Page 20 of Prince She Shouldn’t Crave (Royal House of Halrovia #2)

She didn’t have any fear, even though this was her first time. He reached out and slipped the dress from her shoulders and it fell to the floor around her feet.

‘Undo my shirt,’ he commanded in a way that was so princely, she almost smiled.

Thrilled to do as he asked. She began unbuttoning the studs on the front of his dress shirt till it was open.

She’d seen pictures of him when he was younger, with his shirt off, but it was nothing like seeing him for real.

The defined muscles of his pectorals, the washboard abdomen, which spoke of hard work and dedication to exercise, as she knew he applied to all parts of his life.

Would apply to her. She pushed the shirt from his shoulders, resting her hands on the powerful muscles there for a moment, feeling all that strength, wondering how it would be when she was underneath him.

Trembling with the anticipation of it.

‘Now my trousers.’

She reached her shaking fingers and undid the hook at the waist. Slowly undoing the zip, notch by notch, as he stood there, his gaze glassy, his breathing heavy.

Once she was done, she reached inside and cupped him, feeling how hot he was, how large.

She knew they’d fit. Human bodies were made for each other.

But the size of him. Didn’t she owe Gabriel to tell him that she’d never done this before? She squeezed slightly, testing him out.

‘Temptress,’ he hissed through gritted teeth, and she couldn’t help but smile. She’d never seen herself that way and loved that was how he viewed her. She rested her hand on his chest, the slight dusting of hair there that bisected his abdomen and disappeared beneath the band of his underwear.

‘There’s something I need to tell you.’

‘Contraception? I have condoms. I’m careful. I have regular health checks.’

‘No.’ She shook her head, ‘You need to know… I’ve never done this before. I’m a virgin.’

‘I’m a virgin.’

Gabriel stopped. He couldn’t have heard correctly.

Could he? But there’d been no ambiguity.

This was… He’d never made love to a virgin before.

The only time he thought he might have to was on his wedding night.

And even then, it wasn’t the sort of thing he’d ever sought out.

A woman’s past was her own. He’d never judge, since he believed everyone was entitled to pleasure, but this?

The sensations overwhelmed him. The privilege of her wanting him to be her first. The responsibility. Then all the questions. Such as why? Lena was a beautiful woman. Men would clamour for her, even though in this moment he might have wanted to tear each of those men apart with his bare hands.

He looked down at her and he could see in her eyes. The way they were a little wider. The way she raked her lower lip through her teeth. Her vulnerability.

‘I don’t know what to say.’

‘You don’t have to say anything. It’s not important. I just thought you should know if you wondered why I…’

Seemed inexperienced? He hadn’t even thought about it, being so caught up in the moment. He took a step back to give himself space when all he wanted to do was to drag her closer.

‘We shouldn’t… You’ve clearly been waiting… You should—’

‘No, I’ve been waiting for you.’

The heat roared over him like a wildfire. If he’d been aroused before it was nothing to how he felt now. He was so hard he could almost snap in two.

Lena wrapped her arms round her waist, another sign of the insecurity and innocence he’d not noticed before. ‘I…maybe not you exactly …’

He wanted to chuckle, because she had a unique way of cutting him down, but feared that she’d think he was laughing at her, rather than at himself.

‘I think you’ll be nice to me. Take care of me. Make it good.’

She’d set the bar so low for herself. Nice? Was that all she hoped for? Part of his heart tore. Bled. He shouldn’t be doing this, especially since her admission. And yet here she was, with complete power over him. Holding him in her thrall.

‘Come here. Let me hold you.’ He held out his hand.

She placed her own in his and he reeled her into him. Gabriel sat on the side of the bed and cradled her in his lap. She nestled into his body. He was so damned hard, desperate for her. Yet was torn between desire and doing the right thing.

She trembled in his arms. From desire, nerves or a combination of both, he couldn’t tell. He stroked his hand up and down her spine, goosebumps peppering her skin under his fingertips. Gabriel kept up his ministrations. Caressing, soothing, till she melted into him.

‘Why did you wait?’ he asked.

‘It’s not important.’

‘ You’re important, Lena.’

She let out a long, slow breath. ‘It’s not like I haven’t dated a little, but I really wanted to concentrate on getting a career. Then…you know…men seemed only interested in me because I looked a certain way…’

‘Beautiful, Lena. You’re beautiful.’

