"Oh, Lord," he groaned, feel as though the pain and pleasure was more than he could bear. His longing was so intense, he convulsed again and gripped the side of the tub with his other hand.
"Does it hurt?" she asked in consternation, easing up on her fingertips. She saw his face turn red and white by turns.
"God, no, it's-"
"You don't look like a wedder to me, Alexander," she said softly, putting her other hand into the water to trace the apex of his thighs with one tentative finger.
"Lord, Sarah, where were you brought up? In a house of Paphians?" he gritted out.
"You mean you like it?" she asked with an embarrassed laugh.
"Like it? I can't control myself for much longer."
"Do you have to? I mean-"
She never got to complete the sentence, for he wrapped his hand around her own and slid it twice over the satiny softness of his sliding skin. She curled her fingers around him willingly, knowing she had the power, was in control. She felt a surge of elation at being able to give him so much pleasure as he gasped out his joy and thanks.
A small tidal wave rose in the tub, leaving Alexander thrashing and gasping, almost slipping under the water as he tried to escape from her hand. And failed, to both their delights. She held him steadily, her other hand anchoring his upper thigh, and moved forward until he could turn his face into her shoulder to sob out his passion.
"I'm sorry," he managed to pant out when his climax had at last subsided.
She leaned down to kiss him. "I'm guessing what just happened there. I'm glad for you. There's nothing to apologize for. So long as I didn't hurt you."
"Hurt me? No. You've revived me. I can't tell you how grateful I am. It was a gross liberty, taking your hand like that, but I hope you can forgive the selfishness. Understand--"
"There's nothing to forgive," she said breathily. "I was glad I could please you so well."
He sat up straight, relief evident on his handsome face. She was almost certain his golden eyes were glowing. "You did indeed. But now I think it is going to be my turn. I'll dry off and dress, and you get in the tub."
"Are you sure? You seemed to be enjoying the bath so much."
"Not just the bath, but your lovely touches," he confessed.
"I'm glad I did it right."
"Oh, darling, if only you knew how right it was."
"Beginner's luck, my dear," she said with a shy laugh.
"It was just perfect. And there are other ways to enjoy each other. I'd like to explore a few more of them with you, if I may?" he said eagerly, his grin like that of a happy little boy.
Almost all of his doubts and fears had vanished in an instant, and he was more than ready to explore more of his body's capabilities.
She kissed him warmly on the lips and said truthfully, "I don't mind at all."
Chapter Seventeen
Sarah stood up and stripped off her clothes, while Alexander finished washing and rinsing his hair. She took his hand to help him up from the tub, and dried his back and shoulders.
"I can take it from here, thanks," he said, giving her a kiss which curled her toes, but resisting the temptation simply to drag her into his arms and bear her down onto the floor. It was all too new, too precious to be rushed. And his desire was still too unpredictable, he admitted, wondering how long it might be before he could make love to her in every way.
And he had never had a virgin that he could recall. She deserved every care and consideration. She had been so loving and generous, he was determined to reciprocate. Having found such an unexpected treasure, he was damned if he would simply grab at it greedily. Not after all she had done for him. The way she completed him in every way.
Sarah added a bit more hot water, and stepped into the tub, curiously unshy about her body. She knew he couldn't see, but that was not to say he couldn't reach out, pull her into his arms. But no, she was sure she could trust him. He was enormous in every sense of the word, but had always been gentle and patient with her. She had nothing to fear from this man, and everything to look forward to.
It all felt so perfect, like it was meant to be. She left her inner voice of reason along with her garment as she slipped into the tub. She was a new woman now. Powerful, assured, in control. And alluring. With that certain something she had seen in her friends which enticed their husbands, seduced them even. She thought of Vanessa and Clifford, Charlotte and Thomas. How sultry they looked together, how intimate. She understood now the nature of the secrets they shared. As all happily married couples in love should, with no fear or doubt.
She was married to Alexander heart and soul. The license the world needed was as nothing in the face of her longing as she stared in awe at Alexander's rippling physique.
She began to soap herself all over with brisk, efficient scrubs. Soon he sat on the edge of the tub and asked her for the bar.
She placed the small disk in his hands. He rubbed it between them before reaching out to locate her back.
"Oh, I can see what you mean about this feeling wonderful," she sighed happily, pressing backwards into his hands.
After a time he paused. "Let's try the front of you now, shall we?" he asked in a husky purr.
Sarah forced herself to relax.
He moved his hands to her neck and shoulders, and gradually down to her breasts. He began to lather them tenderly, starting with the sides.
