A lifetime was more than enough time for them to explore each other’s bodies with aching precision. For now, she was content to be in his arms, his mouth against hers, his hands flat against her back.
Eventually, however, those hands began to move, applying themselves to the buttons down the back of her dress, moving steadily downwards. Once it was loose, he pulled it over her head and tossed it to one side. Her stays went the same way, as did her stockings, until she only wore her chemise.
Nathanial pulled her pins from her hair until it tumbled down her shoulders. “If I could have my way, you would never leave this room.”
“Ask nicely,” she said, running her hands through his hair. “You never know what boons I might grant.”
He laughed at that, but then he slid the chemise up her body, and his laughter died as he looked at her. “Theo,” he said unsteadily. “Theo, my love. You are the most beautiful lady I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing.”
“Nathanial—”
He kissed her, swallowing her protest. “And I shall spend the rest of my life reminding you of it.”
She slid her hands down her chest, savouring the feel of his soft skin under her palms, to the material of his breeches. “I cannot be the only one exposed.”
“This time,” he murmured, “I would not have it any other way.” He kept his eyes on hers as he shifted back until he was standing. In a few quick motions, he removed his breeches, and then he stood before her, all bare skin and muscles and arousal.
She ached for him.
“Nate.” Her throat was dry and she held out her hands for him. “Please. I want to know everything.”
He took her hands, kissed them, and joined her on the bed, lying beside her. The tips of his fingers were whisper-soft as they brushed her loose hair back from her face. “Do you trust me?”
He had asked her that before, and she had pledged her trust without knowing all she knew now. This time, she was in possession of all the facts, yet her trust was just as immediate, just as implicit. “You know I do. Completely.”
A tiny smile crossed his face, and the hand on her face moved down her body between her breasts to her hips. He traced small circles across her skin until she moved, parting her thighs and inviting him to the place that had been throbbing for him since they began.
As he slid his fingers into her slickness, he kissed her, capturing her moans and swallowing them. The world stopped, all thoughts suspended as he stroked her, his breath harsh and fast against her neck. She felt his arousal against her leg, moving against her as though he couldn’t help himself.
This time, the pleasure gathered faster, building and tightening inside her in what felt like seconds. His nose brushed against her neck, as he slipped a finger inside her. Then another.
“Nathanial,” she gasped.
He made a noise of approval. “That’s right.”
It was indeed right; she could think of nothing more right than this moment, and she fumbled for his hand, linking their fingers, needing to hold onto something as he coaxed her over the edge.
Her back arched and her body shuddered entirely out of her control. If she’d had her faculties, she might have felt a quiver of embarrassment, but there was nothing in her head but Nathanial and his hands on her, wringing pleasure from her she had never known existed.
This time, when it was over, she didn’t cry. There were no tears; the feeling in her chest didn’t allow for anything but smiles. He skimmed the back of his knuckles across her cheek.
“There’s more,” she said, though it was more of a question.
“There’s more,” he confirmed.
“Show me.”
In answer, he ran a hand down her leg, finding the crook of her knee and guiding it over his hips. She shifted to allow for the movement, and found herself straddling him. Both his hands settled on her thighs as he looked up at her, eyes burning, so beautiful she could hardly breathe.
“This may hurt,” he said as he eased her up and placed himself at her entrance. “But in this position, you’re in control.” As though to prove his point, he removed his hand from her hip, the message clear.
This time, Theo felt no hesitation.Do you trust me?he had asked.
The answer would always be yes.
Obeying the prompting of her body, she lowered herself onto him, the stretch almost painful. He filled her, and it filled a space she hadn’t even known ached for him. This was everything she hadn’t even known she’d been missing; the truest act of love, and the joy of it filled her almost as entirely as he did.
Underneath her, he was utterly still, muscles tense, as she eased further down, the stretch almost painful—the brink of pleasure and pain. He sucked in a breath as she paused, bracing herself with a hand against his chest, and seated herself fully on him.
