She swallowed and whispered, “You are wicked.” His eyes gleamed as his finger caressed her again and again, gliding through the slickness. She mustered a half-smile. “I love it.”
And you, she silently affirmed.
Taviston flipped her onto her back and brought his hand around, continuing his sensual assault. Victoria gave in to the sensation. Nothing wrong with savoring the moment after all.
He captured her lips with his once again, stroking with both his tongue and his finger. She could feel every nerve in her body tensing, tightening, straining. Taviston pulled his head back, but hovered over her, watching while he deepened the dance of his finger.
Within an instant she squeezed her eyes shut and gasped as excited quivers swept her from head to toe. She could not stop herself from moaning or gasping. As the surge of pleasure spiraled down, she opened her eyes and found Taviston’s face a mask of passion, pride, and pain. She reached up and smoothed his jaw.
“Is that supposed to happen that way?” she asked dreamily.
Through clenched teeth he replied, “Yes, there are various ways for these things to transpire.”
“It’s wonderful,” she declared. “Let’s keep going.”
He huffed in amusement then sobered “This next part might cause you pain.”
“I know. I trust you.” Because I love you. It became more and more difficult to hold those words back. But it would do no good to tell him—he had never wanted her for a wife. Better they continue their charade of a love match while living a marriage of convenience.
Taviston stripped her chemise away from her body and she found herself completely naked, and aware of it. He studied her with hungry eyes. ?
?You are beautiful indeed.”
He must have noticed her unease, for he quickly pulled her into an enthralling kiss. Victoria set her own hands to exploring him, astonished anew at the strength and solidness of him. A shiver of cold mixed with anticipation overtook her as Taviston drew back and rapidly skimmed off his breeches. Without thinking, she reached for his arousal. She locked her gaze with his as her fingers circled the rigid muscle. In awe, she trailed her fingers down the length of it. She couldn’t help but note the agony in his eyes, however.
“Next time,” he growled, “you may explore all you like.” She nodded and withdrew her hand. She would hold him to his promise. He braced himself over her and suddenly he filled her, fraction by fraction.
Her anticipation grew again. Abruptly, however, he pushed forward with force and a burning pain drove her pleasure away.
Taviston lowered himself to his elbows and whispered, “I’m sorry.” She blinked and realized the pain had diminished already.
He slowly withdrew. But instantly pushed in again.
“Oh, my.”
He employed the same tempo he had used with his finger. Again. And again. And again. The same urgent need rushed through her veins but before that tide of pleasure overtook her one more time Taviston plunged even deeper, stiffened, and a sudden warmth filled her. He buried his head beside her neck and Victoria wrapped her arms around him, stashing away another memory of the feel and scent of him.
She sighed while he placed three delicate kisses on her neck. “Are you all right?”
“I’ve never felt better.”
He chuckled then rolled away from her.
TAVISTON STRODE OVER to the basin of water sitting on a side table and returned to the bed with a wet cloth for Victoria. Her expression of pure joy had faded but the flush in her cheeks and the shimmer in her eyes remained. She hesitantly accepted the cloth, used it shyly, and then returned it to him.
After discarding the scrap of cotton, he turned back. At this point in his intimate relationships, he usually dressed and left. But this was his bedchamber—and this was his wife.
My God, how that changed things.
He snuffed out all the candles and then climbed into bed. Snaking an arm around Victoria, he drew her up beside him. Once she settled her head on his chest, he pulled the sheet over the both of them.
He had never in his life actually slept in a bed with a woman. Leaving immediately afterward allowed him to keep his distance, preventing his paramours from becoming attached to him and then declaring their “love” for him.
But he couldn’t very well ask Victoria to leave. Well, he could; she had a perfectly comfortable bed in the next room. But in fact, he had no desire to have her go. It was only fitting that the aftereffects of their lovemaking were so different than anything else he had ever experienced because this most certainly was a singular event.
He rubbed his hand up and down her back and couldn’t resist placing a kiss on the top of her head. She was all the passion he ever could have imagined. And this was only the beginning. He could have a lifetime of the same. Because she was his wife. He settled his arm behind his head. Perhaps that was it. Perhaps making love to a wife was extremely different—better—than such an experience with another.
He shut his eyes for a moment. What an absurd thought. If such was the case, no man would ever be unfaithful to his wife. Still, this night had been glorious. Before, with others, he had merely been satisfying a physical necessity. But with Victoria... They had shared a piece of themselves with each other. He not only felt physically sated, but mentally replete as well.