A cold draft heralded Matt’s door opening. He turned and his heart swelled with joy, as he gave thanks to the deity.
The pristine white of his lady’s chemise peeked out from beneath the wool blanket she had wrapped around her body. Her long hair hung loose, curling over her shoulders to her waist. There was a small, timorous smile on her lips. Even though she was clearly nervous, she had come to him.
He thought briefly about what his friends had gone through to wed and smiled. This had to be the easiest courtship in history. All he’d had to do was take refuge from a storm.
She blushed. “May I—may I come in?”
Three long steps brought him to her. “Yes.”Into my life, my home, my heart. Part of him couldn’t believe she was actually here. “Yes, you may come in.”
As he picked her up, the blanket fell to the floor. Matt kissed her and stared into her eyes before he walked to the large bed and gently lowered her feet to the floor. His fingers hovered over the ribbons of her chemise, tingling in anticipation. “May I?”
His lady glanced up at him. “Yes.”
He pulled the bows free, and the finely woven muslin fell to her hips. Matt lost his breath. Her hair screened all but the light pink tips of her generous ivory breasts. They called to him, begging to be tasted and worshipped. Was there ever a more perfect woman? He captured her lips with his, as he pushed the garment down to her waist. He stepped back, her hips swelled gently out and a triangle of gold covered her mons.
Mine, tonight and forever.
Drawing the sheets aside, he lifted her, placing her in the middle of the bed. He removed his dressing gown and crawled in next to her. He’d make this night, her first time making love with him, perfect for his lady.
Matt hesitated. Perhaps he should propose now before they made love. No, best to do it right to-morrow. She must know what he intended, otherwise she would never have come to him.
His lady lay still watching him, her eyes wide and dark as he traced her body with his palms. He had to touch all of her, to make sure she was truly there.With my body I thee worship.
“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
She smiled a little and trembled.
“Don’t be afraid. I’ll be gentle.” He stretched out next to her, encouraging her to touch him as well before pressing soft kisses on her neck down to the perfect mounds of her breasts. Touching her nipples as they furled into tight buds for him, Matt took one into his mouth, teasing it with his tongue and sucking. She quivered and pressed into him. Sighing as he kissed his way down to the light curls between her legs. Triumphant, he found her already hot and wet for him.
A quiet moan escaped her lips, but she didn’t tense.
When his tongue made a long, slow stroke across her center she cried out and arched off the bed. His body shook with desire as he drank in her delicate flavor. He’d never received so much satisfaction in pleasuring a woman. Perhaps it was because this one would be the only lady he’d pleasure for the rest of his life.
Grace took in his muscular chest with its dusting of hair. It was even more impressive without clothes. She fought her embarrassment when he removed her chemise, but there was no room for maidenly modesty. If she were to have only one night of passion she wanted it all, even if she didn’t know what that entailed.
Grace would have to trust him to lead her.
Then he called her exquisite, and her heart melted.
He chuckled and stared down at her. “Touch me if you wish.”
She reached out, laying her hand on his chest, then couldn’t resist playing with the curling, dark hair covering it. And though the hair was soft, his chest was hard, much harder than hers. She’d occasionally seen men in the fields without shirts, but none of them looked like Worthington.
He kissed her tenderly as he stroked her, everywhere. His hands, not soft like hers, but rougher, caused her skin to warm to his caresses. She didn’t know how good another person’s touch could be. A man’s touch. Her breathing hitched as Worthington placed soft kisses where his hands had been.
“My lady,” he whispered. “My love.”
My love?Tears tried to fill her eyes, but she blinked them back, refusing to allow them. If only that was true, but even if she were to entertain the notion of staying with him, he would not want to take on her responsibilities. She wouldn’t think about that tonight. It was probably just something men said when they were with a woman. And what did it matter, this was what she wanted.
Allowing him to retake her senses, Grace moaned as tension ebbed and flowed and he laid claim to her. Need flowered deep inside. Desire flooded her, overwhelming her senses. Her breasts were heavy, and her nipples were so hard they ached. Worthington touched them, circling lightly with his thumbs. When he lifted his head, Grace tried to stop him from breaking their kiss. Then he took one nipple in his mouth and sucked. The sensation was like nothing she’d experienced before. She’d gone to heaven. He ministered to the other breast then placed featherlight kisses down her body to the sensitive spot between her legs. When he licked her lightly, she cried out, begging for more.
Worthington held her in place when her hips thrust up against him. Her body seemed to have more of an idea what to do than she did.
“Not yet, my sweet. You’ll have your chance.” His voice was deep, intoxicating.
Grace thrashed her head. Her body tightened with tension until she thought she couldn’t stand it anymore then suddenly, wave upon wave of delight flooded her. Her heart pounded so hard she could hear it.
He made a groaning sound and, with fluid grace, stretched out beside her again, claiming her lips. He tasted different this time. There was an added layer of musk to his arousing tang.
