Page 24 of Kingdoms of Tides and Twilight

His pupils dilated and he exhaled and then breathed deeply. Renya saw him struggle for control of his body. He hid it well, but she could sense what he felt, especially when his emotions were as zealous as they were now.

Grayden stared at her chest, moving towards her painstakingly slow, so as not to frighten her. He crossed the short length between them and cupped her right breast in his hand, feeling the weight and then running his calloused thumb over the nipple.

The second he made contact, Renya gasped.

“Is this okay?” he asked, trying to read her facial expression.

“Yes,” she said, moving closer to him, closing her eyes as he reached out and repeated the motion with the other breast. He opened her mouth with his, and the second she granted him access his tongue entered.

She moaned her pleasure into his mouth, and he pulled her tighter against him. She could feel his erection, hard and straining against his pants. Feeling brave at his response to her nearness, Renya reached down and tugged at his belt. He helped her remove it, and then she popped open the first button of his trousers. Grayden withdrew his mouth from hers and looked into her eyes, trying to control his emotions.

“I can feel your desire for me,” he said, placing a soft kiss on the corner of her mouth. “But I can also smell your fear.” He tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

“I don't know about here, but in the human world your first time is a big deal and it's normal to be a bit nervous,” she said, her voice shaking. “But I’m ready.”

“Little Fawn, don’t be afraid of me. I won’t hurt you.”

Grayden continued unbuttoning his pants. He slid them down his muscular legs, and pulled them off, freeing himself completely.

Renya’s breathing hitched when she saw him. Her frame of reference was somewhat limited, but he looked enormous. She knew about the mechanics of sex, of course, but seeing his member, hard and erect in front of her gave her pause as another wave of nervousness crashed through her.

“I’m afraid you won’t be able to control yourself like at the Tidal Kingdom,” she confessed in a small voice.

“It’s okay, my sweetling,” he said, running his finger under the waistband of her undergarment. He rested his forehead against hers, his voice sultry and sensual. “There’s no reason to rush this now we are in the moment. I know you are safe and you are mine. If you need me to stop, I absolutely will. You have my word, just as you have my body and soul.”

She nodded, not wanting him to hear how shaky her words would be.

Grayden tugged at her panties and pulled them down her legs. Although he had felt her there intimately before, he still stared without his eyes leaving her as he studied the swell of her breasts and curve of her hips. He pulled her close to him, his desire hard and throbbing against her stomach.

“Renya, look at me,” he said, tipping her chin up so she could look into his eyes. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about or ashamed of. For the rest of our lives, I’ll worship you.” He moved his head down and nuzzled her shoulder as she writhed in his arms. His hand snaked down, and he stroked the apex of her thighs. “You are the most beautiful woman in any world.”

She looked up into his eyes, touched by his words. He took advantage of her distraction and slipped his finger into her folds. “For the rest of my days, I won’t want anyone else.” He found her sensitive spot at the top of her sex and rubbed it gingerly as her legs buckled a bit. “I want you. Now, forever, and always. I love you, Renya.”

He withdrew his hand and she whimpered. Grayden picked her up and carried her over to the bed, setting her down carefully. He arranged his furs around her, making sure she was warm and comfortable. “Talk to me, my love,” he said, touching her lightly on the shoulder.

“I love you too,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m just a little scared.”

“I’m scared as well,” he replied, stroking her golden hair. “I’m afraid of so much. I’m scared of losing you. Of hurting you. I’m afraid that you’ll reject me, or that somehow, I’ll wake up and find you gone and realize it was all a dream.”

Her eyes softened and she rose up and pressed her lips to his. This time, he let her be the aggressor. He let her be in charge and go at the speed she was comfortable with. While his primal needs were driving him, he restrained himself.

Renya deepened their kiss, and he felt her mouth hot on his. They kissed and caressed each other for long moments, stopping and starting again, taking things frustratingly slow as they learned each other’s bodies.

Renya started to feel the ache between her legs grow as he kissed and stroked her. Her mind couldn’t grasp onto a single thought when his mouth moved down her stomach and kissed her belly button, dipping his tongue in her navel. When he put his hand between her thighs again, she unconsciously spread her legs for him, inviting him to touch her most sensitive area.

He looked down at her, love and care apparent in his eyes. “Are you ready to become mine?”

“Yes,” she said breathlessly, blinking her long lashes.

Grayden rolled on top of her and held himself above her with one arm. With his free hand, he positioned himself at her soaked entrance. He gave her a few more deep kisses and her moaning became even louder and more desperate. He sat there at her entrance, continuing to kiss and caress. It took everything in him not to shove himself inside of her and take what he needed. Instead, he waited. And waited. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity to him, she started to move her hips upward, desperately seeking him.

With a delicate thrust, he moved himself partially inside of her. Her eyes widened and her mouth moved wordlessly against his.

“Renya, are you still alright?”

She nodded, breathing around the slight discomfort she felt.

“Just a little more...” he murmured, moving another inch in her. “I’m so sorry, my love. I know I’m not a small man.”

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