His hands drifted gently over her curves, and she ran her hands over him as well, stunned by his smooth heated skin, the swells of his muscles, and the flat ridges of his stomach. He pressed her down onto the bed, then began to kiss her everywhere his hands had been.
She sighed and sank back into the mattress, her hands falling to her sides as she just let herself enjoy it. She’d waited a lifetime to be touched this way by this man. But not even in her wildest dreams could she have imagined such pleasure. She felt as though she was melting, a fire burning in the pit of her stomach, making her yearn for something more, something she couldn’t even name.
He drew back a bit and stared down at her, his dark eyes worshipful. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. “I knew you would be.”
His words made her feel beautiful, and she was stunned by how unselfconscious she was to be naked with him. She thought he was beautiful, too, but she didn’t say it. She was beyond words as his fingertips drifted down the soft curve of her belly and delved gently between her thighs.
She gasped, and he caught the sound with his lips, kissing her again as he gently explored her in ways she’d never imagined. Pleasure began to build within her, and she clutched at him, unsure what exactly was happening but loving every moment of it. He found the sweetest spot and focused his attention there until she was trembling and gasping into his mouth.
Just when she was sure she couldn’t take the pleasure any longer, he pressed his fingertip inside her, and she suddenly convulsed around him, crying out in surprised delight.
“Ah, sweetheart,” he breathed, holding her tightly against him as she slowly came back to herself. “I love to give you pleasure.”
She laughed softly, still stunned and breathless. “That was amazing.”
“Good,” he whispered, kissing her forehead with incredible tenderness.
Even though she was very inexperienced when it came to lovemaking, she knew that there was more. She gathered her courage and let her hand trail down his chest and lower, gliding down the soft arrow of hair until her knuckles brushed against the hard, hot length of him. He jerked and let out a soft appreciative sigh.
“Is this all right?” she asked. “May I touch you?”
“Yes, please,” he whispered, rolling on his back and gazing at her with hooded eyes.
She pushed up on one elbow and gazed down at him, stunned by his beauty. She still couldn’t believe that he was here, in her bed, and she was free to touch him however she wanted. Biting her lip, she reached out and lightly traced her hand down his body from chest to that huge hard part of him. It felt silky smooth and hot in her palm, and he covered her hand with his own, showing her how to stroke him, how to give him the same sort of pleasure he’d given her.
For endless moments she touched him, learning all the secrets of his male body, so caught up in his heat and strength and beauty that she couldn’t be embarrassed or ashamed. Then, suddenly, he groaned and rolled them again.
He stared down at her, so much love and passion in his eyes she wondered how she’d ever doubted him. “I want to make love to you. Are you ready for that, Jane?”
She cupped his cheek, knowing that they’d gone too far to turn back now. She had to put her trust him, make this leap of faith. “Yes,” she whispered. “I’m yours, Julian. I’ve always been yours.”
“Mine,” he whispered, giving her another sweet kiss before pressing his knee between her thighs, coaxing her to spread her legs so that he could lay between them. She felt his hardness press against her core, and she couldn’t help but surge against him, wanting to be even closer.
He reached between them, and then he was pressing deeper, filling her. He suddenly thrust forward and there was a bright, hot moment of pain that made her cry out, but then he was inside her and the pain quickly faded, leaving only pleasure.
“Are you all right?” he asked, staring down at her, his body trembling with the need to hold back. “Did I hurt you?”
“It’s all right,” she assured him, rubbing her hands up and down his back. “It only hurt for a moment.”
He smiled, then flexed his hips again, and this time, there was only a slight discomfort. A few strokes more, and she started to feel that building pressure again. She clung to him as the storm burst inside her once more, and she sobbed his name as she gave into it.
A few moments later, he seemed caught up in a storm of his own. He cried out, too, and then he stiffened and collapsed atop her.
She cradled him to her, feeling more at peace than she’d ever been in her life. No matter what happened, she would not go to her grave as a virgin, completely untouched and unloved. She’d made love to the man she’d cared for all her life, and she couldn’t regret it.
For a long time, they just drifted in the pleasant aftermath, holding each other tightly. Finally, he broke away, staring down at her, his dark eyes fierce. “Say you’ll marry me, Jane. The uncertainty is killing me.”
“Of course, I’ll marry you,” she declared, laughing through her tears. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
Relief flooded his features, and he hugged her tight. “Thank you,” he breathed, his face buried in her hair. “Forgive me for throwing the miracle of us away when I was young and stupid. I promise you I’ll spend the rest of my life treating you like the rare and perfect treasure that you are.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” she whispered, tears of happiness stinging her eyes. “And I’ll never take you for granted either.”
They drifted in pleasant silence for a long time more, and Jane was more than happy to simply drift off in his arms. But he sighed, kissed her forehead, and reluctantly set her away.
“I must go,” he said. “I don’t want to risk anyone finding me here.”
“I have a very small staff,” she protested. “No one will come until morning.”
