Page 64 of Tempted By a Highland Beast
Constantine turned to face her fully, his dark eyes serious. “It daesnae have tae frighten ye. And ye dinnae have tae understand it all at once.”
“What dae ye mean?”
His thumb traced circles on the back of her hand, soothing and arousing at the same time. “I mean there are ways tae explore what ye feel, what ye want, without... without giving more than ye’re ready tae give.”
Rowena’s eyes widened slightly. “I dinnae understand.”
“Pleasure,” he said carefully, watching her face. “‘Tis nae bound only tae marriage, tae the marriage bed. There are ways... gentle ways... tae ken yer own body, yer own desires.”
“Would ye…” The words caught in her throat, color flooding her cheeks. “Would ye show me?”
Constantine’s eyes darkened, pupils dilating with desire. “Only if ye are certain. Once we cross this line, Rowena, there’s nay going back. Nay pretending it didnae happen.”
She met his gaze steadily, some of her natural courage returning. “I’m certain.”
Rowena’s heart hammered against her ribs as she settled back against the pillows, the rough linen cool against her heated skin. She watches with anticipation as Constantine moved with careful deliberation, his hands gentle as he arranged her skirts, his touch reverent rather than demanding.
“If ye want me tae stop,” he said again, his voice rough with restraint, “ye only need tae say it.”
She nodded, not trusting her voice. Everything in her proper upbringing screamed that it was wrong, that good women didn’t allow such liberties, didn’t want such things. But thepart of her that had been awakening, the part that responded to Constantine’s dark intensity like a flower turning toward the sun, wanted it more than she’d ever wanted anything.
His hands skimmed up her legs, over her stockings, to the ties of her smallclothes. He paused there, meeting her eyes in the candlelight.
“Last chance, lass.”
“Dinnae stop,” she whispered, the words barely audible but clear enough.
Constantine’s smile was soft, almost tender, as he freed the ties and slowly, carefully, drew the fabric away. Cool air kissed her most intimate places, and she had to bite her lip to keep from gasping.
“Beautiful,” he murmured, his hands settling on her thighs, thumbs tracing gentle circles on her skin. “So beautiful, Rowena.”
When his fingers found her center, found the slick evidence of her arousal, she couldn’t hold back the soft cry that escaped her lips.
His fingers moved with patient skill, mapping her most sensitive places, learning the rhythm that made her breath hitch, the pressure that made her arch beneath his touch. When he foundthat small bundle of nerves that made lightning shoot through her veins, she cried out his name without thought.
“That’s it,” he praised, his voice rough with his own desire. “Dinnae hold back. Let me hear ye.”
The tension built slowly, a coiling heat that seemed to originate from his touch and spread through her entire body. She’d never felt anything like it, that gathering storm that made her restless and desperate and utterly at his mercy.
When release finally claimed her, it hit like a thunderstorm—sudden, overwhelming, stealing her breath, her sight and every coherent thought. She arched beneath Constantine’s gentle hands, his name a prayer on her lips as wave after wave of sensation crashed over her.
Afterward, she lay trembling and spent, reality slowly seeping back in around the edges of her consciousness. Shame followed quickly, hot and suffocating, and she moved to cover herself, to hide from what she’d just done, what she’d allowed.
“Nay.” Constantine’s hand caught hers, his voice firm but gentle. “Dinnae hide from me, Rowena. Dinnae be ashamed of something so beautiful.”
“I... that was…” She couldn’t find words, couldn’t process what had just happened to her.
“That was ye discovering what it means tae be a woman,” he said softly, his thumb tracing her cheek. “What it means tae want and tae be wanted in return.”
“Is it always like that?” The question came out smaller than she’d intended, vulnerable and wondering.
Constantine’s smile was tender, almost protective. “With the right person? Aye, it can be. Better, even.”
“Better?” She couldn’t imagine anything more intense than what she’d just experienced.
“Much better.” His hand smoothed over her hair, soothing and possessive at the same time. “But that’s a lesson fer another day.”
Rowena closed her eyes, still trying to process the magnitude of what had just shifted between them. She’d crossed a line tonight, stepped into territory she’d never imagined for herself. And despite the voice in her head that whispered about propriety and virtue, she couldn’t bring herself to regret it.
