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At the edge of the bed, he held her for a moment until she glanced at him. Their noses were nearly touching, and he could feel the warmth of her breath against his neck. The covers were neatly turned down and he lowered her to the lumpy-looking mattress.
She gripped his jacket lapel and pulled him in for a kiss. She meant for it to be sweet, but he was past the point of gentle teasing. He braced his hands on each side of her, and opened his mouth, taking hers in a shocking display of dominance. Maybe he meant to give her one last chance to change her mind.
Or maybe he meant to prove to himself that this was a very bad idea.
He didn’t know what faced them. Hardship, certainly. Danger, probably.
Happiness? Hopefully.
Joy? With Shelene, always.
When he pulled away, he noticed her eyes were a little misty and her lips moist and swollen. Was it an honor to be wanted so thoroughly by such a woman?
“I love you so much,” she said.
He let out his breath, then pushed to his full height. Her gaze still followed him as he turned to lock the door then work at his cravat. Each piece of his clothing came off easily. It had been years since he’d had a valet.
When he was down to his open shirt, trousers and boots, he sat on the bed and placed his hand on her thigh. “Would you consider a final appeal to wait?”
She sat up and crossed her legs before addressing him. He couldn’t believe he even got the words out of his mouth. The candle on the bed stand revealed the soft curve of breast and waist. It wasn’t vulgar, just a teasing, tempting view.
“You are mine and I am yours,” she said.
He nodded, unable to deny her again. “And you are my heart.”
He lifted his shirt away; her gaze took him in. When he leaned to pry off his boots, her hand stroked down his back. Such an innocent touch should not make him quiver like a reed in a storm.
“I never knew men could be so beautiful.” She sighed, then leaned back, an angelic vision in her soft, white robe. She should be cushioned in a fine bed with multiple pillows and fragrant sheets, not this simple lodging house.
“We aren’t. We are crude beasts at best.” He ignored his trousers for the moment and crawled in the bed beside her. He braced on his elbow and stared down at her. Her black hair was slightly wavy from being held captive in a tight bun all day. A soft curl lay against her breast.
“We men are nothing compared to the allure of a supple woman in the dark of night.” He brushed his fingers along her bare collarbone and eased the light robe down her arm. The round of her shoulder begged kissing and he pressed his lips there. She sighed or gasped or whimpered—a sound of surrender and expectation. Whatever she experienced, she eased her lids closed and turned away from him, taking a few urgent breaths.
He cupped the side of her face, then pressed his lips to her brow, her closed eyelids, her nose. And her lips. Already pliable, already aroused, Shelene seemed on the verge of combustion, shaking as she was.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t,” she whispered.
Virginity! What a horrible way to start a marriage. Pain and blood. And it was his performance that would set the tone for their future satisfaction.
He crumpled the skirt of her robe and slowly lifted.
“Tell me what to do?” she said.
“This time, nothing.”
“But—”
He laughed a little. “Touch me then.”
“Anywhere?”
“Everywhere.”
Shelene smiled at that, then rested her open hand against his chest. He caressed her bare thigh, wondering how fast he should proceed.
He was already hard. Pressing his covered erection against her hip provided a bit of relief.
