Page 57 of The Dangerous Love of a Rogue
‘It will be beautiful, I hope. But I believe there will be some pain for you this time. I shall do my best to make the pain brief. Even if the first time is not good for you, I will make it wonderful in the future.’
A blush coloured her skin. ‘Wonderful… You have a high opinion of yourself.’
A rough sound of amusement made him almost spit out his mouthful of wine. He gave her a wicked grin. ‘It is not my opinion.’
She looked away, towards the window.Damn…That had been the wrong thing to say, he should not have boasted about other women’s views. He must remember she was not the same as those women; they would have appreciated the boast.
He put down his glass and took Mary’s glass from her hand. ‘Now my skill is all for you.’
His palm braced her nape and he kissed her.
Her fingers combed into his hair.
Within hours…
Today was the first day he would put any woman’s needs before his own.
He broke the kiss, picked up her glass and gave it back to her.
There was a tremor in her hand.
She is afraid. Remember it!
17
The room span as Mary sipped her wine. She had drunk four full glasses through dinner. The conversation was easier, though. They spoke of their friends, sharing stories, while Andrew continually refreshed her glass.
She had drunk quickly, using the wine to calm her nerves, but she was sure she was babbling inanely for the last hour.
She had not eaten much, her stomach had fluttered with too many butterflies and the bed had shouted its presence behind her.
He’d said it might hurt.
Her mother had not mentioned pain when Kate had given birth to Paul months ago, and they’d discussed such things. Her mother had said the marriage bed need not be unpleasant.
The things she and Andrew had done in the summerhouse had not been unpleasant.
‘Mary?’
She’d let their conversation ebb.
The stem of her glass dangling through her fingers, she leaned back in her chair.
‘Do you want any more to eat?’
She shook her head, her heartbeat drumming in her ears.
His plate was empty, hers was still full.
This was nothing to him.
Her palms were sweaty. ‘I am not hungry.’
‘You are nervous…’ His gaze held hers.
‘A little. Can you blame me?’
‘No, sweetheart, I do not blame you.’ He rose and something sliced through her middle, cutting to the point between her legs, but he did not come towards her, he turned to the bell pull and rang it.
