ve already gotten you with child?” He cupped her breasts in his hands and nuzzled them, his husky voice rumbling deep in his throat and vibrating against her sensitive mounds.

  “Yes, that’s what I’m saying.”

  “Perhaps we should make certain.” Gently, he rolled her over onto her back beside him, then smoothed one hand across her flat belly, a sensual grin lifting his lips. “And I mean by making love again.”

  “Making love with you again sounds perfect.”

  He was all she would ever desire in a husband, and she’d be forever grateful to Thomas Tidmore for stepping aside and allowing her to wed the man she’d always loved and adored. Her bond with Ashten was one that had sprouted in their childhood, had bloomed through to adulthood, and which now overflowed her heart.

  She kissed her new husband again, falling ever more deeply in love with him.

  He was the man who’d first stolen her heart, and the man who would forever hold it.

  To sweet love, gold ribbons, and daisy chains.

  May they be present in their lives, for all time to come.

  I hope you enjoyed this first book in this all-new Regency Brides series.

  Coming next is:

  The Earl’s Bride, (Book 2) Sophia’s Story

  Then soon…

  The Wartime Bride, (Book 3) Harry’s Story

  The Secret Bride, (Book 4) Winterly’s Story

  All books are standalone.

  If you don’t wish to miss any of my upcoming releases, then feel free to sign up to my newsletter to catch those dates. Receive a FREE Starter Library when you do. https://app.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r6s8r2

  Coming Next – Book 2

  The Earl’s Bride, (Book 2)

  Sophia’s Story - Coming Soon

  Joanne Wadsworth

  Joanne Wadsworth is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author who adores getting lost in the world of romance, no matter what era in time that might be. Hot alpha Highlanders hound her, demanding their stories are told and she’s devoted to ensuring they meet their match, whether that be with a feisty lass from the present or far in the past.

  Living on a tiny island at the bottom of the world, she calls New Zealand home. Big-dreamer, hoarder of chocolate, and addicted to juicy watermelons since the age of five, she chases after her four energetic children and has her own hunky hubby on the side.

  So come and join in all the fun, because this kiwi girl promises to give you her “Hot-Highlander” oath, to bring you a heart-pounding, sexy adventure from the moment you turn the first page. This is where romance meets fantasy and adventure…

  To learn more about Joanne and her works, visit:

  Website: http://www.joannewadsworth.com

  Amazon Author Page: Here

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  Regency Brides Series

  The Duke’s Bride, (Book 1)

  The Earl’s Bride, (Book 2) Sophia’s Story

  The Wartime Bride, (Book 3) Harry’s Story

  The Secret Bride, (Book 4) Winterly’s Story

  Other Series by Joanne Wadsworth

  ~ooOoo~

  The Matheson Brothers Series

  Highlander’s Desire, (Book 1)

  Highlander’s Passion, (Book 2)<
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  Highlander’s Seduction, (Book 3)

  Clan Matheson Series

  Highlander’s Kiss, (Book 1)

  Highlander’s Heart, (Book 2)

  Highlander’s Sword, (Book 3)

  The Fae Series

  Highlander’s Bride, (Book 1)

  Highlander’s Caress, (Book 2)

  Highlander’s Touch, (Book 3)

  The Matheson Warriors Series

  Highlander’s Shifter, (Book 1)

  Highlander’s Claim, (Book 2)

  Highlander’s Courage, (Book 3)

  Highlander’s Craving, (Book 4)

  Highlander Heat Series

  Highlander’s Castle, (Book 1)

  Highlander’s Magic, (Book 2)

  Highlander’s Charm, (Book 3)

  Highlander’s Guardian, (Book 4)

  Highlander’s Faerie, (Book 5)

  Highlander’s Champion, (Book 6)

  Highlander’s Captive, (Short Story Book 7)

  Billionaire Bodyguards Series

  Billionaire Bodyguard Attraction, (Book 1)

  Billionaire Bodyguard Boss, (Book 2)

  Billionaire Bodyguard Fling, (Short Story Book 3)

  Princesses of Myth Series

  Protector, (Book 1)

  Warrior, (Book 2)

  Hunter #2.5, (Short Story)

  Enchanter, (Book 3)

  Healer, (Book 4)

  Chaser, (Book 5) Coming late 2017

  Copyright: The Duke’s Bride