Chapter Twenty-Five

S he wasn't sure why and how, but from the moment she laid her hand on his manhood, Pippa was crazed with a deep hunger that was lodged somewhere within her and was screaming to be let out. Nick was propped over her now, leaving enough space between them to give her access. His broad shoulders, chiseled abdomen, and even the muscles on his arm twitched as Pippa explored. He was trying to be still but didn't do a good job at all. She touched him most intimately and he looked down at her hands, inviting her to feel him but he let out a groan that was so guttural and feral, that Pippa froze.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did that hurt?" She quickly let go of the soft skin that covered was felt like a thick wooden stick inside, or maybe a bone. Were there bones in the male… but she couldn't complete her thought when he lowered his body onto hers and took her mouth in a searing kiss.

"You could never hurt me," he mumbled onto her lips.

She opened and gave him access but then she gasped.

He brought his hot and hard shaft to her center.

"Pippa, if you don't stop me now, I'll take your virginity."

She wrapped her hands around his broad back, and he pushed his center against hers. He dropped down, propping himself up on only one elbow and brought his hands down.

A ripple of pleasure made Pippa twitch, but she didn't dare speak, for his eyes were so intent on hers now, as if something momentous was about to unfold.

He gently parted her lips with his hand and touched the blunt tip of his hardness against the same opening that he'd touched so deliciously earlier.

"I'll ask again, Pippa. Are you certain you want me?" Nick asked.

She nodded.

"I'm about to ruin you for any other man if we carry on." He exerted some pressure and even though she was momentarily surprised, a drop of fluid came out as if she'd licked her lips and moistened them to take in a sweet dessert.

She furrowed her brow. "I only ever want you."

He pressed on a little and his tip was now exactly at the opening.

"What if I get you pregnant?" He looked down to where they were about to join and his voice came hoarse, like a stallion strained from exertion.

"We'd have a family."

He pushed a little more and Pippa felt herself stretching to let him in. He was entering her and as odd as it was, even though she couldn't comprehend it, she wanted him to go deeper.

Nick lifted his gaze to meet hers again. "I love you Pippa. I've never been in love before, and I know I'm not much, but I would wish for nothing more than to have a family with you."

She couldn't suppress a smile and raised her eyebrows. He was not high born but he'd worked for what he was, and he was so much more than any of the mean aristocrats she'd met, men his age who laughed at her. He never laughed at her; he'd cured her. And then he'd fallen in love with her. She wanted him. She wanted this. All of it together and forever. Whatever the future held, she knew she'd never be complete without Nick in her life.

And then the clock ticked.

A gong rang out.

And then another. The short and the long hand were on the twelve.

"It's midnight." She beamed and the clock rang twelve times. "Happy birthday!"

Pippa's heart leaped, and she felt empty, longing for more.

Nick swallowed. His gaze was black like a sleek panther's about to pounce.

Then he pushed and entered her.

She lifted her head and put her chin on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

But instead of going on, Nick kissed her delicately. A small kiss on her cheek, another on her chin. Their faces touched but she could see the love in his eyes. She smiled involuntarily but how could she not when the most handsome man, the one she'd given her heart, looked at her as if she were the most important person in the world?

He adjusted his body and put his forehead on hers. Pippa instinctively wrapped her arms around his back, stroking him upward.

Somehow, he slipped in as they kissed. He was large and thick, and she felt herself stretching but it didn't hurt.

He went slowly for her, she could tell. His breathing like that of a stallion eager to go faster than he did.

He broke the kiss and Pippa felt parched for more.

*

Nick felt her tightness around his tip. It couldn't have been anything else and he tried to stop himself from thrusting into her with abandon. She was so willing and slick, and her perky breasts drove him mad. He cupped her breasts and gently drove a finger over her nipple, which immediately perked up against his touch like a tip of meringue.

But he was ruining a high-born daughter. He clenched his eyes shut, banishing the thought of any risk associated with their union.

She was so beautiful, her silky blond hair cushioning her head when she arched her back and set her head down on the pillow.

He'd made her feel him and it should have been enough.

Without her father's blessing, he mustn't go on.

It wasn't allowed and probably not even smart.

But then she twitched around him, like a small peristaltic nudge to go on.

She grabbed the back of his head as she'd done before and pulled him into a kiss. Her mouth was as open for him as her center.

Nick grabbed her left thigh with his right hand, the perfect muscular thigh of a beautiful woman who probably rode astride in the country, he mused. But then, all coherent thought failed him.

She wrapped both legs around him, those long lithe legs perfectly shaped and the ideal length to hook her feet behind his bottom.

The motion made him slip in deeper and something popped.

Nick tore his eyes open and watched her face for signs of discomfort.

None came.

Not even a wince.

Expectation and sincere love were all over her face. She clutched his bottom and pulled him closer.

The decision had been hers. And Nick complied.

Deeper and deeper, he pushed.

A sensual moan escaped her, the most wonderful little sound he'd ever heard.

So, he slipped slightly out, and she tightened her legs around him.

Then he slipped in to the hilt.

She was perfect for him, just absolutely perfect.

And before long, they'd found a rhythm.

She was a quick learner and met his thrusts when he started to pump. Over and over again.

All night, he made love to her, and it became an erotic blur.

When the fireplace went out, and the embers lost their glow, the night's darkness lifted, and a new day sent a lovely purple light through the window. That was when she nestled into his arms and kissed his chest. Then she closed her eyes and drifted off into sleep.

His sleepy beauty. His love.

Even though his muscles were sore, and his body spent from what must have been hours of passion, he knew he'd only just begun to show her how much he loved her. Filled with the grandeur of the sentiment, he let his head sink into the pillow and fell asleep. Whatever the day would bring, he'd tackle later. For now, he had the love of his life in his arms and his thigh on her hot center. For now, the world couldn't be more perfect.