Her touch nearly drove him insane. A low groan of intense need rumbled in his throat as he wrestled for whatever last drop of control he could find within the storm of desire that raged through him.
At the sound of his barely leashed passion, Theodosia dropped her hand from his arm. “You will not impregnate me.” She searched his face for evidence that he would not. “Will you?”
“No.” The word left his lips on a hot, tight breath. “You’re a virgin now, and I promise you still will be when I’m through. There are other ways.”
His declaration confused and excited her at once. “What are they?”
His gaze never leaving hers, he untied the drawstring of her lacy drawers and drew them slowly down her smooth white legs.
A hint of anxiety leaped through her veins as he slid the last of her garments off her body. She lay before him completely naked—and had never felt so vulnerable or uncertain in her life.
Roman watched her worry come into her eyes and alleviated it with a deep and leisurely kiss that soon had her writhing beneath him once more. Only then did he raise his head and behold the unveiled splendor of her body.
He couldn’t speak. Couldn’t breathe. He could only stare.
Never had he seen such perfection.
Long moments passed before he could talk to her. “Beautiful,” he whispered. “God, you are so beautiful, Theodosia.”
She could not miss the sincerity in his eyes. It shone forth with all the intensity of the star he’d once pointed out to her. Profoundly moved, she felt her own eyes fill with tears.
The moment Roman saw them, he stiffened, old and uncomfortable memories slithering through him.
But the disagreeable recollections vanished instantly when Theodosia turned into him, pressing her body against his in a plea for the pleasure he’d promised her.
He laid his hand on her hip and gently rolled her to her back. Slowly, ever-ready to soothe her should apprehension return to her, he moved his hand to her inner thigh and caressed the velvety flesh he found there. While his fingers slid across her skin, his thumb swept into the silken folds of her femininity.
Theodosia nearly came off the bed. Short but steady waves of pleasure wafting through her, she arched her hips toward the promise of pleasure.
Watching the play of growing rapture on her face, Roman slipped two fingers into her. Instantly, his own need began to pound through him, causing him to grit his teeth.
God, she was tight. And hot. And wet.
And he was about to burst out of his breeches. “This,” he rasped, “is a hint of what lovemaking is all about.”
Surprise jolted her when his fingers began a pumping motion and his thumb circled softly upon her. “Roman.” She moaned his name, then reached for him.
The moment his broad chest met her breasts and his hair fell over her throat and stomach, the first spark of bliss glimmered deeply inside her. She gasped as the unfamiliar feelings grew, but the tender look in Roman’s eyes assured her that he knew what she felt and was in total control of everything happening to her. Her gaze enfolded within his, she gave herself up to him and lifted her hips into his hand, the source of the incredible feelings coming to life inside her.
Her surrender deepened her pleasure. Something wonderful whirled within the depths of her womanhood. Tensing with anticipation as the delicious feelings spread slowly through every part of her, she realized the sensations would peak and that it was Roman who guided her toward the sensual crest.
And then she was there. The warm and gentle pleasure quickly intensified. Like a flower opening to the splendor of the sun, ecstasy too beautiful to fathom blossomed inside her. She savored the feelings in complete awe, her body trembling with wonder.
She lay motionless for a long while, wrapped in Roman’s attention as the rapture he so skillfully mastered mellowed into a warm, sweet pulse that left her so satiated, she could think of nothing in the world she still wanted.
A smile touched her lips when she saw Roman watching her, his eyes following every emotion and feeling that passed over her features. He looked as pleased as she felt, and his satisfaction somehow increased her fulfillment.
“Roman,” she whispered. Overcome with emotion, she smoothed her hands over the hard muscles in his back and began to kiss his shoulder, chest, and throat.
Her sweet and innocent caresses made him want to hold her forever and never let her go. Instead, he withdrew his hand from her, and while he pressed his lips to her moist forehead, he dwelled on the fact that he’d pleasured her. Shown her a taste of sensual joy. He’d been the first man to do so.
And that meant more to him than he cared to ponder.
He sat up, and sliding his hands beneath her, he lifted her into his lap and held her close to his chest. Unappeased desire continued to torment him, but he ignored it and concentrated on the beautiful woman in his arms.
“Tell me you’re not sorry, Theodosia,” he demanded quietly.
The glint of potential regret she noted in his eyes tugged tenderness forth from her heart. She said nothing, but only stared at him, memorizing every line, curve, and shadow on his face.
