Bessie
Page 34
“You are extremely tight. And I am extremely ready. And this is starting to resemble torture.”
The words trembled. It matched his frame. Surprise rinsed away at the edges of the pain. She swiped a hand across her eyes to see better.
“It...is?”
“We had to break through your maiden-wall, love. It...wasn’t easy. For me, either.” His words ended with a groan. Then he cursed. And moved.
Bessie gripped her legs to him, keeping his outward movement to a minimum. It was too sore. Too sensitive.
“You feel...too wondrous. And...I have stifled this too long. I hope you forgive me, love. I don’t seem to be in control...of much.”
His words were as mystifying as his actions. Bessie tensed for more pain as he pulled from her. And then thrust back in. Again.
And again.
Over and over, countless times. Following a rhythm only he heard. The pain started ebbing. Pushed aside by something beyond experience. Imagination. It started as a flicker of sensation, and built with every lunge he made. Her thighs tightened about him, gaining position to meet his thrusts. Assist with withdrawal. He dipped his head, matched his nose to hers.
“You all right?”
“I feel—I can’t explain it.”
“The pain?”
“It’s not...oh, Devon!”
Something happened. Something pleasurable. And immense. It gathered at her loins with every thrust he made, and then shot outward. Her eyes went wide. Her mouth matched. She arched backward to give vent to a cry that had nothing of pain about it.
Her actions had released something in him. Devon turned into a mass of movement. The mattress rocked and swayed, creaking with every stroke. He lapped at her lips with his. Sucked for breath. Locked his every muscle until he felt the consistency of iron beneath flesh. All while continually slamming his groin against hers in a flurry of thrusts. Faster. Deeper. Harder.
The pleasure built within her again. Rising. Cresting...
Bessie screamed as Devon slammed into her a final time. His body began a series of non-rhythmic lurches, shoving them along the bed with each pulsation. He arched backward at the same time, while giving a deep groan that seemed to come from the core of his being.
And then everything stopped. He looked down at her for long, heart-pounding moments, and then he collapsed.
Bessie had never felt such a sense of wellbeing. Each heartbeat carried joy. Contentment. Satiation. Devon was right. This was a feeling no amount of gold could touch. But he hadn’t moved for some time, and his weight was becoming an issue. It made her limbs throb and her head pound.
“Devon?”
When her whisper failed to get any reaction, Bessie poked his side.
He grunted.
“You’re heavy!”
He gripped her to him with his free arm and rolled onto his side, taking her with him. That was extremely strange-feeling where they were still connected. Bessie fought the blush the moment she thought of it.
“Better?”
Aside from how it felt to have air on her nakedness, it felt very nice. She snuggled closer to him. Smashing her breasts against his chest. Her belly against his. Her arms tightened about him as well.
“I’m a bit useless at the moment, love.”
She lifted her head. Regarded him. One of the candles must have gone out. The remaining light was on him. Highlighting every bit of his handsomeness. She would have sighed in appreciation if she weren’t perplexed.
“You are?” she asked finally.
He laughed. That felt even stranger. She gripped her legs tighter to stop any movement.
“Keep doing that, and we’ll find out.”
“What?” She flexed her legs again, shifting their loins. And that felt unbelievably odd, as well. Gooseflesh even followed the motion.
“How well I’ll be able to satisfy you.”
“Truly? You mean...there’s more?”
He opened his eyes. She knew they were as brilliant as emeralds, but she’d never seen them glow. He reached and smoothed a lock of pearl-entwined hair over her shoulder.
“You are very beautiful, Elizabeth Hilde. Very. I may need to swathe you in veils again just so I can keep you safe.”
“I sincerely hope you are joshing with me.”
He laughed. Her innermost area twinged. And he instantly sobered.
“There is nothing I would change about you, my lady. Absolutely nothing. Mere mortals shouldn’t toy with perfection.”
“That’s...oh Devon.”
“I am sorry I hurt you. It will not happen again.”
“You won’t do it again? Why? What did I do wrong?”
Bessie had jerked with the response. He grabbed her to him, and rolled onto his back, keeping her close. Enmeshed.
“Darling. This will definitely happen again. Probably within the hour. You did want my babes, yes?”
“Oh yes. Even if it does pain.”
“It won’t pain again, love. Promise.”
“Can...I ask a question?”
“Anything.”
“What do you use cream for?”
He started laughing. “I love you, Bess. I adore your wits, your playfulness, and your absolutely perfect body, and everything I should have guessed existed without having to sneak into your chamber at Stansbury so I could peek.”
“You’ve known since...the joust?”
“The night before. Annoyed?” he asked.
“I should be, but I’d rather know of the cream.”
“Stubborn. Smart. And determined. Beautiful. Rich. I seem to have done very well with regard to my marriage.”
“The cream, Devon?”
He pulled in a large breath and sighed. She rose and fell with it.
“I was trying to intrigue my wife. The woman I thought had vast experience and jaded tastes. I see now, that I shall have to resort to just being myself. I hope you can handle the disappointment.”
“Quick-witted. Reliable. Trust-worthy. Handsome. Extremely...loving. Hmm. I do believe I’ve done extremely well with my marriage, too.”
He grinned again. And the last candle flickered out.
Dedication
To Irene. A friend found...and completely treasured. Your talent stuns, your warmth envelops, and your wit is addictive. Thank you for everything.
About the Author
Jackie Ivie lives in the enormous state of Alaska with her husband and three very spoiled pets. She started her writing career writing hot highland historical romances for Kensington Publishing. There are now ten “Clans series” books, available in seven languages. Keeping her head in the clouds most of the time, Jackie now spends her time researching, developing, and writing her paranormal series – the Vampire Assassin League, as well as working on the next historical in the Brocade Collection.
Jackie loves hearing from fans, who can contact her at www.jackieivie.com or www.VampireAssassinLeague.com
BESSIE is the 7th story in the Brocade Collection, a collection of historical romances. Jackie has won multiple awards for creating stories with depth and emotion, trauma and redemption. And most of all - a deep and abiding love. The Brocade Collection features full stories set in various exciting locations and all eras of history.
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Copyright © 2015 by Jackie Ivie
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