Because of Rebecca(41)

His body hardened at the sight of her. “You’re not?”

She shook her head again and walked to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “No, I’m not. All I want is you, Mr. Hollingsworth.”

His breath caught in his throat and he lowered his head until their lips met. She feasted on his kiss until she heard him groan. He pulled her closer against him, cupping her bottom and lifting her until she was pressed against his arousal.

The feel of him startled her and she found her body reacting in a very strange way. Heat spread over her and pooled between her legs as he kissed her neck while his free hand fondled her breast. Slowly, he traced her nipples with his forefinger, and they puckered at his touch.

“Jared,” she gasped, tilting her head back. He trailed kisses up her neck, across her jaw, until he came to her mouth again. His kiss was no longer gentle, but hungered and his tongue parted her lips to dart frantically within exploring the depths of her mouth.

She clung to him, kissing him ardently in return while marveling at his strength and the hard contours of his torso. This was the man she loved, the man she’d married and he was all hers from now until eternity.

He scooped her up and carried her to the bed. He let her slide down his body to stand before him, letting her feel his arousal. She untied his robe and slipped it off his shoulders, running her hand down the hard plane of his chest and over his hips. She glanced down between them and then back up to his face.

“I love you, Rebecca,” he said, slipping the straps of her gown off her shoulders. He pushed the thin material down to her waist exposing her breasts. Bending down, he captured one nipple in his mouth and suckled.

“Jared,” she gasped as her legs almost buckled from under her and the heat exploded between them again.

“Shhh. It’s all right, darling. I’ll take care of your need.” His voice was husky and he shoved the material the rest of the way down to her feet. He slowly lowered her onto the bed, staring at her for a long time before he moved to lie beside her.

Rebecca swallowed hard and tried not to stare at his fully aroused body.

“Is something wrong?” he asked, pulling her into his arms.

“Nothing.” She smiled and felt her face warm. “It’s just… I’ve never seen…been with a man before.”

He cupped her face with his hand and kissed her softly. “I know and there isn’t any reason for you to be afraid. We’ll go slowly. I promise to be gentle. It may hurt at first, but I assure you the bliss you’ll feel will make up for the pain.”

He moved until his body covered hers, entwined his fingers with hers, and kissed her again until she moaned. Releasing her hand, he trailed kisses from the valley between her breasts to the flat plane of her stomach. He gently placed his hand on her mound and parted her folds with his finger. He found a wet haven and his finger slipped to her core easily enough.

“Oh my,” she gasped, her muscles tightening around him. Slowly he withdrew and moved his finger back and forth until she writhed against him and the bed.

She reached for him and he moved back to cover her. He kissed her as he parted her legs and positioned himself to enter her. He thrust slow and withdrew. He thrust again and felt the tightness of her barrier. He withdrew and thrust with a little more force, pushing past it.

“Jared,” she cried, clinging to him. Her body quivered and he stilled. He kissed her gently and squeezed her breast and he felt her wetness increase.

“It’s all right, darling. The worst is over,” he assured, withdrawing. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“Good.” He kissed her eyes, the tip of her nose and her parted lips. This time when he entered her, she arched her hips up to meet him as he thrust again and again. She wrapped her legs around him and he thrust deeper.

“Jared. Jared.” Her calling out his name was bliss to his ears and he withdrew and thrust again and again until she cried out in release. He thrust one last time and joined her in the ecstasy of their making.

He collapsed beside her, and pulled her back against him, holding her close. Neither spoke until their breathing stabilized. “Are you all right?”

“Hmmm,” she murmured, taking his hand in hers. “That was like nothing I ever imagined was possible.”

He kissed the back of her neck. “We can do it again whenever you like.”

She turned to face him. “I like.”

He smiled and brought her palm up to his mouth to kiss it. “I’m glad to know you find love making enjoyable.”

“I do.” She kissed him, running her fingers through his blond hair and he rolled her onto her back.

He playfully bit at her lip. “What would you like to do now?”

“This.” She kissed him and ran her hands over his back, enjoying the feel of him. She pushed against him and they rolled until he was lying on his back. His hardened arousal against her leg drew her attention lower than she ever imagined she’d explore. She trailed kisses down his chest, stopping at his stomach.

Touching his arousal seemed almost taboo, but she took a deep breath and traced a circle around the tip. He jerked and he sucked in his breath. She pulled her hand away. “Did I hurt you?”

“No.” He threw back his head and a deep rumble of laughter erupted.

“Then why—?”

“Because I want you.”

“Oh.” She crawled back to his arms and they kissed, making love again and again before finally curling up together. Yawning, Jared reached and pulled the sheet up around them before they slept.





Chapter Twenty-Three

Rebecca woke smiling the next morning. She stretched, feeling sore in a few places, especially her backside from being jostled by Rufus’ horse on that mad chase ride. Sighing, she rolled over and saw Jared’s housekeeper on the opposite side of the room.

“I hope I didn’t wake you, Mrs. Hollingsworth,” Mary said, sitting down a pitcher of water at the washstand. “Mr. Hollingsworth asked me to bring this up to you first thing.”

“He’s not here?” Rebecca sat up, the sheet slipping from her. She quickly grabbed it and pulled it up to her neck.

“I’m afraid there was an emergency that called him out to the Paxton’s, but he said he’d be back as fast as he could and for you to stay in bed until he returned.”

“He did?” Rebecca’s cheeks heated. She propped a few pillows behind her and pulled her knees up to chest. “Has something happened to Isabella or the baby?”

“No ma’am. They’ve been right as rain since the birth,” Mary offered. “It actually had to do with Rory and that Mr. Delaney fellow. I’m not sure what transpired, but it must have been urgent if Mr. Hollingsworth left you before you woke. Can I bring you a tray while you wait?” Her eyes twinkled as she spoke. “I noticed the food wasn’t touched last night. You must be starving.”

Rebecca’s stomach rumbled in protest and her cheeks further heated. “A bite to eat would be nice, but are you sure I can’t dress and come downstairs?”

“No ma’am. Mr. Hollingsworth was adamant that you stay put until he returned. He was mumbling something about keeping his promise to you if it was the last thing he did as he went out the door.” Mary winked.

“Oh.” Rebecca smiled. “He promised to kiss me awake each morning. Isn’t that sweet of him?”

“Yes ma’am, it is.” Mary returned her smile and loaded the tray with last night’s dishes. When she finished, she gave Rebecca a thoughtful look. “He’s a changed man since meeting you. I thank the good Lord for it too. I’ll be back with some biscuits and preserves and a little coffee.”

When she was alone, Rebecca got out of bed and put on her robe from the foot of the bed. She wondered if Mary had picked it up off the floor or if Jared had before he left.

Walking behind the screen, she poured water from the pitcher into the bowl and washed her hands and her face. After a quick sponge bath she put on her robe and began to brush the tangles from her hair.

The door opened again and she looked up to see Jared.

“I thought I left instructions for you to stay in bed?” He smiled at her.

“You did.”

“And yet you chose to disobey me?” He frowned but there was no mistaking the twinkle in his eyes.

She smiled. “I wanted to be presentable when you returned. If you had tarried a little longer I would have been back in bed waiting for you.”

He crooked his finger at her and she went to him. “I made you a promise that I intend to keep, Mrs. Hollingsworth.”

“And I intend to hold you to it.”

He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her snug against him. “I missed your kisses.”

“Is that all you missed?” She ran her hand up his arm to his shoulder. “Or did you perhaps miss all of me?”