“Allow me to show you.” He stepped back and indicated her gown. “But first, all of this needs to go.”

She swallowed. “Alright.” A pause. “Should I call for my ladies’ maid?”

He shook his head. “I am more than capable of filling that role.”

Suddenly, Mena wondered exactly how experienced Julian had been over the years. “Something tells me you’re quite adept at this.”

He removed his jacket and threw it over a nearby chair. “I haven’t lived the life of a monk, if that’s what you mean. But know that there’s never been anyone to compare with you.”

His words caused her toes to curl in her slippers. Not until he removed his cravat, waistcoat, and finally his shirt, baring his naked chest to her, did what they were about to do become all too real.

And all too exciting.

As if in a trance, she walked forward and slowly ran her hands down his chest. The small patches of hair tickled her fingers, and she curled her hands over his pectoral muscles. He tensed beneath her exploration as she boldly leaned forward, lightly nipping the hollow at the base of his throat.

Without a word, he took her shoulders and gently turned her away from him. “My turn,” he growled, and then began to undo the line of buttons down her back. With each one that loosened, she could feel his breath on her skin, sending delightful shivers down her spine. It wasn’t until he undid her stays that all the confining material fell to the floor, leaving her clad in only her stockings and chemise.

His lips grazed her shoulder as he slowly pushed down the straps of linen. Once her last bit of covering had joined the rest, he bent down and rolled her stockings off her feet. Then, he reached for her hair. He took his time pulling out the pins that held her chignon in place. She sighed as the brunette strands fell to her waist in a heavy wave.

Only then did he turn her back around to face him. His eyes took in every inch of her bare skin. From the crown of her head to the tips of her exposed toes, he caressed her with his gaze, warmth flooding her body. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, Mena.”

With those poignant words, he captured her mouth once more.

He slowly backed her up toward the bed and gently pushed her down. She gasped when he covered her body with his. He glanced at her in concern. “Am I too heavy?”

She shook her head. “No. It’s just…shocking.” For as long as she had been married to Laurence, she had never felt a man’s naked body against her own. The sensation of the hard planes of Julian’s chest and thighs against her soft curves was certainly different than anything she had ever experienced before. His weight made her felt comforted and safe.

It was wonderful.

“I want more,” she panted.

She felt his smile against her cheek. “As my lady commands.”

With that, he began to lavish kisses anywhere and everywhere. When he latched on to her nipple and began to suck, she clutched the counterpane. Her legs were moving restlessly, her core was throbbing with a need she didn’t understand. “Please…” she begged. “I’ve never felt…”

Julian growled against her ear, “Don’t tell me that bastard never brought you to completion?”

She blinked through the haze. “What?”

He growled again, but this time, it was filled with passion. His hand slipped down the length of her body until it reached the heart of her desire. The moment he flicked his thumb over her pulsing nub, her hips lifted. “Again.”

He bent down to kiss her, while his fingers worked their magic on her body. When he slid a finger into her wet core, she burst apart at the seams. She had never known a sensation like it before. If that was what he called an orgasm, it was an incredible feeling and one she wanted to duplicate.

She didn’t have time to speak or gather her wits before he was sliding his engorged cock inside of her. She thought of all the times she’d been with Laurence and tensed slightly, waiting for the pain that would surely arrive. Instead, she moaned with the slick friction. Her joining with Julian was actually rather…pleasant. When he began to work a rhythm, her eyes widened in delighted surprise.

Oh, this was more than pleasant.

This was…amazing.

She closed her eyes as sparks began to shoot along her veins. As Julian picked up the pace, she felt that now familiar rise of power beginning to build again. She bit her lip as he pounded into her until she soared to the heavens on a cry of ecstasy. Moments later, Julian groaned and spent himself inside of her, before finally collapsing.

After a light kiss on her brow, he rolled to the side.

Once they both caught their breath, Julian turned back to face her. He lifted his hand and brushed back a stray strand of her hair. “You’re wonderful, Mena.”

“You’re not so bad yourself,” she teased, her body still glowing with the aftereffects of his lovemaking.

He grinned. “I think it’s time we went downstairs and got some sustenance.”

“For round two?” she suggested somewhat hopefully.

He laughed lightly. “After a brief recovery time, perhaps.”

Once Julian had helped Mena back into her stays, they dressed in companionable silence. But when she would have wound her hair and pinned it back, he stayed her movements with a hand on hers. “Leave it down.”

She slowly lowered her hands. “Alright.”

As he escorted her back downstairs, she turned to him with a small smile. “I have to say I’m feeling rather famished now myself.”

He bent down to nuzzle her neck. “Such physical activity does tend to work up an appetite.”

A giggle escaped her lips, before Mena quickly covered her mouth with her hand. It had been years since she’d allowed herself such an uninhibited moment, but with Julian at her side, she felt like she was in the first blush of youth once more.

After dinner, where neither one of them could barely concentrate on the delightful meal before them, they retired to the parlor. For hours they sat and talked, laughing about nothing in particular.

Julian’s eyes were shining as he looked at her, sometime after midnight. “I suppose I should be going.”

Mena knew it was for the best, but she was still reluctant to see him leave.

Unfortunately, reality dared to intrude about that time. Anders appeared and held a box out to her with a polite bow. “This just arrived by messenger, my lady.”

She sighed heavily, but took the box. “Thank you,” she murmured.

As the servant left, she stood staring at the package for several minutes, until Julian finally intruded on her thoughts. “Aren’t you going to open it?”

“I’m not sure I want to.” She walked over and set the box on a nearby table.

He chuckled. “You’re staring at it as if you expect a snake to make an appearance.”

Mena shrugged. “In a way, I suppose you might say that.” She turned to him. After what they had shared earlier, she felt that he deserved an explanation. “It appears that I have a secret admirer.” She waved a hand at the gift. “I’m supposed to receive twelve gifts by Christmas. At that time, my mysterious suitor is to reveal himself.”

“Indeed?” He lifted a brow. “So what is today?”

“I suppose it’s day seven now,” she replied evenly. “Gift number six.”

“Well, don’t make me wait. Open it and let’s see what your admirer sent today.”

Mena opened the box to reveal six leather-bound novels. Reluctantly, she had to smile, for she had just torn apart her library intending to replace her late husband’s boring tomes with something of more interest.