‘But they didn’t really want me . They wanted who they imagined me to be.’

His hold on her tightened. The anger in his gut, volcanic at those kinds of men who didn’t value her. Made her feel this way. He cupped Lena’s jaw and she looked up at him, so open and wanting. This woman who trusted him. Who chose him. It was humbling.

‘You deserve more than one night. You deserve to do this with a man who loves you.’

‘My virginity’s become this thing that hangs over me, that I don’t want any more. This is my choice. No one else’s. Anyhow, love’s overrated. It seems who I want is you.’

There was a story there, but he was done.

She’d entrusted herself, her body, to him for his care.

He’d honour that trust, her desires. Honour her.

Still, Gabriel did what he believed was the right thing, even though all he wanted to do was throw her onto the soft covers and make love to her all night.

He gave her a chance to walk away. ‘Lena, are you sure?’

She nodded.

‘I need the words.’

‘Yes, Gabriel.’

The way she said his name, fluttering soft as a moth’s wing at midnight.

She wanted him. He wanted her. It was a story old as time.

His hands began moving with more purpose.

Not to soothe, but to inflame. One cupping her breast, the pad of his thumb teasing at her nipple through her bra till it tightened to a hard nub.

She began to writhe underneath at his attention, in his lap.

Grinding into him, sending darts of pleasure through his overheated body.

How much better would it be when he had her under him? Dark hair spilling over the pillow. Head thrown back in ecstasy. He was so close. Gabe had little doubt he’d be transported to heaven, but he needed to make sure she was ready. Mindless in her craving for him.

‘Let’s get into bed.’

He let her go. She stood and he threaded his fingers through hers, leading her to the side of the bed where the covers had already been turned down for him. She toed off her pretty gold sandals, then moved to take off her bra. Hesitated.

‘Leave it on,’ he said. ‘I’m so desperate for you I need to slow down. Make it good for you.’

She slid between the sheets, pulled the duvet over herself, enveloped by the soft down as she watched him. Looking so innocent. Lying there, exactly as he’d imagined, with hair like black ink on the pillow.

Gabe kicked off his own shoes. Shed his trousers and tossed them onto a chair.

Left his underwear on. Lena’s gaze tracked him.

Her eyes widened a little when his trousers came off and the corners of her mouth tilted in a subtle smile he liked to believe was one of appreciation.

He stood for a few moments, admiring her right back.

Her eyes gleaming in the soft lamplight.

Lips the pink blush of peaches. All the while he hoped he was allowing her to take in her fill of him.

To adjust to the idea of his size. Hoping that she wouldn’t be afraid.

It was his responsibility to ensure that she wasn’t.

Gabriel moved onto the bed beside her, reaching out.

Stroking a stray strand of hair from her face.

Tracing the shell of her ear with his fingertips.

Her eyelids fluttered shut. Lips parting in pleasure.

Then he drew her close again, into his arms. Her body soft and pliant against his own.

Captured her lips with his as she moaned.

Kissing long and slow and deep. Tongues caught in a hypnotic rhythm as Lena flexed against him, as if she was trying to get closer.

Gabe reached round and undid the back of her strapless bra with a practised flick.

Tossed it aside. He rolled Lena onto her back and went up on one elbow, looking down at her beautiful body.

Palming her left breast in his hand. Stroking then pinching her nipple, which pebbled under his touch as Lena writhed restlessly.

Panting. He dropped his head and laved her diamond-hard flesh with his tongue.

She began whispering his name. Over and over.

Interspersed with little cries of pleasure.

‘Let’s get these off you,’ he murmured against her burning flesh.

As hot as his own. Trying to concentrate only on her when he was at his breaking point.

Thank God for his foresight to keep his underwear on, because all he craved to do was to plunge into her warm, wet flesh and lose himself.

Yet there was time enough for that. They had a long night ahead of lovemaking should she gift him the privilege of her body more than once.

He sat up. Slipped his hands into the sides of Lena’s panties and slid them down her legs and off.

In all his late-night fantasises he’d never imagined someone as enticing as her. Sprawled on the bed. Eyes glassy with desire. Golden skin and gentle curves, laid out for him. He bent down over her. Kissed her stomach. Lower. Lower.

‘You’re so beautiful.’ Her scent was heady. A perfume of honey and chocolate with overlying arousal. Gabe reached the apex of her thighs.

‘Open for me.’