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‘Is there…something I should do?’ Charlotte dared to ask.

He said nothing but reached between her legs to touch her. ‘You’re not ready yet.’

She was startled by the way he delicately slid his fingers against her entrance. ‘It will be all right.’ She stared up at the ceiling, bracing herself.

‘No, it won’t.’

Although the words weren’t a chastisement, she felt slightly guilty, as if she’d done something wrong. Alaric had told her to close her eyes earlier, so she shut them again and widened her legs to give him better access. His bedchamber was still cold, and the frigid air made her skin pucker.

Her nerves intensified, so she tried to imagine things like flowers blooming in the spring. Primroses and daisies. Perhaps some—

Every thought fled her brain when he covered her nipple with his mouth while his fingers moved gently between her legs. God above. The unexpected sensation was like nothing she’d ever felt before as he stroked her intimately. Her eyes flew open and she let out a shuddering breath when his finger slid inside her.

Pleasure roared through her, and she couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe. His thumb brushed against a sensitive part of her as his finger pressed within and withdrew. He continued kissing her nipple, and her body grew wet, trembling at his touch.

Charlotte bit her lip, her breathing growing unsteady. She had never known this pleasure even existed. Alaric was arousing her, making her feel so many things, she could hardly bear it. When he added a second finger, she arched involuntarily, her fingers clenching the bedcovers.

No, wait. She was supposed to touch him, wasn’t she? Her hand moved against the bedsheets, drifting lower until she touched his erect manhood.

It was warm, and he groaned as her fingers curled around it. She traced the tip of him, fascinated by the ridge and how he could be both soft and firm at the same time.

‘Charlotte…’ he whispered against her breast, and then he took her other breast in his mouth, giving it the same attention. She couldn’t stop herself from trembling, and every part of her was rising towards him, craving something she couldn’t name. Her body needed his, and he helped her guide him to her wet entrance.

It was then that she understood what he’d meant before. She hadn’t at all been ready. But now, she could think of nothing more than bringing him inside her. He was thick against her, and she tried to hold still as he began to move gently, barely entering her. His body was another temptation, and as he continued moving incrementally, he raised up her knees slightly.

‘Are you all right?’

She nodded, unable to speak. Every part of her tensed, though he wasn’t really inside her yet. It was a gentle invasion, a slight push that felt so very good.

He traced her nipple with his tongue and abruptly slid in deep, claiming her innocence. It did hurt a little, but she was so startled, she didn’t know how to react. He released her breast and hovered above her, still not moving.

Was this…all it was? Charlotte opened her eyes again, confused about what was meant to happen now. Alaric’s head was lowered while his body remained sheathed in hers. He was so close, she leaned up and kissed his throat. He froze as her lips moved downward, and she reached up to his chest, stroking him. He took her hips in his hands, guiding her upward, and the slight motion made her gasp.

‘Sorry,’ he murmured.

‘No. It—it’s all right.’ Although she was aware of his intrusion, there was a sense that this could be even more pleasurable. She moved her body against his as he began to withdraw.

His expression grew strained, and he took her wrists, pinning them to the bed. ‘Don’t move.’

She tried to remain still, but as he began to thrust within her, she couldn’t help but tighten her body around his. It felt good when she did, and he quickened his pace.

No longer did she care about being a bit sore or losing her virginity. There was a closeness in lovemaking that she was discovering was…rather nice. Every time he slid inside her, it made her feel so good, she wanted him to feel the same way.

The quicker he moved, the more she seemed to be reaching towards something. And when she rested her feet on the edge of the bed, she felt his shaft pressing against the place he’d caressed earlier.

She was having trouble catching her breath again, but she lifted her hips to meet his as he plunged and withdrew. His own eyes were closed, and he released her hands, gripping her hips as he took her.

She closed her eyes, too, the elusive pleasure rising higher and higher. Her body needed more, and she squeezed him when he was inside her.

‘Charlotte, wait,’ he gritted out.

But she couldn’t stop herself from surrendering to the sensations pouring over her. She gasped as she eagerly met his thrusts, lifting her hips. Alaric’s expression grew pained, as if he was struggling to regain control.

She didn’t know what to do, so instead, she reached out and kissed him again. He slowed down, gently moving inside her until he abruptly let out a groan and collapsed upon her as he found his release. His heart was pounding against hers, his body hot.

It hadn’t hurt as badly as Charlotte had thought it might. But she felt a trace of disappointment, as if something else was supposed to have happened. Had she done something wrong? Or maybe it was always this way?

Her husband was still tense, and she remained motionless beneath him.