Page 97 of Winning Her Duke

Chapter Twenty-Eight

She’d said yes.

Gia had agreed to be his wife.

Hale leaned the few inches between them to kiss her. Silently thanking her for choosing him. Wordlessly promising all the happiness that would be theirs.

His arms wound around her waist and he pulled her closer still, eventually realizing he was moments from taking her right there in the music room. Not that anyone would dare come in and risk being even closer to the racket she’d exposed them to earlier.

With a grin, he pulled away from her.

“Please allow me to show you the proper way to utilize this instrument.”

He stood and quietly closed the lid before sliding her from the bench and setting her up on the sturdy top. His hands deftly moved under her skirts and she gasped before winding her hands around his neck to pull him into a kiss.

He was barely able to separate himself from her long enough for her to reach between them and undo his breeches to free himself. He nearly laughed at the way she squirmed closer to the edge of the pianoforte to take him.

He didn’t make her wait. He couldn’t make himself wait. It had been too long since he’d been inside her.

She moaned in pleasure when he was seated deep in her.

“I’ve missed you, Jeremy.”

His name on her lips had the effect it always did. A thrill of excitement rushed up his spine. She was the only one who would ever say his name like this.

She was the only one he’d ever be with like this. The thought was welcome instead of frightening. She was all he would ever need.

She was his. She had picked him.

This knowledge had him moving faster, deeper. His teeth caught the skin below her collarbone, marking her as his. She did the same thing on his shoulder, and he was grateful to be hers.

“Gia…”

“Yes,” she answered the question he didn’t have words for.

“Come with me.” It was not an invitation, but an order and she relented, immediately bringing him with her into bliss as he released deep inside her.

This was right. This was how it should be.

Only after they had put their clothing back to rights and settled in the drawing room did Hale ask, “When will your father return?”

“A fortnight.”

He nodded.

“I am of age to select my husband myself.”

“I know. And I feel certain he will give us his blessing. But I do think it important for us to start our life in his good graces.”

“Not that he deserves it after the dramatics he used to get me to London in the first place.”

“I cannot be angry at him for it. After all it brought you to me.”

“I guess I cannot either.” She sighed, and looked at him with those dark eyes that melted his heart.

“We will be happy, Gia.” It was the easiest promise he’d ever made.

“I know we will be.”