Mariah nodded. “We’re married now. What would please you?”
“Remove your gown. I want you naked before me.” He sat in a chair next to the bed and watched her.
Never in her life had Mariah been on display for the pleasure of a man. Her encounters with James had been tightly in his grasp. But now, he had every right to look at her, and she had no reason to hide. Exhaling, she pulled off the gown. She’d foregone any other items of clothing as pointless on her wedding night.
“Take down your hair,” he ordered.
She smiled, not sure why he seemed so controlled even still. The pins gave easily and the curls fell around her shoulders and down to tease her hard nipples. “Do I please you?”
James stood and walked around her as though inspecting a horse he intended to buy. She trembled under the scrutiny, tightening her body and straightening her posture for his approval. If he liked what he saw maybe he’d touch her and put an end to the ache between her legs, flowing to her breasts and deep in her chest. Her eyes began to well as she forced herself to hold still. There was very little in life she’d been denied or had denied herself.
“Very good.” He pulled his belt from his breeches and set it on the bed.
As he let the clothing fall and stepped free of it, Mariah stared at his naked body. Strong legs, a dark nest of hair between his legs and the shaft she’d toyed with jutting out at her. The veins pulsed, and it grew. She knew it was for her. Their lust was mutual and now there was no shame in it. Mariah felt weak and warm at the beauty of him, wanting more and not sure what she should do just then.
“You will obey me?” he asked.
She nodded. “Instruct me, husband. I know only what you’ve shown me so far.”
“You should be punished for being so lustful before marriage.” He reached for the belt.
“Not touching me would be the worst punishment.” Her eyes fixed on the leather. Mariah wondered what he’d do. Most men wanted an heir off a new bride. James was different. Not only his tastes but his trying to warn her off marrying him.
“Good answer. You’ll beg to be punished when you’re ready. For now, I must finish what I started.” He dropped the belt and reached for the ribbon from her wedding gown. “Lie on the bed and put your hands over your head.”
Mariah trembled but moved quickly, stretching out on the bed and letting her hands curl around the carved slates of the headboard. “Like this?”
“Excellent.” James caught her wrists, winding the ribbon around them and knotting it tight.
He stepped back and looked down at her. Mariah licked her lips and looked up at him. Tied, she somehow felt alive, and just him watching her added to her arousal. “I won’t run. I want you. I want to please you.”
James leant down and kissed her hard. “And I want this. I will not hurt you. Never more than you can take.”
“I know.” Her eyes glanced at the belt. “Please James.”
He eased down, letting his weight press to her body from chest to legs. Mariah went to hold him, forgetting for a second that he’d tied her. He’d found a way to punish her without pain to start. The man’s mind was delicious, and she wanted to know him better. Her body took in the rough feel of him. His hairy chest scratched her breasts, and his cock rubbed her stomach while his legs tangled with hers. All the while her hands remained tightly bound, her palms itching to touch him.
Powerful hands worked down her bare body to the tender skin between her legs. “You’re wet for me already?” He worked his finger to her entrance.
Mariah lifted, trying to coax him inside. “Very much. Please take me.”
“Such a vulgar bride I have. Begging to be fucked. You know the first time will hurt a little. You’re tight despite your riding and walking.”
“And you’re big, but we’ll manage.” She spread her legs and lifted her hips as much as she could.
“We’ll just see.” He pressed a finger deeper.
Mariah moaned, shaking as he touched new nerve-endings inside her. He made her burn for more. “Please,” she begged.
“Please, more?” he asked.
She nodded.
“Say it.” He drew back his finger.
“Please, my lord. More. I need more of you.” She twisted and rocked her hips as though it could change his mind.
“Good.” He pressed two fingers in her.
Her body gave to him, and Mariah arched, thrusting herself onto his fingers.
“You don’t thank me?” He curled his fingers up and twisted.
“Thank you!” she shouted. “More, please.”
