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He lifted his head, and his molten, passion-filled gaze ensnared her. Laughing in self-depreciation, he apologized. “I’m afraid I’ve been without a woman far too long to take this as slowly as I intended, sweeting. You’re such a temptress, I cannot wait any longer.” He slid a hand between her legs, fondling her most private place, and unexpected bliss engulfed her. He gave a satisfied grunt. “You’re ready, sweeting.”
She was? Is that what the pulsating ache meant?
He captured her mouth in a plundering kiss, and cupping her buttocks, parted her legs. Plunging his tongue into her mouth, he surged into her with one fierce thrust.
A cry caught in Vangie’s throat. She went rigid beneath him, wrenching her mouth from his. Dear God. He was buried deep within her. Scrunching her face against the pain, she fisted her hands in the sheets, as hot, salty tears slipped from the corners of her eyes.
“Shh, love. I’m so sorry, sweeting.” Deep regret laced Ian’s voice. “I didn’t know. I thought…” He remained perfectly still, allowing her to become accustomed to him. The pain gradually ebbed, replaced by a vague, fluttery tingle that spread slowly outward. She arched her hips tentatively, and he smiled. “Better?”
She managed a nod, as he moved in and out of her with growing intensity. A new feeling blossomed deep inside of her, undefinable and elusive. She wanted more…just more.
A few moments later, Ian stiffened, a low guttural moan issuing from the depths of his throat. He collapsed atop her, his heavy breathing rasping against her shoulder. Something sticky trickled onto her thighs as she lay beneath.
Where was the pleasure Aunt Adélaid spoke of—that Ian had promised?
Ian withdrew from Vangie and cursing silently rolled to his side, facing her. She promptly turned away, presenting her back and wept
In that moment, he hated himself. He traced a visual path from her shoulders to her thighs. A butterfly-shaped birthmark adorned her right buttock. He reached to touch it, but hesitated. He didn’t have the right to caress her—not now.
Not after the cruel things he’d said to her. He’d made a grave miscalculation. She was, had been, an innocent. God’s blood, what had he done?
When he’d felt her tight barrier tearing away, her strangled cry stabbed him to his core. Even then, he couldn’t stop. In her innocence, she’d taken him past the point of no return; a first for him.Never in his life had Ian felt as helpless or as much self-condemnation and self-loathing as he did at this moment. His actions had been untenable.
He could still hear her pleas to wait to consummate their vows. She wasn’t being coy or denying him her bed. She was an innocent maid, frightened to bed a man she didn’t know. She sobbed silently, each shuddering sigh of her slender form, tore into his gut like a knife twisting his vitals. He needed to console her every bit as much as she needed consoling.
Tenderly wrapping his arms around her, he tucked Vangie against his chest. She didn’t resist even though he’d treated her poorly. She hadn’t deserved the appalling things he’d said to her. Guilt shafted through him once more.
She should’ve been introduced to passion with care and tenderness, not untamed lust while his cruel, hateful words echoed in her ears. He was a blind fool, a rogue of the worst sort. Yes, an arrogant, ignorant ass. He should be rejoicing over Vangie’s innocence. Instead, he felt like a man who had stolen someone’s sole, most treasured possession.
In truth, he had.
Running a soothing hand along her neck and arm, then over her delicate shoulder, Ian attempted to comfort her. “I’m sorry, sweeting. I was told you—”
She went rigid against him.
Yielding to the scant degree of wisdom and good sense he yet possessed, he changed tactics. Brushing aside the tendrils of hair enveloping her shoulder, he kissed the delicate flesh. “Sleep now, love. All will be better in the morn.”
How, he didn’t know.
He nuzzled Vangie’s neck. “Forgive me.”
One thing was for certain, they’d leave for Somersfield first thing. He’d a need to sift fallacy from fact. Something was too smoky by far.
