“If you’re uncomfortable just tell me.” He was too weak to fight these feelings anymore. He looked up and met her gaze as his hands skirted beneath the hem of her nightgown to stroke her soft thighs. “If you want me to stop just say the word.”
“Should you not lock the door?”
“In a moment.” He could not wait to gaze upon every voluptuous curve. “Let me look at you first.”
Bunching the hem of her nightgown up to her waist, he raised it over her head and threw it to the floor. Then he stepped back and gazed upon the naked form of the only woman who’d ever wanted to learn how to love him.
She used her arms to cover her modesty, but he took hold of her hands and held them wide. “Do you know how long I’ve waited for you?”
A lifetime.
Longer than that.
“And now I’m here, standing before you as naked as the day I was born.” She gestured to his breeches. “But I’m a lady who demands equality.”
“Allow me to rectify the discrepancy.” He strode over to the door and turned the key before swinging around to face the vision of Venus. “I should warn you. My body already throbs with need.” He wasn’t sure she understood his meaning. “A certain part of my anatomy might appear larger than expected.”
“Based on everything I know about you, I imagine whatever you intend to show me will be impressive.”
“Don’t be afraid.” He unfastened the buttons on the waistband of his breeches and took a few slow steps towards her. “Regardless of your initial thoughts, I guarantee we will fit in every conceivable way.”
She gasped as he pushed the garment past his hips and his cock sprang free. “Lord, you most definitely spoke in earnest.”
“I’ll never lie to you.”
A smile played at the corners of her mouth. “No. Integrity flows like blood through your veins.”
“Integrity?” Since meeting her, he’d fallen far from grace. “I’m about to take your virginity out of wedlock. Who am I to preach of moral standards?”
She raised her chin, though her bottom lip trembled before she spoke. “You’re about to take the virginity of a woman who is in love with you. I see nothing wrong in that.”
For a few seconds, he couldn’t breathe.
Water sprang to his eyes. Damnation! He was a strong, virile man, not a blasted chit. His first instinct was to take her claim and prove it false. And yet, he’d known from the beginning that he could trust her word. But this … this messed with his mind … this did strange things to his body.
“Don’t be afraid.” Her voice was soft, seductive. She closed the gap between them. “I have no expectations. But I cannot lie to you, either.”
“You should have every expectation.” There was a hint of vehemence in his voice that had no place in such an intimate setting. “You deserve more than this.”
“You think too much.” She placed her palm on his bare chest—just as he’d taught her to do at the masquerade—sending shock waves through his body. “You allow the past to invade the present when it has no place here.”
“Does the past not inform everything?”
Her hand slid up to his shoulder, and his cock jerked in response. “All we have is this moment. Let’s not waste it. If you cannot make love to me, let me make love to you.” A chuckle left her luscious lips. “Though I cannot promise it will satisfy on a level you’re used to.”
“Now you’re thinking too much.” He pushed aside all chaotic thoughts and focused on the beautiful soul standing there, offering him the world. “I’m immensely satisfied before we’ve even begun.”
“Then there is no pressure on either of us to perform.” She clasped his hand. “Come, let us climb into bed and take it from there.”
He could hear the nervous edge to her voice, knew that she had roused the courage of an advancing battalion just to appease him. The thought stirred a need to give her everything when he had been conditioned to give nothing.
“Allow me to be of service.” He scooped her up into his arms, covered her mouth with his and swallowed down her excited giggle. When her tongue entered his mouth, he deepened the kiss, drank from the only person who had the power to banish the pain of the past.
When their desire reached fever pitch, and their breathless pants drowned out all whispers of doubt, he carried her to the bed and lowered her down onto the mattress. He stood, counting his blessings, until the lady trailed her fingertips along the muscles in his abdomen, lingered an inch from his cock.
“Tease.” He laughed, and his chest felt lighter.
“Show me how to please you.”