She spread her legs, hitching her knee over his thigh like before. His hand slid between her legs and caressed the silky folds of her body, nudging closer to her center where she burned and craved. His movements became more urgent, his breathing ragged as she urged him on with her body, pleading for more. Every second that passed was too long and their time together so fragile. At any moment it could shatter, and they’d be forced apart again.
He pressed his fingers inside her, gliding through her arousal and coating his fingers as he spread the fluid around, teasing her body open. He kissed her long and hard, then let his mouth wander everywhere he could reach. Her chin, her neck, her shoulder, her brow. All Felicity could do was squirm and bask in his loving touches.
He leaned over her, rolling her to her back, and he braced his weight on either side of her head.
“Open your eyes. I want you to look at me and tell me you want this.”
Felicity forced her eyes open. She was swimming in need, and to stop, to take stock of him, pushed at her patience.
“I want this. I want you.”
“You’re not scared?”
“I’m scared of losing you,” she confessed. “I’m scared of everything I’m feeling and how soon I’ll lose you.”
“You’re not scared of me?”
“No. Never.”
“I love you,” he said. “This might hurt.”
“It won’t.”
“The first time always hurts. Even when it’s wanted.”
“Tristan.” She didn’t want to have to say this wasn’t her first time.
“I know,” he said, his eyes searching hers.
Felicity parted her legs further, cradling his body. She locked her ankles around his calves. “I love you and I trust you. You won’t hurt me.”
He swallowed, and his eyes grew bright. He looked down at her body, her breasts heaving with her shallow breaths, her body nearly trembling with the anticipation coursing through her.
He adjusted himself, notching his cock at the center of her body. The blunt tip nudged her opening, and her belly tightened. Would her body remember this moment with terror? Would she be unable to stop the fear and pain that would come just from memory?
She took a deep breath, pushing the thoughts away. She focused on his face, on the tenderness, the furrowed brow of concentration as he touched her reverently, easing himself inside carefully, like he was afraid to break her. This was what love was. This was how a husband should love his wife.
She would not be able to let him go after this. Chadwick had tried to force their marriage, thinking that taking her body would somehow bind her to him. He was so wrong.
Thiswas how two people became joined. This was how love wasforged into being: the joining of two bodies, two hearts.
His gaze flicked up to hers and she smiled. He was incredibly tense. He half smiled and Flick put a hand over his heart.
“I want to belong to you forever,” she said.
His eyes darkened. “You already do.”
He pressed forward, slow, watching her, and though she did feel something, a slight burn, a stretching sting as her body accepted his entry cautiously, she wouldn’t call it pain. He filled her until his pelvis met hers, until there was nothing left between them. He lowered over her, settling on top of her but with his weight on his elbows. Felicity smiled, her eyes pricking with tears.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“I’m perfect. I feel . . . complete.”
He brushed a thumb under her cheek, and she felt the swipe of wetness left behind.
“I shouldn’t be crying.”
“If you feel the need, then you should.”
