Free Keeper of the Stone by Lynn Wood Page B

hips. Long slender leg tantalized his imagination and he shuddered to think of them wrapped demandingly around him.  He could not deny the urge to reach out and cup one full perfect breast through the thin material of the gown. Heat and softness filled his hand and spilled over.  His bride gasped at his boldness but she remained still beneath his questing hand, even when he brushed his thumb across one erect nipple.  She was panting now, her breasts rising and falling rapidly in fear.
    Nathan let his hand linger while at the same time he wrapped his other arm around her tiny waist and pulled her towards him. His bride recoiled instinctively from the feel of his rock hard erection pressed intimately against her soft middle.  Struggling for control he pulled her gently, but inexorably back against him.  His own ragged breathing matched his wife’s as he bent his head and buried his face in her silken curls, trying to summon the iron discipline that governed his life until this moment. He suspected he was fighting a losing battle.  The hand cupping her breast was shaking with the urge to tear the thin gown off of her warm body and get his hands on her bare skin.  He reluctantly removed his hand from her breast and used it to gently lift her face so she would meet his gaze.
    “I won’t force you.” He promised at the stark terror he read in her eyes, though how in hell he was going to keep his vow he could not fathom.
    Her expressions passed in swift succession across her face…surprise, relief, hope, and then fear again, as if she was afraid to trust his vow.
    “You will give yourself to me willingly, wife.  I won’t force you.” He repeated his promise.  Ignoring the tears still spilling silently down her cheeks, he covered her mouth with his.  He tasted the salt of her tears as he prayed for patience to endure this slow torture.  Trying to rid her of her fears, he gently coaxed her response to his touch.  When she hesitantly leaned into his embrace and tentatively moved her lips beneath his, he altered his grip to pull on her chin to get her to open her mouth for him.  The moment she did his tongue swept inside, tasting her, filling her.  His bride was not ready for this new intimacy and tried to turn her face away.  He would not allow her retreat after it had taken him so long to gain so small a concession out of her.  He used his tongue to claim possession, sinking deep within the sweet crevice of her mouth again and again until she grew accustomed to his taste.
    Rhiann could not begin to understand the storm of emotions her husband was unleashing within her.  She couldn’t catch her breath.  She kept trying to push him away to gain a little space to consider what was happening to her but it was like trying to move a mountain.  His arms were like iron bands around her, though his touch was incredibly gentle. It comforted her to know he was being so careful not to use his magnificent strength against her.  At the thought, she let down her defenses a bit and gave herself up to the new sensations coursing through her. She didn’t remember making the conscious decision to lift her arms to cling to him, but suddenly her hands were fisted in his thick light brown hair and she was kissing him back. 
    He groaned his encouragement when her tongue tentatively brushed against his, then pulled his own back into his mouth beckoning her to follow.  Feeling bereft without him inside of her, she followed where he led. Her tongue slid along his bottom lip then slowly, hesitantly entered his mouth.  Nathan drew her in. 
    It was strange this mingling of breaths but not as terrifying as when he stood silently staring at her, his eyes dark and intent, his stance tense, like an animal readying itself to pounce on its prey.  The arms around her were strong but tender, and his hand he wrapped in her hair to hold her head still caressed her gently.  He promised he would never hurt her that he wouldn’t force her,