against hers. It was a long, drugging kiss, and when he lifted his head, his breathing was heavy. Swinging her into his arms, he carried her to the bed and laid her gently on the sheets. Turning away, he shrugged out of his clothes and doused the candles. In the dark, he made his way to the bed and slid in beside his wife. Heart hammering, he reached out for her.
Innocently, she nestled against him, molding her body to his. Willing himself to proceed slowly, he waited for several moments, and then brushed back her hair and touched his lips to the curve of her throat. There was no response. He lifted his head and stared down at her face. In the darkness he could barely make out her features. She was sound asleep.
With a sigh of resignation, John gritted his teeth. His body throbbed with need. Gently, he extricated himself from the tangle of Jeanne’s arms and moved to the other side of the bed. He was quite sure the night would be the longest he’d ever known.
Sixteen
The following morning Jeanne hovered on the brink of consciousness, aware of an unusual weight warming one side of her body. She opened her eyes to find John propped up on his elbow. He had obviously been watching her sleep. She flushed, uncomfortable with such intimacy. Yesterday’s events came back to her in a rush of memory, the wedding, the banquet, the dim rose-scented room, and her fear of the night to come. She frowned. That was all. Nothing else came to mind. Cautiously she moved her legs, shifting to one side. Again nothing. Her body felt completely normal, better than normal. The fatigue that had plagued her for weeks before the wedding was gone.
She smiled lazily at her husband. “Did you sleep well?” she asked.
John’s eyes widened. Was she serious? No flesh-and-blood man could have slept a wink. He searched her face for signs of amusement. There were none. “Not entirely,” he answered.
“I’m sorry. We can change the mattress if you like.”
“Jeanne,” he said, exasperated. “My discomfort has nothing to do with the mattress.”
Her smile faltered. “I don’t understand.”
He stared at her in amazement. Was she really as naive as she seemed, or had the wine affected her more than he realized? Another thought occurred to him. If she truly didn’t remember the events of their wedding night, perhaps he could use it to his advantage.
“I’ll help you understand, mo chridhe,” he murmured huskily. Reaching under the bedclothes, he parted the ridiculous nightgown until he felt the smooth skin of her thigh. Slowly, sensuously, his hand slid up her leg to the curve of her waist. She shivered, and the breath caught in his throat. Bending his head, he found her mouth at the same moment he untied the ribbon at her waist.
Jeanne’s pulse leaped at the touch of his lips, the feel of his hand on her hip, then her stomach, and, finally, her waist. When it closed over her breast she refused to breathe, afraid of the overwhelming sensations consuming her. Could this really be John, her childhood champion, whose seeking lips and skilled hands were bringing her to a state of frenzied need? How could she have grown up in his presence without realizing the magic his touch would bring? Wrapping her arms around his waist, she arched her back to bring him closer.
His kiss deepened, and his hands moved over her, familiarizing himself with every hollow and curve of her body. His jaw clenched and the cords of his neck were slick with sweat as he struggled to maintain control. She was soft and warm and sweetly damp beneath him. Her breathing came in short, shallow gasps and her hands played along his spine and hips, too shy to explore further. He nuzzled her neck. It tasted of salt and roses. He adjusted his body, causing her hands to slide lower. Immediately, they froze, and he held his breath. Tentatively, they moved again in small circular motions, testing the skin and hair beneath her palms. John pulled away to look at her, elbows locked, resting on his hands. Her eyes were closed, and a flush covered her face and chest. She was ready for him.
Gathering her close, he kissed her deeply and slid one thigh between her legs. She accepted him willingly. He tightened his arms and waited no longer.
Jeanne gasped and opened her eyes. The sensations were no longer pleasant. The burning pain between her thighs