The thought of hurting her bothered him.
Sex wasn’t meant to cause pain, not the kind that could affect a woman for the rest of her life.
He loved to fuck. To play, and he wanted to do that with Isabella, to show her what her body was capable of, and what they could enjoy together. Until then, he was going to have to get through tonight.
“Dance with me.”
“I’m a mess.”
“Not a single tear has fallen. You’re still strong. No one will see you as weak, and if anyone does, let them. They’ll underestimate you when you need them to most.”
She chuckled. “Do you ever see the positive in anything?”
“No. I’m a realist.”
“My father always told me to never let anyone see weakness.”
“Your father was a good man.”
He led her onto the dance floor, pulling her in close. Ignoring everyone else, he relished the feel of her against him. If they were alone, he’d have her out of the clothes and be enjoying her naked body by now. As it was, he was going to have to wait. He hated to wait.
“But you don’t agree with him about weakness?” she asked.
“We both have different views. That doesn’t mean I don’t respect him.” He rested his head against hers.
“Can I tell you something?”
“Anything, Isabella. I’m your husband.”
“I miss him, all the time. Sometimes I hate him for making me this way. I wish … I wish I wasn’t me.”
He leaned back to look into her eyes.
The sadness there tore at his heart. “You’re perfect, Isabella. I wouldn’t have you any other way but this.” He took possession of her lips, wanting to remove all her worries.
This wedding was pissing him off. This was for the men to gloat, the women to fawn, and money to be spent. All he wanted to do was take his woman and show her she’d made the right decision in picking him.
“He’d be so proud of you.”
“Why? Because I married?”
“No. Even though he’s not here, you took his advice. You believed in him. He’ll always be your father, and he’ll always take care of you.”
“He’s not here.”
“But I am and I promised him no matter what I will always keep you safe. Always. I can promise you that.”
She leaned her head against his chest, and he held her close. To any onlooker, she was merely taking comfort in him. He’d protect her. It was what he’d promised her father.
Glancing around the room, he knew someone here was responsible for nearly killing her and when he finally found the culprit, he’d deal with them, swiftly. Until then, he needed to be on his guard at all times.
Philip Drago had entrusted him with his daughter and there was no way he was going to let the man down. Isabella was precious, he knew that now. When he was first asked, he didn’t think this was any kind of honor but a burden. He’d been wrong and he was never going to make that mistake again.Chapter EightThey were alone.
Isabella glanced over at Damon as he lowered her to her feet.
People were still milling downstairs as per their tradition.
“Do you have to present the sheets to them?”
“No. I won’t,” he said.
She sat down on the edge of the bed.
“Are you nervous?”
“A little. I … I don’t know. My dad prepared me for this. Not in any kind of weird way.”
“It was a weird way.” He chuckled. “You don’t have to not think it’s weird.”
“Watching a couple of strangers have sex, yeah, that was weird. Really weird.” She giggled. “Sorry. I shouldn’t laugh.”
“It’s fine. It’s all good.”
She burst out laughing, dropping down to the bed. Sex. For the first time. It was the one aspect of today she hadn’t given herself time to think about.
Damon placed his hand on her stomach and she jumped at the sudden contact.
“It’s okay,” he said. “We can take this really slow.”
“I’m scared.”
“We don’t have to do this tonight. Just tell me you don’t want to, and that’s it, it all stops.”
“No, I want this,” she said. “I do.” She licked her lips. She didn’t want to wait or to build this up in her mind as some kind of monster. She turned to her side and reached out, hesitating for a second before finally cupping his cheek. “I want this. I’m ready for this.” She leaned in close and brushed her lips across his. “See, we’re good at this.”
“You call that a kiss?” He gripped the back of her neck. She didn’t feel fear. Desire rushed down her spine as he tilted her head back and slammed his lips against hers. She melted.
Pleasure raced through her body, driving her wild as he began to deepen the kiss. His tongue traced across her lips and she opened. He plundered inside and she stroked him back.
Her nipples hardened. Her pussy went slick.