Page 103 of Midnight Enchantment

“Here we are,” she murmured, and wondered why she was suddenly so nervous. She had been waiting for this moment practically from the night they met.

Now it was here. What if she disappointed him? He had been married before. No doubt, in nine hundred years he had made love to many women. How many, she wondered. And how would she compare?

“Happy?” he asked.

“Of course.”

“What is wrong, Liliana?”

“Wrong? Nothing. Why do you ask?”

“You cannot lie to me,” he said. “What is it that troubles you?”

“I’m afraid.”

He set her lightly on her feet and took a step back. “Of me?”

“No! I … you … I’ve never … ” She looked down at the floor as a rush of heat flooded her cheeks.

“Liliana, look at me.”

When she refused, he placed his finger under her chin and lifted her head. “We can wait until you are ready.”

She stared at him, wide-eyed with surprise. “But I thought … ”

“What? That I would throw you on the bed, rip off your gown, and ravish you?”

She laughed, her blush deepening. This was Raedan. There was nothing to be afraid of.

She bit down on her lower lip when he drew her gently into his arms.

“I want you,” he said, his voice husky with desire.

“And I want you, but … ”

“But what? Tell me what is bothering you.”

“I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you. You’ve been with so many women, and I know nothing of pleasing a man.”

“Everything about you pleases me. Your lips, your eyes, your sweet smile.” He kissed her tenderly. “Your laugh.” He kissed her again, his hand sliding up and down her back as he drew her closer. “The way you sigh when you are in my arms.” Taking her hand in his, he pressed it to his chest. “Why do you not get ready for bed while I take a shower?”

She nodded, grateful for his understanding, confused by her feelings. She had waited for this moment, dreamed of it. Why was she so hesitant?

Brow furrowed, she padded into the bedroom and closed the door. She stepped out of her shoes, removed her veil, her wedding dress and her underwear. A murmured word clothed her in a long white nightgown. Chiding herself for her foolish fears, she opened the connecting door to the bathroom and peeked inside.

Raedan stood inside the stall, his back toward her, a study in sheer masculine perfection. Her gaze caressed his broad shoulders, his trim waist, his long, muscular legs. A gasp escaped her lips when he turned around and found her standing there, staring at him.

The nightgown she wore left nothing to the imagination and his body reacted instantly. Her cheeks turned bright pink when she saw the blatant evidence of his desire.

Raedan turned off the water, opened the door, grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his hips.

And still she stood there, watching him avidly, her lips slightly parted. He heard the rapid beating of her heart as the scent of her desire filled the air. She didn’t back away when he moved slowly toward her. Instead, she ran her hands over his chest, let her fingertips follow the line of dark hair that disappeared beneath the towel.

“Careful, little girl,” he warned. “You are playing with fire.”

Feeling suddenly bold, she wrapped her arms around his neck, went up on her tiptoes, and kissed him.

He crushed her close a moment before sweeping her into his arms and carrying her to bed. She didn’t remember removing her nightgown, but it was suddenly gone and they were lying side by side.

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