Page 48 of Marigold and the Marquess
But he allowed her to pretend she meant everything to him because he made her feel as though she did.
Any worries about this night not turning out well just melted away. He had been resolute in his determination not to claim her as a husband ought to claim his wife, but how was she missing out on anything?
Dear heaven.
Was this intimacy not complete enough?
Molten lava poured through her limbs and flowed throughout her body, the heat so intense, she felt like a volcano about to erupt. “Marigold, don’t hold back. Let whatever you are feeling come out.”
Come out?
She was a fire raging out of control.
This intense power he held over her was thrilling and also alarming.
Was this supposed to happen?
She trusted Leo to protect her if something went awry, for he took care of what was his as any lion would.
This knowledge and Leo’s soft words of encouragement allowed her to follow the path along which he guided her. She sighed and moaned, squirmed and arched. Held onto his big, muscled shoulders.
He was so beautifully built.
As sleek and powerful as a predator.
“Leo…I…” She was suddenly completely liquid, caught up in molten waves. Giant waves that carried her upward as high as the soaring birds. These cresting waves came one after another, each one stronger and sending her somewhere she had never been before.
Higher and higher they took her.
She no longer recognized her body.
“That’s it, love,” Leo whispered and kissed her as these sensations ripped through her and she shattered. “Leo!”
“I have you, love. My sweet, sweet love.”
She shattered again, crying out his name as more fiery waves ripped through her.
Then Leo drew her into his arms and wrapped those big muscles around her. She collapsed against him, trying to calm her racing heart and cool the flames still smoldering within her body.
He caressed her all the while, telling her how beautiful she was. He kissed her lips, and then kissed her closed eyes. He kissed her throat. The swell of her breast.
She opened her eyes and stared up at him with all the love she felt in her heart.
He was grinning at her like a conquering hero.
“Oh, Leo.” She put her hands to her face to cover her embarrassment, but he gently drew them off so he could look at her.
“Marigold, you are my wife,” he said with a note of wonder. “I wanted you to experience the pleasure that can exist between us.”
“But my response, Leo. Oh, was it not too wanton?”
“No such thing as too wanton in bed, certainly not between a husband and wife. Marigold, you are sweet as honey. This is just the beginning, love. Next time, I hope to have you wildly crying out as you claw my back.”
She gasped. “Claw you? I could never hurt you!”
“You are thinking of my scars, aren’t you? They have long since healed, my pet. Even if they hadn’t, your delicate hands could never do me harm.”
She appeared genuinely distressed. He ought to have realized she would always think of him first.
