His heartbeat continued to race, while hers had slowed. She lifted her head to view him as the feel of a large lump beneath her made her seat uncomfortable. Recognition dawned. “You didn’t have any satisfaction.”
He gave her a strained grin. “Not yet. I wanted you to know what it was to experience the thrill of lovemaking.”
She frowned. “But it’s not the same. I know how this works. You need to be inside me.” The hard staff beneath her moved.
“Believe me, I want to be there more than you can know, but our first time together must be broached slowly.”
“Oh.” She’d forgotten the chapter titled simply “The Virgin.” But if the book had done such a poor job of describing the actual feelings of fulfillment, then it may have done little justice to the feelings upon consummation. “Tell me what to expect. Will it hurt?”
His cheek twitched. “I hope not.”
She understood the mechanics and after what she just experienced, she was nervous, but she trusted James, and he had no satisfaction. She could feel how much he needed it. She wanted to give it to him. She wanted to feel everything with him, as she’d said. “Please James, take me now.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
James choked backa pained groan at Joanna’s statement. Her words made him even harder, and it was already unbearable. He wanted her to feel as much with him as she’d just experienced already. Though wishing more than anything that they were in his bedroom after their marriage, he still couldn’t bear to wait another moment to make her his. His body was in full agreement.
Gently, he lifted her, leaned over, and laid her on the rug covering the small corner. Following her down to the floor, he lay down next to her on his side. They were both half-undressed, and as wrong as it was for him to take her this way, he could no longer wait.
She lay on her back staring at him, curiosity clear in her hazel eyes. “Take your shirt off.”
Sitting up, he did as she asked.
She angled herself upward, causing her breasts to become exposed again, and she reached out with one hand to stroke down his chest to the edge of his pantaloons. “The illustrations do not portray how hard men are.”
At her choice of words, his erection pushed to be released. If she only knew how incredibly desirable she looked at the moment. Her innocent touch threatened to make him forget how new she was to this experience. He grasped her hand and gently laid her back, his mouth finding hers in a kiss. The feel of her full breasts pressed to him made it even more difficult to stay in control. Quickly, he moved his lips down her throat and back to her exposed flesh. Covering one hardened peak with his mouth, he gently sucked.
Her gasp sent a thrill down his spine even as her hands in his hair encouraged him to enjoy her. Again he wished they had more time to explore each other, but he was not unaware that the door to the library remained unlocked and the only thing keeping servants out was his earlier foul temper. While leveraging himself with one arm, he reached down with his free hand and bared one of her legs and the juncture of her thighs.
She moaned, moving her limb further to the side, inviting him to take what he would. He forced himself to breathe deeply and blow across the tight peak before him, straining for control, forcing his body to wait. She felt so good against him, like she’d been created just for him. As he ran his hand up the softness of her skin, her hands gripped his hair. She knew what to expect this time and wanted it.
He wanted it too. He loved everything about her from her sharp mind to her playfulness to that single lock of hair that had mesmerized him from the first. He moved his mouth to her other breast, giving it the same attention even as his fingers found her slick opening and her pleasure point. This time he spent more time where he would enter her, playing with her and getting her used to the feeling. Holding himself back when he wanted nothing more than to make her his was going to be the death of him.
“Please. James. Take me.” Her panted words were impossible to ignore as he responded with impatience.
Pulling his hand from her silkiness, he unbuttoned his placket, the temporary relief allowing him to think more clearly. He moved over her, not wanting her to see him and tense. He kept his weight from her chest, to allow her to breathe.
She opened her eyes, now glossy with passion. “I love you, James. I can’t wait any longer.”
Unable to delay another moment, he kissed her, even as he positioned himself to enter her. The heat of her called to him like the sun called to the wildflower. Slowly, he nudged her legs apart, letting her know now was the time.
Instead of stiffening, she widened her legs, bending them, and before he knew what she was about, she thrust her hips upward.
His body instinctively pushed downward, and he stilled, pulling his head back to see her, fear that he’d hurt her filling his chest.
She also lay immobile, her eyes closed and her brows lowered.
“Jo. I didn’t expect you to—”
Her eyes snapped open. “You were taking too long.”
Nervous humor started up his throat, and he swallowed it. “I was trying to be gentle.”
She cocked her head slightly to study him. “Now you can be gentle.”
He didn’t know what to say to that, admiration for her filling him, along with the knowledge that she was his forever now. “Look at me.”
Slowly, he pulled his hips up and then gently sunk down, her warmth surrounding him feeling so right. Her brows were still lowered, but her lips parted. He repeated the action and this time her brows rose, her body beneath him relaxing.
