“I dinna like ye being afraid to tell me aught. I thought ye kenned ye could trust me.”
“Like you trust me?” Emelie snapped. She took a breath before continuing. “You wouldn’t have told me how you feel if I hadn’t confronted you tonight. You would have continued to decide for both of us until you spoke with Nora. Mayhap I would like to be part of that conversation. Mayhap I want to hear what she has to say.”
“Ye’re right.”
Emelie sat up and looked at Dominic, unprepared for him to capitulate so easily. “Are we having our first fight?”
“I suppose.” Dominic shrugged. He’d always given in to Colina or managed to avoid confrontation, since she claimed she grew faint or ill any time an argument loomed. He felt like a weak man as he realized that his backbone had disintegrated during his marriage. “Em, I didna trust ye enough to share how I was feeling. I decided for ye that ye needed shielding from me. I didna do it to hurt ye, but I did nonetheless.”
“I know that wasn’t your intention, Dom. I was angry with you before, but now I’m just frustrated by the situation. I don’t think you’ll agree to couple with me until you—we—speak to Nora.”
“I’m nae trying to be stubborn. I genuinely fear that I might injure ye. I canna think of aught worse than that.” Dominic tucked a platinum lock of hair behind Emelie’s ear. He considered what she’d said earlier. “I dinna want ye to be ashamed of yer past. I dinna think ye want me to go through life with ma guilt as I do now, and ma sins were far worse than yers. I dinna think the worst of ye because ye arenae a virgin. I dinna hold it against ye that ye ken a mon and a woman can enjoy being together. That was never a reason for me to stay away.”
“Then why—”
“I rather like the idea that ye ken what happens. I’ve only been with one virgin, and that wasna a wonderful experience that night, truth be told. Before that, I’d only been with experienced women. That I dinna frighten ye makes me even more eager. Ye are nae a slut because of what ye ken or what ye want. I loathe that I made ye feel that way by making ye think yer feelings are unrequited. They arenae. I want ye vera much, wife.”
“Is there no compromise? What aboot that first morning here? It felt wonderful. And you can see I’m no worse for wear from you touching me.”
“There are other things I can do to pleasure ye.”
“I want to know what I can do for you,” Emelie blurted. She figured they were being candid, so she wouldn’t hold back.
“Ye dinna have to do aught. I dinna expect ye to. I want ye to ken that joining together isnae just for a mon’s enjoyment.”
“I know that. Or at least, you made me realize that. But I want to touch you, Dom. I want to share, not take. I know you want to give and not take, but that’s not what it would be. Not if you let me be your partner in this.” Emelie brushed back dark strands that brushed Dominic’s eyelashes. It was her first wifely display of affection, and they both realized it. Emelie sank against Dominic as their lips fused together once more. Emelie slipped her fingers beneath the collar of Dominic’s leine as his hand glided along the back of her thigh until he grasped her backside.
“Dear God, ye’re perfect,” Dominic whispered. He tightened his hold on Emelie and stood. She felt as though she floated until he laid her on the bed and followed her onto it. He supported himself on one arm as his other hand pulled her chemise to her waist. She reached for his leine, which billowed nearly to his knees, but he caught her fingers. “If there is naught between us, I dinna trust either of us to stop.”
“I don’t think that would be so horrible. Do you think I would lie to you?”
“Nae at all.”
“Dom, I’ll tell you if aught makes me uncomfortable or makes me nervous. But I don’t think joining with you will harm me. My body aches with need. Why would it do that if it weren’t meant to accept you?”
“Nora is to return tomorrow. Can we wait one more night until we can speak to her? I dinna ken who ye saw in Stirling, and I would feel better if she examined ye anyway. She delivered Brodie and me, and ma brother trusts Nora to care for Laurel.”
