Page 71 of A Wicked Business

He moved closer to the bed, holding still as her hands ran over his shoulders and chest.

“Such broad shoulders,” she murmured dreamily, her hands sliding down his arms. “Such powerful arms.”

“All the better to hold you with,” he murmured, nipping at her ear.

Belinda laughed, recognising the words of the fairy story. “Are you going to eat me up?” she asked, laughing, but her laughter died with a hitch of her breath as he replied seriously.

“I am.”

He pushed her gently back onto the bed and climbed over her, returning his hands to her ankles and sliding his palms up over the silken stockings to the even silkier skin of her thighs.

“I am the luckiest of men,” he said, his voice low, speaking as much to himself as to her as desire burned inside him, so hot he wondered how he could stand it and not frighten her. But Belinda was watching him, totally unafraid, and he knew she would never be shy, never be scared to ask for what she wanted, or to tell him no.

“I am the luckiest of women,” she countered, her gaze roving over him.

Felix groaned and reached for the hem of her chemise, tugging it up and casting it aside as his patience frayed. He lay down, his skin touching hers for the first time and the sensation was all-consuming, the closest thing to perfection he had ever known.

His mouth met hers, soft, tender presses of his lips upon hers to encourage her to respond, which she did with alacrity. Her body coiled around him, new and unexplored yet strangely familiar as they found they fit together with ease.

Felix deepened the kisses, drawing her on with him though his touch was still languid, his hands moving slowly, easing her into intimacy as carefully as he could.

“Did I tell you how beautiful you are?” he murmured against her skin.

“A dozen times,” she said on a breathy sigh. “But you can say it a dozen more.”

“I shall,” he promised. “I shall not stop telling you because you are, you take my breath away.”

“Lovely,” she said, and he heard the smile behind the words.

Felix lifted his head, gazing down at her and finding himself smiling like an idiot again. He thought it was an expression he’d best resign himself to wearing for some time to come.

“I take it you know what happens in the marriage bed, as you’re so keen to publish information on the subject?”

“Of course,” she said with a laugh. “Doris has opened my eyes upon several subjects. I can’t wait to try them out,” she added with a mischievous smile.

Felix’s eyebrows rose. “Do you mean to tell me you have expectations of what is to come?”

“Oh, yes, indeed. Lots of them.”

“Heavens,” he said with mock consternation.

“Don’t worry, my darling. I won’t be filing a report,” she said, smothering a laugh against his shoulder as he tickled her in punishment.

“Stop! Stop,” she said breathlessly.

“Stop?” he repeated, gazing down at her.

“No. Don’t ever stop,” she amended, pulling him back down to her.

Belinda was giddy with delight, with happiness and anticipation, and the dizzying excitement of her husband’s hot skin against hers. His hands cupped her breasts, his clever fingers teasing shivers from her. He kneaded gently, his thumbs circling her nipples until they were taut and aching, and then he ducked his head.

Belinda gasped, sinking her hands into his hair as his mouth closed over her, hot and wet. Felix moved down the bed, trailing kisses down her torso, down her stomach. She sucked in a breath as his warm hands rested on her hips and he nuzzled against the tender flesh at the apex of her thighs. He pressed kisses along the crease, then trailed his tongue along the same path until she was trembling with desire and tortuous expectancy. If Doris hadn’t warned her so candidly, it might have been shocking, but now she was only delighted.

He glanced up at her, searching for her consent. Belinda smiled at him and reached down, stroking his hair. She closed her eyes, holding her breath as he parted her curls and sought the sensitive nub of flesh hidden beneath with his tongue. Belinda jolted and gasped as sensation rocketed through her. He did it again, and she tilted her head back, hands grasping helplessly at the bedcovers.

Felix parted her further with his thumbs and licked again and again and Belinda felt dizzy, her blood fizzing in her veins as the exquisite pleasure rushed through her. She felt giddy and lightheaded with an overwhelming rush of sensation, as though she might float away if he wasn’t holding her down.

Felix lifted his head and smiled at her, and she sighed as his hands caressed and his lips returned to her skin, kissing a path over her body. No part of her was missed, from her eyelids to her toes, circling around the little triangle of curls now, deliberately teasing her by leaving that place untouched.