Pride and Fire (12 page)

“Paul.” She panted as she tried to match his long strides. “Paul, what is the hurry?”

He stopped just outside the dining room, giving her a moment to catch her breath as his eyes twinkled. He then threw open the door with a flourish. She looked inside and sharply drew in a breath, dazzled by the scene within.

The table was set beautifully, the crystal sparkling in the candlelight. The china and silver rested on fine white cloth. A vase of flowers finished the table-setting, filled with blood red roses. His thoughtfulness astounded her.

“Paul, however did you—?”

“Welcome home, darling,” he said softly.

She blinked. Paul took her to her chair, bowing gallantly. They shared their wedding supper of pheasant accompanied by braised vegetables, though she barely tasted the food. She couldn’t stop staring into Paul’s gorgeous blue eyes.

They’d barely started dessert, a rich and fragrant pudding, when Paul stood and grasped her hand. Michelle looked up at him in question.

“Come, wife,” he said, his voice low.

Her heart pounding, Michelle slowly stood and followed him away from the table. Surely what was to come was better than any dessert his gifted staff could prepare.

Chapter 11

Paul waited for what seemed like forever for her to come out of the dressing room, all sorts of delicious images in his mind as he pictured her undressing. Easing that gorgeous gown downward to reveal her flawless ivory skin. Letting loose her fiery hair to float about her. It had taken him seconds to disrobe, though he’d kept his breeches on in deference to his wife’s innocence. He was grateful for that brief clarity of thought. When she finally emerged her gaze wandered over him, making him harder than the bedpost at his back. That thin nightgown! Her nipples pressed against the lawn, her hips outlined with every small step she took toward him. And now, he could almost feel the heat of her on his own skin across the space that separated them.

She slowly brought her gaze up to his face. “You’re beautiful.”

He chuckled. She blushed as if realizing she’d spoken her thought out loud.

Paul crossed over to her and took her hand in his. “You’re the beauty, wife.”

He pressed his lips to hers and kissed her gently. He thought to take his time with her, to ease her shyness before rousing her passion. When she kissed him back with an urgency that unnerved him, he was tempted to forget his noble plan.

“My God, Michelle,” he murmured. “You set me on fire.”

She only nodded.

He forced himself to take his time unfastening the tiny buttons on the front of her gown, but couldn’t resist letting his fingers trail over the soft heated skin he revealed. He thought back to that night in the parlor at her mother’s home, of how close he’d come to taking her.

“I fear I won’t be able to stop tonight, love.” He cupped her bare breasts in his hands. “Not tonight.”

“Don’t,” she whispered.

He froze. His hands shook as he pulled them away. “If you’re frightened, I’ll do as you ask.” The thought caused him to swallow a groan.

She grasped his hands and placed them on her once more. “Don’t stop, Paul.”

He swore softly. “As my wife requests.”

His hands roamed over her, tracing every curve. She gasped as he palmed her nipples and he felt her response to his core. Pushing the nightgown off of her shoulders, he studied her in the candlelight. She threw her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him.

He breathed in sharply. “So much for going slow.” He crushed his mouth to hers.

He placed his hands under her bottom and lifted her. He walked to the bed and laid her gently on it, coming to rest beside her. Leaning up on one elbow, he slowly trailed a finger from her cheek down to the swell of her breast. He brushed his fingers over her nipple, causing her to shudder.

“I can’t believe you’re mine,” he whispered.

He bent his head and closed his mouth over her breast, gently teething the nipple.

Michelle closed her eyes and let out a ragged sigh. “Paul…”

As his mouth kept up its sweet torture, his hand slid between her legs. He gently stroked her, making her hotter, wetter. She arched toward him and he groaned at her uninhibited response.

“Ah, Michelle,” he said. “I want you so much.”

“Take me.”

Paul stood then and peeled off his breeches. He stretched out along the length of her, settling himself between her thighs. His arousal touched the heat of her and he prayed for control. Slowly he entered her, his eyes closed tight. He shook with the need to bury himself in her softness. The barrier of her virginity stopped him and Michelle’s eyes fluttered open.

“Paul, what…?”

