She glided through the water to the stairs and left the bath. Glancing behind her every few steps, she ran to the bedchamber leaving a trail of wet footprints and giggles in her wake.
Grinning, Stellan quickly followed. Upon reaching the master chamber, he found her buried beneath the covers up to her eyes. In the dusky light from the fire, they glittered like gems. He was so heavy with need. Would he last long enough? I must. The woman before him deserved all the pleasure he could give her.
Stellan joined her beneath the bedding. First, he captured a breast in each hand. He devoured each taut peak in turn, eternally grateful he was ravishing the breasts of the naked woman from the Elysian River. He had never imagined such a compassionate and spirited woman could love a dark maverick like himself.
As he massaged her clean, fragrant skin with his hands and mouth, Stellan was grateful for Lionel’s eternal wisdom. During a stolen conversation before the wedding, he had confided his inexperience to the worldly duke. Lionel had been most forthcoming, and so Stellan learned that if he touched Clarysa with a finger thusly and probed with his tongue there it would have a transformative effect.
Only he didn’t think there would be a gush of moisture so quickly. Her musky essence coated his lips and tongue. Driven by curiosity, Stellan lifted his head. Clarysa’s eyes were shut as her body convulsed. After the episode subsided, she gazed at him with a drowsy, happy expression. Then she reached for his hand and guided it back down between her legs. Stellan understood he should continue by pressing his hand to her just so. He lost count of how many times she arched her back in wanton delight.
The earthy, indescribable scent of her drove Stellan to the brink. It was time. He was ready to make her his own. A deep, delicious ache made him tremble. Despite the frigid clime, despite the snow and ice and chilly winds, he would not be alone. He was wanted.
His heart swelled with joy. From now on there would be only love and happiness in Clarysa.
Beautiful, sweet Clarysa.
* * * *
Clarysa stared lovingly at her Dark Prince. He parted her thighs with his strong arms and then anchored himself above her. A tickling sensation exhilarated her sex as he settled himself into position. She marveled at her aroused state. Traces of his delicious touch lingered in every hollow and crevice. He was such an attentive lover, and so patient.
So different from the beast.
But then again, Stellan’s blood had been running through the beast’s veins. It had shared Stellan’s desires. Clarysa braced her hands against his shoulders, stroking them, squeezing them, giddy with anticipation.
How many times had she been lectured about how wicked the Dark Prince was? That she should shun and avoid his perilous kingdom and nefarious ways? Yes, he was so wicked that he had saved Aldebaran almost single-handedly. He deserved her trust and love more than anybody. She rubbed a tear away. I’m the most fortunate woman in all of the Five Lands.
He held himself so still above her, yet in the region occluded by shadow and mystery he pulsed hotly with life. Clarysa couldn’t help but recall their wayward tryst in the cave. Gratitude filled her heart because they could now complete each other without the ravages of macabre sorcery. This was a moment long in coming, though they had known each other less than a year.
“Dearest, when will you…oh!” She arched her back and raised her hips in response as he joined with her. “Stellan,” she whispered as he sank into her, “there’s so much of you!”
He grinned wildly. “I’m not done yet.” Holding her gaze, he pushed himself in even farther.
Clarysa moaned. “That’s…oh…” Her swollen folds enveloped his hard, hot flesh. The feeling prompted a fresh wave of arousal.
Stellan swept his gaze over her bosom, apparently fascinated with the agitation spurred by his thrusts. But then he slowed. “Does it hurt?” Concern lined his sweat-dampened forehead.
“There’s some tenderness, but mostly it feels wonderful!” Still, he hesitated. Clarysa slipped both legs and arms around his waist in a feverish grasp. “Harder, my love, as hard as you like!”
He thrust anew. His long, low moan filled her ear. As he pushed, she pulled, and the momentum built with a delicious rush of blood. As her pleasure swelled beyond all reason, Clarysa found it impossible to maintain any semblance of ladylike airs. She grunted lustily in response to his thrusts. When her foot slipped and dragged across the linen, she felt the thrill of her climax reverberate all the way to her toes. Shortly thereafter, Stellan bucked so hard it rather did hurt, but it was a pleasant kind of ache. Nothing was more thrilling than being this close to him.
“Clarysa!” he exclaimed, his voice constricted with urgency. “I’m going to release!”
“Oh yes! Anything you want!”
His hand enclosing her right breast tightened. Clarysa arched up against him as he slammed into her. As her pelvis met his, another orgasm ripped through her.
Stellan roared with such force the walls seemed to tumble down around them. Even the very air crackled with energy, as though they were in the midst of a lightning storm. Over his shoulder, Clarysa thought she saw streaks of ethereal fire leap across the room. Ah, but it’s just my excitement! She writhed in pleasure as Stellan spread hotness in her so volcanic the linen below became sodden, warm and slick to the touch.
As his body slowed, she hungrily sought his lips and smothered them with her own. He returned the affection and stroked her breasts for a long time. By now, the fire had devoured its last smoldering embers and waned. Clarysa was glad of Stellan’s thoughtfulness to wrap the blankets tightly around them, even though he hadn’t pulled out of her yet. Then his lips were at her ear.
“I could… I mean, we
