She exhaled.“Of course, you are willing,” she said with impatience.“You will have no pain.”
“Is that it?”
She held his gaze and nodded.“I am told it hurts.”
“Ah.”Quinn reclined beside her, apparently at ease, even as his thoughts flew.“I am given to understand that it is only the first time that hurts, and that only if there is haste.”
“I will not linger over this obligation,” she said through her teeth.“If it must be done, I would have it done and over and...”
“Oh, but I will linger,” Quinn vowed softly.He saw her inhale and reached out to touch a fingertip to her arm.He felt her go taut, then she compelled herself to relax.“Indeed, I would savor.”He let his finger wander toward her shoulder and the softness of her skin fairly made him dizzy with desire.
“Your eyes grow darker.”
“That is not the sole change, my lady.”
Her gaze swept over him and her eyes widened.“Close your eyes and I will cast away the sheet.Then we might put the ordeal behind us and sleep.”
Quinn chuckled.“Close my eyes?Never!”
“But...”
He rolled closer, letting his fingertip rise to her cheek.As before, his gentle touch seemed to disarm her or at least halt her protests.She stared at him, her eyes wide.He let his finger trail down her throat and surveyed her, liking that the line of her lips had softened slightly.“If I am to be condemned to only one night of lovemaking for the rest of my days, then be assured, my lady, I shall not keep my eyes closed.”He leaned closer and touched his lips briefly to hers.“And I pledge to do my utmost to ensure that it is not an ordeal.”
“After this, you will await an invitation,” she said, breathless.
“Then you cannot fault my scheme to be persuasive.”
Melissande pulled away.“I know that you will not sleep in a cold bed, even if mine is forbidden to you.”
Quinn sat back in surprise.“On our nuptial night, you are convinced that I will be unfaithful to you?”
“Like sire, like son,” she said.“Your father seldom slept alone, should the number of his bastards be any indication.”
“I have already told you that my father and I have naught in common.I left Sayerne because he and I did not agree.On that day, I vowed that I would not return while he drew breath and so it has been.”
Her lips worked as if she would ask a question of him but did not have the courage.He knew what question it must be, yet he did not have the urge to speak of his father’s crimes in this moment.“You offer only sweet words to see the deed done.Once you have had your way and your possession of your holding is secured, you will not be so sweet.”
His father had left a long shadow, indeed.
“Nay, Melissande,” he whispered, willing her to believe him.“That is not so.I will always treat you with dignity and honor, but I can only do as much if you grant me the opportunity.”
“If I surrender.”She bit out the words, her opinion of that most clear.
“If you meet me halfway,” Quinn countered and she met his gaze anew.“This is our wedding night.You cannot in fairness ask me to close my eyes.You cannot accuse me of infidelity before our match is even made.All I ask of you, Melissande, is a chance.”
She said naught.
He leaned toward her and she closed her eyes.
“If this is to be the only time we couple,” he murmured.“I would make the mating sweet.And I would look upon your beauty, if only this once.”
Melissande swallowed.
“I do not mean to hurt you.”Quinn lifted her fingers from the linens and took her hand within his.Her fingers were cold.“But you know that this task cannot be avoided on this night.”
She took a deep breath then she nodded, a decision clearly made.“You speak the truth,” she said.“Come to bed, husband, and do your deed.”
With that, Melissande flung back the linens and lay back against the sheets.She closed her eyes and placed her hands at her sides, her hands locked into fists.
