All Annabel could do was nod. Her mother’s explanation had been hurried and likely incomplete because, as Jasper circled his thumb around her nipple, she believed there was nothing she’d have to endure.

His other hand loosened her gown, and the laces slithered against her skin as they gave way. “If I make you uncomfortable, we’ll slow down.” Heat pooled in places that were only warm with him. “If I hurt you, we’ll stop.”

There was a breath of warm air against her shoulder as he covered her breast with his hand. She thought his fingers might have been shaking, but that was impossible, especially when he rolled her nipple between those same fingers. Zings of pleasure ricocheted through her core to her knees, then her toes.

“Otherwise, anything we do to one another, all pleasure we give each other, is allowed.”

Her gown slithered from her shoulders, past her hips, to her feet. His gaze flicked over her like firelight. Her breath sped as though she’d run for years to get here.

“Christ. You are stunning.”

Any woman would be beautiful in shadow.

“Don’t, Annabel.” He swept his hand through her hair. “Topaz.” Down her back. “Silk.” Around her ribs. “Strength.” He brushed his lips over her forehead. “Wisdom.” Over her eyes. “Kindness.” Across her lips. “Sweetness.”

Tears flooded her eyes as she wound her fingers through his thick hair. “Jasper…”

“You are my wife,” he whispered against her mouth. “And you are the loveliest woman in London. And if you don’t put your hands on me, I’m going to shake to pieces.” He tugged her fingers from his hair and slid them under his robe. “Please, Annabel.”

The hair on his chest reminded her of sheep after shearing—short, soft curls clung to her fingers, coaxing her to explore his broad chest and hard muscles. His bones were thick, but she still felt his heart thudding against her palm.

The tie at his waist gave easily under her fingers, and then he was naked in front of her.

During her mother’s explanation of wifely duties, Annabel had been tempted to confess that she’d found Father’s illustrated anatomy encyclopedia on the top shelf of the library years earlier. She wasn’t sure whether Mother would be scandalized or relieved.

Annabel felt…cheated. The flagging manhood in the drawings had little relation to the erect specimen in front of her that was almost as wide as her wrist.

Butterflies went through her stomach as she swept her tongue over her much-kissed lips. Men and women did this all the time. No one died from it. “It will be fine.”

Jasper curved his fingers around her waist and pulled her close. His stiff shaft was hot against her stomach. His eyes glittered like a satyr’s. “If it’s not better than fine, I’ll chew off my tongue.”

Her laughter ended on a gasp as he avoided kissing her, but then he closed his lips over her nipple and sucked it deep into his mouth. Annabel’s knees buckled as a deep moan rushed over her tongue.

Embarrassment heated her skin. “I’m sorry.”

Jasper lifted his face from her body but didn’t release her. “For?”

“That noise was—”

“Darling, I’m praying that’s the most ladylike noise you make for the rest of the night.” To prove his point, he returned his attention to her breasts, twirling his tongue around one nipple while his fingers teased the other.

Her moans became a litany that sharpened whenever he switched his attention. Soon she was twisting in his arms, demanding his mouth on her skin, needing the tug she felt go through her with every pull of his lips.

It wasn’t enough now. She tangled her hand in his hair and grasped his solid shoulder, urging him closer. When that didn’t work, she wrapped her ankle around his calf and pulled. “Please, Jasper.”

The sheets were cool against her heated skin, and his hand was solid against her back. She pushed against his chest, lifting his lips from hers. “Your hand.”

He freed it with ease and ran it along her hip until it rested between her legs. “This is the only reason I want to you worry over my hand.”

Sparks pricked her skin as he stroked her there, tracing her folds as he nudged her knees wider. Cool air brushed over her wet skin, but Annabel didn’t have time to worry over it. He brushed the spot that had been aching since he’d kissed her last night, and the sparks doubled.

Jasper tormented that spot, caressing it, flicking it, rotating his thumb over it, catching it between his fingers as he’d done with her nipples, which were now aching with jealousy. Annabel slid her hands over his sweaty shoulders as her heels scraped the sheets. Every breath chafed her dry throat.

