“I’m not…” She exhaled. “Maybe I am a bit.”
He kissed her. Easing her into it, taking her mouth on a slow, sensual journey until all the starch left her spine and she was slumped against him. Gray didn’t stop, he just kept kissing her. He stroked her back and arms, getting her used to his touch.
“I want you very much, Ellen, but I would never force or frighten you.”
“I know. Teach me, Gray.” Her hands rested on his chest. “Show what can be between a husband and wife.”
He shrugged out of his jacket and let it fall to the floor. He then pulled her closer.
“You do whatever feels comfortable, love.”
“Can I touch you?” She trapped her lip between her teeth.
“I hope you will.”
She slowly undid the buttons of his waistcoat and pushed it from his shoulders. Next, she worked his necktie and shirt buttons free. Spreading the sides open, she studied his chest. One hand then trailed over his skin, and he bit back a moan.
“Will you let me touch you too?” Gray asked.
She stepped back and turned for him to undo her buttons. He’d been working buttons through openings most of his life, but right then it was almost beyond him, but he managed. And with every inch he uncovered, the soft fabric of her chemise was exposed. The pale skin of the back of her neck drove his passions higher. His body was hard with the need to make her his.
When she turned to face him again, he pulled her close. Kissing her, taking her mouth on another sensual journey. Gray stroked his hand down her back over the swells of her bottom and then back up, teasing each knuckle of her spine. She shivered against him.
“Remove your chemise for me, love? Let me see you.”
Ellen didn’t hesitate at his words. Stepping back, she grabbed the hem and pulled it off her body.
“You’re exquisite,” Gray whispered, devouring what she had exposed with his eyes. He’d known Ellen was beautiful, but candlelight only enhanced that. She was a vision of lush curves and pale satin skin. Needing to touch her, he stroked the rise of her breast.
“Look at me, Ellen,” Gray whispered. She lifted her eyes to his. “I love you so very much.”
“I love you too.”
“But I don’t think you realize what you have given me, my sweet.”
“What have I given you?” she whispered, her blue eyes full of love, and it humbled him that it was for Gray.
“When I first saw you that foggy London night, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. It was not possible you were that beautiful or spirited. Surely, I was imagining things. But you were so much more.”
His fingers skimmed over her ribs.
“You have taught me to feel, my sweet. Taught me I was merely existing before you entered my life.”
“Don’t cry.” He brushed the tear that trailed down her cheek.
“Happy tears,” she said. “I too had locked away my heart and felt no one would ever have the key to release it. I was wrong.”
“Ellen,” he whispered her name reverently, and then no more words were needed.
Both were breathless in seconds as their kisses grew fiercer. Slowly they moved backward as one until Ellen’s thighs hit the bed. She touched the waistband of his trousers, running a finger around his stomach.
“Will you take these off, Gray?”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded, and her eyes trailed over him. His chest was wide and muscled, sprinkled with hair. She leaned forward and placed a kiss above his heart, and he shuddered. Straightening, he pushed his trousers down his thighs, exposing his desire for her. Ellen’s pulse quickened at the thought of what they were about to do.
“Let me be your maid.” His fingers were in her hair, releasing the circlet of flowers and removing the pins. Then he was running his hands through her locks. With a gentle tug, her head fell back, and he was kissing her once more. Ellen lost the ability to think. She could only feel. His hands were on her body, tracing each curve of her breasts, sending ripples of pleasure through her.
