Page 78 of Native Hawk
Chapter 23
Drew’s ribs might be cracked, but by nightfall, he was feeling no pain. His talented little bride-to-be had not only seen to all his hurts, but most of his itches too.
She’d traced his every contour with her delicate fingers, kissing every place her fingertips touched. She’d whispered Italian syllables in his ear and sighed against his throat. She’d caressed him boldly, yet blushed as he slipped her camisole from her shoulders.
He’d repaid her in kind. He’d run the back of his knuckles across her sweet flesh. He’d breathed endearments in his native language softly across her face. He’d bathed her like a cat, running his tongue over every inch of her until she arched and purred in ecstasy.
The madam had brought them a tray of food halfway through the day, muttering that newlyweds needed to keep up their strength. They’d fed each other apples. Cat had nibbled on cheese from his fingers, and he’d slurped berry pie off of her lovely stomach.
They’d spent all day exploring, learning, reveling in each new discovery.
They currently lounged across the linens without a stitch of clothing. In fact, the only thing his lovely bride-to-be was wearing was the filigree wedding ring that made her his.
Their limbs were entwined like the roots of a tree. Her long golden legs wrapped around his, and her precious little toes peeped out from between the arches of his feet. Her hips made a sinewy curve in contrast to the angular jut of his. He blew a gentle breath across her rounded breasts. She squirmed, stiffening in sweet response. The beast nestled among his black curls roused as well.
He gazed down at their clasped hands, at how perfectly they fit together. He had no doubt the rest of them would fit as well. But that was the one feat they hadn’t yet attempted.
Inspired to perform the final act that would make their union complete, Drew initiated a bold seduction. He slipped his fingers between Cat’s thighs and stroked her to life.
She moaned and turned toward him with her eyes closed and a languorous smile on her lips.
He grew instantly hard. Disentangling from her legs, he levered up on one arm and moved over her. Tenderly, he nudged her knees apart and urged her thighs to open.
But when he pressed against her, begging entrance, she pushed at his shoulders.
“No,” she protested.
He frowned. “No?”
“No.”
His jaw tensed. “But we’re gonna be married.”
Si,but we are not yet married.”
For an instant, he felt like an upset little boy who’d had his peppermint stick snatched away.
But in the next moment, he realized he couldn’t gamble with her affections. They had their whole lives ahead of them. It wasn’t worth risking her love to seduce his bride before she was ready.
With a resigned sigh, he rocked off of her.
“When we are properly married, then I will give you everything,mio caro,”she told him, “I promise.”
He nodded. She wasn’t being unreasonable. But he wasn’t feeling reasonable, not at all. He was feeling achy with lust.
“So when do you want to get married?” he asked her, hoping his voice didn’t reveal his impatience.
She ran a pensive palm low across his belly, which didn’t help matters any. He closed his eyes with painful yearning.
“First I must make a suitable wedding gown,” she said.
“Hell, you don’t need a weddin’ gown,” he told her. “I’d marry you in rags.”
“Do not be silly,” she told him. “I am a dressmaker. How will it look for a dressmaker not to have a proper wedding gown?”
He grunted.
“The other ladies will need dresses as well,” she said.
