Juliet’s body quivered and tensed and bucked all over again as his mouth feasted on her other breast, his free hand caressing and shaping the damp globe his mouth had recently relinquished. Patrick spent his time on this breast, making sure to taste and lick every inch, to give her every second of enjoyment he could offer her. After this, she’d likely not find any more enjoyment in their lovemaking, so he had to make this part enjoyable for her. He owed her this much.
At long last, Patrick’s mouth released her swollen breast and blew a soft, warm puff of air across her dusky nipple. She quivered in response. He smiled faintly and lowered his head between her breasts, kissing a slow trail to the bottom of her stomach.
“Slide up,” he said gruffly, reaching down to grip her legs and help her move more squarely on the top of the bed.
She repositioned herself, the tension of her body sliding under his as she moved nearly pushing him over the edge. He tried his hardest to swallow his excitement as he joined her in her new position and reached behind her to get a pillow for her to rest her head on. This was where her enjoyment would end, but there was no reason she couldn’t be comfortable. If he were a real gentleman he’d offer her a blanket to cover herself with, but for now he’d just be a cad. Next time he’d let her cover up, this time he wanted to see her.
Patrick clenched his trembling hands into fists. Nervousness on his part would not do just now. He needed to be sure and concise so not to hurt her. He swallowed once again before skating his right hand down her abdomen and to her hip. “Just relax, Juliet,” he said thickly. Settling his face in the crook of her neck so not to see her flinch, Patrick carefully moved his fingers to the silky folds that hid the core of what made her a woman. Muttering a curse against the counterpane, Patrick took a deep breath and plunged one finger deep inside her. Then stilled and waited nervously for her response.
Blood pounding in his ears, he couldn’t quite hear what she said. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered. His voice raw with emotion. He turned his head to the side and planted a kiss on her cheek. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. It’ll stop stinging in a minute.”
“What?” she choked out. “What stinging?”
He kissed her cheek again, hoping to wipe away her tears with his lips. He blinked. Her cheek hadn’t tasted of tears. He kissed her again. “Juliet?”
“Yes?”
“You don’t have to be brave, sweet,” he murmured in her ear. “I know you’re strong, but I won’t think anything less of you if you cry.”
“Cry?”
He nodded. “I know it hurts, you don’t have to pretend otherwise.”
“It doesn’t hurt,” she protested, turning to kiss his temple.
“No?” he queried, relief rapidly coursing through him. Her eyes met his, the truth gleaming in them for all the world to see. He truly hadn’t hurt her. “Good. This part won’t take long. I just want to make sure you’re ready...” He trailed off, his face burning. That wasn’t really something he wanted to explain, if she questioned him about it another time he’d show her the difference. But not this time. This time he’d make sure to do everything he knew to do so she’d experience the least amount of pain when it was time for him to enter her with his erection.
Gritting his teeth, Patrick eased his hand back then, just as carefully, pushed it forward, waiting in silence for her to cry out in discomfort. But she didn’t. She cried out, but it didn’t sound like discomfort to him. He lifted his head and stared unblinkingly at her.
“Did you say something?”
Her face flushed, and her eyes refused to meet his. “No,” she said, her hand coming up to push on his chest.
He remained in his place. What was she hiding? If she were in pain, she could tell him. He’d go more slowly. Or perhaps he should kiss her breasts again to take her mind off the discomfort. Yes, that’s what he’d do. He bent his head.
“Drake, please don’t.”
“Don’t?”
“Don’t kiss me there,” she said, pushing at his chest again.
He sighed. “I’m just trying to distract you.”
“That’s not the distraction I need,” she muttered before biting her lip.
Patrick’s eyes swept her face. She’d made some sort of noise, he was sure of it. If she wasn’t going to admit to it, he’d just have to make her repeat herself. With the same gentleness as before, he moved his hand again, going into her as deeply as he could before easing back out. Her teeth tightened their hold on her lip, but she didn’t make a sound. He moved again, then again and again, each time going knuckle-deep, each time tamping down another round of guilt at how he was knowingly hurting her. Unable to battle his guilt any longer, he moved to withdraw. Her legs clamped around his hand, shamelessly holding him there. “Don’t go.”