Julian stared at her, speechless for a moment. Then he stunned Sophy by giving a shout of laughter.

"In danger of going to sleep, are you?" He moved with a suddenness that took Sophy by surprise, sweeping her up into his arms and striding toward the wide bed. "I certainly cannot have that. Madam, I swear I shall do my best to engage your complete and full attention in this matter."

Sophy smiled tremulously up at him as she clung to his broad shoulders. A glorious thrill of excitement shot through her. "Believe me, my lord, you have my full attention now."

"That's just as it should be because you have certainly captured my complete concentration."

He settled her tenderly onto the bed, tugging her dressing gown from her as he did so. His sensual smile was full of masculine expectation.

As he stripped off his own dressing gown, revealing his hard, lean body in the candlelight, Sophy no longer had any doubt but that he was doing this because he felt genuine desire. Julian was fully aroused, taut, and heavy with his need. She stared at him for a long moment, a last, embarrassed flicker of uncertainty moving through her even as she felt her own body begin to respond.

"Do I frighten you, Sophy?" Julian came down onto the bed beside her, gathering her into his arms. His large hands moved over her hip, feeling the shape of her through the fabric of her nightdress. "I do not want to alarm you."

"Of course you do not frighten me. I have told you many times I am not some simple-minded chit fresh from the schoolroom." She shivered slightly as his palm warmed her hip.

"Ah, yes, I keep forgetting that my country-bred bride is well versed in matters of breeding and reproduction." He kissed her throat and smiled again when another tremor went through her. "I can see I have no reason to concern myself over the possibility of accidentally offending your delicate sensibilities."

"I believe you are teasing me, Julian."

"I believe you are right." He eased her onto her back. His fingers found the ribbons of her nightdress and he began to undo them with slow deliberation. His eyes never left her face as he freed her breasts to his touch.

"So soft and womanly you are, little one."

Sophy was mesmerized by Julian's intent gaze as he looked at her. Fascinated, she watched as the sensual laughter in his eyes converted swiftly into a dark desire.

She reached up to touch the side of his face and was surprised by his reaction to the gentle, questing caress.

He groaned thickly and his head lowered until his mouth captured hers. The kiss was hot, hungry, and demanding, revealing fully the depths of Julian's arousal. He caught her lower lip between his teeth and bit carefully. When Sophy moaned softly, he slid his tongue intimately into her mouth and simultaneously brushed his thumb across one rosy nipple.

Sophy reacted sharply to Julian's touch, covering his hand with her own as he stroked her breast. She felt her body stirring into throbbing awareness and knew she was rapidly losing control.

It was all right this time, she told herself as some small part of her called out a distant warning. Julian might not be in love with her but he was her husband. He had sworn to protect her and care for her and she trusted him to uphold his end of the marriage bargain. In return she would be a good wife, a proper wife.

It was not his fault that she was in love with him. It was not his fault that the risk she took tonight was far greater than the one he took.

"Sophy, Sophy, let yourself go. Give yourself over to me. You are so sweet. So soft. Julian broke off the passionate kiss and tugged the nightdress free. He tossed it carelessly onto the floor beside the bed, his eyes sweeping over Sophy's shadowed body. He put his hand on her bare calf and slowly stroked upward to her hip. When she trembled he leaned down to kiss her reassuringly.

The reassurance turned instantly back into demanding desire as Sophy laced her fingers in his hair and held him tightly to her. Her legs moved restlessly until he anchored one of them with one of his own. The action resulted in opening her more fully to his touch and he immediately began to explore the silken skin of her inner thigh.

Sophy's head tossed from side to side on the pillow. She heard her own small, whispering gasp of excitement as she felt Julian's fingers moving in small circles on her skin. His big hands felt so good on her body, strong and secure and knowing. She felt safe and cherished.

"Julian, Julian, I feel so strange."

"I know, sweetheart. Your body makes no secret of it. I'm glad. I want you to feel this way." He moved against her, letting her feel the shape of his manhood as it brushed her hip.

She flinched at the power she sensed in him but when he caught her fingers and guided them to his thrusting shaft, she did not resist. She touched him hesitantly at first, familiarizing herself with the size and shape of him.