“Not done yet? You’ll come for me on only fingers. Shameless. Then I’ll have you.”
His words made little sense, but she wanted it. “Tell me what to do.”
“You’re doing it. Relax. There is no rush now.” He removed his fingers.
Mariah moaned in desperation. “I’m sorry. Please, what did I do wrong?”
He chuckled. “Don’t you like this?” He rubbed her nub with a strong thumb.
Jerking, Mariah screamed his name as pleasure shot through her body like lightning. Her nub pulsed but before she could focus on that spot again, two thick fingers entered her again and pumped in and out.
If this was the pleasure that fingers could bring a woman, Mariah no longer blamed her governesses for their bad behaviour. Mariah could never have said no to James if he’d shown her this at any point.
“You like it. Hold on to the bed. Now you see why I tied you up? Such a wild wife would be jumping on me to fulfil your lustful nature. Now, I may tame you and reward you as I like.” He fucked her, slowing the pace.
Her eyes met his then she looked down her body as she adjusted to his fingers inside of her. James knew exactly what she needed and yet denied her what she wanted most. Glancing to the large member between his legs, it pulsed for her. How could he resist so? Did he not want her as much as she wanted him?
“What troubles you?” He entered a third finger.
Gasping, Mariah shook her head. “Nothing, my lord. I want to pleasure you as well. It’s my duty to satisfy my husband on our wedding night.”
“Every night.” He spread his fingers deep in her.
She nodded. “Every night. Please, allow me.”
“You must first learn how and be properly taken. Do not rush, my dear. You have the rest of your life to please me.” James curled his fingers and pulled them free.
She bit her lower lip to muffle her cry of loss. “I will be patient.”
“Good. You’re mine forever.” He leant up, kissing her mouth, dropping a kiss on each nipple. Then he kissed her nub nestled behind the curls.
Arching for him, she opened her legs. “Do I please you thus far?”
“Very well. But do not waste your energy now. This is not a race.” He kissed the instep of her foot and dragged his tongue up her calf and behind her knee.
Mariah trembled and fought the urge to close her legs as his tongue skimmed along her inner thigh. He bit her flesh teasingly, and she moaned despite her promise for patience.
“You liked how it felt before?” he asked.
When he brought pleasure to her body she never dreamed of? “Yes!”
“Good. You will feel that. And a little pressure.” He pinched her outer fold until she cringed.
The pain mixed with the pleasure lingered. When he let go, she exhaled and trembled. Afraid to ask for more, afraid of what more might be.
He spread her legs and outer folds with his hands, holding her open. “Look. Look at your sex. Do you understand what pleasure you have here?”
Looking where he commanded, she saw the pink inner folds she’d only touched before. Such things so shameful yesterday were as natural as breathing with James. “I want to give you pleasure as well. To know the male sex on you.”
James grinned down at her. “Bold and lustful. I can play here.” He rubbed the nub at the top of her slit. “I could make you my slave with this alone.”
“But that will not make you mine.” His thumb dipped back to her entrance. “You want this?”
“Yes, please. I want you. I want to lick you the way you did to me, and touch you and kiss you.” Her eyes fixated on his cock. Mariah wondered what it would feel like between her lips.
“You will know it all in time. Tonight, you will feel it. You’ll be mine forever.” He rubbed his cock between her legs.
His tip teased her nub, and she lifted. “James, show me how to please you.”
“All you need to do is accept me and enjoy.” He braced himself on his hands, caging her with his body.
Mariah watched, taking in the feel of him and the beauty of his muscles. He lined up his shaft and pressed to her entrance, rubbing gently. She scooted to get more, but her hands held her back. “I’m ready,” she whispered.
“Watch me take you.” He pressed his forehead to hers.
Mariah couldn’t have taken her eyes away if she’d wanted. She could not see the detail, but as his cock disappeared and her body stretched for him, she knew it was no longer a dream but a reality. She relaxed as much as she could, but his thick cock made his fingers feel small in comparison. And he was long. She felt filled in a way no dark dream had ever hinted.