“Easy, darling,” he said gently. “Easy…”

With one deep thrust, he entered her fully.

Michelle cried out. “Stop, Paul! Please stop. It hurts.”

He soothed her as he held her tightly against him. “Shh, love,” he whispered. “The pain will cease in a moment.”

She wriggled beneath him, as if trying to get away from the pain, and his member swelled in response.

“No, Michelle,” he ground out. “Don’t move that way. I can’t—”

He shuddered as he felt her heat caress him. Every inch of him felt her silken flesh, felt each drop of moisture deep inside her. He closed his eyes and sank deeper, catching her sighs in his mouth.

Her gasps of pain eased as her pleasure began to build. “Oh, yes…” she moaned.

His control began to slip. He drove into her, harder and faster, and felt her tighten around him. She was so close to her release, and he prayed he could hold back his own until she found it. Her nails raked his back and she cried out. He let go of his control then, seeking his own fulfillment as she rose beneath him. Shouting her name, he climaxed.

He rained kisses on her face, waiting for his heart to stop its pounding. He’d never felt such passion before. She took away all of his control with her whispers and caresses, with her innocent sensuality that was his alone now. It was incredible.

“Ah, wife,” he said at last, looking down at her.

Michelle opened her eyes then, staring up at him in surprise. “Paul,” she whispered, “I never knew.”

He smiled crookedly at her. “I should hope not, love.”

She nodded and closed her eyes once more. Her color was high, her skin flushed, and he knew he was the luckiest of men.

He rolled off her and gathered her in his arms as she sighed and cuddled against his chest. He stroked her back, marveling at her soft skin. Suddenly she picked her head up to look at him.

“You hurt me, Paul,” she said in a small voice.

“I know, darling,” he soothed. “It couldn’t be helped.”

Her brow furrowed over that.

“It won’t hurt the next time.” He kissed her softly and stroked her cheek. “I promise.”

She nodded and laid her head on his chest once more. She curled her fingers in his chest hairs, driving him to distraction with each tiny movement.

“You’re so big, husband,” she said. “I… I never thought we would fit.”

Paul groaned as her innocently-spoken words caused him to harden at the memory of their joining. “We fit perfectly, wife.”

Michelle rubbed her palm over his chest and he swelled.

He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. “You’re making me want you again, Michelle.”

She grinned then and pulled her hand out of his grasp. She lightly trailed her fingers over his stomach.

“Michelle,” he growled.

“I want you, Paul,” she whispered. Her hand found him and he grew against her palm. She came up to kiss jaw. “Do you want me?”

“Can’t you tell?” he asked through clenched teeth.

“Take me, then,” she whispered in his ear.

He rolled over and pinned her beneath him. She opened her legs for him and he entered her with one smooth thrust. She gasped and he managed to stop himself.

“Am I hurting you?” he asked worriedly.

“No,” she answered with a shake of her head. “No.”

He moved again, slowly. When she arched toward him he let go, letting his climax take him. He shook with his release, bringing her with him as she cried out her own pleasure. Holding her closely as his breathing slowed, he looked deeply into her eyes.

“I love you, Michelle,” Paul said when he found his voice.

“And I love you,” she breathed.

* * * *

Paul awoke bright and early the next morning. He’d experienced the most wonderful night’s sleep, and felt refreshed. He sat up, jarring his wife’s sleeping form. Michelle groaned, picking up her head to peer at him through a curtain of tangled curls.

He grinned and placed a kiss on her tousled head. “Rise and shine, love.”

She snorted and laid her head back down.

He laughed and swung his legs over the side of the bed. “Not a morning person, I take it?”

She rolled over onto her back and brushed her hair out of her face. Opening her eyes once more, she regarded him closely. “It seems my husband kept me awake quite late last evening.”

He stood then, picked up his breeches and pulled them on. “If memory serves, wife, it was you who kept me up.”

Her mouth gaped open so he kissed her again. She sat up, groaning as she did so.

“Are you sore?” he asked.

She shrugged. “A bit.”

She pushed the sheets aside. She gasped as she looked down at herself and pulled the sheet back up.

Paul cocked his head to one side. “You’re not getting shy now, are you, love?”

