Chapter Text
The sun had not yet risen, but she knew all too well that it was morning. She slowly looked to her left to find her future husband sleeping softly beside her. In sleep, he could still be the young man she’d fallen in love with all those years ago. Dark lashes resting against pale cheeks. His hair was adorably mussed and she felt her face heat at the thought that the reason was from her running her fingers through it, begging him for more. The coverlet was situated around his waist and she got a truly uninterrupted view of his body.
She couldn’t help herself. She had to touch him, to make sure that this wasn’t a dream. He was here, he wanted to marry her, he wanted her. How many mornings had she awoken from dreams and been disappointed to find they weren’t true? But her dreams could never have imagined this peace that was settled in the room with them. Her fingers touched his and over the back of his hand. She looked up at him, still sleeping peacefully. She kept the cover over herself as she moved closer.
Hesitantly, she reached out and stroked a finger down his nose and to the cupid’s bow of his lips. She released a soft breath and then he was blinking his green eyes open and she settled back onto the pillow and withdrew her hand. His eyes raked over her, and when they met hers, he smiled. “Morning,” he whispered and moved closer to her, moving the covers from between them. She knew she was blushing as he pressed his body against hers and his arm settled over her. His lips nudged against her jaw and she released a soft sigh. She was begging for this moment to never end.
She gripped his arm as he grasped her hip. He pulled back and stared down at her face. “I was half afraid last night was a dream,” he whispered against her lips.
Penelope smiled and pulled him on top of her. “Refresh my memory,” she whispered.
He chuckled against her mouth and settled between her thighs, their bodies touching everywhere. She opened her eyes when he broke the kiss. “How are you feeling?”
She knew what he was asking and hushed his thoughts as she slid her hands down his back and to his bottom. “Awake,” she answered. “Hungry.”
He grinned and gripped her beneath the thigh, opening her up to him more. She moaned into his mouth as she felt him against her. He broke the kiss and trailed his lips over her throat and to her breast, taking her nipple into his mouth and worrying it into a stiff peak with teeth and tongue. She dug her fingers into his back, begging him for more.
“Colin,” she moaned. “Don’t stop.”
He lifted his head, his green eyes locking with hers as he released her breast and reached between them to touch her. Her head fell back against the pillow as her legs tightened around his hips. Their breathing mixed together as she clung to him harder, holding him to her as he pushed her closer and closer to the edge. If only he knew how much she loved him. If only he knew how his kiss could stir her. She wanted to voice it, but found her voice stuck, unable to form the words.
“Tell me what you want,” he demanded against the skin of her other breast. Oh, but she couldn’t. How could she tell him without exploding from the embarrassment of it all? “Tell me and I’ll give it to you, Pen,” he hissed even as his fingers stopped moving. She thought she would surely die if he didn’t continue. How mortifying! Penelope Featherington passed from Colin Bridgerton’s carnal attentions. Or lack thereof.
“Touch me,” she ground out. She hoped he didn’t ask her to elaborate. “Please,” she begged.
She was relieved when his fingers began moving again and his lips found hers. She rocked against him, feeling tenderness between her folds, but nothing would stop her. He broke the kiss suddenly and shifted on the bed, moving lower and lower until she sat up and looked at him, fear gripping her heart.
He reached forward and cupped her face. He placed a kiss on her lips. “Trust me?” he whispered.
She trusted him. Of course, she trusted him! How did she voice that it felt too intimate. That she knew what he wished to do, but how did she let herself go and allow it to happen? How did she stop her fear of his disappointment?
Colin’s kiss was soft, asking permission and God how she wanted to grant it to him. She broke the kiss and kept her eyes closed as she nodded. He kissed her again and she could feel his smile against her lips. He eased her back to the bed and she took a deep breath as his lips left a trail of fire down her body, his hands stroking her thighs.
She held her breath even as she felt his against her skin. Her body tensed in anticipation and apprehension. His lips moved along her inner thigh a whimper fell from her lips, her body yearning for something it had never experienced. She let out a gasp at the first touch of his tongue. Oh, it was nearly too much to bare! She gripped the sheets beneath her as one touch turned to two and suddenly she couldn’t breathe because he was there, devouring her.
It was too much and not enough. Her heart raced beneath her chest as her soon-to-be husband practically purred against her. It felt indecent. It felt divine. Oh that tongue of his was wicked! He laced his fingers with hers and she dared a glance down at him and it was a heady sight indeed! His mussed hair, one hand holding her thigh to the bed and the other entwined with hers. His green eyes suddenly looked up at her, hooded though they were. He pulled back just a bit and smirked at her before he leaned in and licked through her folds slowly, deliberately. It was too good. He was too good!
“Colin! More,” she begged, her hand sliding through his hair and he obliged, moving faster, deeper. Her toes curled, her body drawing in on itself. She wanted more but it was too much! Building higher and faster, and by God, he would be the death of her! His tongue swirled around her, faster, and the hand holding her thigh was tracing through her and she was suddenly filled with his finger.
Oh, what sweet bliss!
Everything stilled for one second and then erupted into the sweet perfection of release. Her fingers in his hair loosened even as he continued to lap at her. Her body still shook from its high. The twitch of his tongue sending shivers through her.
