Lifting his gaze, he brushed the soft curls at the apex of her thighs with one gentle fingertip. “I want to touch you here, Clarice. I want to taste you. Will you let me?”
Good Lord. The mere thought of what he was asking shocked her to the core. She’d never even dreamed of such a thing. But somehow... when he said it... it sounded like the most glorious thing in the world.
“Yes,” she managed to whisper. “Yes, please.”
He laughed softly, his eyes burning with emotion, and then stroked her again, his fingertips finding an odd moisture. What was happening? Had she started her monthlies?
Before she could protest, he lowered his head to where his fingertips had been, and she forgot how to think at all. The incredible friction of his tongue against the tiny bud at the juncture of her thighs was impossible to describe, sweeping her up into some different world where all that existed was herself and this man whom she’d loved half her life.
Then, as his tongue continued its wonderful dance, he used his fingers to thrust deep inside her, first one and then two, obviously preparing her for what was to come. But this time there was no pain, only pleasure beyond anything she’d ever known.
“You taste like peaches,” he murmured against her ripe flesh. “I could drown in you, Clarice.”
She shivered and buried her hands in his silky hair. “That feels good. So good.”
He made a soft growl of approval and renewed his efforts, sending her spiraling higher and higher toward some peak she didn’t even understand. Sounds of her own were escaping her now, but she couldn’t seem to stop them.
And then everything seemed to shift. Something deep within her broke open, flooding her with more pleasure than she’d ever thought even possible.
A wrenching cry escaped her, and she fell back against the pillows, stunned and sated.
He pushed himself back up beside her and tenderly brushed a few strands of hair out of her eyes. “How was that?” he asked softly.
To her surprise, a sob welled up within her, and tears stung her eyes. “I didn’t know,” she whispered. “I didn’t know it could be like that.”
“You deserve to be worshipped,” he breathed, pressing gentle kisses across her collarbone. “I’m glad I was able to show you that.”
She pressed her face into his neck and hugged him tightly. “Oh, Roman. Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome,” he assured her. “But this is only the beginning, darling. I have so much more to show you, if you’ll let me.”
Heat stained her cheeks once more as she remembered the glimpse of his engorged manhood she’d seen as he climbed up in the bed. That part of him looked nothing like the duke’s had. The duke had never been hard like that. When he’d thrust against her, he’d sometimes seemed as though he was having difficulties putting himself within her at all, which was what had always led to the anger and cursing. She wasn’t quite certain if she’d even be able to... accommodate Roman.
“Of course,” she managed. “Now it’s time for you to take your release.”
“If I do it right, you should have another orgasm as well,” he told her, but then his face fell. “I’m sorry. I forgot to bring a French letter.”
“A French what?” she asked, wondering why he suddenly looked as though something was terribly wrong.
He flopped back on the pillows beside her and pressed his forearm across his eyes. “It’s... something I put over my cock to catch my release. So that I don’t get you pregnant.”
She’d never heard of such a thing, since the duke had obviously wanted nothing more than to plant his seed inside her. Relief filled her. “Oh, you needn’t worry about that,” she hurried to assure him. “I’m barren.”
He uncovered his eyes and looked at her, a frown etched between his eyes. “Are you certain?”
She laughed mirthlessly. “Yes, quite certain.”
He lowered his arm and met her gaze. “Ah, darling. I’m so sorry.”
She blinked against another rush of tears. “It’s all right. But that’s good, right? We can keep going?”
He nodded slowly. “Yes, if you’re certain that’s what you want.”
“I want you, Roman,” she assured him. “As I said before, I always have.”
Spreading his arms, he opened himself up to her completely. “I’m right here, darling. I’m all yours.”
For the first time, she let her gaze trail over him from head to toe, taking in all the hard planes and angles. His body reminded her of a Greek statue, all chiseled muscle, but instead of cold marble, his skin looked warm and touchable.
