“You are in command of me, Juliette.” He captured her mouth again, kissing her hard until she was breathless. “If you’ll allow it, I want to bring you pleasure with my hands and my mouth.”
She hesitated, tempted by a forbidden desire. The last time Paul had touched her, she’d been overwhelmed by sensation. He’d sensed what she wanted, until her body had shuddered beneath his hands.
A wicked voice inside was urging her now to surrender. She’d promised herself that she would try to be a good wife, and all he wanted was to touch her a little. Surely there could be no harm in that?
“Strathland stole your innocence and gave you naught but nightmares,” Paul said. “Let me give back to you what was taken.”
“What do you want from me?” she whispered.
He drew her to stand up. “I’ll remove the gown, but you’ll keep your chemise and petticoat on. That is, until you’re ready for me to learn every part of your body.”
His words painted a sensual picture, and she imagined his hands upon her. She gripped the edges of the gown, braving a courage she didn’t feel.
“I don’t want the memory ofhimintruding on what we have together,” he said. “I want to cast out those demons this night and start anew.”
The thought of standing here and submitting to his touches only heightened her anxiety. She didn’t see how it could possibly make things better. Although he had never harmed her, and shehadfelt a shuddering release when he’d touched her before, somehow this night was different.
“Could I… touch you first?” she ventured. If their roles were reversed,shecould be in command. The idea of exploring his shoulders and chest wasn’t at all threatening. Instead, it might be a way to alleviate her own nerves.
“Aye,” he said. “If it would make you feel better.”
She rested her hands upon his shoulders, exploring his bare skin. She kept her touch light, and his eyes burned into hers. Then his hands moved to the buttons of her gown.
“You canna be unfastening these by yourself, Juliette.”
“No. I’ll need your help.” She allowed him to push at the buttons while she ran her hands over his heart and down his ribs. His broad back held the strength and resilience of a man who had known hardship and overcome it. “I never thought I’d have a wedding night,” she confessed.
“Especially with me?” he predicted.
“With anyone. I thought I would be a spinster until the day I died.” She grew distracted when he lifted the gown away, exposing her chemise and petticoat. Though it was not one of the more daring garments, Amelia had given her a rose satin chemise and corset, trimmed with embroidery. The fabric was soft against her breasts, but when she saw the way Paul was staring at her, her body went rigid.
Then his hands moved to the back of her corset. The heat of his palms made her a little fearful, and she distracted herself by learning the texture of his skin. He asked, “May I remove this?”
She almost said no, but then, that wasn’t practical. She had no maid, and the only person who could help her undress was Paul.
“Go slowly,” she pleaded.
He moved her hair to the side and pressed his mouth to her throat while he loosened the ties of her stays. He freed her from the laces and lifted the corset away.
She couldn’t stop herself from crossing her arms over her chemise. Though he couldn’t see through the satin, her breasts were tight and aching, the points taut through the fabric.
Paul stood up and reached for her hands, gently lowering them to her sides. “You’ve no need to hide from me, Juliette.”
Perhaps not, but shyness reigned over her at the moment.
His eyes were shielded as he moved his hands up her spine. “You take my breath away, Juliette. And always have.”
“I have no breath, either,” she confessed. “I feel as if I’m about to faint.”
Paul led her toward the bed and guided her to sit down on the left side. Strangely, he didn’t press her down, but instead sat at the foot of the bed so that their backs were against one another. “I’ve an idea,” he said. “Look at the wall over there, and I’ll simply tell you what I was wanting to do this night.”
“But you won’t touch me?” she whispered, lifting her gaze to the faded wallpaper.
“No’ unless you ask me to.”
The promisedidmake her feel better, knowing that he would slow down the pace, giving her a moment to gather her senses.
“You go first,” he prompted.
