Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
She sighed then, emitted a soft, wondering sigh that made his cock go hard as granite. Emboldened, he kissed her again. He’d thought to play the tutor, to go slow, but eroticism bloomed between them like a winter flower. He pulled her body closer, one hand at her lower back. She was pliant and lovely, as she’d been those times he’d spanked her.
He wanted to spank her now.
He wanted to do so many things.
He drew away, confused by the sudden intensity of yearning. This was his friend’s sister, a young woman of little experience.
Elizabeth went still, studying his expression. “Did I do something wrong?”
He shook his head, mute for a moment. “No. Not at all, darling,” he said when he found his voice. “It’s just momentous, isn’t it? Our first kiss.”
“Yes. Did you enjoy it?”
“Very much.” He studied her expression. “Did you enjoy it?”
“Yes.” She touched her lips. “But I gather there’s more to a wedding night than kissing.”
Poor, anxious Elizabeth. How tenderly he felt toward her. She was so enigmatic by the half-light, by the cold window, the fire’s shadows playing across her face.
“There is more that can happen between men and women, a great deal more than kissing,” he said carefully, “but we needn’t rush things. We’ve barely gotten used to the idea of being married. We still think of one another as friends.”
“Good friends,” Elizabeth clarified, looking again at him. “Close friends.”
“Yes. Very close friends.” He skimmed his fingertips down her lower back. “If you’d like, I can show you some things men and women do together. Pleasurable things husbands and wives can share.”
“Oh.” She considered this, her cheeks growing pink. “Well, we are husband and wife now, so I suppose that would be all right.”
“If you’re uncertain, we can have cakes and wine instead,” he said, gesturing toward the trays, “and play cards by the fire.”
“Aren’t all brides uncertain?” She let out a small, shaky laugh. “My mother said I must leave everything in your hands. I suppose I shall place my trust in you.”
He wished to be worthy of that trust. He touched a lock of her black, silky hair. “What else did your mother tell you about your wedding night?”
“Oh, the most fantastical things about our bodies joining together, and about husbands and wives becoming one. Do you know what she meant by that?”
“Yes, darling.” If she moved against him, she would have found hard, solid evidence of his body ready to become one with hers. But this was not a night for rushing. For ravishment.
“Shall we go over to the bed together?” He tried to sound steady and collected. Trustworthy. “It’s easiest to show you everything there.”
Chapter Ten
Husbands and Wives
Elizabeth walked to the bed, determined to seem ready. Relaxed. Trusting. She turned to August, forcing a smile. “I suppose I’ll remove my robe.”
“You’ll be more comfortable without it.” His smile looked more natural than hers. “Let me help you.”
His fingers brushed over her shoulders as he drew her robe away. She watched from beneath her lashes as he draped it over a nearby chair. He took off his loose cravat next, then undid his shirt buttons. She tried not to stare as he removed his shirt, revealing a great deal of nakedness. His chest was quite, quite bare.
And strong.
And not unpleasant to look at.
He turned to lay his shirt beside her robe, revealing a muscular back and shoulders that seemed broader than when they were clothed…and they had seemed broad even then. She dropped her gaze when he returned to her. She saw his smile at the edge of her vision and felt foolish. This wasn’t a moment to be shy.
She gathered her courage and lifted her chin, meaning to meet his eyes, but became distracted again by the dark hair on his chest. As he breathed deeply, in and out, she noted the way the hair tapered to his trousers’ waistband, alongside shockingly defined muscles. Goodness, men were built so differently than women.
He went to the bed with his trousers still on, which was well enough, for her eyes were already full of his top half. She dropped her hands when she realized she’d been gripping them at her middle. This was her friend, August. Surely there was nothing to fear.
He gestured for her to join him, smiling to put her at ease. She climbed onto the bed and he crowded near her from his side. She didn’t know where to look. “I’m ready to learn things,” she said. “How do we begin?”
“Lie down beside me.”
“Do I need to take off my shift?”
His gaze skimmed down her rather revealing wedding attire. “No. Unless you want to.”
“Hmm. It’s rather cold. I might leave it on for now.”
“It is cold, isn’t it? Let’s snuggle together. That’s the best way to start.”
He opened his arms, and she slid into them, resting her head on his bare shoulder. He was so warm. So solid.