Page 47 of Return of the Nutcracker Prince

“No…”

“That sounds more like a yes, my love.”Klaus broke out in a cold sweat.“I swear I would never hurt you.”

“I know you wouldn’t do that on purpose.It’s just…” She looked away.“Your mother said that in order for my magic to grow, we have to… um…”

He raised his eyebrows.“Consummate?”

“Yes, that.”Her cheeks flushed cherry red.“Andmymother told me the first time hurts, and I’m just nervous, that’s all.”

What was wrong with these human men?Did they not know how to pleasure their women?The discussion with his father had been awkward, but he’d left Klaus with a book or two to study while the women made wedding plans.

He licked his lips and stroked Clara’s arms to calm her tremors.“I can’t say I’ve any practice, but I swear to you if anything I do hurts, tell me and I’ll stop.”

“But we have to —”

“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.Magic or not, I won’t hurt you.”

She huffed out a breath, and her hands clenched into fists.“But the whole point of coming back for me was to defeat the Mouse King, and without more magic, we’ll lose!”

Her voice had taken on a note of panic, and Klaus shook his head.Gods, this was all his fault.“Darling, I used that as an excuse.I had to see you again.I should have come for youyearsago, but I was a coward.Invasion or not, I would still want to marry you.Please forgive me for ever letting you think otherwise.”

Her breasts rose and fell as her breathing became rapid.

He couldn’t wait any longer to taste her lips again.Sliding onto the mattress, he hauled her into his lap and let his tongue speak for him.She moaned and gripped his jacket, popping her mouth off his and gazing up at him with hooded eyes.

“Klaus… take this gown off.”

Chapter 14

“Areyousure?”

Clara couldn’t possiblynotwant him after that beautiful speech.The ache between her thighs began again, and she needed him to fix it.To fill her.“I trust you.”She waited a beat before adding, “Husband.”

He cupped her cheek and searched her gaze.“That is a high compliment indeed.Wife.”

She grinned.For so many years, she’d dreaded this day that she would lose her freedom, but she’d never been happier.“You unwrap your wedding present, and then I’ll unwrap mine.”

“Ladies first, My Princess.”Klaus dropped on to his arms and leaned back on his hands.

Clara let her hands roam over his handsome coat, fingering the golden buttons, then pushing them through the buttonholes.She caressed his chest and opened the jacket, shocked to find he wore nothing underneath when she pushed it off his shoulders.

“No shirt?”

Klaus shook his head.His firm muscles were the next target for her wandering fingers, while the ache in her loins blazed.

He sighed and closed his eyes.“That feels wonderful.”

Clara still had unwrapping to do.She stood, and he watched as she unfastened his pants and slid them down his legs with his drawers.He helped her remove his boots, and only once he was naked did she dare look at him.

“That’s… going inside… me?”She squeaked.

“The decision is yours.”He stroked his length as he gazed at her.“Now, it’s my turn.”

Clara swallowed as he stood and kissed her breathless again, his shaft pressing into her stomach.The flesh was hot, or maybe it was her?His lips gently nibbled her ear and down her neck, then he went around to her back and kissed her nape.She shivered.

“Cold, my love?”

“Not at all.”Fire burned in her belly.

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