Emelie cupped Dominic’s face and nodded. She nudged him closer, wishing he would settle more of his weight onto her, but she knew he wouldn’t. She gave his lips a peck. “I want you to know I appreciate your concern. It annoys me, but I appreciate it.” Emelie grinned, but she soon moaned as Dominic rocked his hips against her mons as his hand traveled over her waist until it cupped her breast. He was slow to add pressure, watching for any sign that Emelie didn’t enjoy his touch. But she arched her back into his hand and covered it with her own. She squeezed, encouraging him to hold the globe tighter. Her hips undulated in a rhythm that matched how Dominic’s cock continued to rub against her mound.
Dominic needed more, needed as much as he dared take. He wanted to see Emelie. He’d fantasized about her each time he bathed, imagining how it would feel to have her clinging to him as he thrust into her over and over. He doubted his imagination would do justice to what lay beneath her linen chemise. He inched it higher until he bared her belly. The creamy white expanse of her midriff was soft and smooth. He pushed away the thought of the babe growing within her as he uncovered her breasts. He was certain he would expire as his eyes strayed over her body, lingering on her breasts and the blonde curls at the juncture of her thighs.
Emelie pulled the chemise over her head, uncomfortable with it bunched beneath her chin. But she had a moment of fear when she realized there was nothing hiding her from Dominic’s sight. She met his gaze, and the hunger she spied made her hips tilt toward his shaft, a silent invitation.
“Emelie, I want to devour ye. I dinna ken what to kiss or touch first. Ye’ve presented me with a feast, and I dinna ken what I should choose as the first course,” Dominic mused. He pressed a kiss to the crook of her neck before shifting to lick her nipple. The damp skin soon puckered, making it easy for Dominic to pull it into his mouth. He was careful not to suckle, swirling his tongue over the dart. But Emelie’s mewl of frustration made him wonder if he should dare more. She answered his silent query when her hand cupped her breast, offering it more fully to him, as her other hand pressed lightly on his head. He opened his mouth to take as much of her breast as he could. He sucked until the nipple protruded enough for him to nip it with his teeth.
“Dom, I need you. What’re you doing to me?” Emelie rasped. Her body’s demands shocked her. She thought she’d been aroused and experienced desire with Henry, even if he had done little to fulfill those feelings. But the sensations Dominic created with his hands and his mouth made Emelie question if she’d ever experienced arousal, or if it had been mere curiosity before.
“I’m making yer body crave mine as much as I do yers.”
“You have. Please don’t stop. If you do, I truly fear I will die. I will either explode or shrivel up.”
“We canna have that,” Dominic growled beside her ear. His hand slid from her breast, where it had replaced his mouth as he nuzzled her neck. His fingers toyed with the sensitive bundle of nerves hidden within its hood.
“Please,” Emelie whimpered. Dominic delved his fingers within her sheath, thrusting two in at first. When Emelie’s legs parted wider, and she raised her hips and kept them off the mattress, he added a third. His thumb swirled in her dew before seeking her bud once more. He worked her sheath inside and out until her nails bit into his shoulders. He watched as Emelie’s head tilted back, her eyes shut while her mouth formed a perfect O. He watched as she crested, but he wasn’t through. He’d shown her how he could pleasure her with his hand, but he had far more he wanted to teach her. He eased down the bed until he hooked her knees over his shoulders. He pulled her hips to his mouth, but he paused at her look of confusion. He offered her a wolfish grin before he flicked his tongue against her button.
“I have lost time to make up for, sparrow. And I find our conversation has made me hungry. I crave the taste of honey, yer honey.”
Emelie watched in amazement as Dominic’s tongue laved her seam. His gaze locked with hers, and she was certain his expression taunted her. She pressed her mons to his lips, encouraging him to do something she’d only heard matrons at court whisper about. A deep moan poured forth as Dominic dipped his tongue into her entrance and swirled it within. His teeth grazed her bud before he sucked on it as he had her nipple. His stubble rubbed against her swollen flesh and the insides of her thighs. She was certain he would leave the skin red, and she found she liked the idea that he’d marked her as his. It would be a secret only they shared.