She instantly went on fire, her nipples peaking, her belly rippling, her face flaming. His hands moved down over her stomach next. She held her breath, hardly daring to move, or believe this wonderful man was about to touch her in so lover-like a manner. That he desired her.
She had been asleep last night. Her head was spinning so much she was afraid she would faint, and struggled for control. She didn't want to miss a thing. Wanted to lock this in her memory, treasure it forever.
Just when she thought he was going to touch her most secret place, he slipped past her hips and down to her legs, and lathered the length of them until he reached her feet. Once there he counted her toes like a happy boy.
She heaved out a shaky breath at last, and began to breathe more evenly, if still shallowly. "Ten only," she laughed. "And those rather ticklish."
"What perfection. All of you is absolutely beautiful, Sarah. So soft, so voluptuous."
"I can honestly say the same of you, darling. You're incredible. So manly."
She caressed his arm, and put her hand on his thigh, stroking him through the silk of his dressing gown. She could see him responding to her again, and flicked the robe aside to run her hand along the soft down of his muscular thigh. She was fascinated with the difference in textures. And even more enthralled with what she was able to see at just about eye level. She slowly slid her long fingers upwards toward his impressive male attributes, which were growing more and more impressive by the second.
"Oh, you are the most loving woman," he sighed. "But I'm so wicked."
"Is this wicked, do you think?" she whispered, watching his burgeoning erection.
She knew many women found it disgusting, if not downright ridiculous. But Sarah could only feel proud, and humble. She was doing this to him. She had the power.
But it was also from within him, something she couldn't even begin to fathom. A force of nature so wild and free, which could be curbed but not contained. He was magnificent, enthralling. She felt like a pagan goddess worshipping at his altar.
"Well, no," he admitted with a whoosh of breath as her fingers teased the crisp hair at the edge of his mons pubis. "Not wicked. It feels, well, natural. So very right. Do you think so?"
"No, not at all wicked," she said, wishing he could see the naked admiration in her eyes for his perfection. "I think you're beautiful too. I think this is the way we're meant to be. I won't lie and say I'm not scared. I'm terrified, but so full of longing too. It's like, well, like every minute of my life has led up to this point. That this between us is meant to be."
He laughed tremulously, and rubbed t
he back of her questing hand. "I don't mean to rush your bath, my dear, but if you keep doing that I'm not going to be able to wait long enough to get to the bed."
"That doesn't sound so bad."
"It would be for your first time. I want to fulfill your every dream, make you happy."
"You do. I'm happy whenever we're together. You don't have to plan or control it. We can just relax and let it happen, as you did in the tub. "
She took the soap from his nerveless fingers to wash herself all over. She put his hand on her breast as she rose from the tub and kissed him.
"I want it to happen for you too."
"I'm sure it will. It did the other night," she confessed. "At least I think it did."
"Really?" He sounded delighted, and relieved.
"Yes, darling. I love the way you touch me. In every way."
"In that case--"
She held still as if in a trance as Alexander took the towel from her to dry her off, rubbing her back and breasts, and her thighs with long sweeping strokes which had her almost purring like a cat.
She pulled away at last and re-donned her dressing gown. Making sure the fire was out in the small heater, she led him to the foot of the stairs and kissed him.
He pulled her to him tightly, his arms enveloping her like a sensual cocoon. She could feel his hardness pressing into her stomach urgently, but knew no fear. She rubbed against him, the silk of their robes whispering against each other and the bare flesh underneath. The rasp of his skin on her chin thrilled her, and she began to nibble down his throat and chest.
"Bed. We need the bed," he gasped, his tone increasing with urgency with every word.
"I'll take you." She knew he was still offering her the chance to change her mind, but she knew what she wanted. Who. She wanted him.
She led Alexander to her room and closed and locked her door. Once inside the chamber she sat him on the edge of the bed. She stroked his hair, face and shoulders, raining little kisses all over his cheeks and mouth. She held her breath as he grasped her hair ribbon and tugged it, sending her dark hair cascading down her back in a satiny wave.
He untied the fastenings of her robe, and slipped it off her shoulders. The cool air on her bare skin was a sensual delight, made all the more heady by the warmth of his breath as he pressed her onto the mattress gently and began to kiss his way down her body from chin to breasts.
He took his time, savoring every inch of her with his lips and tongue. She felt as though she were on fire, as if her skin was electrified, crackling like lightning, and the sparks intensified his need.
He kissed her breasts reverently, forcing himself not to hurry, though every fiber of his being urged him on to the ultimate bliss of joining with her.
By the time Alexander had reached her abdomen, Sarah was almost incapable of rational thought. She laced her fingers through his hair, embarrassed by the intimacy of what she guessed he intended to do, but longing for more.
