He froze, the skin on his face turning a bright, fiery red. ‘I am not sure whether that is a relief or a disappointment.’
‘Oh, a relief. Eloisa and I were unsure of the sizing of…’ She pointed vaguely in the direction. ‘And we were worried that it would not fit. I am pleased to see it is not that big.’
The colour on his cheeks faded, his eyes dancing with amusement. ‘Please do not go around telling people that about me. A man would prefer to be thought of as large in that area.’
‘Oh, if anyone asks I shall be sure to sing its praises.’
He flung back his head and laughed and she grinned as bubbles of happiness fizzed through her.
‘May I?’ she asked, lifting her hand to show that she intended to touch him.
His laughter died. He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. He nodded once, briskly. ‘You never need to ask. I meant it when I said you can always touch me, whenever you want.’ He leaned back onto his elbows, his gaze fixing on her hand as she slowly moved closer.
She reached over and lightly skimmed her fingers over his shoulder. He let out a soft hum and she took that as encouragement to carry on, edging closer to him on the picnic blanket, the material ruffling slightly beneath her knees. She carried on, over the ridge of his collarbone, the dip at the centre of his chest, the rise of his hip and the soft hair of his legs, taking her time, mapping him, listening as his breathing hitched, learning what areas made him flinch away with a tickled hiss and what made him hum in appreciation. A bee hovered by his hipbone for a moment, before darting off to a yellow flower behind his head.
Eventually, she reached the centre of him and glanced up. He was watching her progress intently, his lips lightly parted, his eyes almost entirely black and hazy with desire. She paused in her exploration, wanting his permission to touch, even after his earlier reassurances. Her lips parted in question but no sound came out; all she could hear was the rustle of a small bird exploring the undergrowth only a few steps away.
He understood anyway. He nodded, his breathing shallow.
Slowly, almost unable to believe her daring, she reached out and touched her fingers to the base of his length.
He expelled a long breath, making her jump.
‘Sorry, sorry.’ He half laughed, falling back onto the blanket and covering his eyes with his forearm. ‘That was unbelievably pleasant.’
Pleasure fluttered in her stomach; she had not expected this to be so easy between them. ‘May I carry on?’
He let out a half-strangled sound. ‘Please do.’
She resumed touching him, covering every inch of his skin, encouraged by the noises he made, as her fingers ran over him, enjoying the way his hips bucked and his grunts became animalistic. Her body tightened in response, her nipples almost painful and the deep pull low down in her body so strong, it was causing a restless energy to pulse through her. She wanted to do this forever but she noticed his hands. They were gripping the blanket, bunching the material into his fists, the knuckles stark white against his skin. She stopped, her fingers resting lightly against him. ‘Are you in pain?’
‘No,’ he groaned, dropping his arm and gazing at her, his eyes hooded. ‘Yes.’
She whipped her hand away, heat scalding her cheeks. ‘I am sorry, I do not know what I am doing. You must say if I hurt you.’
He was shaking his head before she had stopped talking. ‘It is like nothing I have ever experienced before. It is pleasure almost to the point of pain. I cannot describe it to you. Perhaps—’ he leaned up on one elbow and the fruity scent of his cologne washed over her ‘—I can show you.’
‘What do you mean?’ Her whole body trembled.
His gaze dipped to the hollow of her throat. ‘It is time for me to learn about you.’
She clutched her neck, her fingers flattening against the skin. ‘Oh no, I do not think that would be proper. We are outside.’ And yet… she imagined the sun on her skin, how warm it would feel, how the soft breeze would caress her body gently. It would be heavenly, but it would also mean that Freddie could see all of her. There were no thick curtains to dim the light, no blanket to hide her body underneath; he would know everything about her.
He grinned, glancing down at himself. ‘I think we have long gone past proper.’
She slowly relaxed her hand, letting it drop to her side. ‘I am not sure,’ she whispered, back to talking quietly because she did not know how to voice the fear that he might be repelled by what was underneath the clothes she wore. The inbuilt bodice was providing some sort of bosom for her, but without it, there was very little there for him to see.
His smile faded, his fingers reaching up to lightly touch her jaw. ‘You do not have to. But also… there is nothing to be afraid of. I promise you that I will not hurt you, today or ever. We can take this as slowly as you need to.’
‘I want to; it is only…’ she tilted her head and gazed at the bright blue expanse above her ‘…it is so sunny.’
He laughed softly, his thumb lightly tracing her cheek. ‘I am afraid I do not understand. If it was raining, you would take your dress off?’
She turned her gaze back to him. They were so close now, their noses almost touching. His lips lightly brushed hers, the touch soft and delicate. ‘You will see me,’ she breathed.
‘Yes.’ Another kiss, featherlight.
Her eyes fluttered closed. ‘I am skin and bone.’
