Page 38 of Love Letters & Lemon Drops

I nod and pull back. "Where is the sheath you were talking about?"

"In my pocket." He gestures to the abandoned jacket close by. I reach out for it, pulling it towards me and starting to search through the pocket. I pull out some fabric, surprised to discover it's the handkerchief I embroidered for him.

"You kept it?" My voice cracks as I ask.

"Of course I did," he responds. "You made it for me, and it's beautiful. Why would I not keep such a wonderful gift from you?"

I nod, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. I'm not sure why, but the whole thing is making me emotional.

"Sola, it's all right." He leans in and brushes my tears away from my eyes. "We don't have to do this."

"It's not about what we're doing," I promise. "You're just so much more than I expected. And I thought I knew what to expect."

He runs a thumb over my cheek and looks at me adoringly. "I hope I keep making you feel that way." He leans in and kisses me softly, full of emotion and caring. "We can stop if you want to," he says when he pulls back.

"No, I don't want to." If anything, it makes me want him more. Not just because I'm craving his touch, but because I want to feel the connection to him.

"Let me." He takes his jacket from me and finds the sheath, using it to cover himself. My mouth goes a little dry as I watch, and a small bout of nerves comes back. Not because I'm worried about what's about to happen, it's just because it's going to be the first time, and I want it to feel good.

Arthur leans in and kisses me again, his hand drifting over my arm and back between my legs. His fingers brush against my most sensitive spot, but he doesn't linger. Instead, he finds my entrance and carefully presses them inside.

I let out a gasp and arch into him. There's a slight pressure, but he's going slowly enough that it doesn't hurt. He curls his fingers up within me and I make a humming noise, not entirely sure how it's supposed to feel, but enjoying it all the same.

I let out a disappointed noise as he removes his fingers, making him laugh.

"Patience," he murmurs against my neck.

"I'm not sure I know that word right now," I respond.

He shifts so that he's between my legs and guides himself to my entrance. Anticipation fills me as he ever so slowly pushes into me. There's a moment's discomfort, and I grip hold of his arm a little too tightly.

"Give me a moment?" I ask.

"Are you all right?"

"It's just new," I respond through ragged breaths. "Now?"

He pushes further in and there's a moment of further discomfort which quickly gives way into a feeling of being fuller than I ever have been. Which isn't a huge surprise when I've never done this before, but it is when I consider how much I like it.

"More," I whisper, running my hand down his arm. "But slowly."

"Slow is good," he responds. "If I go any faster, I think it'll be over."

"Then definitely slow."

I shift my hips, making him go deeper without meaning to. He lets out a groan and leans his head against my shoulder. "I'm not going to last." His voice is barely audible.

"Then don't."

He nods, moving within me. I let out a gasp, realising that it feels good. He reaches out to touch my face and I let myself sink into the moment, feeling the connection grow between us in intensity. He pushes into me once more and his whole body tenses under my touch and he lets go.

Arthur collapses against me, and we lie there for a moment, covered in sweat and not moving.

"I'm sorry that didn't last longer," he says as he shifts off me and deals with the sheath.

"It doesn't matter," I promise. "We've got time. No one needs us until the morning, and we've got plenty of food here. And in a few days, we'll be married, then no one will disturb us at night anyway."

"So long as you don't want to run back to Someil now."

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