But even through the blurred heat of desire, she was afraid. Not only of being claimed by this man but of the consequences.
‘Lie down,’ he murmured, guiding her back upon their discarded clothing. She obeyed, feeling a sudden rush of nervousness. He removed her shoes and woollen stockings, and she inhaled sharply as his hand caressed her calves, moving higher.
He rested his weight upon his arms, staring at her. ‘I’ve never lain with a woman before, Rosamund.’
‘It’s all right,’ she whispered. With a rueful smile, she added, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing, either.’
His hand moved between her legs to the intimate place where he would enter her body. The touch of his fingers startled her, and she admitted, ‘Be gentle with me.’
She opened her legs, expecting him to take her then, but he hesitated. ‘I have heard that it may cause you pain if you are not ready.’
Rosamund had heard the same but was trying not to think of it. She knew that this was the surest way to gain a true marriage between them. Consummation was necessary, and she did love Warrick. His quiet strength and thoughtfulness drew her closer to him.
For a moment, she tried to calm the storm of her rising feelings. She knew what would happen between them, and the heat of his skin was a stark contrast against her own. Softly, she touched him, feeling a strange surge of possession as she traced the lines of his muscles. He went motionless as she did and leaned back to let her do as she wished.
There was power in this, and she kissed his skin, hearing the pounding of his heart as she brushed her lips over his chest. And in touching him, she felt her own arousal deepen. This man belonged to her now, and she surrendered to her own desire.
Rosamund kissed him deeply, her body awakening as his tongue slid against hers. Her body grew warmer, and at last she broke away from the kiss. ‘I want to see all of you, Warrick.’
He stood from the ground and slowly removed his clothing. There was not a trace of softness upon him, and when he removed his braies, she was caught up in the vision of his erect flesh.
He would slide his shaft inside her, and the thought made her ache between her legs. She hungered for this man, and when she stood up from the ground, he commanded, ‘Now you.’
She drew up the hem of her shift, pulling it over her head until she stood naked before him. His eyes held wonder as he looked upon her.
‘You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen,’ he murmured. With his hands and mouth, he touched her, kissing the buds of her breasts and caressing her. She felt herself rising to him, pressing closer as he touched the wetness between her legs. Gently, he slid a finger inside her, and she gasped, startled by the sudden rush of sensation.
But then, she gathered her courage and reached for his hardened length. His skin was so warm, the tip of him smooth with a bead of moisture. He guided her palm around him, and she drew it up over the length.
He inhaled sharply, and slid a second finger within her. His thumb nudged the folds of her flesh, and she felt her own arousal rising.
When she gasped, he ceased his movement and asked, ‘Am I hurting you?’
‘No...’ She sighed, closing her eyes. ‘It feels good.’ But she was afraid of the strong feelings rising up. His hand was gentle, and yet, she sensed that everything was about to unravel.
‘It’s all right, Rosamund,’ he said, leaning down to soothe her. ‘I will stop if you want me to.’ He kissed her lightly to underscore his words.
She looked into his eyes and moved her hands to his shoulders. There was no doubt in her mind that he would not take her against her desires. But she gathered her composure and locked her gaze upon his. In his eyes, she saw a man who wanted to pleasure her, and the knowledge evoked an aching need.
‘Don’t stop,’ she whispered.
His hand was gentle, kindling a fire that burned through her. Her nails dug into his shoulders, and she shuddered at the ripple of delicious sensation. His mouth captured hers, kissing her deeply while his fingers entered and withdrew. She caressed his shaft, and as they touched one another, her yearning grew stronger.
Warrick drew her back down to the ground. This time, he rolled to his back, bringing her to sit astride him. She was startled by the heat of his erection and the way it felt so good to have him nestled beneath her. He raised her hips until he was poised at her entrance. Then he sat up slowly to kiss her again, his shaft slowly penetrating her. The sensation was overwhelming, and she held steady and unmoving as he breached her. There was a slight pain, but she masked it, kissing him.
‘You are mine, Rosamund,’ he said. ‘Now and always.’
‘I am yours,’ she answered, letting him sheathe himself fully. The pressure of his thick shaft was unfamiliar, and she wasn’t certain what to do. Warrick answered by holding her hips in place, not allowing her to move. He held her there a moment, letting her adjust to his size. Gradually the pain abated, and he began to withdraw from her, only to thrust again and penetrate her body. He entered her smoothly, and she felt a shimmer of desire take hold once more.
Warrick continued kissing her mouth, and then changed their angle to take her nipple in his mouth. Rosamund moaned at the gentle suction that echoed within her womb. Instinct claimed her, and she raised up against him, feeling her body aching with need.
‘Does this hurt you?’ he asked softly.
‘N-no.’ But she was afraid even to breathe right now. The gentle thrusting was a give and take, claiming her while he filled her. He reached up to caress her taut nipples, and she felt the tremors gathering deeper. His hands moved away, and she protested, ‘Warrick, wait. I—I liked that.’
At her encouragement, he began to stroke her, keeping his thrusts easy while he rubbed his thumbs across her nipples. She found herself riding him slowly, watching as his face grew hooded with passion. She squeezed against him, and he let out a guttural groan. ‘Rosamund, my God.’
She quickened her pace, discovering what excited him. There was goodness in this joining, and she felt as if they were learning together.
