Page 32 of Yule Be Mine

Penelope stood behind the screen where he’d left her, but not looking at all as he’d left her. Her gown, petticoats, and miraculously, her stays, were pooled in a puddle on the floor, leaving her standing in only her thin white linen shift. Her feet were still encased in clocked stockings, but her hair now swirled magnificently around her shoulders, released from the soft rolls around her face.

Yule’s mouth dried, his heart beat frantically in his chest, and his cock sprang to attention so suddenly, it moved the folds of his banyan. Dear God, but she was the most beautiful creature he’d ever beheld. And if he didn’t take her in his arms and sweep her into his bed this minute, he wouldn’t have to hurry at all. He held out a hand to her, praying it didn’t tremble. She put her hand in his and he drew her to him.

“God, Penelope. You are exquisite.”

She gazed up at him, her smile making his chest constrict. “So are you, my love.” She turned and led him toward the bed. “Now come, make me yours.”

*

Trembling like aleaf in a strong wind, Penelope didn’t allow herself to stop until she and Yule stood before the tall poster bed that took up the middle of his bedroom. Much less confident about what they were doing than she’d let on to Yule, she still wished to go through with the plan. After all, she’d been waiting for this moment for most of her life—ever since she’d decided at the age of seven that she was going to marry Ulysses Quartermain. She hadn’t known how or when, but she’d known with a surety that had sustained her through the long years since then that she would find him somehow and convince him to marry her.

And miracle of miracles, it had happened. They were going to be married—for all intents and purposes in the next half an hour, or however long it took to perform what Charlotte had told her was called carnal embrace. It didn’t sound as earth-shattering as her sister had made it out to be. Perhaps it was something one had to experience in order to understand fully. And now she would experience it very, very soon. “Kiss me?”

Before her lips could form the word, Yule had sunk his mouth onto hers, sliding his tongue inside hers with the ease of breathing. Tingles shot down her arms and that peculiar feeling in the bottom of her stomach began to curl and tighten. Needing to feel him pressed against her body, Penelope slid her arms around his neck and pulled him to her. With their clothing so thin it might as well not be there, every muscle of his chest seemed to touch her from the top right down to the hard, prodding presence that pushed relentlessly against her nether regions. A low moan escaped her throat and suddenly she was swept up in Yule’s arms and laid down in the middle of the big bed.

“Aren’t we going to get under the covers?” This wasn’t at all how she’d thought it would be.

“Later, my love.” He climbed up in the bed beside her, looming large over top of her, his banyan more off him than on, so she could see his broad chest tapering down to his waist and lower—

“Oh, my.” She could scarcely breathe when she beheld the long, thick part of him that jutted toward her. Neither Charlotte nor Yule’s sisters had described that in any of their whispered conversations. Probably with good reason. Frightened and thrilled at the same time, Penelope had to tear her gaze away and looked up at Yule, who was watching her carefully.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Penelope? Once it’s done, it can’t be undone.” The tension in his voice and the dark, smoldering look in his eyes told of his willingness to continue this instant. Yet he held himself back, wanting to make certain of her.

Could there be a better, more caring man on God’s green earth? “Yes, my love. We will be married in truth shortly and this is what married couples do, don’t they?”

In answer he buried his face between her breasts, a low groan issuing from him as he answered, “Yes.”

Penelope caught her breath as he suddenly enveloped her nipple in his mouth, disregarding the thin linen chemise that still covered her. Dear Lord! Her whole body heated instantly, including her cheeks that seemed suddenly aflame. As he sucked on the nipple, a streak of fire shot down to that strange place, low inside her and she gasped. To feel so good and so naughty at the same time was exhilarating.

A coolness rushed up her legs. Yule had pulled her chemise up, exposing the bottom half of her body. He raised up, shrugging off his robe. “Lift your bottom, sweetheart.”

Startled, she did as he asked and he pulled her garment up and off her and tossed it over his shoulder, leaving her completely bare, exposed to his hungry gaze.

As he stared down at her, an appreciative growl came from low in his throat.

Somehow that made Penelope even more aware of her naked state, as no man had ever seen her before. She turned her head away, unwilling to meet his gaze anymore.

“Penelope.” The coaxing tone in his voice made her turn back to him, though reluctantly. “You are beautiful, my love. Why do you turn away?”

She shrugged, unable to put her feelings into words.

“Here. Let me make you feel better.” Yule settled down beside her, pulling her toward him until their bodies touched. He ran his hand down the length of her side, then her leg. As he began the journey back, he moved his hand between her legs, gently pushing them apart. “Relax, love. This won’t hurt.”

Penelope hadn’t realized she’d been pressing her legs closed at his touch. Why was she acting so skittishly? She’d wanted this—wanted him—her whole life. There was nothing to be frightened of. Slowly, she loosened her legs, allowing his hand to glide between them all the way up to—

She gasped as he brushed the curls that covered her sex, shuddering as the new sensation overtook her.

“Shhh. It’s all right.”

His soothing voice helped allay her fears. This was Yule, the man she loved. If there was anyone she trusted, it was him. and she relaxed back into the mattress.

“Close your eyes and let me pleasure you.”

Dutifully, Penelope closed her eyes and waited. When his fingers stroked through the curls this time, she didn’t gasp, although she couldn’t help trembling. This time, however, his finger touched a spot that made her cry out, not with pain but with intense pleasure.

“Did I hurt you?” Yule’s voice was concerned, but she shook her head and opened her eyes to look up at him.

“No, it didn’t hurt but…” How could she explain what she felt when he touched her like that?