The sudden thought that this dream could be ripped from his grasp caused panic to flare.
He took hold of her hand and brought her down to lie on the rug. He settled at her side, his fingers finding their way into the damp hair between her thighs. Lord, she was wet and ripe for the taking.
It took but a few strokes for a moan of appreciation to leave her lips. Despite the urge to cover her body and drive home, he maintained a steady rhythm. Her rosy pink nipples were crying out for attention. A few flicks of his tongue had her arching her back and rubbing against his hand.
“That’s it, love,” he whispered. “Trust me. Don’t hold back. Never hold anything back from me.”
“Christian.” Her ragged breaths spurred him on. “I-I never want to hurt you.”
Christian claimed her mouth, swallowed every moan and pant that burst from her lips. He knew she was close to release when her eyelids fluttered closed, and then her body shuddered as she cried out his name.
Rose had barely caught her breath when he came up on his knees and settled between her thighs.
“You’re sure you want to do this?”
“Undoubtedly.”
“Trust me,” he said as the tip of his manhood pushed against her entrance. A strange feeling gripped him, as if he’d been waiting for this moment his entire life.
“I do.” She grabbed hold of his buttocks and urged him not to hesitate.
Needing no inducement, he entered her slowly, withdrew and continued the motion again and again before pushing past her maidenhead to fill her full. God, she felt divine. Christian stilled and closed his eyes, waited for her to grow accustomed to the feel of him.
“Don’t stop, Christian.”
He wanted to lose himself in the moment, to forget about the world beyond his study. He opened his eyes and stared at her intently as he thrust deeper. A satisfied smile played on her lips. By God, the sight touched his soul.
“Hmm … Rose.” Saints above, he would never grow tired of loving this woman.
The words filled his head as he filled her body. She wrapped her legs tightly around him, hugged him close, gripped his back and rocked with him.
He thrust hard and deep. The muscles in her core pulsed around his cock as, once again, she soared on the dizzying heights of her release.
With a guttural growl he couldn’t suppress, Christian withdrew and spilt himself across her stomach. Reaching for his shirt, he wiped her clean and then collapsed at her side. Overcome with raw emotion, he gathered her into his arms and drew her close as his erratic breathing slowed.
“You don’t know how glad I am that you lost your way in the woods.” He kissed her forehead and stroked her back. “You’ve been here such a short time and yet I daren’t think what it would be like without you.”
Rose draped her leg across his thigh and cuddled into his chest. “I was supposed to find Everleigh that night. I was supposed to find you.”
He fell silent for a moment. “We have a lot to discuss.”
“Oh yes. You had important news to impart.”
“I was referring to what has just occurred.” He gave a satisfied sigh. It had been so long since he’d felt at peace.
“Oh, I see. I thought you were talking about your reason for going to Abberton today.”
“I went to see Dr Taylor.”
“Was he home?”
“No. That’s why I called.”
Rose pulled away and looked up at him, puzzled. “If you’re trying to confuse me, you’re doing an excellent job.”
A rush of cold air breezed over them, and Rose shivered.
“Come.” He stood and brought her to her feet. Lord, her breasts were deliciously soft and round, and his desire for her ignited again. “As much as I’d like to lie here for hours, I’d hate for you to catch a chill.”