It was more than sufficient.She stared at him, filled with awe, and he smiled slowly.
To be sure, it had not hurt.
He had kept his pledge and she should see him rewarded.
But for the moment, Melissande was spent.She curled against his chest, sighed, and dozed against his warmth, content.
Chapter 5
Quinn propped himself on his elbows and studied his new wife.The fingers that had dug into his shoulders rested on his upper arms.Her eyes were closed, her lashes delicate on her cheeks.Her lips were parted and her cheeks flushed.The glorious golden tangle of her hair spread itself across the linens beneath her, glinting in the light.Quinn could feel its silkiness wrapped about his fingers.He wanted to kiss her to wakefulness again, but let her doze instead.
The scent of Melissande’s release was intoxicating.Quinn was glad that she had been pleased—and against her every expectation.
Indeed, it had even been against his own.
She stirred and her lips parted, and Quinn could resist temptation no longer.He bent and brushed his lips across hers.Melissande’s eyes flew open and he feared what she might say.
To his relief, she smiled.“That did not hurt,” she whispered and stroked his upper arms.He liked that she seemed to want to explore him and smiled back at her.“You kept your vow.”
“As is my inclination in all matters.”
“But it is not done, is it?”There was a wistfulness in her tone.
Quinn shook his head.“Nay, my lady, we have only half done the deed.”
She nodded, though her smile was less confident than it had been.“I do not know what to do next.”He recognized that she had braced herself for the inevitable and wished he could ensure that it did not hurt, even the once.
“Fear not, my lady, for I do.”
Her smile was fleeting but she did not recoil.
Quinn eased his weight over her, glad that she parted her thighs for him.“I shall try to be gentle.”He caught his breath and closed his eyes at the promise of their union, willing himself to proceed with caution.
It had been so very long.
Melissande’s grip tightened on his arms and he heard her breath catch.
Quinn leaned lower, crossing his arms beneath her and cupping her shoulders within his hands.He smiled down at her and kissed her again, feeling some of the tension ease from her.He must proceed slowly, regardless of how long he had been alone, regardless of how much he wanted to hasten.He had to be slow and careful, so that Melissande might taste the pleasure mating could bring.
Quinn closed his eyes in pleasure as he eased inside her.She was warm, like satin left in the sun, and unbearably soft.He moved and heard her gasp.
He froze, his eyes flying open.
Melissande smiled.“Just a twinge,” she whispered and he was glad that she wanted to reassure him.
Quinn eased deeper, watching her closely, and she inhaled sharply.Her gaze was unswerving, though, and her eyes began to sparkle with newfound confidence.
“It is not so bad as that,” she confessed, to his relief.Her smile turned impish.“I want more, husband.”
Her demand thrilled Quinn, though he still moved slowly.
Her smile broadened and she lifted her knees, welcoming him as he had never expected.Quinn froze.
“You like that,” she murmured.
Quinn could only nod.
“Tell me how to please you, husband,” she whispered.“It is only fair that we each have some pleasure this night.”
