Page 21 of His Bride for the Taking

He kissed her, and she leaned into his embrace. Her frock was wonderfully thin, and her breasts melted against him. He explored her mouth with possessive strokes of his tongue, taking more, and then yet more. She offered everything he asked, and then began to take from him, too. She laced her fingers together at the back of his neck and clung tight, making him her captive.

Love, never set me free.

His hand began to wander of its own accord, sweeping down her spine and over the flare of her hip, coming to settle on the curve of her bottom. He flexed his fingers, claiming a plump handful of flesh and drawing her body to his with a firm, swift motion. His cock grew and stiffened, pulsing against the softness of her belly.

He bent his head and kissed his way down her neck. Her little gasp of pleasure made him swell with triumph.

More. He wanted more.

He stroked her breast through the thin muslin of her frock, palming and kneading her softness. Her nipple tightened. He strummed the sensitive peak, brushing his thumb back and forth in a teasing caress. She moaned faintly, and he covered her mouth with his own, drinking in the sound of her pleasure.

When the kiss ended, he readied an insincere apology.

I was carried away, didn’t mean to press you too far, we’ll go as slowly as you please, et cetera…

But she spoke first.

“Sebastian.” She wet her lips. “Make love to me tonight.”

Mary held her breath as she gazed into his eyes.

Sebastian was silent for so long, she began to grow self-conscious. And confused. He’d just explored her body as shamelessly and thoroughly as a Viking plundering a medieval village. How could he be shocked by her request?

He shook his head. “It’s too soon.”

“We’re married. This is our honeymoon,” she said. “Once we leave, you’ll have your business affairs, I’ll be settling into a new home. There seems no better opportunity than now.”

In fact, she worried that this might be the only opportunity. If they didn’t forge a strong connection before leaving Kent, she might be waiting a very long time for another chance.

“It’s only been one day,” he said. “You’re not over your disappointment.”

“I told you, I didn’t love him. Perhaps I ought to be heartsick, but I’m not. I’m relieved.”

“That doesn’t mean you’re ready to leap into bed with me.”

“No doubt it will be awkward the first time. But that’s always going to be the case, no matter how long we wait.” She turned her gaze around the empty beach. “Besides, there’s little else to do for amusement. Unless you’d rather play cards all night.”

He groaned. “Playing cards with you is like trying to hold back the tide—there’s no way to win.”

“Fair enough,” she said. “No cards. Which brings us back to bed.”

He stared into the distance.

“Sebastian, even though I wasn’t expecting to wed you, I’ve always found you attractive.”

In fact, she’d never grasped the strength of that attraction until she realized how her feelings toward Giles paled in comparison. Giles didn’t make her hot all over with just a simple glance. He didn’t even make her lukewarm.

She hesitated. “Of course, I don’t expect you to say you feel similarly about me.”

He caught her chin and tilted her gaze to his. “You,” he said darkly, “make me ache with wanting.”

Oh.

Sweet heavens. She’d known he’d say something kind. He’d compliment her eyes, maybe, or possibly her complexion. Call her pretty, perhaps. But his intense confession of desire had caught her entirely unawares.

She’d gone fishing for a few small compliments, and somehow she’d harpooned a whale.

He took her by the arms. “I know you enjoy arguing, but this is one matter where I will not be moved. We had a rushed wedding, but we’re not going to rush this. I’ve too much pride to make it a hurried, joyless affair. I’m going to learn every inch of your body, and you’re going to learn every inch of mine. And when I know you’re ready…when you’re aching for me every bit as fiercely as I’m aching for you…that’s when I’ll make love to you. Not a moment before.”

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