Peyton pressed Cecily down onto the bed and spread her legs with his knee. His life might be snuffed out tomorrow. Why deny himself some scrap of pleasure, affection and happiness? It had been a long time since he had lain with a woman, and his lust was an unchained beast. Yet still, he had to know Cecily wanted him.
‘Shall I stop, lass? If you tell me to, I won’t be angry, just disappointed,’ he said, smiling down at her.
Cecily’s eyes were wide, but her voice was hungry as she replied, ‘I don’t think I will want you to stop,’ and to his amazement, Cecily pulled his mouth back down to hers. Her little moans spurred him on, so Peyton took a handful of her bonnie grey dress and pulled it up. He gazed down at her long, coltish legs as she nuzzled her face into his neck. Her skin was creamy smooth to the touch, growing softer and warmer as his fingers roamed upwards to a silky gold nest.
‘Oh, oh,’ she cried as he stroked it.
Peyton was delighted that she was slick and squirmed upwards under his touch. Did she like him? Surely, she could not fake this molten desire? He needed to be inside her now, but if she was as innocent as she claimed, then he should be gentle.
‘Just take her now, hard. She is a liar using her beauty to get her own way. You do not need to woo her,’said the savage in his head.
To hell with it all. Nothing mattered beyond this wanting the lass with a raging need. Peyton yanked down her bodice, exposing Cecily’s shoulders and warm, supple breasts, which filled his hands.
She flinched.
‘Shall I stop?’ he said.
‘No, but I am ashamed of my nakedness.’
‘No. You should be proud, lass, for you are so beautiful,’ he said, his tongue thick in his mouth. Her breasts were so perfect in the morning light, laid bare for him to gorge on – pert and pink-tipped, full and warm. Peyton had to taste them before he exploded. When he placed a kiss upon one, Cecily clawed his hair, so he attended to them for a long time, enjoying the feel of her nipple hardening in his mouth and the way she pressed against him every time he sucked.
His cock became an aching tower of desire. He spread her legs wide, unleashed himself and sank between Cecily’s warm thighs.
‘Tell me you want me, lass,’ he hissed.
‘I do, but I don’t know anything,’ she gasped.
‘Come dawn, tomorrow, you will, and some things you may not want to know.’ He met her gaze. ‘But you have to want this, Cecily.’
She gave no reply but did not push him away. She just lay under him, wide-eyed, vulnerable and achingly beautiful, and then gave a slight nod. ‘Do it. I want this.’
Peyton slid inside her, burying his face in her neck. For some reason, he did not want her to look at him, for he was taken with such unbridled happiness that it almost took his breath away. He paused when he encountered her virgin’s resistance, but his need was so great, he pushed on. Cecily flinched, and her cry of pain was muffled against his chest.
‘I’ll go slow and gently,’ he said, though every nerve in his body cried out for a crashing release. He eased into her unprotesting body, holding back lest he hurt her more than was necessary or finish too soon and shame himself. When he reached a pinnacle, he stifled a moan and clutched her tightly to him. Peyton let all his anger, frustration and loneliness pour into Cecily’s soft, comforting body. As his thudding heart slowed its beat, there came peace and a gentle calm inside him, as if his heart was too full.
Then, it was all swept away in a flood of remorse.
Peyton rolled off her. He had tried to be gentle, to take the time to arouse Cecily. But what if she wanted him to get it over with? What if it was an ordeal for a soft, innocent lass? And she had been innocent. He had felt her virginity and taken it anyway. Cecily had made no complaint nor uttered any word of joy at his lovemaking. Had Eaden’s brutality rubbed off on him, awakening the savage in his breast? Had it made him ruin a lass just because she was under his power, and there was no one to stop him?
‘Coward! Look at her. Don’t cower before her gaze now that you have shamed yourself!’said the voice in his head. But he could not look.
There was a rustle as Cecily pulled down her dress, and then the bed moved as she sat up. Peyton turned. She had her back to him. He reached out a hand and touched her. Cecily’s head was bowed as she rearranged her bodice, no doubt trying to hide the evidence of his savagery. Strands of her hair hung loose about her face from his throwing her around his bed.
Peyton longed to comfort her. ‘I’m sorry, Cecily, for what I just did.’
‘I’m sorry too, but I deserved it,’ she whispered. She slid her hand across her face, but he could not see if she was crying. God, what kind of monster was he? Never in his life had he forced a woman nor coaxed one into lying with him, and he had vowed never to do so. Had he just broken that vow?
‘Are you well, lass? Are you hurt?’ he said.
‘I am well,’ she squeaked. ‘I think I just need some air, that is all.’
Before he could stop her, Cecily rushed out of the chamber. Peyton sprang off the bed and stuffed his manhood back in his braies, before giving chase.
Chapter Fifteen
God save her. What had she done? How could she let Peyton put his hands on her like that? It had been nothing like her encounter with Edmund. Peyton’s restraint had been apparent in his tight muscles, panted breath, and intense gaze into her eyes. Peyton’s touch had been far more pleasurable than Edmund’s groping, so she let it continue when she should not. And he had seen her half-naked. He had put his mouth on her breasts. Even now, Cecily could feel the rasp of his stubble on her flesh, making her cheeks flame, and not just because it was sinful. It had felt marvellous, as if her body was on fire for Peyton, as if she would die if he stopped.
And why shouldn’t she? If everyone thought her a whore, why not behave like one? Now she knew what that meant. Lying with a man was shocking, exciting and painful. Peyton’s kisses, his touch, had been so delicious. Why did he have to invade her body so painfully? She had not stopped him. She had been so overcome by what was occurring that she could not think straight. As she gritted her teeth against the pain when he ripped into her innocence, there had been only one thought in her head.
