Free The Duke and Miss Christmas by Amelia Grey

she’d never felt more daring in her life, her kiss to him was soft, shy, and brief. The magic of it swirled all the way down to her womanly core.
    The duke’s cloak and hat landed on the ground with hers as he slid his arms tightly around her waist and caught her up in his embrace. They looked into each other’s eyes and she knew without a doubt she wanted to be in the duke’s arms.
    â€œYou surprised me, Miss Christmas. I thought I’d be the one to kiss you first. You usurped me.”
    Gwen was happy she had caught him off guard again and let him know by her expression. “Surprises are sometimes good, Your Grace.”
    â€œIndeed they are,” he said. “And that was a very pleasant one. But it’s no surprise to me that your lips are as soft and sweet as I thought they’d be.”
    â€œI found yours were inviting.”
    â€œInviting. I like that you described them that way. Now that we’ve had our first real kiss I want you to call me Crispin.”
    She gave him a quirky smile. “Isn’t that rather forward of me, Crispin?”
    â€œYes, but it fits a lady who would hit me over the head before she knew who I was and kiss me before I have the opportunity to kiss her.”
    A teasing half grin lifted the corners of her mouth. “Should I have asked your permission before I kissed you?”
    â€œYou will never need to ask permission to kiss me.”
    Gwen didn’t know that she’d ever felt so good and so naughty at the same time. She only knew she wanted to drink in all the wonderful things she was feeling right now and enjoy them. “In that case, Crispin, it’s your turn.”
    â€œI thought you’d never say that,” he whispered.
    Her stomach quivered deliciously as he leaned his body close and slanted his lips across hers, lightly brushing them. The contact was delicate, feathery, and enticing her to want more.
    His lips moved slowly back and forth over hers again and again. Wondrous curls of pleasure came alive inside her. She parted her lips and opened her mouth. His tongue slipped inside and she swallowed a quick gasp of pleasure. Strong, sure hands slipped up her back and pressed her against his hard, powerful chest. Her fingers pushed into the back of his thick hair and slid out again to roam down his nape and across the wide expanse of his strong shoulders.
    Seeming lost to everything around them, they stood that way for a long while kissing and caressing, exploring and enjoying. At times their kisses were short and fierce and sometimes they were long and passionate. Still, at other times his lips caressed their way over her cheek, down her chin, and along the column of her neck, causing shivers of delight to cover her before searing her lips with his once more.
    She wanted the kiss to go on forever, but the duke raised his head and said, “I can’t remember when I have ever longed for anything as I have for that kiss.”
    â€œI have been wanting it, too. I’m glad it was longer than when I kissed you.”
    He smiled. “What do you feel when I kiss you?” he asked.
    â€œFlames of heat,” she answered truthfully.
    He chuckled softly. “So do I.”
    His hands continued to rub up and down her back in a sensuous motion that caused a quickening between her legs. “I thought I’d been kissed before, but now I don’t believe I have.”
    â€œAnd why is that, Miss Christmas?”
    Her forehead wrinkled. “If you are Crispin then I am Gwen.”
    â€œI like ‘Miss Christmas’ better. Now what were you saying about kissing?”
    â€œWhen Mr. Standish kissed me it never felt so heavenly.”
    He gave her a quick, hard kiss on her lips. “You are saying all the things I want to hear.”
    â€œI am being truthful.”
    â€œThat makes what you’re saying all the sweeter.”
    He moved his lips seductively over hers for a few moments before