And yet, he realized he did not feel dispassionately when he looked at her. He’d found himself attracted to her since she’d glared at him just before the ceremony. It was her own practical approach that gave him pause.
She rose and smoothed her night rail down her hips and thighs. A lantern burned behind her, revealing curves he’d discovered when she’d fallen out of the carriage onto him earlier.
No, he was not the one who would experience any difficulty.
But she was a small woman. She was a virgin.
And he was… none of those things.
“Should I get on the bed, then?” She might as well have been asking him if he’d prefer mutton or beef.
“I suppose,” he muttered. “No. Wait.”
She paused and stared at him in some confusion. Vincent could not do this the same as he would repair a fence post or round up a herd.
He’d had some ale with his meal but suddenly wished he’d downed a few drams of whiskey. Pushing such thoughts away, he rose and crossed the room so that he stood directly in front of her. At least he’d washed the dirt and sweat off himself from his day’s exertions.
She tilted her head back sharply just to meet his gaze.
“It will make it easier for you.” His voice sounded gruff… gravelly. “If you are prepared.”
With a determined glint in her eyes, she nodded. “Yes. Yes. That would be best.” And then that furrowed brow of hers appeared again. “What does that require?”
“I should… you ought to… Oh, hell—” He reached one arm down to curve around her waist and dragged her body up against his.
God, but she felt fragile.
He lowered his mouth and claimed her lips.
She initially stiffened and went to draw back her head, but Vincent followed her hungrily, unwilling to draw out this dialogue any further.
If she didn’t like it, he would stop. But she needed to have a taste of what was to come if she intended him to swive her that night.
Drawing his tongue along the seam of her lips, satisfaction rolled through him when she relaxed hers, allowing him entry. She tasted of something sweet, warm, and clean.
He’d gone too long without this… since before Keenan’s death.
With a surge of excitement, he tightened his grip around her and when she made no sounds of protest, reached his hands beneath her knees, lifted her easily, and carried her to the bed.
4
ANew Experience
Planningfor such a life-altering event had not been easy, as sheltered and isolated as Lila had been throughout her life. She’d managed to ask Fran a few questions, and one of the housemaids, Dora, had been quite forthcoming, but nothing she’d learned on her own had prepared her for the magnitude of the actual experience itself.
All she could do when Pemberth claimed her mouth and then lifted her easily and carried her across the room was cling to him for dear life.
Dora had not mentioned anything about his tongue… doing these things. And although she might have thought the sensation would be unpleasant, Lila found it all rather intriguing.
In fact, she felt somewhat bereft when he dropped her onto the bed, forcing their mouths to disengage.
Most likely, he’d unfasten his breeches now.
“Do you want to extinguish the lantern?” She stared up at him.
His hands were indeed working at his waist. He did not answer her. He merely shook his head.
So, she would see it. It could not be very large, because Lila couldn’t imagine…
