Chapter 10 #2
“I don’t ever want it to stop.” She groaned as he pushed deeper and circled his thumb over her.
“Not even if I move on to something better?”
“You couldn’t possibly do something better.”
“Challenge accepted.” He suckled each nipple, until she was writhing and desperate, before kissing his way down her stomach and over her hip, still thrusting his finger slowly in and out of her body.
He teased the skin of her thigh with the tip of his tongue.
“The wider you spread your legs, the more I’ll know you want it. Show me.”
She didn’t hesitate for a second, opening herself, even pulling her knees up. Dear God. He desperately wanted to plunge himself into her, but first, he would use his tongue to make her lose track of which way was up.
He barely flicked it over her and she called out his name, nearly sending him over the edge, himself.
How was he so close already? Gently, he suckled, savoring her intoxicating aroma and the taste of her on his tongue.
Her hips began to rock and he added a second finger.
She was tight, but lusciously welcoming.
Everything about her was utterly delectable.
Her thighs shook and she sank her fingers into his hair, pulling him more tightly against her swollen flesh.
Somehow, she opened her legs even wider, pressing herself against his mouth.
How she trusted him with this, he couldn’t fathom, but he gave thanks to whichever saint made it possible.
This was exquisite. She was exquisite. The glorious sounds spilling from her grew increasingly desperate, each one pushing his own desire another step higher.
Finally, she yelled his name, her back arching, her body squeezing his fingers. He wrapped an arm around her thigh, holding her in place so he could enjoy his feast until she began to calm. But he couldn’t wait any longer. He was so close, himself. He kicked off his trousers.
Moving over the top of her, he pushed himself home.
“Ow!”
He froze. His lust, heart, and lungs, all stopping with him. That was not a cry of pleasure. “Ow?”
He cupped her cheek and she nodded against his hand, holding her breath from the pain. “No. No, no, no. I’m sorry. I didn’t know… I should have known.” He cursed. His mother had even warned him. “I’m so sorry.”
“Shhh. It’s alright.”
“It’s not, but are you?”
She nodded again. “The pain is easing now.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”
He felt her cheek lift with a smile. “Did you just call me sweetheart?”
“Under the circumstances, Mrs. Henderson felt a bit too formal.”
She laughed softly, but a tear landed against his finger. “Damnit. Damn me. I’m sorry.” How had he managed to hurt her even in this? “I feel like a brute. I knew it could hurt the first time, but I just thought, as long as you were eager for it, it would be fine.”
“I was eager for it. I still am, in fact, so keep going.”
He shook his head. “I don’t want to hurt you even more.”
She gripped her fingers into his hair. “I said, keep going.”
“Audaciously confident, even in the face of pain. How could I say no?”
Hesitantly, he pulled back and pushed into her again, more gently this time.
Her fingers left his hair, holding onto his shoulders instead.
He reached between them and massaged her breast, brushing his thumb over her nipple.
Finally, a moan of pleasure. Her body eased for him, and she wrapped her legs around him, encouraging his movements.
So passionate. So vocal in her enjoyment, her sounds of growing urgency filling the room.
The fear of hurting her again kept him moving slowly, even when his body was begging him to go harder and faster.
Not that the pleasure was diminished any.
It was a miracle that he managed to hold on until she reached her peak again.
His name from her lips as her body contracted around him pushed him straight into oblivion. Nothing else existed in that moment.
As the fog of euphoria lifted, he pressed a gentle kiss against her forehead, wishing he could see her eyes. “Are you alright, Mrs. Henderson?”
Her laugh was breathless. “No. I’m afraid you have rather addled my wits.”
He collapsed beside her and pulled her into his embrace.
How was she the same woman he’d despised for trapping him?
He’d been a bloody fool. She was perfect.
Beautiful, sweet, and passionate. And even after all he’d done, she trusted him, at least with her body, which was more than he deserved.
Suddenly, he found himself quite grateful that she was his.
Now, he just had to make her want that too, so she would never run from him again.
Lying in sated bliss, Christina felt something she never imagined she could with her husband. Something she was not sure she’d ever felt before. Wrapped in his arms, his warm skin pressed against her back, she felt safe. Felt protected. How was that even possible?
When she’d called out in pain, he’d stopped in an instant.
All of his concern had been directed at her, as if nothing else mattered.
I’m sorry, sweetheart. It was clear he was.
He’d said he would never abuse her, but until that moment she hadn’t understood how true that was.
Her pain had filled his voice with anguish.
She squeezed the hand that rested against her stomach, and he pulled her in a little more tightly, pressing a kiss against the top of her head.
There was even more, though. He’d forced her to be strong. Forced her to prove she wanted this. To demand it, even. And in doing so, he made it fully her choice. He’d provided her the freedom to take what she wanted, and when she asked for it, he brought her incredible pleasure.
How was this the same man she’d run away from just days ago?
She never wanted to leave this. But that meant she never wanted to leave him.
It was a strange place she was in. She had trusted him completely, somehow knowing he would be gentle and wouldn’t hurt her.
But would he still show her that same kindness outside of the bedroom?
Her thoughts and questions continued until she eventually slipped into sleep.
When next she woke, it was just beginning to lighten. For a moment, she panicked, afraid he might have seen her, but he hadn’t yet woken. Thank God.
Carefully, she slid from under his arm and out of the bed.
She crouched and threw her nightgown over her head, buttoning it shut before she stood, just in case.
But he was still asleep, and he was beautiful, even with his eyes closed.
His light brown hair was ruffled, and the corners of his mouth seemed to be lifted in a smile as he slept.
Now that her birthmark was covered, there was no reason to leave him. Dawn was still an hour away. She lifted his arm and climbed back underneath. He groaned softly, and pulled her in, but didn’t speak. She could get used to this.
By the time she woke again, she was alone in the bed, and sunlight glowed brightly through the sheer curtains. It was lucky she’d woken up earlier and donned her nightgown.
When she was dressed, she left the room and went in search of a library, or some other place she could hide.
Facing Giles in the light of day after the way she’d behaved with him last night, just thinking about it made her cheeks burn.
Not that she hadn’t enjoyed it. She most certainly had, and had every intention of doing it again… when it was dark.
She was only in the library for a quarter hour before he appeared in the doorway, a wolfish grin turning up his lips. Her cheeks immediately flushed.
“Do you mind if I close this?” He nodded toward the door, just like their first encounter.