Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,136

fire, he stoked the embers and then placed another log on. Returning to the bed, he bent to kiss her cheek.

She stirred.

“Wake up, Ivy.”

A hand shot out of the darkness and connected with his nose.

“Ouch!”

“Rory?”

“Who else were you expecting?” He blinked a couple of times and waited for his eyes to stop watering.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I just wanted to see you, as I have a question to ask you.”

“And it could not wait until tomorrow?”

“It couldn’t.”

She sat up, resting against the headboard. Her nightdress was white and buttoned to her chin, her hair in a long braid. The love he felt for this woman was fresh and new, and he cherished it.

“Can I share your blankets? It’s cold out here.”

Not hesitating, she moved over, lifting the covers for Rory to slide beneath.

“I’m sure my aunt would be shocked,” Ivy said.

“Very likely. Ivy, tell me you will marry me.”

Her mouth opened, then closed, then opened again.

“I did wonder when you were going to ask.”

“Is that a yes?”

“I may need to think about it.” She had a smile on her lips that begged to be kissed off. Rory eased her back down on the mattress, then took her mouth beneath his. Where one kiss stopped, another started. Sliding his hand under the hem of her nightdress, he touched the soft skin of her thigh. Blood pounded through him as he looked at what he had uncovered. Her skin glowed in the firelight. He wanted to explore every curve he’d exposed. His woman, Rory thought.

“I want you very much, Ivy.”

“Make love to me, Rory.”

His hands shook as he took her nightdress up and off her body. She undid his robe, and Rory shrugged out of it. He was naked beneath.

“I will never hurt you, love.”

“I know.”

He braced himself over her. Her fingers touched his shoulders, then trailed down his chest, and he felt everywhere they landed, as they left a trail of fire in their wake.

Firelight cast her skin in a soft glow. He touched a breast, stroking the curve, watching as she inhaled.

“So beautiful.” Rory kissed the hard peak of her nipple, and the breath shuddered from her body. She responded to his every touch and kiss, as he did hers.

He kissed and lavished attention on her breasts as she writhed beneath him. He licked the length of each of her ribs, then traced wet circles on her stomach.

“Let me kiss you everywhere, Ivy.” He moved lower.

“I don’t understand.” The words turned to a small squeak as he parted her legs and placed his lips there, in the most intimate of places. The tugging on his hair soon stopped, and her fingers fell away to grip handfuls of the bedding. He stroked his tongue along the damp folds and tight bud. His torture was slow and deliberate as Ivy moaned and begged him for something she’d never had before. He slid two fingers inside her, and she came to a shuddering climax.

“Oh, Rory,” she whispered against his lips when he had climbed back over her body. “That was wonderful.”

“There is a lot more, my love, and I will enjoy teaching you.”

Her hands stroked his sides, then over his back. Her touch drove his passions higher, and as he was nestled between her open thighs, he could feel the damp heat of her passion.

“I want you now, Ivy.”

“I want that too.”

“There will be pain.”

“I know.” She brushed her lips over his.

“Feel me, sweetheart, guide me into your body.”

Her hand touched him, fingers circling the hard length, her touch exquisite.

“You’re so hard.”

“For you, Ivy, only for you.”

She guided him in, and Rory pressed forward. She was tight and wet, and felt so good he had to use every ounce of control not to thrust hard inside her. This was her first time. He’d not make the memory a bad one.

He breached her innocence, causing a loud hiss from Ivy.

“I’m sorry.”

“Kiss me, Rory.”

He did, pouring everything he felt into it. His need and love for her. Only when she relaxed did he withdraw and thrust forward once more. Her muscles gripped and released him, and Rory had never experienced anything like this before. Making love to the woman who carried his heart added so much more to the experience. He stroked her breasts as he continued a gentle rhythm until he felt the tension inside her once more. Only then did he thrust harder.

His climax left him breathless, as did hers.

Rory had enough energy to roll off her to his side. He turned her back to