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He did as he was told and paused again to give her time to adjust. She moaned as her inner muscles contracted against his length.

The sensation was both painful and extremely pleasurable.

He caressed her cheek before thrusting further.

She inhaled. The combination of pleasure and pain spread warmth throughout her body.

He slid a hand between them and rubbed her with gentle fingers.

Instant relief. The sting vanished and only pleasure remained. Now she wished he’d pound inside her.

She shifted her hips forwards, meeting him. “Please.”

“We must go slowly.”

“No.” She took his shoulders. “Do it. With one push. I want to feel it.”

His features tightened with concern. “Are you sure?”

“Do it.” She was going mad with need, lust, desire, and whatever else brewed within her.

The bedsheet fell off his body as he laid her on her back and he stretched himself out on her top.

Having him over her, in all his broad masculinity, sent shivers down her back.

He was so heavy and strong he could easily overpower her.

Yet only kindness and sweetness radiated from him and his touch.

He nestled between her legs, propping himself up on his elbows. She lifted her hips, desperate for more friction, more contact, more everything.

“Ready?” he asked before kissing her.

“Yes, yes.”

Her pulse went faster the closer he came.

He shoved his hips onwards. The moment of sharp pain tore a gasp out of her, but Lord, it was worth it.

He was buried in her to the hilt, his thick shaft stretching and filling her completely.

Feeling him inside her was the strangest yet most wonderful sensation she’d ever experienced.

He remained still, giving her body time to welcome him.

“How are you?” His tone held too much worry.

She smiled, savouring the feeling of him inside her. “Wonderful.”

He started moving slowly, thrusting in and out of her. Each delicious friction brought a tiny sting of pain and a hot wave of pleasure.

She needed more of his strength, deep thrusts, and raw power.

Seemingly reading her mind, he sped up. He rubbed her sensitive spot between her thigh again until she couldn’t keep her eyes open.

His chest brushed her taut nipples as he moved back and forth, adding a new layer of bliss.

Between his thrusts, the rubbing of her nub, and brushing of her nipples, pleasure burst within her suddenly.

There was no build up. No warning. The release shattered her and caused her inner muscles to clench around him.

The more her muscles contracted, the more pleasure shuddered through her.

She moaned, writhed, and arched her back, seeking more contact, more friction, more pleasure.

He groaned deep in his throat, all his muscles pulling taut.

He withdrew abruptly to spill over her belly.

She watched, mesmerised, as he squeezed his eyes shut and his entire body tightened, each muscle becoming more defined underneath his silky skin.

The tendons in his neck stood out in sharp relief as he gritted his teeth.

If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was in pain.

She caressed his sharp cheek as he stopped trembling and finally opened his eyes. The way he stared at her was both frightening and awe-inspiring. A promise—no, a vow lingered in the depths of his sapphire gaze as if he took an oath right then and there.

Without them exchanging words, she knew he would do anything for her, be anything she needed, and cherish her. Utter adoration was etched on his handsome features. It almost brought her to tears.

He bent his head to take her mouth in a hard, possessive kiss that sealed their silent pact.

His tongue thrust inside her mouth and took possession of it unapologetically.

She was breathless as he bruised her lips with the raw kiss.

But he hadn’t finished. He kissed his way down her breasts and thighs until he dipped his head between her legs and lapped at her.

“What—” She couldn’t finish. A moan erupted from her.

She clenched the bedsheet as he kissed her deeply.

She wasn’t ready for this. Too much pleasure.

Every inch of her skin burst with it. And watching his golden head dipped between her shouldn’t be so erotic.

His expert tongue circled her nub and stroked it until it triggered another powerful release.

She had to press her mouth against the pillow not to scream.

He twirled his tongue over her wet entrance and nub until she writhed again, helpless against the fierce need shaking in her body.

The third release was fiercer than the first two, shocking even.

It went straight to her head, leaving behind a path of fire.

How could her body produce so much ecstasy?

When he raised his head, she lay in the bed, unable to move or speak.

“I’ll be back in a moment.” He placed a reverent kiss on her thigh.

He slid off the bed to take the towel and the basin of water from a corner.

He wiped her belly and washed her between her legs, which should have made her feel self-conscious, but instead, it only sparked warmth and affection towards him.

When he was satisfied she was clean, he lay next to her and covered her with the quilt, careful not to leave any inch of her body uncovered.

“The sun is rising. I must go now.” He brushed her hair from her face.

“No.” She caught his hand in hers.

Although the noises coming from downstairs meant the cook was already up to light the fire. Soon Verity and her parents would be up and about, and someone might enter her bedroom to ask how she was faring.

He kissed her knuckles, fingers, and wrists. “I’ll see you later. I promise. It kills me to leave you now, but I don’t want to cause you more trouble. This was the best night of my life. I feel so honoured that you let me be with you.”

“Oh. I enjoyed it too.” More than enjoyed it. What a stupid thing to say to such a lovely speech. But she couldn’t say more. She was too stunned by the experience and his adoration.

He glanced at the bed. “There’s a little bloodstain on the bed.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll manage. I’ll say I’m bleeding.”

“Hope you are all right.” His brow furrowed with concern.

“More than all right.” She was about to say more, but footsteps padded from the corridor.

They both froze but then slackened when the person walked past her door.

He kissed her hand again. “Sleep for another few hours if you can. I’ve disrupted your sleep too much.”

He dressed quickly, his gaze never leaving her face. Before jumping out of the window, he smiled like a dashing pirate and blew her a kiss. Then he was gone, but his warmth lingered in her heart.