Slowly, he continued, not done taking her. Finally, he paused. She felt the heat of his hips between her thighs, and Mariah wrapped her legs around his waist to hold him close. “An ideal fit.” She strained up to kiss him.
“Pain?” he asked.
She shook her head. “It’s new. But I could not call it pain.” Lifting gingerly, she felt a slight twinge, but it sparked pleasure as well.
He exhaled slowly, kissing her in return as he let his weight rest on her fully. Digging his hands into her hair, he eased back a little.
Mariah almost cried at the loss but remembered what he’d done with his fingers. Trusting that he’d return, she lifted, squeezing him inside of her. She moaned at her own boldness and how exquisite it felt.
“You’re tight. I don’t want to be too rough, not the first time,” he warned in her ear.
She wondered how rough he’d be tomorrow night until he pushed deep into her again. Then all thought was lost as her body clung to him. Mariah’s breasts rubbed against his rough chest hair and gave her a new angle to feel his cock. “Do I please you?”
Grinning, James pinched a nipple between them and let his hand roam lower. “You will come first.”
“Please, I want to feel your happiness.”
He thrust in again. “My release you’ll see soon enough. For now, enjoy yours.” James rubbed her nub, and Mariah cried out.
Her hips flexed naturally on his shaft as the pleasure plundered her body, inside and out. His cock pressed to her just right, and it left her exhausted but eager for more.
Panting, she tightened her muscles around him, enjoying the fullness and not wanting him to leave her ever.
“You’re no maid now.” James eased from her.
“Thank you, my lord. But you. Your needs.” She struggled at the restraints, afraid he’d leave her like this.
“You must learn to trust me.” He rolled her hip and smacked her bottom. “Be still.”
The sharp sting made her want to disobey even more, but she knew it was not over. “Forgive me.”
He knelt over her breasts, rubbing his cock, wet with her juices, over her breasts.
Impulsively, Mariah stuck out her tongue, longing to taste him.
“Naturally made to please. But watch and learn first.” He wrapped his hand around his shaft and jerked, enclosing himself the way her body did. James pressed the tip to the top of her breast and grunted low. The spurt of liquid landed on her, and he braced his other hand on the headboard. “Clean yourself up,” he ordered.
Her hands tied, Mariah had only one option. Her eager tongue lapped up his offering, and the flavour made her insides tighten. She wanted him to come inside of her. Perhaps, he didn’t trust himself yet. She was new at this. “More?” she asked.
Reaching for her hands, James untied her and curled her to him. “You’ve have enough for one night. Anymore and you’ll get the belt to your rear.”
She trembled, not sure if she wanted to risk it or not. As the warmth of her husband surrounded her, she felt sleep take over. As much as she wanted, she didn’t realise how much energy was taken up being tied to a bed. Maybe next time, he’d let her run wild.
Chapter Three
James reviewed his correspondence and sat back in his chair. The smell of books and leather soothed him. The large bookcases made him feel safe. The library had long been his favourite room in the house. He could become lost in the far off tales and be left in peace. Now the bedchamber had drawn his interest more. But Mariah’s influence went beyond his physical relief. The house had a new life and energy. Its new mistress acted on him and his servants like the first of spring after a long cold winter.
Mariah made the house a home. Her touches and simple presence made him feel more at ease. She’d spent a good amount of money but purchased nothing excessive, only household pieces and her wardrobe as he’d requested. He’d ordered a special saddle for her to go with the new mare, but it had yet to arrive. The urge to spoil her was strong, yet he didn’t want to show weakness when she so enjoyed strength.
A knock on the door caught his attention. “Come in,” he answered.
Mariah walked in, closing the door behind her. “Good afternoon.”
“Good afternoon. Did you and Alice enjoy shopping in the village?” he asked.