"You see how much I want you, Sophy?" Julian's voice was husky. "But I swear I will not take you until you want me just as badly."

"How will you know when that time comes?" she asked, gazing up at him through half-closed lashes.

He smiled fleetingly and deliberately closed his palm over the soft mound between her legs. "You will tell me in your own way."

She felt the growing warmth between her thighs and moved impatiently once more, seeking an even more intimate touch. "I think that time is here," she whispered.

He slid one finger slowly into her softness. Sophy stiffened abruptly in reaction and then felt the moisture between her legs.

"Soon," Julian promised with deep satisfaction. His lips trailed over her breasts. "Very soon." He inserted his finger again and withdrew it only part way.

Hesitantly Sophy moved against his probing finger, her body instinctively tightening around it as if she would draw it deeper once more.

Julian obliged with a low exclamation of encouragement and desire. "You are so tight and warm," he muttered as his mouth closed over hers again. "And you want me. You truly want me, don't you sweetheart?" His tongue slid between her lips, imitating the provocative movements of his hand.

Sophy gasped and clutched at his shoulders, pulling him closer. When he used the pad of his thumb to tease a small, exquisitely sensitive area hidden in the dark nest of curls, she unwittingly scored his back with her nails.

"Julian."

"Yes. Oh, God, yes."

He moved on top of her, sliding one muscular thigh between her legs to make a space for himself. Sophy opened her eyes as she felt him lower himself down along the length of her. He was heavy, overwhelmingly so. She felt deliriously crushed into the bedding. When she looked up into his stark, intent face she experienced a racing thrill that was unlike anything she had ever known.

"Raise your knees, sweetheart," he urged. "That's it, darling. Open yourself to me. Tell me you want me."

"I want you. Oh, Julian, I want you so much." She felt open and vulnerable but curiously safe. This was Julian and he would never hurt her. He began to push against her softness, moistening himself on the liquid honey that flowed from her delicate sheath. Instinctively she started to lower her legs and tighten them.

"No, darling. It will be easier this way. You must trust me now. I swear I will enter you very slowly. I will go only as far and as fast as you want me to go. You can stop me at any time."

She felt the rigid tension in his body and her palms slipped in the sweat on his back. He was lying, she thought happily. Either that or he was desperately trying to convince himself that he truly had sufficient willpower to stop on demand. Either way she sensed instinctively that he was as close to being out of control as she was.

The knowledge made her feel wonderfully wicked and womanly and strong. It was good to know she could bring her powerful, self-contained husband to such a pass. In this much, at least, they were equals.

"Do not worry, Julian. I would no more halt you now than I would try to hold back the sun," she promised breathlessly.

"I am very glad to hear that. Look at me, Sophy. I want to see your eyes when I make you my wife in every sense of the word."

She opened her eyes again and then sucked in her breath as she felt him begin to enter her. Her nails dug into him once more.

"It's all right, little one." Perspiration formed into small drops on his brow as he slowly eased forward. "It's bound to be a bit rough at first but after that we will have clear sailing."

"I do not see myself as a vessel at sea, Julian," she managed even as she wondered at the incredibly tight, stretched, full feeling he was creating within her. Her nails dug deeper.

"I think we are both at sea," he ground out as he fought to slow the penetration. "Hold onto me, Sophy."

She knew the frail thread of his self-control had just snapped. Even as she gloried in the knowledge he groaned heavily and surged deeply into her.

"Julian." Stunned by the swift, fiery invasion, Sophy cried out and pushed at his shoulders as if she could dislodge him.

"It's all right, love. I swear it will be all right. Don't fight me, Sophy. It will all be over soon. Try to relax." Julian dropped tiny kisses on her cheek and throat while he held himself still within her tight channel. "Give it some time, my sweet."

"Will time make you grow any smaller?" she demanded with some asperity.

He groaned and framed her dismayed face between his large palms. He looked down at her with gleaming eyes. "Time will help you adjust to me. You will learn to like this, Sophy. I know you will. You feel so wonderfully good and there is such passion in you. You must not be so impatient."