Chapter 22
It took all four maids to help her remove the dress, take her hair down, and change her into the sumptuous silk and lace dressing gown that left little to the imagination.
Thea thanked God at least she wasn’t a terrified virginal bride, but even she blushed when she glanced in the glass at the dressing gown. She looked … decadent.
Thea stood in front of the firelight, knowing full well it would hide nothing from his gaze.
She couldn’t say she wasn’t nervous. It had been ten years since a man had touched her intimately. She didn’t even know if she knew how it was done anymore. And now, knowing he was nearly five years her junior … Thea blushed again.
Will the surprises never end?
She heard the click of the door opening and marshaled her courage as she turned to face him.
He had removed the jacket of his uniform, and his shirt was completely unbuttoned, exposing his muscled chest and the hard ridges of his stomach.
Thea was spellbound.
He paused as he shut the door behind him, and he stood silently for nearly a minute as he stared at her with both hands behind his back.
“You look like a goddess,” he finally said.
“And you look like a statue come to life.”
His lips curved into a smile. “I am working to maintain my self-control, Thea,” he said as he moved away from the door, stopping in the center of the room. “But you take my breath away. Every inch of you. Come to me.” He held out a hand.
She stepped away from the fireplace with a trail of lace following her.
“Exquisite.”
She stopped in front of him, taking his hand.
He held his arm up and out. “Turn for me. I want to see every angle.”
Heat bloomed within Thea in places that hadn’t felt that heat in forever. But the way his worshipful gaze devoured her made her feel things she’d never felt before.
She turned slowly, swearing she could feel the ardor of his gaze drawing up and down her body.
“Priceless,” he whispered as she turned slowly.
The lace tangled around her feet, and she stumbled as she turned back to face him.
He caught her, pulling her against his body. “I have you, from now until forever.”
The tension in her body melted away as he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the palatial bed in the center of the room.
Heat blossomed on the surface of her skin as he laid her down.
He skimmed his fingertips over her cheek. “Like silk.”
“I don’t know if I remember how to do this,” she whispered.
“Don’t worry. I will take care of everything. Don’t think. Don’t hold back.”
Thea felt as though she was already ready to come apart. Slowly, he undressed her, sliding the silk and lace from her shoulders. His fingertips glided down the skin of her décolletage. Her nipples budded into tight peaks as he rounded each one.
“Exquisite,” he whispered once more before taking her lips in a kiss that stole any remaining thoughts from her mind.
His mouth left her lips to explore her body, inch by aching inch. Thea pressed into him as he covered her nipple, and his hand slid around the curve of her thigh. She tugged at the shirt still covering his skin, and he shrugged it off.
Words ceased as their bodies took over. Her palms explored the hard planes of his chest and the broad muscles of his back. He found the heat between her legs, and she moaned as he slid his thumb along it.
His moan and the flex of his hips into her thigh sent Thea wild. She could feel his hardness pulsing against her. He went lower and buried his face between her legs.
Thea’s eyes widened before rolling back in her head. Never before had she ever …
Thea screamed out her pleasure, unable to hold back against the intensity of what roared through her body, mind, and soul.
Her entire form arched, almost to the breaking point, as he urged more and more pleasure from her.
Thea gave up any semblance of control over what was happening within her.
Her limbs thrashed, and she cried out. Finally, his lips pulled away, and she breathlessly gripped the bedcovers beneath her, as if that would keep her from being washed away in the storm he had just unbridled.
Thea vaguely realized he was stripping off his remaining clothing and returning to her. Her arms outstretched, straining for him. Alexander’s smile was wide as he took in her expression.
“Perfection,” he whispered before she pulled him into her.
His hand found her slickness, and his fingers sent her moaning again as pleasure rushed through her. And when he settled between her thighs, and pressed into her, she lost control altogether. His thrust halted within her as her body pulsated without her command.
“My God,” he whispered into her lips as he kissed her.
Speech ceased, and Thea lost track of how many times she cried out, unable to keep silent as he moved within her.
Over and over, she lifted toward him as ecstasy overtook her in unending waves.
Deep in the throes of bliss, Alexander roared out his pleasure.
They both stilled, breathless, with rivulets of sweat on their skin.
Neither spoke for long minutes.
“Extraordinary,” Alexander whispered against her lips.
“I think I died at least once,” Thea said.
He chuckled as he kissed her. “Le petite mort,” he whispered. “I felt it too. Are you all right?”
“All right doesn’t begin to cover it. Though I may never move again.”
“You’re perfect. Sleep. I will take care of everything.”