Page 37 of A Dream of Redemption
Every instinct in her body reacted. Triumph mixed with heady delight. She’d finally breached his walls and set free his emotions. She gloried in the fact that he wanted her too.
The realization streaked through her, he wanted her as much as she wanted him. She understood his need, as it was her own. This was meant to be. The rightfulness of their joining was something she felt in her skin, and her blood, and the knowledge that he was willing to take a risk on them just as she was, sank into her marrow.
It scared and delighted her in equal measure.
She could feel their kiss ignite a flame, for he drew her into a tight embrace. His hands began to roam, his caresses building the fires of desire. He eased back onto the bed taking her with him, allowing her to luxuriate in the feel of his hard body. Her arms about his neck, she locked him to her as the kiss went on and on.
As they fell deeper under the sensual spell they both wove, she knew that fate had paired them. This was the other half of her, the person she was supposed to find. She didn’t care what the world around them thought, not in this moment, not at this time. Regrets might come later, but her heart sang with the possibilities.
All she understood was it felt right.
His hands speared into her hair and sent pins flying. The glorious mass tumbled down and he closed his hand in it, held it, savoring the feeling of the silken strands sliding through his fingers.
Eventually leaving her hair, his hands trailed down, fingers tickling the sensitive skin of her throat. Then his lips left hers to follow the trail. She felt a tug and one breast popped free of her gown. He laid a hand on her bare breast; she pressed her flesh into his palm, sighing with contentment.
His lips returned to hers, appeasing their hunger while between them his hand closed, kneading gently at first, then more deliberately, until her breast was swollen, aching, pulsating.
His wandering hands grew bolder. She made a wish. She wished she could feel the heat of his hands over every inch of her body.
It was as if he read her mind. His fingers began to unhook the fastenings at the front of her gown. She froze, scared that if she made one movement he would stop.
He stripped her of her gown slowly, freeing first one shoulder, then the other, murmuring instructions that she obeyed. She glanced at his face, marveled at the sharp edges his desire carved. Then he jerked the ribbon ties of her chemise undone, and pushed her gown and chemise down, baring her to the waist.
The expression on his face sent joy winging through her. He looked stunned, mesmerized, utterly enthralled. She ignored the cool air washing over her skin; the heat from his eyes alone warmed her. Finally her wish came true. His hands rose, closed almost worshipfully about each breast, then his fingers firmed. He pulled gently on one taut nipple. She gasped, closed her eyes, heat rising, concentrating, caught by a rush of seductive delight.
This was all so new to her, and for one brief moment she thought about all the women he’d probably done this with before. Was it as special for him?
“I will treasure this moment,” he whispered against her ear as his fingers continued to stroke her breasts. “You are my first taste of innocence.”
She immediately understood what that meant. Whilehewas her first taste of anything, he was letting her know, that in some way, she was also his first.
She moved restlessly against him, felt the erection rigid against her stomach. His hot mouth trailed down her neck, over her chin, and caught her lips with his, drawing her senses once more into the heated depth of a kiss.
Slowly the kiss ended and he pulled back. His eyes never left her face, but his touched drifted, fingers stroking languidly, soothingly. Each touch filled with reverence, as if he were stroking the richest velvet, the most costly satin.
Watching him watching her, caused heat to blossom and spread throughout Helen’s body. Desire gripped her and she wanted more.
Her gaze still trapped by his, he slowly leaned forward and ran his tongue down the line of her throat to where her pulse throbbed. He closed his mouth over the spot; heat slid beneath her skin as he sucked lightly. She wanted his mouth on her forever. Sadly he drew back and licked instead, but she wasn’t disappointed for long.
His head dipped lower, lips skating over the upper curves of one breast. Her nerves leapt, tensed, sparked—she caught her breath, wanting his mouth on her nipple…A gasp escaped her mouth as she got her wish. His lips closed hotly around the ruched peak of one nipple; she melted when he suckled lightly, then he suckled again—harder and her world spun out of orbit.
He didn’t let her catch her breath, didn’t let her senses stop spinning. She pressed up from the bed trying to get closer, willing him to consume her. Every nerve was alive, every sense she possessed focused on his touch, his injury forgotten. Her hands swept over his body, learning, memorizing every curve.
When he finally eased back on the bed beside her, he reached for her, spearing his hands once more through her hair and drawing her lips to his.
“I will not ruin you,” he whispered reverently in her ear. Disappointment cascaded through the pleasure. “But I will be the first man to introduce you to passion.”
She had no idea what he meant. All she knew was that he was not putting an end to this magical moment.
—
Clary knew he would go to hell for what he was doing but he could not seem to care. He could almost believe in a God once more, for why else would such a gorgeous creature offer herself to him.
He reveled in her eagerness, and her innocence, but she captured him with her worldly sensuality, a sensuality that spoke so directly to his. For most of his life pleasure had been demanded from him, but this time he’d freely sell his soul to ensure that the woman beneath him knew such pleasure she would never forget him.
This time he wanted to draw out the moments, savoring each step along the road he knew well. With her the experience was fresh and new, something he never thought he’d experience again.
Helen thought that he was giving her a special experience but in reality it was he who would cherish this moment. He was as humbled by the gift she was giving him. To be her first was an honor, and it thrilled him beyond measure.
