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)
This was nothing like their previous intimate sessions. He did not react the same way when he came to his crisis. Then, he would gently push her aside and turn away to spill his seed. Now, he drove hard in her, so hard she bounced across the bed, but she did not care. His satisfied groan was far more animalistic as he surged into her with one final thrust, then went still.
Now that she had come back—somewhat—into her senses, the pressure of him within her returned, but not in a bad way. She lay still, rubbing his back, feeling his breath rise and fall. After a few moments, he slid down and out of her, and she felt mildly disappointed that it was all over. He rested his head upon her breasts, above her heart. How it must be beating…
Rosalind’s vague words and cryptic expressions made sense now. What a momentously intimate and wonderful activity, to join in the marriage bed. She’d have a great deal to discuss with her friend once they met up again. How had she never heard any description or explanation of this incredible act before? Why was it such a secret, when it was so wondrous?
“Why does no one talk about this?” she asked August.
“Talk about what?” Her poor husband sounded exhausted.
“What this is like? How exciting it is? No one ever told me.”
He hoisted himself up on one elbow, regarding her in bemusement. “Sex isn’t generally discussed in polite circles.” He brushed aside an errant lock of her hair. “Or public ones, for that matter. And, I fear, not every married lady finds this exciting.”
“Don’t they? Whyever not?”
He looked at her, his gaze full of the passion they’d just shared. “They are not all as brave as you, Elizabeth. You were quite fearless just now.”
Something in his tender expression made her blush.
*
Now she blushes. Little minx.
August had barely managed to retain control during their marriage’s consummation. Holding that control through all her sighs and shudders, her squirming and breathless questions, was perhaps the hardest thing he’d ever done.
He’d known, already, that Elizabeth was exquisitely sensitive, but her easy acceptance, indeed, her joy at his heated invasion of her body was something he hadn’t expected.
He could have done better. He should have done better, but passion had overwhelmed him, and once he was inside her, it was all he could do not to thrust too hard or too deep. He would take her with more skill next time, show her a world of intricate sensual techniques.
He thought back to Marlow’s advice. If you begin slowly and expose her little by little to the harder things… He understood now he could do it. This knowledge both thrilled and unsettled him.
Elizabeth snuggled against his body. He moved so she wouldn’t realize he was already hard again, already primed for a second round. It wouldn’t do to take her too many times at the outset, and risk damaging her lovely, brave body.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked in the silence.
“How long I should wait before I trouble you again,” he answered, honestly.
“Trouble me? What we just did seems no trouble at all.” She traced a finger along his bicep. “And why should you have to wait?”
“It’s better if I do. Trust me. You’ll feel it tomorrow.”
“Like when you spank me?”
He stroked her mussed ebony hair. “Yes. Like when I spank you.”
“Will you feel it tomorrow? As I will?”
“Goodness, Elizabeth. How curious you are about everything. I won’t feel it tomorrow, not the way you will, especially with it being your first time. I’ll feel it in my memory, though.” Like hot, devilish torture. “I’ll… I’ll think about it a lot.”
“That’s very romantic.” She gave a soft, dreamy sigh. “It was a lovely first time, joining together. Did you have a lovely first time, too?”
“I did, Elizabeth. Truly.”
“I mean, I realize this wasn’t your first time just now. I’ve heard…rumors.” Her blush was back, along with her never-ending inquisitiveness. “Was your real first time as wonderful as this?”
“No. Not in any sense.” Like many privileged young men, his first time had been with a high-class courtesan, and he’d not aroused the woman very much with his clumsy technique. “In fact, I’m certain this first time with you is the best of any intimate encounter I’ve ever had.”
She laughed. “That can’t be true.”
“It’s decidedly true.”
“I’m sure I was not at all up to snuff.”
“You were above and beyond snuff, darling.” He rolled atop her, still shielding her from his randy, aching member. “I’ll show you. Let me kiss you.”
His lips met hers, his tongue slipping into her mouth when she gave a small, pleased sigh. He tried to make her feel how she’d affected him, if he could not explain. For so many years, he’d measured women against Felicity, then against his ever-growing perversity. Lovemaking had not felt comfortable, or right, until now.