Page 67 of A Night of Forever
He couldn’t help his wry laugh. “Nature doesn’t seem to care if it’s your first time.”
Her lips quivered with a shaky, endearing smile. “Is there a way to ensure I don’t get with child?”
He shook his head. “There are precautions, but only abstinence is totally safe.”
She stood a moment in thought, then risked another glance at him. “I would prefer my child not to be born a bastard, but I am prepared to bring him, or her, up as mine, on my own.”
He wanted to shake some sense into her. “What about marriage? A lifetime alone is a high price to pay for a child. Eventually you’ll want to marry, surely?”
Her chin lifted in stubborn challenge. “I told you. I’ll only marry for love, and if a man loves me, he will love any child of mine.”
He did not doubt it. But the idea of another man raising his child—and with her—stuck in his throat. “If I get you with child we will marry. Do you agree?”
Her eyes lit up. “Does that mean Icanstay the night with you?”
He reached out and ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “It’s hard to deny you when you ask so nicely, and when there is a very large bed so inviting behind you.”
She parted her lips under his thumb, and when it slid into the wet hotness of her mouth, any doubts about his decision was buried under a wave of want.
She drew back a little and smiled up at him. “You will have to tell me what comes next. I’ve never done this before.”
“You are doing a pretty good job so far,” he said softly. “Perhaps you could undress. Would you like me to do the honors?”
She turned her back, presenting the hooks of her dress to him. “Yes, please.”
His hands began to shake as he unhooked her gown. When he let it fall around her feet, she casually stepped out of it. His fingers were all thumbs as he began tackling the laces of her corset. As the restricting garment fell away she breathed out a sigh. Her milky white skin took on an ethereal glow from the light of the two candles, and a hint of jasmine perfumed the chilly air. Even the fine goose bumps on her arms did not detract from the softness under his fingertips.
His blood heated even more when he drew her shift over her head and let it drift to the floor.
When Isobel turned to face him, his breath fled his body. She stood regally, unsure but not embarrassed, completely nude but for her stockings and slippers.
She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
From her fathomless eyes to her succulent lips, down to her high, ripe breasts and further, to the triangle of black curls that covered the core of her femininity, she was both a vision of purity and an erotic, sensuous siren. His fantasy come to life.
Arend had never wanted a woman more. His hands itched to explore, to touch, to stroke. Her dusky rose nipples were pebbled and hard in the chilly air, and begged for his mouth to warm them. He wanted to run his tongue down her narrow waist, over her sweetly rounded hips, to her creamy thighs, and to taste the nectar he’d find between.
She had cast a spell over him since the day they met, and now he sensed the slow thudding of his heart speed up in anticipation of the pleasure he’d find within her arms. His loins felt heavy and thick, the cold air banished by the fire she kindled in his soul.
Isobel was too innocent to understand what the sight of her standing there, giving herself, the gift of her virginity, meant to him. She was a gift from God, and one he knew he did not deserve.
For the first time in his life Arend stood in front of a beautiful woman and felt uncertain. It was as if this was his first time too.
He lifted his gaze from her body and met her eyes, those pale blue eyes full of hope, want, need, and—to his amazement—love.
The knowledge that she truly cared for him humbled him. Isobel was the only woman who had the power to make him ache like this. To make him want—no,need—to be a better man.
The thought of making love to her had consumed his every waking thought for weeks, and now he was light-headed from wanting her. He took a long breath, and the cold air entering his chest spurred him on.
He bent and removed her slippers before rolling her stockings down her legs. The feel of her skin burned through his fingers and into his soul. Knowing he was the first man to see her like this made his heart swell to the point of bursting. He was getting in very deep. Would he be able to let her go when their time ended? A shaft of longing so intense that it was a physical pain hit him in the chest.
Damn it, man, she is not for you. You don’t deserve her.
He rose to his feet, pushing those thoughts away.Selfish bastard,Arend chided himself silently.
With her hand in his he led her to the bed and pushed her gently down. “While I would love to take my time, to walk around you, studying and drinking in your beauty, the room you chose has no fire and you’re getting cold.”
Her mouth quirked up. “Only on the outside. Inside, I’m on fire for you.”
