He’d moved a tad too fast. She gave a start. His hand at her waist kept her from moving back.
With a herculean effort, he held himself still.
For a second, they seemed to be breathing together and then her lips softened.
Now, Roman swept his tongue against the line parting lips and to his everlasting joy she opened to him. They were kissing. Actually kissing in the very best sense of the term.
Yes, he could take it deeper, but he reminded himself he wanted to go slow.
His arm circled her waist. He longed to crush her body against his, to press his hard readiness against her hips, but he held back.
If she had been a more experienced woman, his need was so great he would have had her back on the bed and be deep in by now. Instead, he held himself in check because he wanted them to be the best sort of lovers, and that called for patience from the beginning.
And they would have a lifetime of making love. He had so much he could show her, so much to share. He’d love her in every way possible.
He broke the kiss and nibbled a line to her ear. “Help me undress.”
There was a pause and then she tugged at his shirt, pulling it from the waist of his breeches.
“Good, this is good,” he said, discovering she liked the way he teased her ear. When he lifted her arm to encircle his neck, she willingly pressed her body against his, her breasts flattening against his chest.
Even nicer.
He ran his hand down over her buttock. She was naked under the nightdress. Deliciously so. And if he didn’t get his breeches off, he was going to bust the buttons.
His fingers shook as he started twisting the first one. She rubbed her cheek against his. He had a heavy beard and he worried that his whiskers might scratch her delicate skin. He should have shaved—and then they were kissing again and he forgot he even had whiskers.
This time, she participated in the kiss. Her lips moved against his. Her arm was still around his neck and she reached up to place a hand on his shoulder.
That was all the permission he needed to lift her up and carry her the two steps to the bed. He set her on the mattress, their lips not parting. He touched her with his tongue. She did not shy away but she flinched slightly and he immediately pulled back.
He broke the kiss and sat on the bed beside her. “I need to undress.” She nodded. Roman pulled his shirt over his head. He tossed it aside. Crossing his leg, he gave the heel of his boot a yank. First one hit the floor, then the other.
Her eyes were dark, darker than he’d ever seen them before. The glow of the fire reflected in them as if she was some otherworldly creature come to earth to grace him with her presence. “Should I undress completely as well?”
Roman thought his heart would stop.
His mouth went dry. He had to swallow before he said, “That would be nice.”
That would be nice.The greatest understatement in the world.
In response, Leonie whispered, “I do trust you, Roman.”
“I will never let harm come to you.”
She nodded as if she believed he meant those words.
And then she stood, reached for the skirt of her nightdress, and pulled it over her head.
Roman almost fell to his knees in both gratitude and wonder.
Chapter 13
Leonie had known she would have to let her husband have her. It was expected. Her mother had made that clear.
She hadn’t been looking forward to it with any anticipation. Her one hope was that Roman would be not be angry and rough. Arthur had exposed her to the cruelty of this act.
Still, she’d had no curiosity about it, until now.
