Page 72 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2

I nod. "Every day since Agnes sent it to us. Did you?"

"Yes." He pushes my loose hair away from my face and leans in. His lips brush against mine ever so softly. It's so tender that I almost melt.

I deepen the kiss as the need within me starts to grow higher. There's nothing stopping us tonight and I need to slake the feeling within me.

My hand slips over Linc's chest, pulling at the ties of his shirt and letting it fall away. Everything feels a little needier than I expect it to, and I'm far more impatient than I've ever been before. I want this, more than I ever thought I did.

Linc's fingers brush against my stomach as he undoes the tie around the waist of my robe. It comes undone and I shrug it off, letting it fall to the floor. My nightgown goes next, though it doesn't do a lot to cover me anyway. I've been naked in front of him before, but it feels different this time, and I don't fully know why. It's not like anything has really changed between us other than the fact I live in the royal apartments now.

"Are you all right?" Linc murmurs.

"Yes." I frown. "I'm a little nervous."

"Me too."

I laugh despite myself. "But why? We've done this part before." I put my hand on his chest.

"I suppose it means something to other people this time."

"Well, let's forget about them." I reach for his hand and step out of his embrace, regretting it the moment the cool air touches my skin.

I lay back on the bed, pulling Linc over me. His gaze stays locked on me as his hand skims down my skin. I'm not sure what to do with myself. I know in theory, and I know what I want when I've been thinking about tonight, but now I'm here, I'm not so sure.

I reach up and touch Linc's face. "I think I'm worried about what will happen if this isn't perfect," I whisper.

"It already is."

My breathing hitches as I look up at him and nod. He leans in and captures my lips with his, kissing me gently. His hand slips lower, and I part my legs, holding his gaze as he touches me. I let out a gasp, enjoying how it feels to have him pleasure me.

"Linc," I murmur.

"Let go, Bea," he responds, pushing me over the edge.

I arch into him, then relax onto the bed, knowing that what happens next is going to be different than the other times we've been here.

"Are you ready?" Linc asks.

I nod, trying to decide if I'm more nervous or excited about what will happen next.

Linc guides himself to my entrance, and I tense without meaning to. I know it's just a reaction to the unknown and remember back to all the other things we've done together and just how good they've felt. This is going to be the same, I'm sure of it.

He enters me slowly, keeping his attention on my face as he does.

I grimace as a slight pain starts to build, and he immediately goes still. "Bea?"

I nod the best I can. "It's normal."

"I don't want to hurt you..."

"I know." I reach up and touch his face. "Just...give me a moment?"

"Anything."

"And maybe touch me?" I suggest.

"Where?"

"Anywhere."