Page 70 of My Wicked Earl
“Don’t tell me you’ve lost your courage?” He followed the track of her eyes.
“No.” She wasn’t afraid, exactly. At least not of Colin.
“We can stop now, love.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “I would not wish you to regret the loss of your virginity.” The Irish lilt she so adored rippled against her skin.
“I will regret nothing.”
Love for him suffused every nerve in her body. It nourished her as she awoke every day. Made her long to be with him, always.
I want him.For the first time, Miranda actually understood the meaning of desire. Desire was Colin, the firelight making his skin glow gold as he looked down at her with heat in his dark eyes. She felt the touch of his gaze across her aching breasts down to the center of her, still throbbing from the ministrations of his mouth. Her hand reached out and she touched the length of him, marveling that something so hard could also feel like silk. Her fingers tightened.
Colin groaned. His eyes fluttered shut for an instant.
Miranda was notcompletelyinnocent of the act between a man and a woman. For one thing, she read quite a lot, even scandalous things that she shouldn’t. Books were marvelous for gaining knowledge about all manner of things. She’d found such a book in her mother’s sitting room, hidden beneath the seat cushion and read the whole of it before Mother returned from paying calls. It had been a very stimulating afternoon.
She stroked him, back and forth, gratified when his breathing intensified. “Am I doing this right?”
“You know full well you are.” He moved further over her and her hand fell away. His teeth fell to the ribbon of her chemise, pulling free the knot. Impatient, he tore at the ribbon with one hand.
“Have a care, Colin.”
“Take it off, Miranda,” a rough whisper left him, “least I rip it from you.”
She sat up and pulled the nightgown up and over her shoulders, tossing the discarded bit of cotton to the floor. The cooler air of the room caused goosebumps to bubble over the skin of her breasts and arms. Her nipples pebbled, hardening almost painfully beneath the intensity of his gaze.
“Magnificent.” Colin’s eyes ran over the length of her. One hand fell to her breast, a finger hovering over the nipple, before leisurely circling the peak. The hand moved, lightly skimming her stomach, before pushing her down on the bed. Possessively he cupped her mound, looming over her like some great golden cat.
Miranda arched as a light touch glided through her still throbbing flesh.
Colin leaned down to brush his lips against hers even as his fingers began to tease again.
She opened her mouth at the pressure of his lips, allowing their tongues to twist about each other. Her hips pushed up against the insistent probing of his fingers.
Colin seated himself firmly between her thighs, his fingers disappearing as she felt the length of him slide back and forth against the aching folds of her flesh. He reached down between their bodies, took himself in one hand and gently moved himself into her entrance.
Her hips immediately pushed towards him, seeking to draw him in deeper.
“Always so impatient,” he whispered. A big hand cupped one buttock. “I’ve no wish to hurt you.”
“You won’t”. Miranda wrapped her arms around his neck. “Ravish me.”
Colin thrust forward slowly, as if Miranda were made of the finest china.
“It doesn’t hurt.” Miranda shifted so that Colin sank deeper into her flesh.
“Love, wait.” Colin swore under his breath.
She gasped sharply at the painful burn that heralded the loss of her maidenhead. Though she’d been expecting some pain, the pressure and the sensation of tearing still took her by surprise. Her entire body screamed in response to his invasion.
Colin didn’t move, and he closed his eyes. “Wait, sweetheart.” He pressed a kiss to her lips, her cheek, the tip of her nose. “Let your body accept mine.”
“What if it—”
“It will, my love,” he pressed his lips to hers.
Miranda took a deep breath and relaxed, allowing her body to stretch and open. Already the pain, so sharp a moment before, began to recede. It was actually a rather wonderful feeling, to be joined. Like puzzle pieces. She tipped her hips up and Colin’s body slid deeper into hers.
“Christ,Miranda.” Colin sounded pained. He took her hand and laced his fingers with hers. Turning her hand, he pressed a kiss to her palm.
