Page 71 of How to Tempt an Earl

He was quick to shed his cravat and waistcoat. When he reached to pull his shirt over his head and toss it on the carpet, revealing a long, sinewed chest, all muscles and hollows, her breath stalled. He was superbly built. He reminded her of a marble statue of a Greek God she’d seen in a museum.

She watched, breathing through parted lips, as his fingers went to the falls of his trousers. His fingers worked the buttons, one at a time, then pulled the trousers low on his hips, then removed them entirely. His cock sprang free, bold and forceful, from a nest of black hair.

Sweet Lord.

She licked her suddenly dry lips. “Oh. I had no idea.”

“Touch me.”

She wanted to, desperately wanted to, but she didn’t know if she could. “Show me how.”

His hand covered hers, and she was fascinated by the heat and length and softness. He was long, thick, and hard, but the smooth crown was velvet soft. His deep-seated groan encouraged her, and she ran her finger down the length, then twirled it across the head.

“My God, Grace,” he hissed.

“You’re very big. I don’t know if we can fit together.”

His laugh was hoarse. “We can.”

He picked her up and carried her from the desk to the sofa across from one of the mahogany bookshelves and gently lowered her. The soft velvet felt decadent against her skin. She raised her arms and Ian joined her. She gasped at the feel of skin against skin. When his fingers trailed down her stomach to touch her most private center, her eye lids fluttered closed. The sensations were overwhelming, drawing her to him.

He kissed his way down her body and stopped at her navel. “One day, I want to kiss you here.”

Could a man do that to a woman? Could she do that to him?

He rose above her and she felt his hardness pressing at her woman’s center. She wanted him, wanted this. He eased in an inch, and she marveled at the fullness. She arched up.

“Easy.”

Easy? She didn’t want easy. Her body was crying out for fulfillment.

“I don’t want to hurt you too much your first time.”

He moved slowly, entering her with steady, deepening thrusts. All the while he watched her, his face fierce with desire and restraint. Her body softened as it became accustomed to the fullness. She didn’t think she’d ever be able to take all of him.

“God, you feel so good…so tight,” he said.

His words heightened her pleasure, and she arched her hips toward him.

“That’s it, sweet. Take me deeper.” Then he plunged forward until he was fully imbedded inside her. The pain was sharp and burning and she gasped.

He held himself rigid above her, the muscles in his arms and chest taut. “Are you all right?”

She wasn’t sure. He was large, stretching and possessing. She tried to wiggle.

“Don’t move, love,” he said, his voice hoarse.

Then he eased out halfway, and her lungs filled with air. He slowly pressed forward until he was imbedded deep, then tenderly kissed her forehead, her eyes, her lips. “Is it better?”

“A bit. Kissing helps.”

He captured her lips and kissed her deeply and thoroughly. Then he slid his hand between their bodies to caress her. A bright flare of desire returned, and her senses reawakened. She stirred beneath him, her muscles contracting, and moaned deep in her throat.

He began to move slowly. With each slick stroke, she breathed in deep, soul-drenching drafts as the pleasure built. She began to meet his thrusts, eager to reach the peak of ecstasy he’d shown her. Soon, her response matched his and their sweat-slicked bodies moved together. She raised her leg and wrapped it around him. Their bodies were in a frenzy of need, and each time he buried himself hard, he withdrew in hot, sliding friction that made her body melt against his. It was ecstasy, pure bliss, and her nails raked his back. Never had she imagined it could be this way between them.

“Now you’re truly mine,” he rasped in her ear.

Mine.