And the world splintered around her.
The pressure burst free, shooting wave upon wave of white-hot pleasure through her. Muscles she didn’t know existed clamped together and drew all her energy to her core as she tumbled over the edge.
Christian shifted and caught her wild cries with his mouth, holding her tight until she collapsed against the bed in a boneless heap. When he slipped his fingers from her and stood, Samantha’s eyes fluttered open.
In one motion, Christian stripped from his breeches and the part she had so boldly touched earlier sprang free. Her mouth went dry.That was supposed to fit in her?He cleared his throat and her eyes darted to his face and the amused expression there.
Before she could move, he dropped back onto the bed to cover her body with his. Her apprehension melted away when he lowered his mouth to her neck and nibbled the spot below her ear. Suddenly, the throbbing ache between her legs returned, and Samantha wrapped her arms around Christian’s back.
She let her hands explore. Every inch of him was muscle and strength. As her fingertips drifted further down, the hard length of him jutted into her belly and he nudged her thighs apart.
Being open below him sent a wicked thrill through Samantha, and she pressed her hips against his. He growled at her ear and slipped his hand between them. The heavy weight at her stomach disappeared, only to reappear further down, pressing against her swollen heat.
Christian rubbed the smooth tip of him up and down her cleft until her slick wetness covered him. The feeling sent Samantha spiraling upward once more and she tugged at his hips. She needed more.
He lifted his head and stared at her with shining eyes.
“Red.”
In one deep thrust, he entered her. The sudden stretch sent a sharp bite of pain lancing through her, and Samantha cried out.
Christian went completely still. After a shuddering breath, he gave one more slight thrust forward and she let out another cry. His expression darkened. “Damn it, Red.”
He began to pull out and she locked her legs around him. She would die if he stopped. Already the pain dulled into a pleasant throb.
“Please...” She didn’t know how to ask him for more, but tilted her hips toward him, forcing him to slide back in a bit.
Christian let out a soft curse and lowered his face to hers. “We are going to have a long talk after this.” With a groan, he sank all the way into her once more.
Samantha’s head fell back at the intimate fullness and he brought his lips to her neck. He kissed her in soft, feathery brushes against her skin. As he worked his way up, he began a slow rhythm, pumping in and out of her with deliberate gentleness. The movement wrenched a moan from her and he caught her mouth with his. Pleasure radiated from where they joined and she started to move her hips in time with his, making each contact press a little deeper.
Christian growled, the sound rumbling against her tongue, and quickened his pace. Each thrust pulled a little cry from her and the stinging pain disappeared altogether. Her fingers tangled in his hair and he suddenly stiffened, pressing deep within her. He jerked his head back and closed his eyes as a loud groan tore from him. Samantha froze, transfixed at the sight of him attaining his pleasure.
After a long moment, Christian opened his eyes and bent to place a soft kiss on her forehead. The gesture sent a bust of tenderness through her and she couldn’t help tilting her face to catch his lips with hers. This time, he kissed her slowly, his tongue lingering against hers in a languid dance.
He pulled from her and she let out a muffled cry of dismay at theloss of contact. His lips curved against hers. “You’re full of surprises, Red.”
After one last kiss, Christian lowered himself to the bed next to her and propped himself up on one elbow. Samantha’s skin burned beneath his intense gaze and she started when his fingers brushed her cheek.
He traced the outline of her mask in a lazy motion. “We need to talk. You have some explaining to do. If I had known, I wouldn’t have...”
No. They most definitely did not need to talk about her virginity. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and shook her head.
“Not yet.” She started to sit, but he pressed a firm hand to her belly.
“Stay here.”
Samantha’s jaw went slack when he swung his feet to the floor and crossed over to the table. Candlelight glimmered off the chiseled muscles of his back, and her gaze darted down to his perfectly formed buttocks. The man looked as though he’d been carved from stone.
He picked up his cup and downed the rest of the wine. Thank God. Heat flushed her cheeks when he looked over his shoulder and she jerked her gaze away.
A moment later, he returned with a wet rag. When he reached toward the juncture of her thighs, she snapped them shut.
“Let me clean you, Red.”
The cool cloth slipped past her curls and she gasped when he made contact with the searing heat of her core. He gave her a wicked grin and flicked one finger against the still-sensitive nub there.
Samantha’s breath hissed out and she scootched back, away from the torturous touch. A moment later, Christian tossed the rag to the floor. She reached for her shirt but before her fingers could reach the fabric, he grabbed it and pulled it away.