Colin sat back on his haunches and looked her over. Part of her wanted to hide from his gaze, certain he would find her lacking. But his easy smile and the playful look in his eyes told her that he wasn’t through with her.
She reached for him and he went into her arms willingly and settled between her thighs. He kissed her lips, realizing the wetness she felt was from her. Though her face was aflame, she felt anything but ashamed. He trailed his lips to settle one on her chin, then behind her ear. “Are you ready for me?”
Penelope leaned up and kissed him as an answer. He shifted between her thighs and she felt him pressing against her entrance. “Please,” she whispered, knowing how the ache she felt was something only he could relieve.
He slid inside her slowly, and with a shifting of her hips, he slid deeper. She dropped her head back against the pillow at being so filled. Though her body still ached from earlier, she was lost to him. He had one elbow propped beside her head, the other hand gripped her thigh, opening her further for him. “Open your eyes,” he whispered.
Her eyes popped open, afraid if she disobeyed then he would stop, and right now she’d do anything to get him to never stop. She gripped his waist, afraid to let go for she would surely explode.
“Pen,” he grunted.
She was beyond words. Nothing came to mind but ‘more’. And then he slipped her leg to rest in the crook of his elbow and thrust forward faster. She couldn’t breathe. But she knew if she died in that moment it would all be worth it, to have the man she loved claiming her as his. “Kiss me,” she begged.
He complied, his lips finding hers, his tongue stealing what was left of her mind. She fell apart in his arms, shaking, muttering his name as her world narrowed so acutely that there could be nothing left but them. She felt him release inside her, nearly crying at the thought. They knew the consequences and he accepted them. Accepted her. He settled himself on top of her, burying his face in her neck. She tightened her hold on him, placing a kiss on his shoulder as she buried her face against him, taking in his scent, letting it fill her.
Far sooner than she wanted, he shifted and moved to her side. He placed kisses along her face, neck, shoulder, and down to her breast. But soon he sighed and she worried that he was disappointed in her. He placed a kiss on her brow and sat up on the bed. “Forgive me. I meant to get you home before anyone noticed your absence and I’m afraid we’ll be cutting it close,” he said with a nod to the window. She could see the purple light of dawn on the horizon. He climbed from the bed and donned his breeches and boots.
He leaned over and placed a kiss on her lips. “Get ready. I’ll have a carriage called and take you home. I’ll be right back,” he said, placing another kiss on her lips.
She gave a nod and waited for him to leave before she climbed from the bed on shaky legs. She rushed to the en-suite as fast as she could, cleaned up and began getting dressed as fast as she could with no help. She’d just got her corset on when the door opened and she rushed to cover herself, but her heart began beating again when she saw it was Colin.
“Carriage should be ready shortly.” He tossed a cloak on the bed. “I’ll get that from you later. It’s a cloak to help shield you,” he said softly. He then gave her a cheeky smile. “Would you like some help?”
She reached behind herself for the laces of her corset and finally gave a nod. “Please. I’m afraid I’m not used to doing this myself.”
He sat on the edge of the bed and ushered her over to him. She presented her back to him and wrung her hands as he worked on lacing it back together. “Once we’re married, feel free to never wear one again.”
She was working on the tie of her petticoat and his words nearly caused her to drop it. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve seen the marks on your skin. I hate that you do this to yourself.”
“It’s the fashion,” she remarked.
“Yes, it is. But we could hole away together forever if that’s what you wish,” he answered, sliding his hands down her back to her bottom. She yelped as his hands squeezed. “Perfect,” he said as he stood and brought her back to his front.
“It’s tempting. Truly. But forgive me for wanting to show off the finest possible husband the world could offer to anyone.” He placed a kiss behind her ear, then turned her to face him. “I don’t take pride in much, but allow me to boast about you for a while.”
“As long as you understand that I will proclaim to anyone who will listen how beautiful, intelligent, talented, loving...”
She finally shoved at him and giggled a little. He caught her within his arms and pressed a kiss to her lips. “You are a monster, Mister Bridgerton. You are mine, but a monster none-the-less.”
“You love that about me,” he replied with another soft kiss then pulled back from her. She slipped her dress on and he helped her do it up as well. She glanced in the mirror momentarily, realizing her hair was a lost cause. He slipped the cloak over her shoulders and she donned the hood.
Before he reached for the door, he kissed her once more. “I love you,” he whispered.
She took a deep breath, feeling as if she might explode from happiness. “I shall never tire of hearing you say that.”
“Good. I shall say it often. And loudly.”
She grinned up at him as he cupped her face for one more kiss, only they both lingered. He stepped back from her and shook his head. “If we get caught up in that, then we will most assuredly fall back into bed.”
He took her hand and poked his head out, looking to see if anyone was in the hall, then ushered her down the same stairs they’d used the night before. The carriage was waiting for them as they reached the wall and he climbed in behind her and settled on the bench with her. He pulled her against him as they both took the short ride to her mother’s home. She rested against him, certain she could sleep the rest of the day.
The carriage came to a stop and he placed a kiss on her hand as the footman opened the door. She climbed down and rushed inside the house, hoping no one noticed her quick departure. She went into her room and quickly changed into her nightgown and fell into bed.
But sleep didn’t come. All she could think of was that she couldn’t wait until she could wake up every morning and look over to see Colin beside her. She would have him for the rest of her life and she couldn’t wait for it to start.