Page 66 of The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth
The sight of Charlotte in the throes of passion was almost enough to bring a swift conclusion to his own need. He continued his attentions with his lips and tongue until her body slowly relaxed, her eyes opened, and she gazed at him. Her cheeks were flushed, and the endearing smile she cast on him went straight to his heart.
A fine sheen of sweat covered her body, her breasts rose and fell. “Oh, my.”
Grinning, he moved forward, nestling between her legs. He brushed back the damp curls from her forehead and kissed her moist skin. “Let me love you, sweetheart.”
He held her face gently with his hands, gazing into her eyes as he slowly entered her, aware of how long it had been since she’d been with a man, and not wanting to hurt her. “If I hurt you, let me know. We can take this as slow as you need to.”
“It’s fine.” She played with the hair that had fallen on his forehead, then leaned forward so she could kiss his jaw.
The pain in his arm grew from bracing himself above her, so he shifted his weight onto one elbow, and closed his eyes as her warmth surrounded him. He rested his chin on her shoulder. Since he’d anticipated this joining for some time, he knew he wouldn’t last long. “I’m sorry for the rush, but I’ve wanted you for what seems like forever.”
She moved her head and ran her tongue around the outside of his ear, a low giggle escaping her lips. Shifting his head, he took her mouth, teasing her lips with his tongue until she opened, and he entered, tangling with her tongue as he continued to thrust, growing closer and closer to his climax. Even attempting to distract himself with conjugating Latin verbs didn’t help to distract him as with one final shove, he gritted his teeth and pulled out of her, spending himself on her stomach.
* * *
Charlotte wassurprised when Elliot pulled out of her, then grateful that he thought enough of her to do so. Gabriel, naturally, had never done that, but then they had been married, and had wished for children.
Elliot rolled off her and turned on the pillow to smile at her. “Just give me a minute, and I will fetch what I need to clean you up.”
For some reason, even though they’d just been intimate, the idea of him cleaning her embarrassed her. “No need. I will see to it.” Before he could respond, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood. And fell right back onto the mattress, her legs unable to hold her up.
When Elliot chuckled, she tried again, this time prepared for the weakness, and was able to walk to the bowl and pitcher of water on her dresser. She glanced over her shoulder to see him grinning at her naked backside. “Stop.”
“Yes. I will. Soon.” His grin grew wider, as he shifted so his head was propped on his hand.
At least it was dark, and the light from the oil lamp only covered a certain distance, so she was in the semi-darkness as she dipped a cloth into the water and cleaned herself. Feeling chilled in the night air, she hurried back to bed, picked up her nightgown where it had landed on the floor, and slipped it over her head.
Elliot raised the blanket. “Here, let’s snuggle, and you will be warmer in no time.”
His body was warm as heated bricks as she climbed in next to him. He pulled her close, so her back was against his chest. She wiggled a bit to settle herself, then sighed. This was nice, and not something she was used to—a slap on her arse, a mumbled “thanks,” and a quick roll onto his side to fall asleep had been common with Gabriel after their conjugal relations.
Elliot kissed the top of her head and tugged her even closer, fitting them together like two spoons. “That was incredible,” he said, his warm breath bathing her hair.
She smiled. “I bet you say that to all the women you bed.”
He gripped her chin and turned her head so he could see into her eyes. The anger there surprised her. “First of all, there haven’t been so very many in my life. I do have some control over my urges. Second, I have never said that to anyone else. Ever.”
She huffed. “I don’t believe that.” Although her experience with men was somewhat limited, given Elliot was only the second man she’d ever been intimate with, she’d heard enough gossip from various female friends that men always thought sex was incredible. “Someone once told me, one woman could be substituted for another and, if it was dark, the man could not tell the difference.”
Elliot actually looked aghast. “Whoever told you that?”
She flushed, not having expected that sort of a response. She drew circles on the coverlet with her index finger. “Someone.”
Practically climbing over her, so he could see her face clearly, he said, “Each woman has her own scent, her own feel, her own way of moving. Believe me, no one could ever takeyourplace without me knowing it.”
Something fluttered in her stomach at his words. What had he meant by that? Could he really tell women apart in the dark, or was she someone special to him?
“All right. I will concede the point.” She flipped onto her back so she could look him in the eye. “It was incredible for me, also.”
His head descended, and he kissed her, gently, almost reverently. “I am both glad and unhappy that you never experienced an orgasm before now.”
“Orgasm.” She seemed to try the word on her lips. “That’s a new word for me.”
His lips rested on her ear. “Oh, my dear Mrs. Pennyworth, there are many more words, describing even more pleasure, that I cannot wait to teach you.”
Her lovely face flamed a bright red.
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Now I believe we need to sleep.”
