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The bed dipped slightly as he climbed in. She clung to the edge of the mattress to prevent her body from rolling towards him. The bed was suddenly much smaller than she had thought and appeared to be shrinking with each breath she took. There was going to be no way that she could sleep.
‘Pleasant dreams, Sayrid. To protect your modesty, I have kept my trousers on. You will see that I am a man of my word if you care to look.’
She gave an imitation of a snore and his soft chuckle tickled the back of her neck. She tightened her grip on the edge of the mattress. If it was the last thing she did, she would keep to her side of the bed.
Chapter Seven
Sayrid woke with a start, half-convinced her memories of last night were a fanciful dream. But a heavy arm lay across her middle and curled against her naked back was a warm body. In her ear she heard the enticing sound of steady rhythmic breathing. Her entire being thrummed for a heartbeat.
She wanted to lie there forever, savouring the sensation and sinking into it. In the dappled morning light he might be able to see her back, something her stepmother had vowed would be sure to turn any man’s stomach.
Instinctively, she moved her elbow back, jabbing him in the stomach.
The arm tightened about her middle, hauling her back against him. Sayrid wriggled slightly as her bottom connected with his groin, leaving her in no doubt of his morning arousal despite the soft leather of his trousers. ‘You won’t escape that easily, sweetling. Our marriage will be a real one. Time for the next lesson.’
She instantly went still and concentrated on taking deep breaths. Time to consummate the marriage. Time for her to make more mistakes and prove her stepmother’s prediction true. She wanted it to be otherwise, but how could it be? She started to edge away from temptation.
‘I was quite enjoying the movement,’ he said as his breath caressed her ear, tickling her. ‘Let your instinct guide you.’
Strange sensations warred within her body. She wanted to keep moving, but equally the burgeoning warmth terrified her. It was far worse than piloting her ship during a storm.
‘I didn’t mean to… That is…’ Sayrid struggled to think of a polite way of rectifying her mistake. ‘I meant to keep to my side, not sleep in your arms. We made a bargain. You and I.’
‘Did you hear any complaints from me?’ His hand slowly ran down her flank. Her flesh quivered under his touch and her breasts began to ache. ‘I still wear my trousers. We will go at your pace. Slowly, step by step.’
Sayrid struggled to keep her mind clear. Safety was a matter of opinion. Right now, she felt anything but safe with him, particularly as his hand skimmed her thighs, first one way and then the other. Each time his fingers strayed closer to the apex of her thighs. She wanted them to continue but… She wrenched her mind away.
‘When I give my word, I prefer to keep it.’
His fingers instantly ceased their quest.
Firmly but gently he turned her so she was facing him. In the dull light, she could clearly see the shadow of his stubble and the faint beginnings of crows’ feet in the corners of his eyes.
‘It was far from taking a liberty.’ He cupped her face, drawing feather-light lines along her jaw which sent tingles racing throughout her body. ‘Who made you wary?’
‘I’ll try to remember that…for when I next find myself in this situation.’ Silently she vowed that she’d find a reason not to share a bed with him again. The longer she could keep him from finding out about how marked she was, the better chance she had of making this marriage work. And to her surprise, she wanted it to work.
He held her palm against the silken skin of his chest. For a heartbeat she savoured how the muscles rose and fell with each breath he took.
‘I intend for it to happen again,’ he said in a low husky voice. ‘We will share a bed. I positively insist. Next time we will do more than sleep.’
Their breath interlaced and her lips went incredibly dry. She flicked her tongue over them and watched as his eyes became lit with fire. He is going to kiss me. He wants to. He desires me—thudded through her brain. Her stomach knotted. She wanted him to do more than kiss her. Truly kiss her, long and slow. But also to show her that her stepmother and father were wrong. A real man could desire her…at least for a little while.
He wound a tendril of her hair about his forefinger. ‘Do you want to know what I am thinking?’
Helplessly caught in his gaze, she nodded.
He cupped her face with gentle fingers. His mouth lowered. ‘This.’
The kiss was tenderer than she had expected, teasing and persuading, not plundering and all-conquering. Delicate and yet calling to that wild fire deep within her. Giving into instinct, she parted her lips and tasted him. Fresh and clean, which made her hungry for more. She opened her mouth further and drew him in.
