Everyone but him.
Another stroke has my teeth tormenting my lip for restraint.
The next, not so much because now his hand is in a different spot. Just a bit to the left, but enough that it’s noticeably different in the sensation. My heel digs into his back, but he doesn’t understand my silent request for him to move. Is he doing this on purpose?
I don’t think so. Not with how utterly transfixed his stare is.
But I’m not sure.
“What’s wrong?”
I close my eyes in embarrassed frustration. Of course Warren would notice my reaction. He notices everything. “Nothing.”
He immediately stills. “Am I too rough?”
“No, Christ no.”
But he’s not satisfied. “Not hard enough?”
“It’s just…” My lips tighten indecisively. Experience swiftly taught me that questioning or correcting a man wounds their pride.
Talk to me. I need your words.
This is Warren, the man who saved me. The least I can do is give him this. Scraping together every ounce of courage I can muster, I try not to hesitate when I ask, “Can you…go back to where you were before?”
He acquiesces. “Here?”
“Not quite.” I subtly shift my hips to guide him. “A little more this way.” He tries, but the satisfaction from before is nowhere to be found. I hold in a sigh of disappointment before I guiltily swallow it down. If this is the best he can give me, it’s still worlds better than what I’ve had.
But the rueful apology shining in his eyes as he presses a soft kiss to my thigh seems genuine. “I’m sorry, Mara. I want to make this good for you. If I get it wrong, I need you to teach me. This is the beginning of us, but I need you to show me, wife. Show me where it feels good.”
For a moment that feels like eternity, our gazes lock together as his breath heats my skin. Nothing is hidden behind his dark pupils as I stare into his soul. He sees me for who I am—more than any other man has—and who I am is all he wants. Along with learning what brings me pleasure. It’s only a look, but one that has all the feelings from before rushing back.
“Okay,” I breathe out with a small nod.
The muscles in his jaw clench as my hands exchange the sheets for my nightgown and begin to tug upwards. It’s just my knee, but the lift of his chest stutters at the exposed skin as if all of me were bare. Inch by painstakingly slow inch, I reveal myself to my husband for the first time.
When the excess cotton fabric bunches at my hips, he swallows hard and looks between my legs. Is that low noise coming from my throat or his? I can’t tell. But the way he stares at me with such reverence…
“Hellfire, Mara.” The rough fingers flex on my thigh as if they yearn to explore. “Should have known you’d be just as pretty here, too.”
A blush scorches me from the inside out even as my first thought is to deny his words. “You really think I’m pretty? Both my face and…and there?” Christ, my cheeks burn with nervous embarrassment as I chance a peek down at him. I don’t know what drove me to ask him that while I’m so lewdly open before him.
A dark glint illuminates his gaze. “Pretty’s the wrong word.” Before the dash of hurt can fully form in my chest, he continues. “Every part of you is gorgeous, but maybe I need to tell you just what I mean.” My lungs seize up, but it’s more because of the man and the way he shifts to bring his face close to mine and less because of my knee suddenly pressing into my ribs.
“Your hair,” he says in wonder, wrapping some strands around his finger before releasing them. “I love the way it falls around your face and shoulders. The way it brings out the unearthly blue of your eyes when you don’t hide them from me.” One finger caresses between my eyebrows. “I love this spot right here where your frowns start.”
My lashes flutter shut as his lips replace his finger.
“And this smattering of freckles…”
His kiss follows his words down my nose. I’d asked for reassurance, but this expression of it was unexpected. Combined with his touch, it’s almost too much.
Almost.
Because I don’t want him to stop.
“These lips,” he murmurs into my mouth, pausing to bestow his attention upon them. My lips are tender, but it hurts so good. “So damn soft and full. Especially this one.”
