He chuckled softly before moving over her. “Open your eyes, Emma.”
She did as he asked and stared into his blue eyes.
“I would never hurt you, Emma. Never.”
“I know.” She cupped his cheeks and drew him closer to kiss him softly. “I know you would not hurt me, Simon. I think I’ve always known that.”
Slowly he moved to her opening. She gasped at the sensation. He took his time, allowing her to adjust to him before sliding out and thrusting deeply into her.
“Ow!” she cried. Tears welled in her eyes. She had thought ladies with no tolerance for discomfort might have overstated the pain, but this did hurt.
“Shh,” he whispered in her ear. “The worst is over, and I won’t move until you are ready.”
“I’ll never be ready.”
“Yes, you will.” He skimmed his tongue down the shell of her ear. “And then pleasure. So much pleasure.”
She wanted to believe him, but her insides still ached.
“Focus on my tongue and what I am doing up here.” He kissed her softly, sweetly, until she had to respond.
As she kissed him back, the ache dulled, and all she felt was the fullness of him inside her. Slowly, her inner muscles relaxed, and curiosity overcame her. “What happens next?”
He slid his shaft gradually as if testing her pain. “How does that feel?”
“Different,” she admitted. She wasn’t sure what to expect.
“Good different?”
“I think it does,” she said when he moved again.
Simon groaned as he slid out further before gliding back into her warmth. She was killing him. All he wanted to do was thrust into her softness, watch her desire grow until she reached her climax. This slow pace might be the death of him. He was far too close to the edge already. What was it about this woman that brought out a protectiveness he’d never felt before?
“Is there more?” she asked shyly. “You’re not hurting me any longer.”
“Yes.” He showed her how to wrap her legs around him, allowing him to deepen his entry into her. Gradually, he increased the speed and strength of his thrusts until she moaned with pleasure. He slipped his thumb over her mound with his control nearing the limit, hoping to increase her passion.
Hearing her little mews of passion, he knew she was close. He lunged deeply into her again until he felt the tremor start deep inside her. Her inner muscles tightened against him as she arched her back and cried out in pleasure. He gave in to the lust driving him mad. Closing his eyes as his climax overwhelmed, he shouted her name as he came deep inside her moist warmth.
Nothing would ever be the same between them. He knew that even if she didn’t comprehend it yet. No man would ever touch her, save him. This slight woman who had caused him nothing but trouble had done the impossible. Somehow, she’d reached a heart he hadn’t believed he had and wrapped herself around it.
He had fallen in love with the one woman he should have left alone.
Chapter 20
Emma smiled as Simon stared down at her with worry lining his face. Worry for her? She wondered. Did he not know how wonderful that was for her? Thinking back to the first time she met him, never would it have crossed her mind that he might someday make love to her. She’d been terrified of him. Her sister, Louisa, had forced Emma to accompany her to confront Simon about Harry’s disappearance. Emma still remembered the lustful glare he’d sent her that day.
“I hope I didn’t hurt you too much,” he finally said before easing out of her.
Her inner muscles twitched with the loss of his fullness. “It was only slightly worse than I imaged.”
His frown turned into a scowl. “It was?”
She smiled fully. “And then so much better than I ever could have imagined.”
“That was terrible of you, Emma.” He moved to lie next to her. “I have never been with an innocent before now, so I had no idea how to make it pleasurable for you.”
“Indeed?” She shivered from the chill. “Well, you seemed to manage quite well.”