"I fear this won't be possible."
He grinned. "I thank you for the compliment, but aye, 'tis entirely possible. Just relax."
"But it will hurt, I know. I've heard the maids talking."
"Only the first time and only for a moment, but if you remain calm, it will be so much more enjoyable."
Despite knowing it might hurt, she could hardly wait to be joined with him. "Very well, I trust you."
He cocked his head and observed her. "I love you, Mairiana," he whispered.
"And I love you," she said.
After a slow, sweet and seductive kiss, she said, "All right. I'm ready. Make love to me."
He chuckled. "Bossy, are we?" He moved over her and placed his elbows on either side of her shoulders.
"I'm sorry. I did not mean to be. 'Tis simply, I'm afraid of the pain, yet at the same time, I cannot wait to make love to you."
He grinned and kissed her. "You are the sweetest thing I have yet beheld, and the most beautiful. Now, trust me for a few minutes."
"Aye."
Darack kissed her so passionately and deeply, her mind seemed muffled in some deep part of her body. And… good heavens… the things he did to her body. Stroking his fingers over and into incredibly intimate parts of her which were mysteriously moist with a deep need for him. Oh, how she yearned.
"Please, Darack," she begged.
"Aye," he breathed against her ear. "I will make you mine now."
When he surged into her, a sharp pain spiked through her and she stiffened with a cry. Nay! There was no way he was going to fit inside her.
"I know, love," he whispered. "I'm sorry. Rest for a moment and the pain will go away." He kissed her and stroked her all over. He leaned down and suckled at her nipples, sending fresh waves of yearning through her.
The feel of him inside her changed from violent invasion to an appealing fullness which appeased her yearning a bit.
"Aye, that's it,mo chridhe," he murmured. "I feel you relaxing. But how does this feel to you?"
"Good," she breathed. At least, some of the pain had subsided.
When he withdrew, she gasped, but she had no time to analyze the situation, for he surged back within her, even deeper than before and paused. Her breath caught as she tried to absorb the sensation. Not pain anymore. Overwhelming… something. Again, he withdrew and thrust, then growled a curse as he waited.
"I want you so bad, lass," he said through clenched teeth.
"Aye, I want you, too."
Gently, he moved faster than before. With each moment that passed, his speed increased until she could no longer keep up. Some strange, overpowering sensation arose within her. Alarmed that she might die, she cried out.
He covered her mouth with his own, holding himself deep within her while her body clutched at his. Before she could regain her senses, he was growling against her ear, and shuddering into her. She held him tight until his iron-hard, tense muscles relaxed. He slumped to the mattress beside her.
"Saints! 'Twas even better than I'd imagined," he breathed.
"I agree." Feeling giddy, she giggled and snuggled up against him. "Who could've guessed the bedding would be that much fun? I hope we can do that more."
He snickered. "Aye, indeed. Several times every day, if you're up to it."
She gasped, then laughed. "That much?"
"Aye, but first, let's have a wee rest." Facing her, he pulled her close against his chest.
She gave him a short kiss. "I think I have loved you since the first time I saw you, though I did not realize it at the time. I knew then you were an amazing man I had a special bond with."
He observed her for a long moment. "I wanted you for myself from the moment I saw you in that stable at Lenor. Even then, I knew I would do anything to keep you safe and happy."