When he nudged her legs apart gently and began to lick upwards on the soft flesh of her inner thigh, a torrid groan told him that she too was not going to be able to last very long.
Then his fingers and tongue began to trace her intimately, gently exploring and stretching her tightness until he was certain she was wet throughout and more than ready for him. She thrust her hips hard against his hand and mouth and whimpered, desperately seeking release.
Alexander paused, uncertain. This was the point of no return. He wanted her to be satisfied, not regretful. His back was painful, there was no denying that. But he was not going to let it stop him either. As she said, it just required some patience and tenderness.
He lifted his head at last and moved up to lie next to her. "Sarah, my love, I need you to turn to me, help me a little."
Drugged with passion, she did as she was told without hesitation, and laid on her side. Alexander pulled her close. Removing his robe and towel fully to drop them on the floor, he pulled one of her legs over his hip. He rubbed his hard shaft against her silken softness, now dewed with longing.
She looked down at his masculine beauty, so close to her own most secret place, and knew a moment's worry. If anything it was even more impressive than it had been in the tub. "My goodness, can we really--"
"We can. If you help."
She nodded and kissed him, pressing closer. His tip probed her, and she moved closer still. He clasped her bottom, and entered her with one smooth fluid movement of his hips, determined to make this as easy as he knew how.
The single thrust was enough to transform her from girl to woman. Sarah's world crashed and burned all around her. She clung to his shoulders as the earth spun off its axis.
Hardly aware of what she did, oblivious to any pain at his initial stroke, Sarah pressed more and more tightly against him, moving her hips up and down, forcing him onto his back and driving along the full hard length of his manhood.
The natural rhythm came to her instinctively, driving her forward with its elemental power. Alexander clutched her hips convulsively, and practically begged for mercy as his climax went on and on.
Her own fulfillment came a heartbeat later, her whole back arching and bowing with every shuddering contraction, which clenched him even harder, bringing even more delight for them both.
At last, drenched with perspiration, she collapsed onto his broad chest, exhausted and utterly fulfilled.
He clung to her like a drowning man grasping his last chance at life. "My love, my Sarah."
"My dearest Alexander. My goodness." She let out a shaky laugh. "That was, well... Words could never begin to do it justice."
"I was about to say that myself," he laughed, rolling her back down onto her side, though he scooped her hips close enough to his for them to still remain joined. For a time they could hear nothing in the room except breathy sighs and murmurs of pleasure as they continued to kiss and caress, lost in wonder at the other's body.
Her hands touched him everywhere, exploring, massaging, worshipping. As the candle sputtered out, he sparked anew, and moved within her in a slow, sensual glide.
"There's more?" she asked with shy but happy surprise.
"So much more," he said, moving intently inside her. "That was only the beginning."
She carefully stroked his back and buttocks, trying to ease his sore muscles. But all his pain and stiffness was forgotten as he reveled in the woman who had brought him back to life.
He might not know his own name, or where he came from, but in Sarah he had found his true love, his real home. It might be selfish of him, and he might well have to pay the piper on the morrow, but Alexander surrendered himself body and soul to her, and she responded in kind.
Love was so much more than she ever could have imagined. The man she had come to know as a friend, and had fallen in love with, completed her body and soul.
She grew brave at the power she had over him and explored his lean hard physique and all of its joys more and more boldly until the dawn crept up over the horizon.
"Are you sure there aren't any other interesting tattoos you'd like to show me?" she giggled, rolling off him at last.
"No, dearest, I think you've found every single one. And might have even given me a few more."
"Did I hurt your back too much?" she asked, her tone chagrined.
He laughed. "The only thing I felt was pure pleasure, believe me."
"I do. I was there, felt it myself first-hand."
"Both hands, you mean." He grinned with delight. "If I didn't know better I would say I had met the most expensive and skilled lady-bird in London."
She blushed at his words, but oddly felt no shame. She was his. What could be more natural than to love and treasure him?
"I must have a naturally wanton disposition. But only when you're within ten miles of me."
"Just try to get me to go that far from you."
Her face grew serious as she traced the lines of his lips with her forefinger. "I hope you never have to leave."
"I pray God I never have to either." He paused, obviously hesitating. "Sarah, I know it may be wrong of me to ask this of you, my love. To take on a burden such as myself. But I can't imagine a future without you, my lovely darling. I want you to marry me, as soon as we can manage. Love me always, the way I plan to love you. Forever. No matter what." His golden eyes glowed with a new warmth of expression she'd never seen before.
Sarah was stunned. All the time she had been admiring him, falling in love with him, he had been doing the same? Or was he only saying this because he was such an innate gentleman he felt he had to?
The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2 Page 20
