Julian instantly stopped what he was doing and walked over to her. Taking her face in his hands, he bent down to kiss her softly. “We don’t have to do anything more than you are comfortable with, Mena. I wish to be your lover, but only if you desire it as well. I won’t push you any further than you want to go.”
She put a hand to her forehead. “I’m being silly, I know. I’m a grown woman and a mother, for Heaven’s sake. I shouldn’t be this nervous.” She looked at him. “Do you mind if we draw the curtains closed?”
He cocked his head to the side. “I want to see you, Mena.”
“You might change your mind once you witness what I have to offer,” she returned dryly. “I’m not in my twenties anymore, Julian.”
He stroked her cheek. “I don’t care. You’re still my Mena.”
His words washed over her like the sweetest endearment. “Are you sure you don’t just want to lift my skirts and be done with it?”
He frowned. “Why the hell would I want to do that?”
Mena tried to force the words to come, but as recognition lit his face, she realized that he understood all too well.
“Ah. I take it that was how dear old Laurence took care of things.” His voice deepened. “Trust me when I say I intend to take my time with you and make sure you are thoroughly satisfied before I take my pleasure.”
Oh, she rather liked the sound of that. “How so?” she dared to ask.
“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.”
