Never Seduce a Scot (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #1)(57)

“Graeme,” she said weakly. “ ’Tis happening again.”

Her legs had begun to tremble. Her thighs shook and she was arching her pelvis upward to meet his mouth. He knew she was ready and that now was the best time, but he hated the idea of what had to come next.

No matter how prepared she was, no matter how much she might want fulfillment, what he would do would hurt her.

He drew away and then ran a finger around the mouth of her entrance, testing the smallness of the opening. She was tight around just his finger, and he knew she would tear when he thrust inside.

With a resigned sigh, he pushed himself upward and then crawled between her legs. He kissed her again and then drew away so she could see his mouth.

“It will be painful at first, Eveline. I’m sorry for that. I’ll take care, I swear it.”

Trust shone in her beautiful blue eyes. She reached for him, putting her hands on his face. They felt small and delicate against his jaw, so much like her.

“I think it will be wonderful,” she whispered.

He didn’t tell her that he disagreed, but he was happy she wasn’t frightened. Carefully, he positioned himself at her entrance and pushed forward the tiniest bit, testing her resistance.

Her eyes widened and her hands fell to his shoulders, her nails digging into his flesh.

He pushed harder, her snugness enveloping him until sweat broke out on his forehead. It was instinctual to bury himself as deep and as hard as he could within her. It took everything he had to hold back and not to obey the overwhelming urges that bombarded him.

Her face puckered and doubt crept into her eyes when he persisted and she began to stretch around him. Then she winced and at that precise moment, he pushed through with one forceful stroke, seating himself inside her.

Her cry of pain was like a knife to his heart.

He went completely still, allowing her to adjust to his invasion. He kissed her face, her forehead, her eyes and nose, any part of her he could touch.

“Shhhh,” he crooned, even knowing she probably wouldn’t see what he said. “I’m sorry, so sorry. It will be over soon.”

He rested his forehead against hers and sucked in deep, steadying breaths as his body raged at him to take her, to possess her, to make her irrevocably his in the most primitive fashion possible.

After a moment she stirred beneath him, moving restlessly as if trying to alleviate the pressure between her legs.

He reared back so he could gauge her expression.

Her brow was still wrinkled with strain and he touched his finger to one of the lines, smoothing his finger across her forehead in a gentle manner.

“ ’Tis all right if I move now?” he asked. “I won’t move until you say me aye.”

“Maybe just a little,” she said hesitantly.

He smiled and then withdrew the barest of inches. It was the most exquisite torture imaginable. Buried inside her and yet unable to do more than move the tiniest amount.

“Did that hurt?”

She shook her head. “Nay.”

He could tell she wasn’t telling the truth, but she was making such an effort to hide her discomfort that he didn’t refute her denial.

“Move with me,” he said as he slid forward once more. “Wrap your legs around me. Hold me close, Eveline.”

It came out a hoarse plea that he knew she wouldn’t pick up on. He sounded desperate, not at all like the solitary warrior he’d been for so long. In that moment he was glad she couldn’t hear, because he didn’t like the vulnerability in his own voice.

Tentatively she wrapped her legs around his hips. He closed his eyes and her hands slid warmly over his chest and to his shoulders. There was nothing more pleasurable than her touch. He needed it. Desired it more than anything.

He began to thrust, tightening his jaw to maintain control. After only a moment he was already in danger of spending himself and he’d barely begun.

Determined to make it as pleasurable as possible for the both of them, he forced himself to maintain a steady rhythm, but when she reached up to touch his face in a silent plea and he saw the need in her eyes, he was lost.

Over and over he plunged into her velvety heat. His muscles strained with effort. His entire body tightened unbearably until he was sure something would break.

“Eveline, Eveline,” he whispered as he lost himself in the sweetness of her embrace.

Slowly he melted over her body, his flesh conforming to hers as they both struggled to catch their breath. She’d reached her woman’s pleasure a second time, but he couldn’t even say that had been his aim at the very end. He hadn’t been able to register anything but the mind-numbing explosion that had wracked his body.

Now he collected her in his arms and rolled, holding her close. Their bodies were still connected and he was content to remain a part of her for as long as possible.

As she lay quietly beside him, nestled into his embrace, he stroked her back, caressing and soothing her trembling body.

So this was what it was like to be completely at peace, body and soul. To find solace with a woman who was more than just a warm, willing body to lie with.

He hadn’t expected such a thing. Never would he have imagined feeling this way about the bride who had been forced upon him.

As he glanced down at her golden head, he couldn’t imagine it any other way. He didn’t want to imagine being without her.