The Lover
“Look at yourself, sweeting,” he murmured softly, “and see what I see.”
She stared at her reflection, her breath faltering at her wanton image. The front of her robe had fallen open, and beneath the thin fabric of her shift, her nipples stood out like twin peaks, while her face was flushed with delicate color.
“What…do you see?” she asked in a whisper.
“A lovely lass whose charms are myriad. Look at this hair…so dark and rich, glimmering with hints of fire…”
His fingers pulled the pins from her hair, letting it tumble past her shoulders in a wild, lush riot. “A man dreams of having such silken tresses wrapped around him. And this skin…” His hand lovingly cupped her slender throat. “A courtesan would kill for such soft, satin skin.”
He eased the robe from her body, leaving her standing only in her linen shift. “And this form…Delicate white shoulders…sweet, firm breasts crowned with such exquisitely budded nipples…pale thighs that offer a man a glimpse of heaven…” His palm swept gently over her, arousing a sweetly aching awareness in all the places of her body where he’d touched. “Trust me, pet. I take great pleasure in the female body—and you have a body worth a king’s ransom.”
Sabrina felt her breath shallow as she studied the muted reflection of the mirror, almost believing.
“You really are utterly enchanting.”
“I…don’t…”
His hands on her shoulders, he drew her gently back till their bodies were lightly touching.
“Yes, you are,” he repeated emphatically. “You have an allure all your own, sweet Sabrina. One most potent when you’re aroused. I relish that flash of fire in your eyes when your passion or fury is inflamed.”
His arm slid around her body then, his hands gliding up to cover her breasts, molding her to him. Sabrina suddenly went weak all over.
“If you…find me…a-appealing”—she stumbled over the word—“then why didn’t…why haven’t you…” She flushed, unable to complete the question.
“Why haven’t I made love to you since our wedding night? Because, pet, your body needed time to grow accustomed to my hard usage.”
The ache of her breasts within his gentle grip distracted her. “I thought you…had no interest in me.”
“No, sweet mouse. I have a very keen interest in you. I assure you, abstinence has not been easy.” His intimate smile made it the grandest compliment ever received. “But I am about to remedy the situation.”
“Now? You…cannot be serious.”
“I am always serious about seduction.”
She started to draw away, but the powerful muscularity of his arms prevented her.
Arrestingly, arousingly, his fingertips made a slow, circular motion around the peaks of her breasts, making her feel the soft friction of the linen fabric.
Her breath checked sharply, while lower in her body, surprised flesh pulsed to life.
“See how well we fit together?” His lips nuzzled the curve of her throat. “Your height makes you an ideal match for me. I have no need to strain when I bend to kiss you….”
His teeth grazed her ear, making her shiver. His breath was a raw whisper. “Shall I tell you what it feels like to kiss you? How sweet you taste…Your lips are like wine, your breath like nectar, your skin so soft and silken…I want to drink you in.”
That bewitching voice vibrated against her skin, while sensations, warm and hot, surged inside her. He was caressing her again, stroking her nipples with his long fingers, making her flush with intense heat.
“Yet there is so much more I want to show you, sweet. To lead you to discover your own lush sensuality…”
She already was discovering it, Sabrina thought dazedly. Shameful pleasure flared wherever he touched her. With a soft, breathy sound of capitulation, she shut her eyes against the knowledge of his scandalous caresses.
His mouth moved slowly over her skin, down the side of her slender neck, lower, along the gentle slope of her shoulder. Each caress seemed to define the word sensual. And with every inch he left her more breathless, more confused, until she couldn’t seem to frame a complete sentence. “Niall…”
“I think it time we hold another lesson in wifely conduct.” His hands fell away from her. “Bare your lovely breasts for me, sweeting.”
“W-What?” Her dazed eyes fluttered open. “Why?”
“Because I wish to see you. I want to teach you about pleasure, sweet Sabrina. I want to learn each curve and swell and hollow of your body…and have you learn mine. I want to show you how to please me…Now, do as I say.”