Page 65 of The Baron Takes a Bet
“Easy,” he whispered. “You’ll rush it.”
“Yes,” she said, almost pleading. “Please.”
But he shook his head.
“No. It’s better when it’s slow.”
Holly was sure he was lying, and even though she had half a mind to argue, she really had no experience, except that time he… Her entire body suddenly warmed at the memory, and it must have been displayed on her face, for Gavin’s grin widened though his eyes turned dark.
“Yes, love, you’ll have that again.”
Holly wanted to shrink into the bedsheets beneath her back, but instead, she simply closed her eyes and enjoyed the slow, torturous examination beneath Gavin’s hands. He was pretty thorough, and as each piece of fabric was removed, he placed a dozen kisses on her exposed skin.
Soon, she was completely naked, and Gavin had successfully kissed every inch of her. But the unbearable heat that had built within her made her quiver at every gentle touch.
He came up over her then, teasing her mouth open as his hand snaked down her torso. His fingers moved between her legs, slowly moving inside her, and her mouth opened. He licked at her lips as he rhythmically pushed and pulled his finger inside her.
She felt the same extraordinary build she had experienced days ago begin to simmer in her belly as he touched her, and she was sure she would explode soon when he removed his hand, leaving her again deflated.
“Gavin,” she said pleadingly.
“Yes. Say my name,” he said into her ear. “Beg me for it.”
“I can’t.”
“But you can. You already are.”
“Please. Just do it.”
“I’m getting there, love. But I had to make sure you could fit me.”
Holly’s brow furred when he suddenly moved, and she felt a significant invasion enter her. She gasped and wrapped her armsaround his neck as his arms moved beneath her, holding her close.
“Easy, my love.”
Holly nodded silently, and after several minutes, the sting subsided. She was sure her release had disappeared, but the moment he began to move, just as his fingers had, Holly felt a wash of giddy heat splash over her. Nothing in her life could compare to this moment, and she began to move with Gavin. He grabbed her hand and kissed her fingertips. He forced her hand to his chest and held it there as he kneeled between her thighs, pumping into her with a quickened pace.
Holly was concupiscent. No image had ever been produced that was more sensual than Gavin knelt before her, shirtless, moving inside her. Without warning, sparks began to light all over her body, and her back arched involuntarily as the same euphoric feeling crashed into her. Only this time, it didn’t disappear as soon as it came. Instead, it rolled through her like waves, and she was vaguely aware of Gavin’s body, coming back down over her, squeezing her against his chest as he convulsed.
The hazy aftermath of lovemaking was so heavy that Holly was barely awake when she felt Gavin’s warmth leave her. Humiliatingly, she felt a warm, wet cloth being swiped between her legs, and she refused to open her tired eyes to witness it but was grateful when Gavin returned to her moments later. Slipping beneath the covers, Holly tucked herself against his chest and, huddled together in a gentle embrace, fell asleep.
Chapter Fourteen
Gavin was ina deep, blank state of blissful slumber when he became aware of the room around him. He frowned, fighting to go back to sleep and rubbed his face into the pillow to hold at bay the temptation to wake up when he recognized Holly’s soft, silky hair beneath his cheek.
Opening his eyes, he saw the walnut-colored hair of his wife spread out all over the place. It covered her face, the pillows parting on either side of her bare shoulders. For a moment, he was stunned to find Holly sleeping next to him. Still, having immediately passed out after cleaning her after their lovemaking, he had fallen into the most profound, soundest sleep he had ever experienced.
Inhaling deeply, he found that there was never a more pleasant scent than that of her hair. It smelled faintly of lavender water. She must have sprayed it in the night before because all evening at Combe’s, he had been distracted by it and wasn’t quite sure where it had come from.
Last night had been an eye-opening experience. Holly was protective of him, and though she needn’t be, he found he quite liked the sensation of it. Of course, he hadn’t realized it until he had learned the truth of why she had sought out Derek to speak in private.
She wanted to get him a gift.
The realization had broken over him in a way he had never expected. He was instantly at her service. Gavin was eager to give her anything, provide anything to her. It was foolish to be so taken with a small act of kindness, but Gavin wondered if he hadn’t been predisposed to his reaction all his life.
He had longed for this, a need to belong to someone—to have someone wish to claim him, look after him, cherish him. It had been something he had beaten down for years. But now, it seemed to flow within him. He wanted to be loved and not just by anyone. He wanted to be treasured by Holly.
Staring at the curve of her shoulder as she inhaled and exhaled slowly, he wondered if he had been given an ounce of genuine, untampered affection in his life if he might have been able to stop himself from falling at her feet. It unnerved him how much he was in her control, and he knew he needed to get a hand on the situation should she take it upon herself to become some sort of controlling wife, but even as he thought it, Gavin doubted Holly had it in her to be anything but genuine.