“No,” she said, keeping her eyes downcast.

If she wasn’t feeling bashful, what made her so uncomfortable? Did she regret anything they’d shared last night?

He sat down on the edge of the bed. “What is it?”

Her cheeks reddened. “I bled,” she said.

His shoulders sagged with relief. He grasped her chin and tilted her head up, waiting for her to meet his gaze. “You were supposed to bleed.”

Michelle blinked up at him in disbelief. “I was supposed to bleed? What… what sort of nonsense is that?”

Paul hid his grin. “It’s perfectly natural, love.”

“Well, that’s simply the most uncivilized, backward—”

He kissed her to turn her attention. It worked. When he pulled back, she smiled up at him. He brushed her cheek with his hand and stood once more. “I’ll order a bath for you, if you’d like.”

“Oh, yes. A bath would be wonderful.”

He nodded to her and stepped behind the privacy screen to see to his morning toilette. When he emerged from his dressing room, he found his wife sitting at the vanity, running a brush through her red locks. He smiled at the pleasing picture she made. She’d donned the thin nightgown from last night, and he was damned if he didn’t feel the urge to take it off her. He crossed over to her and caught her eye in the oval mirror atop the vanity. Lifting her hair off her neck, he placed a kiss on her soft skin. When she shivered in response he held himself in check. He straightened and stepped away.

“I’ll see you in the breakfast room, Michelle.”

Paul left the chamber and ordered her bath. He entered his study and looked over the work he had planned for that day. He realized he’d be confined to his desk for a long while. He went into the breakfast room and poured himself a cup of tea, content to wait for his meal until his wife could join him.

* * * *

Michelle stood while the servants filled the large bathtub from steaming buckets of water. When they left her, she turned to her maid. “Betsy, I’ll call for you when I am ready to get dressed.”

Michelle closed the door behind Betsy and walked toward the tub. Lord, she was sore. She removed her nightgown and slowly lowered herself into the tub. The warm water eased her discomfort, much to her relief. She closed her eyes and let her mind wander back to what had happened between her and Paul last night. It was simply wonderful. He was simply wonderful. She could hardly wait to do it again!

The water cooled as she finished her bath, leaving her skin scented and rosy. She toweled off and rang for Betsy.

Michelle dressed and joined her husband in the breakfast room. Paul stood when she entered, his eyes glittering as they drank her in.

She’d chosen a day dress of sunny yellow and had Betsy leave much of her hair hanging in loose curls. Pleased her new husband found her to his liking, she smiled brightly at him and he crossed to her.

He took her hands in his and kissed her lightly. “You look delicious, love.”

Michelle laughed at his choice of words and followed him to the sideboard. They served themselves and sat at the table.

“Husband, what do you have planned for us on this fine morning?”

Paul frowned. “I’m afraid some matters need my attention.”

Michelle hid her disappointment. She’d hoped they could go for a ride together or at least a leisurely stroll.

“Will they take long?” she asked.

“Not very.”

She nodded and turned her attention back to her plate. They finished their meal and he showed her to the parlor, a lovely room full of morning sunshine. He left her to her correspondence and shut himself in his study.

She stared a hole in the closed door and let out a breath. “What keeps you so busy the day after our wedding, husband?”

Chapter 12

Michelle soon grew bored with her correspondence and thought to wander about the house. She found the parlor to her liking, if sparsely furnished. “With the proper furnishings it could be quite lovely.” She realized with a smile that her husband surely gave little attention to such matters. “Bachelor lodgings.” She laughed to herself. “Well, I shall take great pleasure in making the house a home for both of us.”

Returning to the desk, she began to make a list of fabrics and colors and pieces she’d like to see used in the room. She grabbed up a few more sheets of paper and went through the other rooms of the townhouse.

The dining room was elegant, a fact she acknowledged as easily in the light of the day as she had during their wedding dinner. “Starks obviously kept the staff busy polishing the silver,” she murmured. The china off which they’d dined last night was lovely, and the crystal glasses were very pretty too. “But how many place settings?” She’d need to speak with Starks. She was certain they would entertain often now they were married. She made another note to herself and left the dining room.