Page 50 of Sir Hugo Seeks a Wife
When she stepped back, he heaved a ragged sigh of relief.“Later you can touch me as much as you want.”
“I look forward to that.”Desire had him in its unshakable grip.Her, too.It was past time to speed things along.With unsteady hands, she tugged off her wrap and caught the hem of her nightdress.After she hauled it over her head, she dropped it to the floor.
His gaze devoured her as she stood naked in front of him for the first time.His attention lingered on every detail, made her self-conscious.She fought the urge to snatch her nightdress back.“By all that’s holy, you’re so lovely.”
The awe in his voice made her shake.“It’s silly to feel shy,” she muttered, avoiding his eyes.
“It’s our first time.”His smile was indulgent.“A few nerves are de rigueur.”
His use of the society phrase in such a private setting made her smile.Her crippling awkwardness ebbed.“You know, you could get rid of your dressing gown now.”
His swift obedience betrayed his rising need.At the sight of his unclothed body, every drop of moisture evaporated from her mouth.What a breathtaking figure of a man he was.Large and powerful, and perfectly proportioned.
“Oh, Hugo…”
“Stuck for words, lass?”
“And you say you’re not beautiful.”
Wonder flooded Hugo’s face, and he lunged forward and kissed her at last, deep and hungry.She plastered herself against that superb form and responded with uninhibited surrender.By the time he raised his head, she was itching for more than kisses.She took his hand to lead him toward the bed.“It’s time.”
“Not yet.”
As she lay back on the mattress, Athene sent him a questioning glance.“Not yet?”
She stretched out upon the crisp sheets.Mrs.Treddle must store her linen with sprigs of lavender.The fresh, clean scent rose around her as she sank into the bedding.It seemed incongruously wholesome, given what was about to happen.
“You aren’t ready.”He climbed over her, supporting his weight on his arms and tangling his legs with hers.
She caught one of his hands and placed it over the damp curls covering her sex.“Yes, I am.”
As he stroked her, he released a low growl.“You can want me more.”
Athene shook her head.She wanted him so much, she was close to splintering into jagged pieces.“I don’t think so.I’m mad for you.”
“Not mad enough.”He dipped his head to kiss her neck.An electric thrill zapped through her.Then another stronger thrill when Hugo’s large hand flexed against her mound.She parted her legs to encourage him to touch her there, where he’d soon fill her.
Devil take him, he might be right.She’d been wet for him since exploring his chest, but his caresses now lifted her responses higher.Arousal cascaded through her, building her anticipation.With an incoherent sound of approval, he stroked her cleft before finding the center of her pleasure and teasing the pearl of flesh.
She slid her hips back and forth against the sheets, as simmering desire spiked to roaring flame.Her shaking hands hooked over his shoulders.“Please, oh, please don’t wait.”
“I want to take you to heaven, Athene.”
Her protest at the delay died under a long, succulent kiss.While his lips moved on hers, he slid one finger inside her.Then two fingers.He began to move his hand in and out in an action that presaged what he’d soon do with his penis.How she craved that blazing peak of experience.
He curled his fingers to stimulate a place that left her quaking with pleasure.Athene released a long moan.Already, the flight to ecstasy started.Her fingers formed claws in Hugo’s shoulders.
He dipped his head to take one nipple between his lips, drawing on it.The barrage of sensation submerged her in an ocean of desire.As Hugo kissed the other nipple, he lifted his hand from between her legs.When he raised his head, he settled in the cradle of her thighs and stared down into her face.He was heavy-eyed and his lips were swollen after their kisses.
Athene hadn’t felt a lover’s weight on her in ten years.She’d forgotten the delicious intimacy of this breathless pause just before sexual congress.Her hands flattened against Hugo’s shoulders and glided down to encircle his upper arms.
“Now, Hugo.Please.”Her plea was husky and broken.
If he didn’t take her soon and allay the agonizing emptiness inside her, she feared that she’d explode.Her frantic hands kneaded his firm buttocks, coaxing him forward.His muscles hardened under her touch, as he prepared to enter her.
He kissed her again, then slowly and carefully pressed forward.It was so long since she’d had a lover, her body automatically tensed against him.He was much larger than George.For one hectic second, she feared this wasn’t going to work.Then as smoothly as a diver slipped through the water, he slid deep and settled to the hilt.
A long huff of satisfaction escaped her, and she curled her fingers into his buttocks to hold him where he was.She’d always loved this moment when a man filled her.She loved it even more when the man was as big and masterful as Hugo.He banished the loneliness that had haunted her since Vienna.
