The trousers dropped, and Catherine's eyes widened. She'd seen classical statues, of course, but they hadn't quite prepared her for the reality of an aroused male.
"Still with me?" he asked, a note of concern in his voice.
"Yes. I just... "
He laughed, not unkindly. "I will be careful, I promise. Your body was made for this, Catherine. Made for me."
He joined her on the bed, covering her body with his. The weight of him should have been frightening, but instead it was comforting, grounding. She could feel him hard against her thigh, and she shifted experimentally, making him groan.
"Careful," he warned. "My control isn't infinite."
"Good."
"Wicked girl." He kissed her deeply, his tongue mimicking what his body would soon do. When she was breathless and writhing beneath him, he pulled back. "Are you ready?"
"Yes. Please, James."
He positioned himself at her entrance, the tip pressing against her. "Look at me. Don't close your eyes."
She met his gaze as he slowly, carefully, pushed inside. There was pressure, stretching, a sharp pain that made her gasp and he immediately stopped.
"Breathe, sweetheart. Just breathe."
"It hurts."
"I know. I'm sorry. It will get better, I promise." He peppered her face with kisses, his hand sliding between them to find that sensitive spot again. "Let me help."
His fingers worked magic, pleasure slowly overtaking pain as her body adjusted to the intrusion. When she experimentally rocked her hips, they both groaned.
"That's it," he encouraged. "Take what you need."
He began to move, slow and careful at first, then deeper as her body welcomed him. The pain faded entirely, replaced by a building pleasure that was different from before—fuller, more intense.
"You feel incredible," he groaned, his control clearly fraying. "So perfect. Made for me."
"James," she gasped, her nails digging into his shoulders. "I need—I don't know what I need."
"I do." His hand slipped between them again, his fingers finding that spot that made her see stars. "Come for me again, Catherine. Let me feel you."
It took only a few more strokes before she was shattering again, her body clenching around him. He cursed, his hips jerking as he followed her over the edge, her name a prayer on his lips.
They lay tangled together afterward, both breathing hard. Catherine felt boneless, sated in a way she'd never experienced while James pressed kisses to her shoulder, her neck, her jaw.
"Are you alright?" he asked softly.
"More than alright." She turned to face him, surprised to find his expression tender, almost vulnerable. "That was..."
"Incredible? Life-changing? Worth ruining your reputation for?"
"All of the above." She traced a finger down his chest. "Though I do have one question."
"What's that?"
"When you said that was one... exactly how many did you have in mind?"
His grin was wicked. "As many as you can take, sweetheart. We have all night, and I'm nowhere near done with you."
"Is that a promise or a threat?"
