He laughed, for he was achingly eager to oblige.
Too eager because he had wanted her for so long, and now she was his.
Fire surged through his blood in anticipation, but he kept himself in control because Tulip had never done this before.
He was experienced and knew how to pleasure her.
She was willing only because her cousins had told her that she ought to accept him.There was no unbound passion or urgent need of fulfillment on her part.Not that he minded, for she had never done this before and had no idea what would happen.
The burden was on him to ensure she would like it.
His only hesitation was that he had never bedded a virgin before.
How fast should he go when claiming her?
It could be said that this would be a first for both of them.
“Why did you put out the candles?”she asked.“We are now mere shadows to each other.”
“This is for your sake, to heighten your pleasure.”He wanted her to rely on senses other than merely the sense of sight.
“How will it be heightened if I cannot see you?Is there something I should not see?”
“No, Tulip.I have nothing to hide.Nor would I try to conceal anything from you.But your other senses are brought forward in the darkness and this will make for a more fulfilling experience for you.”He had very few scars and women liked his body.“I want you to be aware of me in every way, to know my scent and the taste of me, to recognize my touch and the sound of my voice.The same as I wish to know yours.”
“That deeper sense of recognition?Like wolves when they partner?Did you know they mate for life?”
“Yes,” he said.“This is what I wish for us.”
Once familiar with him, he hoped she would learn to trust him and be reassured by his presence.
He hoped there would be this very recognition and acceptance.
It was important for her to feel happiness and security in the warmth of his touch.
He wanted the same for himself, hoping they might work their way into each other’s heart.
If they could bond in this way, then theirs would be a good life and a good marriage despite any obstacles that might be thrown in their way.
“Your ties are loosened, Tulip,” he said with a husky rasp to his voice.“Take off your gown.Shall I help you?”
“Yes, please.”She laughed lightly.“Silk slides rather easily, doesn’t it?It is already pooling at my feet.”
“It is a sensual fabric.”He placed an arm around her hips and then bent to untangle her feet from the gown.Once free, he set the gown carefully across one of his chairs before attending to himself.
He removed his shirt that was the last of his clothing except for his trousers.
Since he was already aroused, he thought to keep those on because he wasn’t certain how Tulip would respond to the sight of his maleness when she had no idea what was to happen next or whether she would like the act of coupling.
He could see she was already shy because she had placed her hands over her chest despite the lack of light beyond the silver streaks of moonlight.
She wore only her thin chemise, a garment of the sheerest gossamer, and she was quite conscious of its thinness.
“You don’t need to hide yourself from me,” he said softly.“That’s why I put out the candles.It is enough for us to have shadowed glimpses of each other.”
The mere outline of her body aroused him.
Even in the darkness, he could see that she was beautifully shaped.
