“Not tonight.”
A big, strapping warrior shouldn’t look so mischievous.
She slid her hand over the hard ridges of his stomach, letting her wrist brush over the heavy head of his erection. “Are you sure you can wait? You appear to be ready right now.”
He groaned into her hand as she circled him, letting her draw it up and down a few times before catching her wrist to stop her. “I won’t let you distract me, Mary. I’ve been waiting too long for this. Take it off—all of it.”
She bit her lip, her heart fluttering nervously. “Perhaps we could blow out a few of the candles?”
“Not a chance.”
She frowned. “I can see you are going to be difficult about this.”
“I’m waiting, love. Make me wait much longer and we’ll save this for morning. With the clear skies tonight, I suspect it will be a bright and sunny day.”
She gave him a sharp scowl that promised retribution, sat up, and began to remove her robes. He had to help her, and it didn’t surprise her to discover that her husband was far more efficient than any lady’s maid. “Had practice at this, have you?”
“Some,” he said blandly, not rising to the bait.
When she was down to the last layer of linen, she clung to her chemise like a lifeline. Perhaps she should prepare him? “I’m much bigger—”
“You are carrying my child, Mary. I doubt there is a way you could look any more beautiful to me.”
What could she say to that? He killed her objections with sweetness.
Taking a deep breath, she lifted the last veil between them over her head and tossed the fine linen chemise atop the other items of clothing. Instinctively she crossed her hands in front of her, but there was no hiding the big bump of her stomach or the heaviness of her breasts.
She couldn’t look at him, feeling far too vulnerable. She’d never been naked before a man. Heat rose to her cheeks. Why was he being so quiet? Was she so horribly unattractive to him? Eventually, she couldn’t stand the silence any longer and ventured a peek from under her lashes.
The expression on his face made all of her insecurities slip away. He looked moved. Humbled. Overcome by an emotion she didn’t recognize.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered. He reached out and skimmed the back of his finger over the curve of her breast. “Your breasts are incredible.” He cupped her in his warm, callused hand, circling his thumb over her nipple until it hardened to a taut peak.
“You don’t think they are too large?”
That made him laugh. “Sweetheart, I don’t think there is a man alive who would think that. They’re perfect.”
He bent down and took the nipple he’d hardened into his mouth.
She gasped as heat and dampness enfolded her sensitive flesh, as his tongue circled, as his teeth nibbled, as he sucked. She buried her fingers in his thick, dark hair, holding him tightly to her. Sharp needles of pleasure shot from her breasts to between her legs. She was gasping with pleasure, her already heavy breasts growing fuller, her nipples throbbing.
But he had only just begun. He took his time exploring every inch of the naked flesh that she’d hidden from him. He caressed her with his hands, tasted her with his mouth, and devoured her with his eyes, until there was no part of her left untouched and she was weak with wanting.
Finally, when he’d brought her to a fever pitch, when every inch of her skin was burning from his kiss, when her body was damp and writhing with restless desire, his mouth found hers again.
She moaned, reaching for him. She held him tight, her hands gripping the hard slabs of his back and shoulders.
He was stretched out beside her, leaning over her, and the heat of his naked skin against hers felt so good, she wanted more. She tried to pull his chest toward hers, seeking the solid heaviness of him on top of her, but he held himself away.
He put his hand over her stomach. “The babe.”
She didn’t think there was a reason to worry, but decided not to argue. Instead, she succumbed to the power of his kiss, letting the warmth spread through her limbs like molten lava, dissolving everything in its wake.
But eventually, it wasn’t enough—for either of them.
The slow, lazy seduction and the gentle exploration had reached its limit.
His kiss turned harder, more determined. Each powerful thrust of his tongue, each possessive stroke, taking her deeper and deeper. His groans echoed hers as their passion built together. She could feel the beat of his heart against hers, pounding faster and faster.
