Desire darkened his eyes as he leaned forward and took one pert peak into his mouth, rolling it between his lips and tongue as he stroked the soft flesh of her shoulders and the sensitive area at the nape of her neck.
She gasped as he let go of her breast and the cool air brushed the hardened peak.
Then he wrapped his mouth over the other.
Sapphire held him to her as pleasure flooded her. He was hot and hard beneath her, surrounding her, and it amplified the sensation of his mouth and tongue.
As he continued to suckle, Matthias slid a hand between them, stroking the inside of her thighs before brushing the soft curls at their apex.
His touch was tender, gentle, but Sapphire was already squirming to meet him, to match him. To rekindle the desire he’d shown her was possible.
Matthias smiled against her breast as his thumb found her little nubbin and stroked.
Pleasure jolted through Sapphire, and her hips gyrated in time to each caress.
He drizzled water over her bare shoulders, letting it trickle down her back and chest as his other hand continued to pleasure her. Sliding first one finger then a second in her most intimate passageway, Matthias pushed her farther up the heights of desire.
She was gasping, panting, trying to find sensual purchase, but he gave her none.
He lifted her from the bath, toweled them both off, then carried her to the bed. Laying her back, he slid his knees between hers as he lavished her with kisses. Her breasts. Her throat. Her lips.
He parted her thighs wider as he kissed her, the air cool against her damp curls. Matthias thumbed over the little pearl hidden between her womanly folds.
Heat seared Sapphire, and she dug her nails into his broad shoulders as sensation stole though her.
More. She wanted more. She wanted all of him.
As if he understood her need, she felt him hot and hard sliding between her feminine folds.
He stroked her tender bud as he kissed her, then he gathered her close as he entered her, joining with her in the most intimate of unions.
Sapphire gasped as he tapped her core, stretching her, filling her completely, and that fullness amplified all she felt.
Then he eased back, only to fill her again.
Over and over.
Heat and desire melded and merged until there was nothing left but the glory of him deep inside her and the rising tide of passion.
Sapphire met him, matched him, giving herself over to all she felt. All he made her feel. All he gave her.
And she gave everything in return.
Her need grew hotter, stronger, brighter, until she crested, the power of her release rushing through her in wave after wave.
Matthias held her close, and with a few final thrusts, he lost himself in her.
She ruffled his hair as his weight pressed her into the soft mattress.
She hoped she made him very, very happy.
He deserved that and so much more.
Sapphire awoke far too early the next morning, but Matthias was already up. He touched his lips to her hers. The kiss was soft, gentle, but full of promise.
A quiet sigh escaped her as she wrapped her arms around him.
“I look forward to starting every day like this.” Matthias nibbled along her shoulder.
Sapphire tipped her head to give him better access. “Do most couples share a bed? Your parents do, but mine never did. My mother made that sound like the norm, but then Mara said…”
Matthias stroked a fingertip along the curve of her cheek. “Mara doesn’t know anything for certain, though there was one thing she said that made me pause.”
Sapphire sucked in a breath. “What was that?”
“Your grandfather wants more than your fortune.”
“That’s what has you worried?”
Matthias thumbed away the frown forming between her brows. “I’ve been committed to Dracor for most of my life, and I’ve had to face Rashalee’s evil and perversions. Whatever happened to your mother wasn’t her fault or yours, and it sounds like your father did his best to respect her and be kind to her.”
“He did,” Sapphire said. “I never knew…”
“And we still don’t. But at least we have a better idea what we’re dealing with. And you’re familiar with Dracor’s teachings. I don’t blame you or think less of you because of this.”
Letting out the breath she’d been holding, Sapphire hugged Matthias. “You’re far better than I deserve.”
He grinned, then kissed her. “Maybe I’m exactly what you need.”
Sapphire held him close as he eased her onto her back and showed her exactly how much she needed him.
It was much later than Sapphire had planned when she awoke again, and Sir Matthias was slipping back into their room carrying a silver tray.
“Thought you might like something to eat when you woke up.”
“I appreciate that. Have you eaten?”
“With Lady Brelynn and Sir Marcus.” Matthias plumped her pillow, then set the tray over her lap. “Sir Marcus has kept late nights and early mornings for a long time, and I never outgrew my days on the farm.”
“Much of the nobility would consider being up before noon unfathomable.”
Sir Matthias laughed as he snitched a slice of fresh melon from her tray. “Most of them don’t have Lady Matilda Brighton helping them plan their child’s dragonning ceremony.”
Sapphire grimaced. “I’ve heard her ferocity rivals that of a dragon.”
“Never met an actual dragon, but I wouldn’t cross either.”
“Poor Lady Brelynn. After the little time I spent with her, she doesn’t seem like she’d enjoy it.”
“But she’s doing it for Sir Marcus and his family.” Matthias munched a grape from her tray. “Mara went with them this morning to help remind Lady Matilda that Lady Brelynn is supposed to be resting.”
“Mara really cares about her.”
“She does. Lady Brelynn is the only true friend or family Mara’s ever had. Despite Mara’s gruff exterior, it’s something she values greatly.”
“If only everyone did, Tamryn would be a better place.” Sapphire stuffed thoughts of her grandfather to the back of her mind. “Lady Brelynn is different for a duchess. She’s kind and thoughtful, but I wouldn’t want to cross her any more than I would Lady Matilda. I also don’t think she likes big events.”
“She doesn’t. Which is why she’s perfect for Sir Marcus.”
“This ball will be hard for her.”
“One of the reasons Sir Marcus asked us to stay with them. I figure with everything going on with your grandfather, it’s a good idea anyway, and I’d like you to get better acquainted with Sir Marcus and Lady Brelynn.”
“They’re close friends of yours.”
“I’ve been friends with Sir Marcus since long before he became the Hero of Tamryn, and Lady Brelynn is the best thing to happen to him. I care a lot about them both.” Matthias stole another slice of melon. “We’ll be here for them, but I thought we’d use the morning to go buy that wedding ring we forgot about in our haste to get married.”
Sapphire ate several bites of fruit from her plate and smiled. Matthias really did have a sweet tooth.
Sliding out of bed, she changed into a simple day dress and tidied her hair as best she could. As Matthias fastened up the back of her gown, she paused as she glimpsed the glass teardrop her father had given her.