At Long Last - By N.R. DeRaj Page 0,1

arms to my side, shaking my head to try to calm my mind. I began removing the pins from my golden blonde hair, smoothing my curls as they fell from the intricate up-do.

I worked quickly, letting my hair down and arranging it over my shoulders. I leaned forward towards the mirror, checking my makeup and making sure no smudges had appeared at my eyes or lips. I absentmindedly wondered how long I’d been in the bathroom, and as if he had heard my thoughts, Arion knocked at the door.

“Need some help with your dress? You've been in there a while, love,” I heard him call from the other side of the door.

“No,” I answered back, my voice coming out more unsteady than I’d hoped. “I'll be out in just a moment.”

I heard Arion's footsteps move from the door, and I sighed heavily as I looked in the mirror a final time. Although my reflection stood perfectly still, I felt as though every inch of me was trembling. I swallowed hard and backed away from counter, turning and flipping the light switch as I opened the door and exited the bathroom.

* * *

As I stood in the doorway of the bedroom, I felt as though I’d somehow left my body. Arion's eyes met my own before I quickly looked at the floor, and I felt his gaze slowly travel down the length of my frame. A sudden flood of insecurities rushed to the back of my mind as I stood in front of my new husband, nervous and inexperienced, wearing lingerie that highlighted parts of my body no one else had ever seen.

I bit my bottom lip as I forced myself to look up at Arion. He was lying on his side on the bed, in nothing but a pair of dark blue boxers. His brown locks were tousled as if he’d just woken up, and his typically light brown eyes seemed darker than usual.

I let my gaze trail over his chest, sprinkled with sparse dark curls, down to his lean stomach where a thicker trail of dark hair lay under his navel. I felt my face flush again as I noticed that the trail of dark curls disappeared into the top of his boxers, and that there was a slight bulge at the front of the fabric.

I stood still and stared at the sheets, unsure what to do at this point.

My breath was slow and shallow, and my body stiffened as I heard Arion move off the bed and begin walking towards me. I didn't dare move as I felt him settle behind me, but a soft gasp came from my mouth as I felt him lightly touch my side. One of his hands slowly began to move up and down, seemingly stroking the silky fabric of my corset. I felt the other gently remove my hair from my shoulder, and I felt his warm breath on my neck as he leaned forward.

“Why are you so nervous, love? It's me,” Arion spoke softly before planting a kiss on my skin.

I felt myself relax a little at his words, leaning back against his chest as his arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer. I moved my hand over his, squeezing softly and letting out another small sigh.

“I'm…I'm sorry,” I whispered softly. “I don't know what’s come over me. Do you like it? The clothes. Outfit. The lingerie, I mean. Melissa helped me pick it out. I wasn't sure what you would like. If you don't like it then—”

Arion's hand moved over my mouth and he laughed softly. I felt a little embarrassed, but my nervous rambling was quickly forgotten as he placed another kiss on my earlobe. A shiver ran up my spine and I relaxed more against my husband's chest.

“You look beautiful,” he whispered in my ear. “More beautiful than I could’ve ever imagined. And I've thought about this many, many times.” Arion pulled me tight to his chest and trailed his kisses down over my shoulder, moving his hand so that he could hold my own. “Can I touch you?”

I felt my breath hitch at his question, and I squeezed his hand tightly. “Yes,” I replied.

Without any hesitation, I felt Arion's large hands move to my stomach. He trailed his fingertips lightly over the fabric and buried his face in the crook of my neck, pressing his lips against the warm flesh. I felt as though my skin was on fire, and every kiss or touch he placed