He could see all the old anger resurfacing. She wasn’t ready for this, and he cursed himself for revealing so much.
“Shh,” he whispered. “We’ll talk about all that later. For now, just let me make love to you.”
Natalia looked at her husband and nodded. She was no longer afraid. He’d done everything he could to make this easy for her. Now she ached for him to finish what he’d begun.
He was right. They had the rest of their lives to talk about the future.
He smiled and gave her a lingering kiss, while his hands once more worked their magic on her body. Before long, he was poised between her thighs and a heavy pressure replaced his fingertips.
“It might hurt a bit, but only for a moment, and just this once.” His face was full of concern as he worked himself against her, making her head spin with the strange feelings that had claimed her before.
“I’m ready,” she assured him, hoping it was the truth. She’d touched the satin length of him, felt its size and power. Despite his reassurances, she still couldn’t see how this was going to be possible.
He dipped his head to kiss her again then thrust deep within her. The abrupt forceful motion rent her maidenhead and filled her completely. She cried out, stunned.
“Are you all right?” He held himself still, but his big body shook like a leaf in the wind. “God, Natalia. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s all right,” she whispered, trying to ignore the stinging pressure. “I’m fine.”
“Good.” He pulled back slowly and then thrust again, seeming to brush her very womb.
She sucked in a breath at the feel of him, seated so deeply inside her. She’d never known it would be like this—so primal, so intense. The pain eased, and as he began to move, a delicious friction grew between them.
“Put your legs around my waist,” he coaxed.
She did, granting him even deeper access to her body. She clung to his broad back as his thrusts became harder and faster, filling her entire world. There was nothing but Dylan, and the way he made her feel. She reached for the same pinnacle she’d known before.
Then her entire body convulsed in a shuddering explosion of sensation and emotion. She sobbed with the beauty of it, while Dylan shuddered deep inside her.
* * *
In the aftermath, they held each other, their bodies so tightly entangled Dylan wasn’t certain where he stopped and she began. He felt strange, undone. But in a good way.
My wife.
A small smile tilted his mouth, and he pressed a tender kiss to her temple. Making love to Natalia had been everything he’d hoped it would be. She’d given herself with artless generosity, and hope swelled within him. How could she continue to hate him, when they shared this?
She stirred against him, and he ran his hand down the smooth contours of her back, trying to soothe her. She was bound to feel awkward after they’d been so intimate, and he wanted to forestall her withdrawal as long as possible.
Her hand drifted up his chest, and she tilted her head back so she could meet his gaze. “Oh, Dylan. You were so right to insist we do this.”
“I’m glad you think so.” He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her with lingering heat before he pulled away. “I’ll cherish the gift you gave me tonight for the rest of my life.”
“You should.” She snuggled even closer, resting her head in the crook of his arm. “I’d like to stay just like this, forever.”
Oh, this was good. This was very, very good.
“Let me stay with you for the rest of the night. Please. I want to wake up with you in my arms.”
For a moment, she didn’t say anything. He feared he’d ruined it. Perhaps she’d forgotten she wanted her privacy. Now that he’d reminded her, she’d probably send him away.
“I’m so afraid,” she whispered instead. “I’m afraid this will pass. I’m afraid I’ll grow used to having you beside me, and then you’ll leave.”
“That won’t happen. I’ll never leave you. Never.”
Dylan’s promise rang with truth, and Natalia wanted to believe him. His lovemaking had been so beautiful, so breathlessly tender. She no longer wanted to maintain her distance. What good did it do, to deny her heart’s desire? She couldn’t love him any deeper, couldn’t hurt any less if he walked away.
“I believe you.” The time had come to take a leap of faith. In retrospect, her last attempt hadn’t worked out so badly. The road had been difficult, but her decision to dance with Dylan had been a defining moment in her life.
