“I do believe,” he said in between kisses, “that I have half a mind to make you my wife right about now.”
Sara pulled his body over hers and kissed him passionately. “Took you long enough.”
And then Nicholas laughed, releasing all of the anxiety he felt earlier in the day. Of course being with Sara would be like this. A night filled with games, laughter, and passion. He only wished he could offer her his love. In the back of his mind he could almost hear a voice telling him that it was fine to let his guard down, to love this woman completely. If only it were that easy. The same voice telling him to give his heart away was the exact same voice that also reminded him of what happened the last time he gave his heart away.
Not only were bad choices made, but he ruined a marriage, all because of his passions. It wasn’t truly possible for him to give a part of himself to someone when those parts were still wallowing in guilt from the first round of love.
He kissed down the nape of her neck. He heard her moan and immediately responded by removing any obstacles of clothing in the way. He wanted her like he’d never wanted anyone in his life, but he felt he needed to warn her. “Sara, this may be…“
“I’m not stupid,” she supplied. “I know.”
And that was all Nicholas needed. He spent the rest of the night teaching Sara what it was really like to be one with someone. It wasn’t until early in the morning, with Sara's body sprawled across him, that he realized the repercussions of his actions. If she annulled this marriage he wouldn’t be able to go on. He had forgotten the sweet ecstasy of sharing one’s body with another. And what if she were to bear him a child? What would he do? He prayed for God to show him mercy and at least help him to sleep while the questions still loomed in his mind.
Sara woke up refreshed, energized, and should she admit happy? The night before had surpassed even her wildest imaginations. Nicholas had taken his time with her, although she knew how difficult it had been for him. He was after her pleasure before his own; she wanted to return the favor but upon waking found him nowhere to be found. They were supposed to attend one of the balls tonight and then embark on their honeymoon, although she wasn’t sure if she really cared that they went anywhere. She was more excited to be with Nicholas. She moved out of the bed carefully examining her body. True she felt a little uncomfortable but that was to be expected. She put on the robe hanging by the chair and looked out on the balcony.
It was then that she heard a gentle knock and Nicholas strode in.
He was fully clothed and looking as beautiful as ever, it took everything in her not to throw off her robe and jump on him. She was embarrassed at the thought.
He smiled knowingly as if he, too, was thinking the same thing. He walked over to her and kissed her on the cheek. “And how did you sleep?”
“Gloriously, except there was this odd noise coming from your mouth. Could it have been snoring? I’m sure you are exhausted after so much work last night. Really, I should take it easy on you; after all, you are much older.” She winked and walked by him.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her body into his own, pressing his hot lips against hers. He moaned as his hand cupped her breast. “Little minx,” he said against her lips, and then her robe was off as if it hadn’t been on or secure in the first place. She giggled as he pushed her up against the wall and began kissing down her back and arms, molding his body to hers.
He groaned as she pulled his hair and then whispered against her skin yet again, “I don’t think we’re going anywhere today.”
She laughed. “What about the ball tonight?”
He looked like he was going to swear; instead he shrugged his shoulders. “We’ll be late.”
She laughed watching his clothing hit the floor. It wasn’t until late afternoon that they actually ate and were able to bathe and dress for the evening, and even that seemed to be a chore and quite distracting.
Finally, Sara was ready. Since she was married, she was able to wear darker more vibrant colors. It was so much better than prancing around in pastels and whites. She swished her dress a few more times before Nicholas entered the room.
He walked up from behind and hugged her. “Are you sure you want to go to the ball tonight?” he purred into her ear.
“It would be rude not to,” she answered half-heartedly.
“That dress shouldn’t be allowed.” He sighed twirling her around in front of him “I feel like I’m slowly being tortured. I can only see parts of you when I went to see all of you.”