Page 25 of A Raven Returns

Her mouth went dry. “Do you mean—” She felt like a nitwit, struggling to even say the words out loud. “Do you mean the marriage act?”

“No.” He shook his head. “I would keep my clothes on, just as they are, and we wouldn’t even need to move from this chair. That something your body is longing for? I can give you that.”

A delicious shudder rushed through her body at his words and she nodded eagerly.

“You have to promise me something, though. If at any point you want me to stop, you’ll tell me.”

“I won’t want you to stop.”

“You don’t know that. Promise me, Gwen. If at any moment you want me to stop, even if it’s just for a second, just say the word hairpin. I will stop without the slightest hesitation.”

“Hairpin?” She giggled.

“I know it sounds silly, but it’s important.”

“Very well. I promise. Now can we get on with it?”

His laugh was deep and rich and it warmed her to her very soul.

* * *

Ash couldn’t quite believe he was doing this. It was reckless and he knew it. He had those rules in place for a reason, but when she’d said she didn’t want to marry again, what she’d meant was she won’t get a chance to experience these things. Not that she’d ever had a chance. How many times had the bastard taken her in his pursuit of a child, and hadn’t once shown her pleasure? The more Ash learned about that piece of filth, the more he vowed that he would kill him. He wasn’t going to let him ruin this night, though, so he put the blackguard out of his mind.

He wrapped his arms around Gwen, pulling her into his embrace. Her lips were soft and eager as he slowly savored them. She was quickly learning. Her tongue flicked over his lips, drawing an unexpected moan from him. He felt her smile against his lips. Bringing her pleasure was going to be an exquisite form of self-flagellation, but he was determined to be the one to provide it for her.

She whimpered as he plunged his tongue into her mouth, pressing her breasts against his chest. Her hard nipples were seeking attention, and she probably didn’t understand what they needed, but he did. Reaching a hand between them, he lifted her breast gently in his palm and she whimpered against his mouth. He flicked the tip of his tongue against hers and then repeated the motion with his thumb across her excited nipple.

She gasped, pulling her mouth from his, her eyes wide with wonder.

“Do you want me to stop?” he asked.

“No,” she said breathlessly. “I want more.”

Oh, she would have more. Right now, Ash would give her the moon and the stars if she asked for them. She stared intently at his hand as he strummed her nipple again, earning him another grateful moan.

There was too much fabric between them. He reached down and placed his hand on the sash at her waist. “May I?”

She didn’t speak, but simply untied it herself and threw the wrapper open, leaving only the thin fabric of her nightgown. Ash chuckled. How had this passionate, incredible woman never experienced pleasure? It wasn’t right.

He locked his gaze with hers as he lowered his head and flicked his tongue across her nipple. Gwen sucked in a breath but didn’t divert her wondering gaze. She watched, enthralled as he lapped at her nipple again and again, soaking the fabric of her nightgown. As he repeated the ritual with the other nipple, her fingers slid into his hair. With each flick of his tongue, her grip tightened and her body twitched in response.

“Ash!” Her voice was breathless as she wiggled in his lap, desperate for relief. His own desire was painful, but finding his own release was not part of what was happening with Gwen tonight.

He had planned to draw this out and make it a bit more of a seduction, but he could tell she was already fairly close and so far, he’d only teased her nipples. She was incredibly responsive to his touch. He brushed his hand down her belly and pressed his fingers lightly at the juncture of her thighs. “Is this where you want me to touch you?”

She swallowed, her eyes filled mostly with desire, but a touch of uncertainty, as well. She nodded. “Yes. Is that normal, Ash?”

“It’s normal, and it’s wonderful.” He kissed her thoroughly, trying to fan the flames of her desire and put her concerns at ease.

“I can do it through your nightgown, if that’s more comfortable for you, but the pleasure will be more intense if my fingers are against your flesh without the fabric barrier. How would you like me to do it?”

She drew her bottom lip between her teeth, obviously conflicted about her answer.

“How about this?” He nipped softly at her lips. “We’ll start on top of the nightgown and then if you’re comfortable, and decide you want more, I’ll give you more.”

She nodded enthusiastically, but her thighs were still pressed tightly together. He traced his tongue up the side of her neck and whispered into her ear. “If you want to be touched, you’ll have to open up, Gwen.”

Her knees instantly parted for him and he dipped his fingers between her legs, swirling gently against her sensitive flesh. Even through the fabric of her nightgown, he could tell she was slick with need. The knowledge nearly sent him over the edge.

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