Page 38

He meant to give her pleasure, not pain.

The challenge was easily met, for he had spent years engaging in shallow encounters, fulfilling his urges amid shadowed alcoves and behind bushes or up against walls. If he needed contortions to keep from hurting Ailis, he was able and ready.

His worries melted away as they stood before each other completely unclothed. Ailis was not shy about standing naked before him, no doubt because she trusted him and already felt so bonded to him.

She had a beautiful body, full breasts and long, slender legs, a body that brought an ache to his heart because he was gazing upon loveliness while she had to look at him.

And yet she truly did not seem to care that his body was marred.

After giving her the chance to react to his body, which she did with unabashed warmth and interest, he lifted her in his arms and carried her to bed. He settled her atop the mattress and stretched out beside her.

Her body was creamy and soft, her skin silken to the touch.

Her breasts were ample and firm, so sweet to the taste.

He lingered on them, suckling and teasing, taking his time while Ailis responded to these new sensations of pleasure.

Although inexperienced, she was no shy maiden and readily accepted the press of his body on hers, the touch of his mouth upon her flesh, and the intimate way he tasted her and brought her to pleasure for her first time.

She responded with innocent wonder and did not hold back the passion he knew lay hidden within. Her soft moans and the way she arched beneath him, the need with which she clutched him and the breathy whisper of his name, almost sent him over the edge along with her.

But he took his time, caressing and arousing Ailis to ready her for him.

She opened to him and bestowed her full trust as he filled her and thrust into her tightness.

But this was more than a mere claiming of her body.

It was a matter of claiming her heart, binding them to form something powerful and eternal.

He understood it now, this raw, primordial need to mate with her and protect her. To embody her in his soul.

“Jonas,” she said in an urgent, breathless moan, “I feel…”

“I know, love. Just let yourself go.” His own breaths were hot and ragged as he thrust with greater urgency and neared his own release.

Pleasuring her was the priority, however. It would always be.

He took the time to watch her glorious body respond to his touch, watching the lick of her lips, her heaving breaths, and the way her body moved with his as he aroused her.

She took it all in with typical Ailis enthusiasm and sentiment, took him in, and cast him a smile as bright as a moonbeam as she tumbled over the edge of desire once more.

Her eyes were closed and her mouth slightly open, ready to be kissed again.

So, he kissed her and told her that he loved her.

For he did love her and always would.

She circled her arms around his neck and held on as though afraid she might float away.

He joined her in his release, in a sweat and well satisfied as he spilled himself into her. This feeling was powerful and more satisfying than anything he had ever felt in his life. But this was the magic of Ailis, this ability to open his heart, to touch it and caress it, to soothe his pain.

He felt only the pleasure of having her beside him now.

Getting her comfortably settled against him took a little doing, because there was simply no way of avoiding the discomfort to her injured shoulder.

He eased it as best he could, adding a pillow under her arm to lend it support throughout the night. He knew Ailis would never complain, so it was up to him to make certain to take care of her. Was this not part of his wedding vows?

“That was nice, Ailis.”

She laughed. “I had no idea my body could feel this way. No wonder you always teased me and called me Miss Temple of Virtue. You knew exactly what I was missing.”

He leaned back against the mattress and tucked his hands behind his head, for he was feeling good and completely relaxed. “I admired your resolve. You held out for love because it meant so much to you.”

“Had I known what I was missing, I might not have been so dedicated to virtue,” she said with a laugh.

He turned to her and caressed her cheek.

“Well, it is done. You waited, and I am glad of it. I will admit to being apishly proud to be your first and only. But this moment would not have felt the same were it anyone but you by my side. In truth, there could never have been a moment like this with anyone else.”

“Because you trust me?” She leaned over and kissed him on the lips. “This is kiss number… Oh, I’ve lost count.”

“No more need to count, love. We needed those ten kisses to lead us here. But we have moved beyond them now. Just say the word and I’ll kiss you as often as you wish.” He let out a long breath. “Ailis, did you really not mind?”

“Mind what?”

“My body.”

She inhaled lightly. “No, I never gave it a thought until you mentioned it just now. My eyes were mostly closed and I was concentrating on the way you made me feel. Even now, all I am thinking about is the strength of your body and how nice it feels against mine. Promise me there will never be shame between us.”

He let out another long breath.

She snuggled against him. “It took a long time for your scars to heal, but they did. Now, it is time for your heart to heal. Also consider this…”

He stroked her hair, those lovely golden curls that slid through his fingers like silk. “Consider what?”

“We are not so young anymore, my Silver Duke. I’m sure we will both turn quite lumpy and gray within a few years. You’ll yearn for the body you once had,” she said with a merry lilt of laughter, “and perhaps yearn for a younger wife.”

“Never, Ailis. Your beauty is ageless. It took me bloody long enough to admit I had feelings for you. They run deep as an ocean current and are never going to change.”

“Well, ocean currents can change.”

“Not this one.” He settled over her, careful to balance on his elbows so that his weight was not on her. “We fit together. You are the sunshine to my darkness. The smiles to my grumbles. The gentle snowflake to my storm.”

She sighed as he kissed her. “I used to hate the winter.”

He arched an eyebrow. “But no more?”

“No, now I love it. The snowfall brought me to you.”

He glanced out the window as a sudden gust of wind slammed against the panes. “The wind is beginning to howl again and the sky is covered in clouds. Looks like another snowfall in the making. We might be trapped here for days.”

She cast him a sparkling smile. “Oh dear. Whatever shall we do?”

“I’ll think of something,” he said, and began to kiss his way down her delectable body.

Yes, there was much to be said for a winter’s snowfall.

And the right woman who saw him through the eyes of love, who accepted him with the fullness of an open heart.