“Did I hurt you?” She froze, her hands hovering uncertainly over his bare chest.
“Don’t stop.” He yanked her back down, his mouth finding hers again, hungry and desperate.
His chest felt warm and solid beneath her palms. The scar from Waterloo was a raised ridge beneath her fingers, and the bandages wrapped around his ribs served as a reminder of how close she’d come to losing him. She kissed the scar, tracing it with her tongue. He groaned, a deep and guttural sound, as his hips shifted beneath her and his hands gripped her thighs.
“I need...” His hands fumbled at her drawers, desperate and clumsy in his haste.
She helped him, kicking the silk away until she was finally bare against him. His hand slid between her thighs, and his pulse kicked when he found her already wet and ready for him. His fingers parted her slick folds with a trembling touch.
“God.” He breathed the word, his eyes fixed on her face like memorizing her. “You are...”
“I know.” She rocked against his hand, the need coiling tight in her belly. “I have wanted you too. Every night since the maze. Longer.”
He slid a finger inside her, and she bit back a cry, her nails digging into his shoulders. “I need to taste you.” He tried to shift beneath her, his hands gripping her hips to move her toward his mouth.
“No.” She pinned him down, one hand flat on his chest to keep him still. “You will hurt yourself.”
“Nell.” He groaned in protest, his fingers still moving deep inside her.
“I said no.” She reached for his breeches, her fingers working the fastenings with steady intent. “Tonight, you stay still. Tonight, I take care of you.”
His eyes went black, his breath catching in his throat. “That might kill me faster than the fall.”
“Then die happy.” She freed him from his breeches, wrapping her hand around the hot, hard length of him.
He was straining, leaking at the tip, and when she tightened her grip, he choked out a sound, half groan and half sob, as his head fell back against the pillows.
“Nell… I cannot… I won’t last.” His hands gripped her hips, his whole body trembling with the effort of restraint.
“Then don’t.” She rose up, positioning herself over him until she felt the blunt head of him pressing against her entrance.
She sank down slowly, taking him inch by inch. She let her body adjust to the stretch and the overwhelming sensation offinally having him inside her. He gripped her hips, his fingers digging in hard enough to leave marks, his teeth ground together until a muscle jumped in his cheek.
“God.” He gritted out the word through his teeth.
She stilled for a moment, adjusting to his weight. He was bigger than she’d expected, thicker and more substantial.
“Are you...” He started to ask, his whole body rigid.
“I am fine.” She breathed the reassurance, her hands braced on his chest. “Just… give me a moment.”
He didn’t move. He simply watched her, his chest heaving, every muscle taut, though then she moved, rolling her hips to test the friction. His head fell back against the pillows, his throat working as he swallowed.
“Oh, fuck!” He dragged her against him, his arms tightening like iron bands.
“Language, my lord.” She almost laughed, rolling her hips again to hear him gasp.
“You try being polite when...” He choked as she lifted and dropped, his hands spasming on her hips. “Christ.”
She found a rhythm, slow and deep, careful not to jostle his battered ribs. His hands slid up her body, cupping her breasts and thumbing her nipples.
“You are so beautiful.” He breathed, staring up at her with eyes dark with want. “Look at you. Taking what you want.”
“Is this what I want?” She ground down against him, watching his face contort with pleasure.
“God, I hope so.” He surged up, capturing her nipple in his mouth and sucking hard.
She cried out, the angle shifting to hit something deep inside her that made stars burst behind her eyes.
