Gratefully, Aurora moved into his arms and raised her mouth to his, giving herself over to his sensual passion.
To her relief Nicholas did not mention the journal again, allowing her to slip back into their fantasy.
They took long lingering walks together, wandering the grounds, absorbed in each other. The gardens were a delight, boasting elegant, erotic statuary and even a giant maze sculpted from topiary yews, while the surrounding woods were intriguing. The dense, green-gladed beechwood offered an enchanted world all its own, full of quiet paths and running streams with mossy banks, dappled with blinks of golden sunlight and cool shadow.
They rode as well as walked. Here in this secluded hideaway, Aurora could indulge her secret vice to her heart's content. One of her greatest pleasures was enjoying a wild gallop through a morning meadow with the wind in her face and Nicholas close on her heels.
Mostly, however, they made love. Nothing was forbidden, no place or time off limits. Nicholas was determined to shatter every last measure of her reserve. They made love in the bath, and at the supper table, and beside the reflecting pool, sheltered by the high courtyard walls. They fed each other honey-drenched sweetmeats and delicious fruits, and then drank from each other's lips. They made love on a bed of rose petals, whose fragrant perfume was almost dizzying, just as in the journal.
The journal guided Aurora in certain instruments of delight as well. Her favorite novelty was a pair of smooth silver balls, meant to be inserted deep between a woman's thighs and designed to titillate and arouse.
The first time Aurora wore them was a shock; she had never felt such awareness of her body, or of Nicholas's. The delicious sensations filled her with such excitement, she could scarcely keep her hands off him.
They explored the maze during an afternoon warm and lazy and golden with sunlight. Nicholas made the venture an exercise in eroticism, showering her with hot, slow kisses as he led her deeper into the winding labyrinth.
When they reached the very heart of the maze, Aurora was unsurprised to find a life-size marble statue of two lovers in the throes of passion, displayed like a shrine in a grassy, open-air temple. She had no trouble divining Nicholas's intent when he spread a quilt on the grass and tugged off his cravat. But when he reached for her, she tensed. The high yew hedges offered all the privacy she could wish for, yet she still wasn't completely comfortable at such licentiousness.
At her hesitation, Nicholas gave her a look that was a challenge. "No one can see us, sweeting, but if it really troubles you…"
"No," she replied, remembering all the wonderful pleasures she had discovered at his wanton urging. "It doesn't trouble me."
"I'm glad. I want you naked, love, with only hot skin between us. Come here."
He drew her into his embrace, his soft, persuasive lips caressing her face. Aurora responded helplessly, swaying closer to the solid strength of him.
She melted to his touch as he freed her warm skin to the sun and to his hands; she could feel her body softening, turning to warm, sweet honey.
When she finally stood nude before him, his eyes devoured her with a boldness that alone aroused her. The mere feel of his heated eyes on her naked breasts made them quiver with sensation. Her nipples were peeking out from beneath the burnished strands of her hair, and his index finger leisurely traced an aureole. Aurora caught her breath as he plucked it to a taut peak.
Hearing the soft sound, he raised both his hands to cover her lush breasts. "You have the most responsive nipples. One touch and they harden."
His warm palms rubbing the crested points, he watched her start and shiver under his touch.
"Nicholas…"
At her husky plea, he made a sympathetic sound. "Easy, sweet."
He kissed her mouth, not roughly but possessively, as if he meant to make her his, then slowly bore her down to the coverlet. He was still clothed, while she was completely naked, Aurora realized.
She stared up at him with a sharp sense of awareness. He returned her gaze boldly as he knelt above her, his hot eyes roaming over her. Aurora felt her breath catch in her throat. She lay completely exposed to the sun and to his heated gaze, and when he looked at her with such raw hunger, she felt deliciously sinful and desirable.
She reached for him, but he shook his head. "No. Just let me touch you."
She closed her eyes, feeling an erotic heat spread through her body that had nothing to do with the warmth of the sun. His hands were moving over her flesh, creating a sensation so piercing and sweet, she felt weak. Then he bent his head, his lips lowering to lovingly attend her breasts.
The heat within her intensified; every sensation was vividly magnified as his tongue worshiped her breasts with slow, languid strokes upon their throbbing peaks. Restlessly, Aurora clutched the coverlet with her fingers. When he blew on the nipple that was still glistening from his mouth, she moaned.
"Nicholas…" she exclaimed hoarsely, "I want you…"
He drew back; his eyes caressed her bare breasts. "Yes, I know."
The tender half smile playing on his lips promised even greater delights as his hand moved down her body to slip between her thighs to cover her hot, pulsing feminine mound. She gasped aloud, and then gasped again at the luscious slide of his thumb against the moist and aching focus of sensation.
"You are already wet for me," he said in husky approval. "Maybe we should see if we can make you wetter."
Easing himself between her parted, shivering thighs, he bent down to taste her. Excitement pierced Aurora like a lightning bolt as she realized his brazen intent.
Holding her hips with his strong hands, Nicholas brushed a probing kiss against her feminine cleft. Aurora gave a strangled moan at the intimate caress. "Ohhhh."