Page 118 of Every Rake Has A Silver Lining

“What should I do?”

After a lingering kiss, he said, “You won’t hurt me. Grip tighter and run your hand up and down.” He kissed her again, and added, “My wanton wife.”

Quite enjoying being called wanton, she followed his instructions, even more pleased when he moaned again and deepened the already passionate kiss.

Her heart swelled that she, whom he had called the ice queen, brought her experienced husband to abandon.

Marriage, after all, might not be so bad. Especially with Simon Beckham.

A year ago,if someone would have told Simon to envision the scene that was occurring at that moment, he would have laughed in their face. And Simon had an excellent imagination.

But even more surprising was the fact that he had so much love in his heart for his wife.

Life was a wonder.

As she continued to stroke him, quite expertly, he admitted, his restraint grew thin. Not only had it been a while since he’d been with a woman—what with getting Drake’s affairs in order before Honoria gave birth, his recent bout of malaria, and his unexpected marriage to Charlotte—but the love tugging at his heart as he brought his wife to release overwhelmed him.

If she continued, he wouldn’t last. And that wouldn’t do. He’d never needed to join with a woman more than he did his beautiful wife. To show her, even if he couldn’t tell her, how much he adored her.

He stayed her hand. “Charlotte. As much as I love what you’re doing, you must stop, or I will finish by your hand. And I would very”—he kissed her—“very”—he kissed her again—“very much like to consummate our marriage.”

Worry reared its ugly head. With the loss of her mother so early in Charlotte’s life, did she have a woman to explain things to her? And if so, were the words kind and encouraging? And what had Felixtriedto do to her? He stroked her face, the worry mixing with love. Dread snaked up his spine at the thought of hurting her. “Sweetheart? How much do you know about the act? Our marriage was so rushed.”

“A little. Honoria said it was wonderful, and she felt like she had come home. But, of course, she loves Drake.”

A knife ripped through Simon with Charlotte’s unspoken words. Of course, Charlotte didn’t love him. He almost laughed at the irony that it was precisely what he’d asked for in a wife. One who wouldn’t grieve at his death.

But at that moment, he wanted more than anything for his wife to return the new and exciting emotion filling his heart. “Did she say anything about the actual act? What happens?” He highly doubted it. Honoria was as modest as her husband.

“She said enough—about the joining of bodies.” Charlotte cast her gaze down, her delicate fingers still wrapped around his arousal. “I surmised the rest.”

Thank God! “Not only wanton but amazingly intelligent.”

She frosted him with a glare. “Amazingly? You doubt my intelligence?”

Damn!Love had dulled his brain. How could he forget his wife’s skill at delivering retorts? “Can I take that back? Not the intelligent part, the?—”

She stopped his ramblings with a kiss. “I’m bamming you. I know what you meant.”

“Wanton, and a tease. My favorite combination.” His short-lived grin vanished. He needed to prepare her mentally as well as physically. “There may be some pain the first time. I’ll do my best to be gentle but tell me if it’s too uncomfortable.”

“I’m not afraid of pain,” she said. “But thank you for telling me.”

“It’s only the first time. Then it will be only pleasure, I promise.” Possessed with—what he believed was—a stroke of genius, he rolled on his back. “Now, straddle me and have your way with me.”

“I—what do I do?” Lines formed between her eyes, and he smoothed them with his finger.

“I’ll help you. But most of it will come naturally.” With agentle tug on her arm, he pulled her over him. “On your knees. That’s it.” Then he positioned his erection at her entrance. “Remember. You’re in control. Lower yourself on me at your own pace.”

The moment her sweet, wet flesh touched him, he fought back the urge to thrust forward and imbed himself in her softness, but he gritted his teeth and allowed her to take charge.

She frowned again. “It won’t fit.”

“It will. Trust me.” He practically growled the words. Lord, at that pace, she would kill him.

Finally, he breeched her entrance as she lowered herself inch by maddeningly sweet inch. He grabbed her hips for purchase, gently encouraging her onward.

When he reached her maidenhead, she stopped, her gaze locking with his as if she knew the implication.

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