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“I’ll show you.”

He traced her collarbone toward her shoulder, nudging the collar of her chemise down herarm. She grabbed her chest before he fully exposed her.

“For this to happen, I’ll need to see all of you.”

She wasn’t used to being this exposed, but when he pulled her hand away from her chest, she didn’t defy him.

Her chemise dragged down her shoulders and gathered at her arms, exposing her breasts to the cool air. Her nipples puckered and darkened under his intense stare.

“Once I’ve seen all of you, I’ll kiss you. Here.” His thumb dragged over her plump lower lip. “And here.” His other hand cupped her breast possessively, plumping her flesh and massaging softly. “And here.”

She whimpered as he cupped her sex.

He added pressure, wedging his hand between her clamped thighs where the material of her underclothes gathered. “There isn’t any part of you that will be hidden from me, Grace. So there is no need for modesty between us. As mates, we are one. My body will act as your shield, my word as my pledge to protect you in all things.”

Her body was made to glorify God’s holy plan, in modesty and obedience. She had been taught to act in good stewardship to her mate, and surrender herself, trusting him to lead and protect her always.

According to The Order, the female body was a vessel created to redeem her mate’s soul. Shenow had a duty to uphold. And once done, it could never be undone.

“I will not deny you.” Her words shook.

She always imagined this intimate moment to be intense, but she’d assumed the wanting would guide her. There was no wanting now, only apprehension.

“That pleases me.” He moved quickly, tugging her chemise lower and letting it fall to the floor. He glanced down at her body and exhaled. “Yes, I’m verypleased.”

A sense of caution spiked inside of her as his earthy musk intensified. He reached for his pants but she caught his wrist. “Wait.”

His eyes met hers in question and she swallowed.

“Will it hurt?”

His expression softened and he used his free hand to cup her cheek. “I’ll always do everything in my power to save you pain,min pärla.” His hand released the button of his pants, but then stopped, showing her he was in no rush. “I’m only making myself more comfortable.”

She glanced down and quickly away. His clothing had certainly become more restrictive than it had been a moment ago. She didn’t understand how something so hard and swollen could fit inside of her without pain.

Her brow pinched when she realized he hadn’t exactly answered her question. He only said if there was any way to protect her from pain that he would.

This was discomforting news.

“There’s no need to worry, Grace. I’ll prepare your body, so there is little discomfort. But you have to let me touch you in order for that to happen.”

She loosened her grip and he turned his hand, palm open in a show of gentleness. She didn’t want it to hurt, so she had no choice but to trust him. When she released his wrist, he smiled.

“Very good,min pärla.You’re very brave, and I appreciate your trust.”

She closed her eyes and forced her hands to her side, presenting herself to him. First, he grazed her hips, sending chills over her belly and down her spine. Then he cupped her breasts as if measuring their weight in his large, calloused hands. Her nipples puckered as he dragged his thumb over the beaded tip and pinched.

“Ah,” she gasped as pleasure and a strange awareness shot through her. It was not painful, but it also wasn’t gentle. His touch traced down her spine, along the crease of her backside and she whimpered.

“Soften your knees.” His voice whispered against her ear, gentle yet confident, making it easy to obey.

The moment her stance loosened, his hand pressed between her bare thighs, dragging up, upward until he cupped her possessively. This time there was no barrier of clothing between them.

“You’re already preparing for me.” His fingerparted her delicate folds, pressing inside her slick heat. Her breath hitched at the strange intrusion. She caught his shoulder for balance as he gently explored.

Her knees trembled. “Perhaps the bed...”

He paused and glanced over his shoulder. His touch disappeared. “You’re right.”