Nathan had made a study of Abigail in the year they had been acquainted, but never had he seen her vulnerability so clearly as he did now as they entered his bedchamber and she crossed to the bed. It wasn’t that her behavior was any different. Outwardly she was exactly the same. It was that he saw through her more now that he knew he loved her.
And what he saw gave him hope. She would not have cried over their argument if she truly didn’t care. She wouldn’t have seemed so small and heartbroken in the carriage. Now whether he could break down the barriers that kept her from sharing herself completely with him was another story.
He would try, and that was enough for now.
He moved toward her, and she stiffened as he reached her. It was evident she was still torn, fearful of losing the armor she’d built around herself for so long.
“Let me touch you?” he asked.
She didn’t answer with words, but wound her arms around his neck and lifted her mouth to his. He took it eagerly, and for a few moments he lost himself in her taste, in her scent, in the feel of her warm body pressed to his. This was the first time he’d done so knowing he loved her, and it meant everything to him.
He drew back, watching her soft expression, brown eyes hazy with desire. He smiled at her as he let his fingers find the buttons along the back of her gown. He swiftly unfastened them, then drew her gown down around her waist.
He remembered the first time he’d done that. The first time he saw her naked and his entire world shifted. How had he not known he loved her then? It seemed so obvious now.
Then she had seemed nervous when he looked at her. Now she arched her back, just the tiniest movement, but one that showed herself off a little. He cupped her cheeks and kissed her again, this time harder, with more drive and force. She softened against him, giving where he took with a tiny groan that seemed to jolt its way through him like summer lightning.
He hooked his fingers around the straps of her chemise, loving when he brushed the soft skin of her shoulders. He let his fingertips drag along her body as he pulled the chemise down to join the gown and then pushed both off together. They pooled at her feet and he stepped back to enjoy his handiwork.
She was so utterly beautiful, so perfect in his eyes, that a lump formed in his throat. If he managed this correctly, if he was gentle and careful and persistent, he would get to love her like this for the rest of his life. He would feel her bend toward him, giving him the same love that he felt for her.
Which made the risk worthwhile.
“Will you please get in my bed?” he asked.
She giggled. “So polite all of a sudden, Your Grace.”
He shrugged. “When I apologize, I do it wholeheartedly. So please, please, will you get in my bed? And take off the stockings and the slippers.”
She shook her head, but she was smiling broadly as she climbed up on the high bed and then tossed her slippers and stockings over the edge with a clatter. He watched her as he began to undress. Once she was fully naked, she leaned up on her elbows to stare as he did so.
He took his time, exploring how her pupils dilated with each movement. It was a delicious thing, to be wanted by her. This woman who could have anyone, who could be loved by so many…wanted him in her arms. He never wanted to betray that trust. He only wished to multiply it. And also make her come and come and come until she was sated.
He shrugged out of his trousers at last and took his half-hard cock in hand, stroking it until it was at full attention. She licked her lips and he felt the movement like she had done so against him.
“Well, that was just too much,” he grunted as he moved onto the bed beside her. He caught her lips once more and kissed her hard and fast, driving his tongue inside like he would soon do with his body. “And a good idea.”
“What was a good idea?” she said as he began to kiss the side of her neck.
“Licking,” he replied without moving his mouth from her skin, so the word was muffled.
“Mmmm. I’ve always enjoyed the way you lick,” she breathed, and rested her head against the pillows with a shudder. Her body relaxed beneath him as he kissed lower, tasting the faintly salty flavor of her collarbone, her right breast. The nipple hardened beneath his tongue as he swirled it ’round and ’round. Tugged it gently with his teeth until she cried out softly in pleasure.
He moved to the opposite breast, watching her reaction to every little lick and bite and suck. Her head lolled and her hands fisted, one against the mattress, one against his back. The flexing of her fingers along his skin was like a drumbeat of passion, and his cock throbbed in time. He wanted to bury himself in her, drive until they were both panting and sweaty and weak.
But not yet. He could wait for that sweet explosion a little longer if it meant the pleasure of watching her writhe.
He inched lower, nuzzling the soft skin of her belly. He rubbed his cheek against her thigh, letting her feel the rough beginnings of stubble after a long day. She opened her legs wider with a faintly exhaled, “Yes, please.”
He was nearly undone. Lost to her. And it was heaven. Almost as heavenly as when he used his thumbs to peel open her sex. She was slick already, and he scented the faint sweetness of her that was so uniquely hers. His mouth watered to taste it. Drown in it and her.
He licked her, watching again as she arched her back. Licked and licked, until he could only taste her on his tongue. He caught her hips, cradling her backside in his hands to hold her still as he dove into the work of shattering her. She ground against his tongue, making harsh sounds of pleasure, wriggling beneath him. He began to suck her clitoris, feeling it swell beneath his tongue and her legs begin to shake against his shoulders.
She was so close now. He felt the shift in her body, the flood of her pleasure. And then she keened and the world wound down to this one place in time. To her and the gorgeous experience of her orgasm.
He sucked her through it, forcing her to twitch long after the hard, heavy waves of the pleasure were gone. She dug her fingers into his hair, tugging against his scalp to drag him up her body. He complied willingly, enthusiastically, laughing as she pulled him to her mouth.
When she pushed at his shoulders, rolling him onto his back and straddling him, he also didn’t resist. There was nothing like watching her as she aligned their bodies and took him inside, into warm, wet heat that fluttered around his cock.
She sat up, flexing her body over his. Her head dropped back, lips parted. He stared at her, mesmerized by how glorious she was in pleasure. She rolled over him in waves, driving them both toward release. He gripped her hips, guiding her, holding her for purchase as pleasure arced through his body, pulsed in his balls.
Her eyes came open at last and she met his gaze. He gripped her tighter, and she gasped, grinding even harder against him. Her hands lifted, covering her breasts, giving him a show as she rode harder and faster. When she came a second time, it was glorious. Her eyes never left his as she spasmed around him, pulling him, milking him. He lifted against her, and then it was all hot, streaking pleasure as he erupted deep within her.
She collapsed down against his chest, her mouth seeking his in one final hot kiss before she settled into his arms, half-sprawled across his body.
He had no idea how long they lay like that, her legs and arms tangled with his, her dark head cuddled into his chest. He combed his fingers into her hair, loving the silkiness against his skin. Her breathing became calmer, deeper, and for a brief, beautiful moment, he thought she might stay.