Page 22 of Mistress of Darkness

“No shame, Gwen,” he whispered, and lifted her chin. “Not here. Not with me.”

His fingers were gentle against her opening, spreading her slick folds. But when they circled the little nub of her sex, her hips bucked in response.

“Robert,” she cried out, arching into his palm. She hadn’t known it could be like this, yearning for something she couldn’t name. Her nails dug into the bed and her hips pushed against his hand. “Please, Robert.”

But when it was clear that he had no intention of stopping the onslaught of pleasure, her fingers found his hot shaft and he moaned. Robert pulsed in her hand, and for a moment her entire world became Robert’s panting breaths and her pitiable moans. As a thick warmth spread low in her belly, she stroked his length with her fist.

Finally he took his fingers from her and replaced her fist with his own, and he guided himself to her opening. The dome of his erection pressed against her, spreading her with a delicious stretch.

“Are you sure?” he breathed.

“Yes, Robert, yes,” she answered, her voice trembling as her body shook with need. “Take me now.”

Hesitating for the briefest moment, he slowly pushed inside her. Her legs instinctively wound around his hips and he pressed even further into her. It was glorious, and so much more than she could have dreamt. It was as though their bodies had been meant for each other. The slow glide of him into her core, only made her want him all the more. She clenched around him, urging him further. He hissed sharply in response, burying himself to his root.

“Gods,” he rasped. “You feel so good.”

All she could do was whimper in response and clutch his shoulders. As he withdrew and then entered her again, her hips flexed eagerly, her body convulsing softly around him as they began to move together.

“Oh, yes,” she breathed, and her head fell back limp against the pillow. She understood now why lovers would do anything for this time together. Ecstasy and carnal hunger like she’d never known unfolded inside her. He stoked a rhythmic fire in her hips, and she fueled his faster penetrations.

She was screaming now, crying as she met him thrust for thrust. Suddenly, as pleasure blossomed in her belly and spread up through her breasts, she clenched around him. He swore, crying out with her as she relentlessly milked him, until finally he grunted and released his hot seed deep inside of her.

Though tremors of passion still rocked them, they finally slowed until there was only the sound of their ragged breaths. Though her body still thrummed from the fierce climax, he slowly rolled to his side and gently brought her with him.

“Heavens,” she swore in disbelief, eyes half-closed. Nothing had ever, or could ever, feel so good.

He gazed down at her as his fingertips traced her jaw. “I’ve loved you from the moment I met you,” he said quietly. “I’m only sorry that I didn’t tell you sooner.”

“You what?” she asked, surprised. “But you–”

“Treated you unkindly, my dear Gwen. Because I was too afraid to say what was in my heart, I pushed you away.”

She stared at him now. “And what is in your heart?”

“Only and ever this,” he said, gazing into her eyes. “Will you marry me, Gwen?”

A tremor shot down her spine and she blinked. She had truly never thought to hear those words. Yet now that she had, she could hardly believe them—and the doubt that crept into her mind. Perhaps he was being carried away by the moment. Or perhaps it was the shock of his father’s death. Perhaps he even sought to act the gentleman and keep her from shame.

“I…want to make sure that’s what we both want,” she said, “before I give you an answer.”

He said nothing, but gathered her up in his arms, as she nestled against him. They lay like that together until a deep sleep finally claimed them both.

* * *

Robert had takenher again in the afternoon, until she lay completely limp in his arms. They’d fallen asleep like that, with him still inside of her, as he planned to do from now to the end of their days.

At some point during the night, she had turned to her side. Now, with his head propped up on his hand, he watched her sleep as the sun of a new day rose. Her fingertips twitched as she dreamed, and he slid his hand into hers, holding it gently.

“I love you,” he whispered softly, knowing that she could not hear him.

He looked out the window to the growing brightness. It was not just a new day, it was a new juncture in his life, for he had finally declared himself for the woman he loved and had asked for her hand. No matter what came now, he felt his life had finally taken its true course. Though Gwen had demurred from giving him an answer, he would not pressure her. For the only thing that could make him happier than he was at this very moment, was to have her as desirous of a marriage as he was.

As light slowly filled the room, she stirred and opened her beautiful eyes. Her gaze darted one way and then another as if she didn’t remember where she was, and then she blushed.

“Good morning,” he whispered softly, smiling down at her.

She lowered her gaze. “Good morning,” she said shyly.