Round in all the right places.
Lovely curves.
Yet, slender in aspect.
He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her gently on the lips.“Tulip, we do not need to do anything until you are ready.”
She moaned lightly.“I am ready.I want this.I’m just not certain whatthisis.But my cousins told me I should trust you.”
“And do you?”He placed tender kisses along her neck and shoulders, lingering kisses and gentle ones as he next nudged the chemise off her shoulders to bare more of her soft skin.His fingers grazed her bosom and he felt her slight shiver.
“Yes, I trust you,” she said and leaned toward him.
“Good, love.I promise you will like this.”He pressed his mouth to hers and kissed her long and slow.
She slid her hands up his chest and placed them to rest on his shoulders, clinging to them while he kissed her.“Your skin is hot,” she said, running her hands along the muscle and sinew of his arms once he had ended the kiss.
“Because I am eager for you.”
I burn for you.
Gad, he was on fire and aching to be inside of her.
“May we light the candles now?I would like to see your body.”
“Not yet, Tulip.Be patient.You already know the look of me.It is the rest of me I want you to see first.”
“So you’ve said.But how am I to do that?”
“Use all five senses, not merely your eyes.It is so easy to forget everything else and just rely on that sense.”
“Oh, I see.I am to put my ears, nose, hands, and lips to work?”
He chuckled.“Yes, I want you to remember the rumble of my voice, the scent of my skin, the contours of my body, and the taste of my mouth on yours.”
“Interesting.”
“It is something I learned as an investigator.One’s eyes can often deceive.It is best not to rely on that sense alone.I will light the candles afterward, I promise.Then you can inspect me to your heart’s content.”
“All right, I’ll wait.I understand what you mean about my recognizing you beyond seeing your face or noticing the way you walk.You have a confident stride, by the way.A bit of a swagger.I’m sure your superiors found it arrogant.But now thatyouaretheirsuperior, they can have no quarrel with it.”
He smiled and caressed her cheek again before wrapping his arms around her.“I’m sure I will still offend people.Becoming a duke hasn’t changed me all that much.In truth, it is more of a burden.I enjoyed my work for the London magistrate.”
“Gory and Julius will forever be indebted to you for solving her uncle’s murder.”
“And you?What are you thinking about me right now?”
She released a soft breath.“I’m thinking that I like the way you are holding me in your arms.Your hands feel nice on my body.They are big and rugged, but you are always gentle when you touch me.Is our talking like this a part of your seduction plan?You are also caressing my arms.Is that on purpose, too?”
“Yes and no.I just like touching you and holding you, but I also want you to be comfortable with me.This is your first time with a man.”He wanted to make it an unforgettably good memory for her.
Time was his ally.
They had hours until dawn to enjoy each other.
Hours to explore each other and deepen their bonds.
The wolf and his mate.
