There was a pinprick of pain and he froze, then placed butterfly kisses on her jawline before kissing her mouth deeply.
“Are you all right?” he asked breathlessly.
The pain faded quickly, and she looked in his eyes. “Yes. Don’t stop.”
He licked his lips and pushed deeper into her, until she felt split in two, like a peach.
He grew still, murmuring sweet nothings into her neck, while his hands squeezed her breasts and caressed her back. Then, he began to move, slowly at first, pushing deeper into her and causing jolts to zing through her body as if she’d touched an electric eel with her bare hands.
She couldn’t hold in her moans and cries as he moved faster and deeper. She felt unraveled, her body completely owned by his. All thought, all independent movement was completely obliterated by his possession of her.
She was subsumed in pleasure, surrounded by bliss and suspended in ecstasy.
She had no idea if she was coming or going, everything was clouded by the steadily rising sensation of completion thatwashed over her, transporting her away in a sea of explosive repletion.
She cried out, vision whiting out as she crashed on the shore of climactic release. She could still feel him, moving inside of her but she was insensible to anything but her own boneless yet explosive euphoria.
Even as her insides were flooded with his release, and her inner muscles contracted and relaxed in response, all she could do was moan, completely wrung out.
Chapter Nineteen
Silas woke up early the next morning, and was disoriented for a moment.
Then, he realized that he was still in the Duchess’s chambers and sat up. He turned his head to look at Helena, who was curled up on herself, mouth slightly open, fast asleep.
He blinked a few times, trying to wake up fully. It was strange, waking up to the knowledge that he was wed, that this was his Duchess. He knew it would take some getting used to.
His eyes trailed over her body and his mind couldn’t help going to the previous night and just how… transcendent it had been.
In his wildest dreams, he could not have predicted that. He could feel himself getting aroused, and shook his head, slipping slowly out of bed. He had no desire to scare Helena with relentless desire. He knew she would be sore; what she did not need was someone pawing at her so soon after her first time.
He picked up his clothes and walked as quietly as he could to the adjoining door.
He paused, his hand on the knob and looked back at her. She looked so peaceful as her chest slowly rose and fell.
All he could hope for was that she would feel the same peace when she awoke.
He opened the door to his own chambers and stepped in, unsurprised to find his valet already present, the tub filled with steaming water, the fire lit and George laying out his shaving kit with military precision.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” he said impassively.
Silas smiled. “George, before we begin, find the Duchess’s maid and tell her to arrange for breakfast to be brought to the Her Grace’s suite. Also, perhaps rose water in her morning bath, and some willow bark tea with her breakfast.”
George nodded, face impassive. “Yes, Your Grace.”
Silas wanted to take care of any discomfort or soreness Helena might be feeling. He did not like the idea that she might be in any pain as a result of what they did. But he knew that for women, the first time could hurt a little bit. He wanted to do all he could to ensure Helena suffered as little as possible.
As he settled down to let James attend him, his mind was in the next room with Helena. He had no idea how to proceed from here. He had never really thought about what it might actually be like to have a wife.
“George?”
“Yes, Your Grace?”
“Are you married?”
George’s eyebrow shot up, “Beg pardon, sir?”
Silas smiled, “Apologies for the rude question. But I realized I have no idea of your marital status.”
