Quinn did not intend to let such an opportunity pass.
He took the step that brought them toe to toe.She did not flee, but only watched him, and he was certain she held her breath.He lowered his head slowly, encouraged when she only waited, then captured her lips with his.To his delight, Melissande hesitated only a moment before she placed her hand on his chest and leaned into his embrace.
It was precious little, but that was all the encouragement Quinn needed to deepen his kiss.
Melissande might have been determinedto deny her reaction to her husband’s touch, but Quinn’s admiration undermined her plan.His caress interfered with her power to protest and left her hungry for more.His words, his appeal, his smile, all combined to dismiss her resistance.All her life, her wits had been seen as her greatest asset, but when Quinn caressed her, it seemed that only pleasure was of import.
Surely it was no crime if she enjoyed her husband’s skillful touch just this one night?
Surely she had no ability to do otherwise.
Melissande was seduced and she knew it well.
Indeed, she was already attuned to Quinn’s touch.His hand cupped her nape and the heat of his palm there weakened her knees.He was so powerful, and yet he was so tender with her.Melissande felt cherished.The wonder in Quinn’s expression when he touched her hair had startled her.He had shown a weakness, if only for her hair, and Melissande found herself suddenly more willing to surrender.
To experience all that Quinn could show her of this new pleasure.
It was clear that lovemaking was not new to Quinn.If they were compelled to mate this one and only time, she should make the most of the opportunity.
Unable to resist temptation, she spread out her fingers, exploring.His skin was warm yet unyielding, and she felt the pulse of his heart beneath her hand.It quickened its pace, right below her fingers.The sign that he was affected by their embrace encouraged her and Melissande dared to lean closer.
What if she could stir him as he stirred her?That was a most intriguing notion.
She moved closer, ever closer, even as she parted her lips for his kiss.He made a sound of pleasure that reminded her of a growl, then his other arm wound around her waist.Her breasts brushed against his chest and that touch made her nipples tighten.She slid her hand into his hair, opening her mouth to his kiss, and gripped the hair at his nape.
Quinn bent and swept her off her feet, swinging her into his arms.He spun around, never breaking his kiss, and Melissande found herself on the bed.He loomed over her, his lips on her cheek, her jaw, her earlobe and trailing down her neck.She gripped his shoulders, liking how the hard strength of him fit beneath her hands.Quinn trailed a row of burning kisses along her collarbone, across the swell of her breast, then captured her nipple within his lips.
Melissande gasped in surprise.She clutched at his hair as he teased her with his lips and tongue.She felt something new fire to wakefulness within her, something marvelous.
Quinn’s hand slid lower and Melissande caught her breath as his fingers slipped between her thighs and she felt their warmth.She gasped but Quinn lifted his head and smiled slowly, the intent in his eyes nigh stopping her heart.
“Leave this matter to me, my lady,” he whispered.“I swear upon my very soul that this will not hurt.”
Melissande did not even think to question her trust in his word.She had lain back for only a moment before his fingers sent pleasure flooding through her.She parted her thighs, wanting only more of what he could give.Quinn chuckled but then his fingers continued their sweet assault and Melissande was lost to sensation.She closed her eyes as Quinn kissed her other breast.Heat rose beneath her skin and she marveled that she had not known of such desire.
And that she had tried to avoid it.
Quinn touched her with increasing boldness, his caress making her writhe on the fine bed.It was too hot in the room and there was too much tension beneath her flesh, yet there was no escape from the pleasure he was determined to give.She both wanted immediate release and wished the sweet torment would last forever.Her very blood simmered with newfound need.
Melissande grasped Quinn’s hair and drew him back for her kiss, her embrace demanding as it had not been before.She felt her own kiss turn fiery and her own hands caress him boldly.She slipped her tongue into his mouth and explored him with abandon.
Melissande felt his hardness nudge against her hip and felt a sense of triumph that Quinn was aroused as well, even though she was just learning how they could please each other.Though she had not looked upon a man before, there were horses bred at Annossy and she had watched.
Quinn’s fingers were relentless, just as his kiss demanded even more.Melissande arched against him, rubbing herself against his chest like a wanton.She was too aware of him, of every sensation, of the velvet of the coverlet beneath her back, of the soft mattress beneath them, of the strength of the warrior who claimed her as his wife.
“Drift with the tide, my lady,” he whispered.“Do not fight it.”
The fan of his breath made Melissande shudder from head to toe, then he dragged his teeth across her tight nipple.The heat radiated through her and still it grew hotter.She tangled her legs about Quinn until they were entwined, his strength only feeding her pleasure, and wanted some release she could not name.
“Follow it, follow it,” he urged.“Trust it.”
Melissande did.She rode the pleasure and let it take her wherever it would; she let Quinn do with her whatever he would, trusting that she would find satisfaction beneath his touch.It was a wondrous surrender, a moment in which she realized the cost she had borne in managing every detail herself, in administering Annossy alone, in having complete responsibility for all matters herself.She surrendered to her husband, believing he knew best, letting pleasure take its due.
And she was rewarded.
A mere heartbeat later, Melissande felt Quinn’s fingers brush against her with greater force.She cried out as pleasure thundered through her and gripped his shoulders in the tumult.She was both free and sheltered in Quinn’s protective embrace, and she could imagine no better place to be.
Then there was only Quinn angled over her, the steady rhythm of his heart against her own, a gleam of satisfaction in his golden eyes.
