Page 41 of A Husband for Esyllt
Still, the result was the same. He was irresistibly drawn. This woman he had not chosen for her personal qualities intrigued him, provoked his lust, infuriated him, and made him laugh all at once. Despite the trick she had played on him the night before their wedding, he was attracted to her like he had never been attracted to anyone. Perhaps it was because of the trick she had played. After all, it wasn't everyday a beautiful woman had you bound in ropes so she could sit on your lap then dragged you into bed and silently begged to be fucked.
Even his most determined conquests had not been so bold. It had been arousing as hell to be at Esyllt’s mercy, all the more so that she had been unaware of his identity at the time. What he had seen in her eyes had been pure, honest desire, not calculation, and it had been forhim, for the man he was, not for the lord who could offer her protection and wealth.
Since she had found out his real name she had not dared show her inner feelings or carnal side and he longed to see it again. When he had pleasured her intimately, she had notdemanded a more complete possession. When he had kissed her just now, she had recoiled from the possibility of more, instead of pushing him onto the ground and have her way with him.
And now here he was, tamely braiding her hair, when what he wanted was to bury his fingers in it while he rode her hard.
“Here,” he said in a breath. “As good as the most seasoned lady-in-waiting, I would say.”
Esyllt tentatively patted at her coiffure. He groaned inwardly. God’s teeth, if that innocent gesture stirred his blood, he really was in deeper than he’d thought. Something would have to be done about how he felt, and soon.
“I cannot see anything so I guess I will just have to take your word for it.”
“You will. Don’t worry, you look as lovely as ever.”
She blushed, as if she had never heard the word applied to her before and did not quite know what to make of it. He would have to ensure he complimented her more often, so that she got used to it, just like he was making sure she got used to his body by walking around naked when he got up in the morning. As he’d informed her, men woke up hard. What he had never told her, however, was that usually the erection went down almost immediately. His was kept alive for much longer by the way she looked at him.
He was starting to wonder how long he could keep pretending that he didn’t see the desire in her eyes, or didn’t want to act on it.
“Let’s go then.”
But just as she took her first step, her skirts got caught in a holly bush.
“Allow me.” Connor knelt at her feet to disentangle the dress from the foliage keeping it captive. He smiled to himself when he saw the way the leaves had sunk their teeth in the delicatematerial, as if to keep her with them. He could understand the urge. “Holly reminds me of you, dear wife.”
As if to illustrate the similarities between her and the plant, she glared at him. “Does it?”
“Yes. Your hair is just as shiny as the newly unfurled leaves and your eyes are the same vibrant green.”
He saw in those beautiful eyes the surprise he had hoped to provoke. She had obviously feared he would compare her to the prickliness of the bush.
“It’s a beautiful color,” she finally conceded. “But I doubt ’tis what other people see when they look at holly.”
“I care not what other people see. I’m your husband, and therefore I like to think that I see things in you they might not.”
“Oh. So now you’re saying that no one else but you could consider me beautiful. I’m flattered.”
Connor burst out laughing. It was not what he’d been saying at all and she knew it. “I think I shall keep my compliments to myself in the future, if they displease you that much.”
“Compliments? I don’t know how it is in England, but here in Wales compliments make the person receiving them feel good.”
He raised his hands in surrender. “I’m beaten. Next time I shall praise your beauty in a more conventional manner, comparing your hair to the sun, and your eyes to sparkling gems. Would that be better?”
Esyllt didn’t answer because, in truth, she had liked the unconventional compliment, much more personal than the ones she was used to receiving. But after their passionate kiss, she didn’t know how to deal with Connor.
“I believe we were on our way to the horses?” she said pointedly.
“We were.”
The horses nickered at their approach. Esyllt looked at her mare and then at her heavy dress. There wasn’t a log in sight that could serve as a mounting block.
“Once again, you will allow me,” Connor whispered, not resisting the urge to speak with his lips against the delicate shell of her ear.
When she nodded her agreement, he took her by the waist and turned her to face him. This was not the best way to hand her over the horse, not by any means, which made him realize he had asked permission for something else. As to what it was, he was not quite sure. A kiss? A simple embrace?
Esyllt seemed at a loss also. “I-I meant?—”
“I know. Forgive me.”
