“I shall be gentle. If I could remove the pain of the first time, I would.”
Hesitant, her gaze lifted to his. “I know.” She tried to turn away, but he caught her face.
“You are untouched. You are allowed to be nervous.” He lifted her chin. However much he wanted to make love with her, she needed to be sure. “And,” he paused, gathering strength, “if you have changed your mind, I will stop.”
Moss-green eyes softened. “I want you, Colyne. More than my next breath.”
He swallowed hard, aching for her, nae wanting to hurt her . . .ever. “There will be pain with your first time. After, you will feel only pleasure. That I promise. Now,” he said as he picked up the cloth and moved into the tub behind her, “I will finish washing you. Lean back against me.” Alesia settled against him, the softness of her skin a comfortable fit against his body’s throbbing demand. As his erection grazed her silky curves, he gritted his teeth.
His body burned as he built a thick lather in his hands and slathered soap over her every inch.
“Mmm, this feels wonderful,” she whispered.
“For me as well, lass.” Aye, ’twas heaven itself.
“I have decided,” she said on a slow breath, “that you will bathe me from now on.”
“Will I now?” Pleased, Colyne skimmed his finger over her triangle of downy hair, then slid into her slick warmth and slowly withdrew. As he continued his erotic massage, her pulse raced beneath his touch, and her body began to tremble. Aware of the tension building within her, a pressure he fought himself, he stopped.
“I shall be rinsing you off.”
“Non,” she said, her plea deep and throaty. “It is my turn to wash you.”
He caught her hand as she reached for the soap, all too easily imagining her fingers wrapped around his full length. “Do nae,” he strangled out. Genuine surprise flashed on her face and he smothered a groan. “You can bathe me later. I promise.”
She tucked an impish grin into the corner of her mouth. “I have done this to you, have I not?”
“Aye,” he muttered, grabbing the soap. “A fact you are proud of, are you nae, lass?”
Delight sparkled in her eyes. “I am.”
She was going to be the death of him yet, but he’d die a happy man. Quickly working the soap into a frothy cloud, he lathered himself, then reached over for the bucket and rinsed them both.
His body hummed with anticipation as he carried her to the bed. The air of the hot spring night warmed their chamber, but it was naught compared to the scalding heat where their flesh merged.
With care, he lay her upon the sheets. Like a green lad, he trembled as he knelt over her, shuddered as he pressed his length against the velvet of her slick warmth. “Say you want me.”
She reached toward him in invitation. “Oui, I want you.”
Slow, he reminded himself, warring against the overwhelming desire to thrust deep.
“Colyne?” Alesia shifted beneath him, and he almost lost control.
“Lie still.” He rested his brow against hers and drew in a slow breath. “I need a moment longer.”
Instead of heeding his quiet command, she pressed her mouth over his.
A low growl swirled in his throat, but she only laughed, a rich, smoky sound, which assured him that she was enjoying her advantage. Thrilled by her growing confidence, he deepened his kiss and eased himself inside her until he wedged against her thin barrier.
Alesia stiffened.
“Trust me,” he said, her sweet tightness threatening to drive him over the edge. Holding himself still, he slowly nipped along the soft fullness of her mouth. Once she relaxed against him, he caressed her until she moaned, and her body arched against his. Pleased, he started moving in a steady rhythm. When she matched his pace, on his next stroke, Colyne surged deep.
Stilled.
Eyes illuminated with hurt watched him.
Aching that he’d hurt her to any degree, Colyne brushed away several strands of hair from her face. “’Twill only feel good from now on. I swear it.”