Warm air was her only warning before his mouth closed over her center and his tongue delved inside to drink her in. Fireworks exploded against the back of her eyes and her body tried to expand and contract at the same time, ripping a cry from her as she clung to Jasper to keep from flying apart. It was terrifying.

And the minute it shivered to a stop, she wanted it again.

“You are going to kill me,” he breathed against her skin as he kissed the inside of her thigh, his tongue drawing sinful circles. “But it beats the hell out of hanging.”

He moved up her body then, forcing her to release her grip on his hair, which she didn’t remember doing. His kisses had always tasted of him, but now his tongue had a different flavor. Sweeter, darker.

She closed her hand over his shaft. Hot and heavy against her palm, it was difficult to wrap her fingers around it. Her mouth would be a challenge as well, but it was soft enough that perhaps… If she tasted him, would the flavor of their kisses change again?

Jasper lifted his mouth from hers. “I can hear you thinking.”

She stroked him and watched his eyes darken. Heat bloomed in her chest, threatening to choke her words. But it was just them, and he’d never laughed at her. “May I do that to you? Is it the same?”

“Dear God, you are going to kill me.” He lifted her hand from his body and kissed her knuckles. “Yes, I’m fairly certain it feels the same, but no, you can’t right now. I don’t want to be distracted, and I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

Annabel contented herself with putting an open-mouth kiss to the side of his throat, adding a swipe of her tongue for good measure. His salty flavor made her hungry, and the tease of his chest hair made her nipples ache.

He dragged his hand down her body and slid one finger inside her, then two, then three. Annabel closed her eyes and rocked against them as she’d done his tongue.

Then his fingers were gone, and Jasper was between her legs, his strong ribs against her thighs. He slid inside her, stretching her, filling her with heat.

“Look at me, Annabel.” He traced her cheek with a sex-scented finger until she obeyed. His jaw was tight, and his smile looked more like he was gritting his teeth. “Breathe.”

She drew a deep breath, exhaled, and felt him go deeper. Another breath, deeper still. Then he withdrew, leaving her emptier than she could remember. He returned with a groan that made her smile.

The next time he left her, his fingers returned. Just as tempting, but not as satisfying. Still, the fireworks built again, only to sputter when he filled her again, pushing deep and withdrawing until her muscles shivered, only for his fingers to return.

Growling, Annabel pushed to her elbows to glare at her husband. Jasper sat on his heels, covered in sweat, his blond hair dark around his face. His grin hitched at one corner, matching the question in his eyes as he withdrew his hand and positioned his manhood at her entrance. Feeling him inside her was delicious; watching him get there was decadent. It put them nose to nose.

“This?” Jasper asked as he drove his hips forward. “Or that?”

Desire flooded through Annabel, making words impossible, but she knew the rhythm of the game. When he went to withdraw, she grasped his muscled behind and held him to her. “This.”

He stayed, but the strokes changed. Shallow circles and short thrusts alternated with deeper ones that stole her breath and banged the headboard against the wall. After one round of torment, Annabel knew what she needed, and she put her heels on Jasper’s thighs to keep him there. “This. God, Jasper, please. Give me this.”

“Yes.” The word ground out of him as he lifted her hips from the mattress and slammed into her again and again. Annabel’s world narrowed to hearing her body accept him, feeling him hold her in a grip like iron, as he claimed her. Her heart felt ready to explode as she raced toward the sun.

Jasper dropped his forehead to hers. His breath sawed out of him like he’d climbed a mountain. “Fly, sweetheart. Fly.”

And she did, keening his name as she tumbled, only to rise again and again, until he was with her, racing to get closer as his muscles twisted under her hands and his shouts filled the air.

She floated back to earth, but kept her eyes closed as her breathing returned to normal and her senses returned. When she opened them, Jasper was propped on one elbow, watching her with a satisfied gleam in his eyes. He pulled the bedclothes over them. “Better than fine?”

Annabel chucked the nearest pillow at him and squirmed across the bed when he threatened to do the same. He caught her, only to pin her to the mattress for a lingering kiss.