“Was there now?” His chuckle, deep and sensuous, rumbled in his chest against her hand. “Show me.” Slightly provocative, the purr of his words brought his voice down to a murmur.
In one motion, she rolled him away and onto his back.
Perhaps Colin should have been shockedby Anne’s forthrightness, but nothing could have elated him more. Given her reluctance to retire upstairs, he’d anticipated a coupling similar to those he’d shared with Margery. Only once in their marriage had he ever been able to bring her to release.
Although she’d never refused him and had given him two beautiful daughters, she’d never initiated their couplings, and in truth, he thought she rather endured them as her duty.
Not Anne! How could he have doubted her? Their kisses alone had been heated, and her response to him quick and strong. His touch alone brought her to release with surprising ease. He couldn’t wait to explore her with his mouth.
But that would have to wait for another time, and at least he knew he would look forward to it with eagerness instead of the trepidation he faced when he tried to convince Margery to try. At the moment, his own pressing need took precedence. And yet again, it was Anne who took charge.
The Nymph. No. My Nymph.She truly had bewitched him from the moment they first met.
Flat on his back, he reined in the grin threatening to break free. He couldn’t laugh when she appeared so serious. Did she really understand what she was proposing?
When she climbed on top and straddled him, he supposed she did. “You will have to tell me more about this book of yours.”
“It’s not mine. It’s Alice’s. And it has pictures.” Her brow creased in a frown. “But I’m not sure how I’m supposed to...”
Alice Weatherby? The woman he presumed to be reserved and sensible? The idea that he was a poor judge of women vanished as quickly as it had flitted in. He had more important matters to devote himself to.
“Allow me to assist. But first.” He threaded his fingers through her hair and pulled her down toward him, lifting his shoulders and meeting her halfway for another deep kiss. The scent of her perfume, sweet and heady, rested on his tongue. Thick locks of her red hair, loose from her coiffure, dangled over him and curtained his face. She was wet and ready, her nipples peaked from arousal.
Grasping her hips, he lifted her and positioned himself at her entrance. “Lower yourself when you’re ready. And, Anne?”
Tentative and unguarded, her blue eyes darted to his. “Yes?”
“There may be some pain, but I’ll do my damnedest to make it good for you.” And he would. The fact he’d already brought her to release gave him the confidence he’d lacked for so long. That was if he could last. Still holding himself with one hand, he gritted his teeth and gripped the satiny soft skin of her hip with his other as she lowered herself onto him.
When she met resistance, she hesitated, and he sucked in a breath.Wait. Wait.He pleaded with himself, although all he wanted to do was thrust upward and seathimself fully.
“Why can’t I go farther? Am I doing it wrong?”
Something in his heart cracked at the distress in her voice. Fear of failure was his constant companion, unwelcome but ever present, taunting him. He couldn’t allow hisnymph to suffer like that. “You’re not doing anything wrong, love. I can help if you’ll allow me.”
She nodded once, and he needed no further encouragement. With one thrust, he breached the barrier. Good God, she was incredibly tight. So long ago, he’d forgotten what it was like being with a virgin.
When she uttered a little cry and caught the plush curve of her lower lip with her teeth, he pulled her down to soothe her with a gentle kiss. “The worst is over, Anne. Move whenever you’re ready.” He prayed to God it wouldn’t be too long.
Thank God, as flawed as he was, he still deserved mercy, and she began awkward attempts to rock back and forth.
“Up and down.” Gripping her hips, he guided her, pleased, not to mention grateful, that she was a quick study.
Quick enough that her rhythm, although far from perfect, pushed him close to the edge. Would it be too much to ask to bring her to release again before he found his own? Perhaps. But he was a greedy man. At least he would enjoy trying.
With one hand, he caressed her breast again while he slid the other between their joined bodies and found the sensitive spot between her legs. Satisfaction and pride swelled in his chest as she tightened around him.
“Oh God, Anne!” She was so close, and he watched her carefully. He wanted—no, needed—to see her face if she came again.
The adorable line between her brows creased once more, her eyes squeezed shut, and her mouth dropped open.
But before he could appreciate her beautiful face further, she pulsed around him, the sensation so overpowering, he squeezed his eyes and roared in ecstasy.
His mind reeled from his explosive climax.
Dear God, what was that?!
He wasn’t an inexperienced lover, even before he and Margery married. But something shifted in him, and he didn’t know what in the world to make of it.
