Page 55 of Venus in Disguise

“Your hair. Let it down.”

Narcissa shivered, hearing the way his voice had become low and husky, her confidence rising as she saw the look in his eyes, the obvious desire and approval shining there. Bolder now, she raised her hands, watching him as she took out the pins one by one, letting her thick hair fall past her shoulders in a spill of silken gold.

“Narcissa,” he said, his voice low and urgent as he pushed to his feet.

“Oh, no!” Narcissa ran from him, climbing onto the bed and clutching a pillow to herself as a laugh caught in her throat at his shocked expression. “No, you said I could look upon you, too. So… go on…”

She made a shooing motion with her hand and Ash’s expression changed from one of bewilderment to delight, his eyes glinting wickedly.

“Ah, I see my lady catches on quickly. Well, far be it from me to disappoint you, sweetheart. I suppose you had best look upon your husband, just in case you have a last-minute desire to change your mind.”

Giving her a provocative wink, he began stripping off his clothes, making her laugh as he performed for her, giving a theatrical bow once he had bared his top half. By then Narcissa was too stunned to do anything but stare, however, for although she had desired him, and had known he was quite the most beautiful man she had ever seen, she had not been prepared for what lay beneath his clothes. Fully clothed, Ashton Anson was a work of art. He dressed with exquisite taste and even when his waistcoats were rather outrageous, he wore them with such style and assurance, in a way no other man of the ton possibly could. Naked, however, he was magnificent. Years in the boxing ring had honed his body. Pure muscle moved beneath skin of golden silk, his chest lightly furred with dark hair that arrowed down beneath his waistband. As he pushed his trousers and smallclothes aside, Narcissa could only stare in wonder.

The devil knew just what he looked like, and he sauntered towards the bed with a smug expression that she could not blame him for in the least.

“Well, love. Do I meet with your approval?” he purred, climbing onto the mattress like some big, sleek cat, prowling towards her as her pulse sped up.

“C-Can’t breathe,” Narcissa said, as he tugged the pillow from her grasp and cast it aside. She lay back as he moved over her, gazing up at him in wonder.

“That seems like the correct reaction to me,” he said, giving her swift smile that showed strong white teeth before he lay over her.

The shock of his hot skin was so profound she gasped with pleasure, her hands going to his back, sliding over powerful muscles as she revelled in the touch of his body against hers.

“Ah, beautiful Narcissa, how I have longed for this moment. I have wanted you from the first,” he whispered, and stole any reply she might have made in a passionate kiss that made her giddy with longing.

Too lost for any further conversation, Narcissa gave herself over to her husband, trusting in him to care for her, to please her and show her how to please him. He turned onto his side, taking her with him, and Narcissa shivered as his hands moved over her, caressing and inviting her to touch him in return.

Somewhat nervously, Narcissa accepted the challenge and touched her finger to his nipple, smiling a little as the tiny disc puckered beneath her touch. Emboldened by the look in his eyes, she stroked her hand down his broad chest, drawing her fingers through the wiry dark hair that led her lower, until her fingers touched skin more silken and delicate than any she had known before. He sucked in a sharp breath, letting out a muffled groan as she curved her fingers around him. Pleased to have discovered something he liked after the way he had made her cry out in wanton abandon last night, Narcissa firmed her grip a little and stroked. Ash closed his eyes, an expression that seemed close to pain on his handsome face, though Narcissa knew enough to understand that was not what he was feeling. She experimented a little, moving slowly and then quicker, adjusting her grip and exploring the strange, masculine part of him until he let out a muttered curse. Her triumph short-lived, he tumbled her onto her back once more, removing her hand and pressing it against his chest.

“I will let you torture me to your heart’s delight the next time, sweetheart, but I am too impatient to allow it tonight. I need you. I need to make you mine. Can you let me?”

The words struck her heart with possessive pleasure as the unguarded truth held in them rang in her ears. He needed her, just as she needed him. Perhaps it had not just been him who had rescued her from a miserable future… just perhaps, she had done a little saving herself.

“Yes. Yes, please,” she whispered, pulling her down to him and coiling about him, drawing him close so that he might finally make her his wife. His hand coasted down between her legs, and he stroked her gently, stirring her body to life with slow, tantalising touches that had her arching towards him, seeking more. He watched her as her sanity unravelled by slow degrees, her colour heightening with her temperature as her skin flushed with passion. Though she ought to have felt self-conscious, such considerations had fled her mind, chased away by the awed look in her husband’s eyes as he gazed down at her, the satisfaction he took in giving her pleasure more than obvious.

The intimacy of his touch, the murmured love words and tender kisses he bestowed on her combined with his sweetly insistent caresses until she could go no further and shuddered in his arms, clinging to him as her body gave itself over to the pleasure he brought her. He held her for a moment whilst she luxuriated in the receding waves of delight, and then gasped as she felt him settled between her legs, felt the heat and the strength of him surrounding her, invading her as he pushed gently inside.

“I’ll try not to hurt you,” he promised, his voice as taut as his body as her indolent limbs stiffened with shock.

Narcissa clung to his powerful shoulders, squeezing her eyes shut as a sharp pinching sensation within her made her muffle a cry against his chest.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, stilling at once, seeking her mouth and kissing her. “I’m so sorry, love. Try to relax, try to let me in.”

Narcissa gazed up at him, seeing the concern in his eyes, the regret for having caused her a moment’s pain, and she let out a sigh as her taut body softened around him, welcoming him as best it could.

“That’s the way,” he said, his voice a low purr of approval as he moved deeper and more assuredly.

Narcissa could only hold on, at first enduring the strange intimacy of it, until the feelings changed from discomfort to something else, something that made her breath catch as she watched him rising above her, felt the power of his body loving hers.

She stroked her hands down his back, the sleek, damp skin and shifting muscle beneath her palms a delight to her. Like before, the rest of the world went away as the uncoiling of sensation at her core caught her attention, drawing her on, determined to chase it, but this time Ash was there too. Narcissa was aware of his muscles tensing, of his movements becoming increasingly urgent and erratic as his breath became harsh, his eyes closing. Now she watched him as he had watched her, understanding the pleasure he had taken in observing her as she saw the moment he lost control, giving himself over to the intense release shuddering through him. The sight of his powerful frame trembling as a rough cry tore through him was the most erotic sight she could ever imagine, and the next thrust had her following eagerly in his wake.

Narcissa held on tight as everything went dark and hot and pleasure-filled, clinging to her husband as joy suffused her body and her heart and made their hasty, unromantic wedding day into one she would remember with wonder for the rest of her life.

Chapter 16

Dearest Aunt,

I am well, I thank you and yes, happy enough. I find a good deal of pleasure in my work. My charge is an irrepressible little monkey, but I rather adore her for it. She is outspoken and horribly spoiled, and trying to turn her into a well-behaved child whilst keeping her spirit intact is a challenge, I admit, but one I relish.