She nodded. “Very pleasant. I didn’t find the lace I wanted, but Mr. Smith assured me more would be in by the end of the month.”
“We should go to London. There you could obtain whatever you desire.” He wanted to show her off, show her the world her father had neglected to introduce her to. Mariah’s aunt had tried her best, but now, it was up to him.
“No need. London is loud and crowded. I enjoy the quiet of the country. And the privacy. Of course, if you have business there, or visits that must be paid, I’ll be happy to see the city. We have some business to address first. Before the wedding, you did say to plan for a party. It really isn’t necessary to make a big fuss, but inviting the local gentry and the appropriate individuals over is the right thing. A fest for the townspeople is a must. They’ve been very welcoming.”
“There’s no reason to be conservative. You’re mistress here. Their countess has not been shy about charitable efforts in the village thus far. Now it is time to display yourself as hostess. A poor showing will not reflect well on me.” He wanted her to enjoy herself and her influence. Titles came with responsibility. She’d handled those well. But her entertaining had been limited to her cousin, her husband, aunt and uncle, along with a few friends from the village. “You must take your place in our little corner of society even if not in London.”
“Very well. If you want an elaborate affair, you’ll have one. Do you have specific individuals for my guest list? I’ve begun with the expected guests. I don’t want to slight anyone.”
“I’ll have a short list of business and social acquaintances to invite as a courtesy. Best not to neglect anyone, I agree. Invite as many as you feel proper. Have you selected a date?”
“If it’s convenient, four weeks from today. That would be two months from the wedding. Not too soon and not so long as to be considered delayed.”
Mariah had thought it out well. James continued to be impressed with his bride. “Excellent.”
She smiled but shifted her weight as she glanced around the room.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing.” She rubbed her lips together.
“Something is on your mind.” He leant forward. “You were never shy before we married.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be coy. Perhaps talking about this is not as easy as other things.”
She tugged her dress up over her head, slid her chemise down, and stood naked in his library.
“This is not the time or place.” He stood and grabbed her dress, trying to put it back on her. But it was no use. “Dress yourself.”
“Why? You prefer me this way. Why should we deny it? Do you not want me anymore? Last night, you did not join me in bed.” She moved around his desk and sat in his lap. Mariah’s hand settled on his growing erection.
“It’d been a long night of visiting with your aunt and uncle. You needed your rest. Now is not the time.” He tried to remove her hand, but she pressed closer. The woman knew him, felt his desires, yet she needed discipline and structure.
“Why not? It’s our house. I locked the door so the servants won’t disturb us. It can be fast or not. Quiet or not, however you choose.” Her mouth found his, and her persuasive powers doubled.
Pulling her tight, he kissed her hard. She responded to him willingly. The passion in her had been awakened, and now, she needed attention. But was it the treatment or him? Their courtship had been so odd and their marriage so quick. James trusted his choice to satisfy him, but he needed her to choose him, to commit in a way few would comprehend.
Relaxing he let her eager kissing soothe him. Mariah wanted more, but he had to teach her how to ask. Their sexual play would lose its heat if she always got her way without discipline.
Mariah slipped off his lap and onto her knees. Her delicate hands pulled open the front of his breeches and freed his hard member.
“You’ve forgotten your manners.” He grabbed her wrist.
Her eyes grew larger. Her throat trembled as she swallowed. “Please, my lord. I want to taste you.” Leaning in, she pressed a gentle kiss to the top of his cock.
James groaned but held onto her wrist. “Sucking my cock will not get you with child.” He suspected her efforts were in pursuit of an excellent reputation. A good wife who quickly produced a son or two.
With a sassy smile, she looked up at him. “I understand that. A governess or two got into a delicate condition thanks to my brothers. They cried and cried and told me too much before my father turned them out of the house. I want to enjoy the pleasure and feel your release while inside me. But maybe I must earn it and prove myself. This is different, isn’t it? Special.” She ran her tongue up his shaft.
A Firm Hand Page 3
