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inside her body then exploded outward the very next second. Waves of hot tremors washed over her, filled her, spreading throughout her limbs.
    The very next moment, he thrust impossibly deep and stilled, hands gripping her hips through her gown with such force, she feared she’d bruise. He tilted his head back, his eyes closed, and a deep, feral growl escaped his throat.
    After a moment, she moved to get up. He tightened his grip. “No,” he said, his voice drowsy. “Not just yet. I just want to feel you a moment longer.”
    Warmth spread through her, and without severing the connection between them, she rested her head on his shoulder. Contentment filled her. She was happy, and in this moment she felt whole.
    He placed a kiss on her forehead. “It looks like you won your dare, after all.”
    Gabriella’s heart swelled. “Indeed, I have. In more ways than one.”

About the Author
    I write Regency and Fantasy Romance. When I’m not staring at my screen, dreaming up delicious heroes, I’m a wife, mother, and part-time assistant.
    Visit my webpage at www.katemckinleyauthor.com

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Chapter One
    Yorkshire, England, 1813
    D aphne Hayward slipped into the room silently, shutting and bolting the door behind her. Edward’s room was pitch-black, the curtains pulled tight against the moonlight, the air around her still and quiet—the only sound came from the far side of the room, where Edward lay in his bed. His loud, measured breaths assured her he was fast asleep. Her sweet, pliable Edward.
    Tonight he would finally be hers.
    With trembling fingers, Daphne untied the sash at her waist and let the pale-pink robe slip from her shoulders and pool onto the floor. Her chemise and slippers quickly followed. Cold air nipped at her naked skin as she hurried to the bed—from instinct rather than sight—quickly sliding beneath the coverlet.
    For several minutes, she lay there, frozen, too afraid to move. Her heart hammered against her ribs and the crisp air caught in her lungs. Before she lost her nerve, she reached over and trailed one tentative finger down Edward’s muscled arm. He felt smooth like granite, but warm to the touch.
    When he didn’t stir, her touch grew bolder. Moving closer, she drew the coverlet back and skimmed her hand up his naked torso. In the darkness, she could feel every ridge and muscle that lined his stomach. She’d never realized how deliciously strong he was. In daylight, he looked every bit the respectable gentleman—tall with wavy blond hair, pale-blue eyes, and a frame that leaned toward boyish. She was delighted to discover it was just an illusion—no doubt created by his very talented tailor. It was a wonder what miles of fabric and fine tailoring could conceal.
    Licking her lips, she let her hand trail downward to the crisp hairs that peeked just above…He moaned a little, waking, and she snatched her hand back. He was completely naked. A split second before she’d pulled her hand away, she’d brushed against the hot ridge of his erection.
    Suddenly, she felt out of her depth. What was she doing? Despite her sister, Margaret’s, frank discussions about sex, Daphne hadn’t the faintest idea how to seduce a man—but she must. Their future happiness with Edward depended on it.
    He groaned. The sound of his voice was richer, heavier in sleep than she’d imagined. But before she could contemplate that too deeply, he rolled over and dragged her beneath him with a low growl.
    “I hoped you’d come,” he said, his voice roughened from sleep.
    Daphne let out a startled gasp, excited, as the weight of his body pressed her into the mattress. Her sister was right. Men really did abandon all civility and surrender to their animal natures in bed. Again, she had no time to contemplate this wondrous transformation as he swiftly caught her lips in a deep, passionate kiss, obliterating any further