"See there? I told you it was simple." He indicated a small, beautifully set table near the fireplace. "Are you hungry?"

"No."

"Thirsty?"

"No."

"Nervous?"

"N-" A rueful smile curved her lips. "Yes. But I was trying so hard not to show it."

"I'm afraid those expressive eyes of yours give you away-as well as the crimson blush staining your cheeks and the fact your fingers are twisted into knots."

Her gaze dropped to her hands and she disentangled her fingers.

"Do you know what is going to happen between us, Elizabeth?" he asked running a single fingertip down her soft cheek.

Her gaze lifted back up to meet his. "Oh, yes," she said surprising him with her matter-of-fact tone. "I'm well acquainted with the studies of animal husbandry and human anatomy."

"I… see." Stepping closer to her, he gently laid his hands on her shoulders. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'm nervous, too."

Her eyes widened. "Do you mean to say you've never done this either?"

He choked back his laughter. "No, that is not what I meant."

"My apprehension springs from a fear of experiencing the unknown. As that is not the case for you, then why are you nervous?"

Because I want this night to be perfect for you. In every way. I hadn't dreamed it would be so vital that you be pleased. Plus he was damned uncertain about seducing an innocent. He'd always avoided virgins like a bad rash, yet now he stood faced with the suddenly unnerving prospect of deflowering his wife.

"There's always a bit of awkwardness the first time two people make love," he said. "I do not want to hurt you."

"And I do not want to disappoint you."

His gaze roamed over her. Not much chance of that. She looked lovely and unbelievably soft. And so innocent. And appealing. And her gown was as provocative as hell. His gaze dropped to the daringly low neckline and he saw the pink tops of her nipples peeping over the edge. His sex swelled in immediate response, and it required a great deal of willpower for him not to groan out loud.

She shifted under his hands. "You're frowning. Is something troubling you? I'd be happy to discuss your problems with you."

"Would you indeed?"

"Of course. It's a wife's duty to relieve her husband of worries, is it not?"

God Almighty, he couldn't wait for her to relieve him of his worries. "In that case, I shall tell you what I am thinking." And I'll show you.

He gently drew her forward until only several inches separated them. She raised her chin and looked at him with questioning eyes.

"I was thinking," he began, "that I'd like your hair down." Reaching up, he removed the pearl-encrusted clip that held her hair up on top of her head. Hundreds of long, soft curls spilled over his hands and rippled down her back, their ends brushing just past her hips. He filled his hands with the silky tresses and brought them to his face.

"Your hair is incredible," he whispered breathing in the flowery fragrance of her auburn locks. "I've wanted to touch it, run my hands through it, since the first time I saw you."

She stared at him, motionless, her eyes wide.

"I was also thinking how soft your skin looks," he continued his fingers trailing down her cheeks to her neck, then to the delicate hollow of her collarbone. A soft gasp escaped her when his fingers dipped lower and brushed the swells of her nearly exposed breasts.

Placing his hands on her shoulders, he gently pushed her robe down her limp arms until the material pooled at her feet. Words deserted him, and he could not stop staring at her, at her understated beauty and the onset of desire kindling in her eyes.

"What are you thinking now?" she asked in a breathless whisper when he continued to simply gaze at her in silence.

"I'd prefer to show you." He framed her face between his palms and saw her pulse beating wildly at the base of her throat-beating almost as fast as his own. He lowered his head and kissed her, his lips moving gently at first, then with increasing demand over hers. When his tongue sought entrance to her mouth, she welcomed it with her own. A moan escaped him, and he pulled her closer, his hands roaming up and down her smooth back that the daring gown left bare.

Slipping his hands down to her buttocks, he cupped her rounded bottom in his palms and lifted her, pressing her tight against his arousal. She gasped but her gasp turned to a throaty groan when he gently rubbed himself against her.

"God you feel so good" he whispered in her ear. She shivered in his arms… a delicate, pleasure-induced shudder that ran all the way down her body to her toes. "So damn good…"

His hands left the tempting enticement of her bottom and moved up, exploring her curves, then her rib cage, until the sides of her full breasts pressed against his palms. She gasped his name when his thumbs drew slow circles around her silk-covered nipples.

He filled his hands with her breasts, gently caressing their aroused tips through the filmy material of her gown, watching her face all the while. Her cheeks darkened and her eyes drifted closed when he slipped his fingers inside the scoop neck of her nightgown and touched her sensitive skin.

"Look at me, Elizabeth," he ordered softly, his fingers lightly playing over her nipples. "I want to see your eyes."

She dragged her lids open and gazed at him with a glazed slumberous expression. Slipping his fingers beneath the thin straps of her gown, he slowly lowered it down her body.

Inch by inch she was revealed to him, a slow, sensual torture as his desire for her grew. High, full breasts, aroused rosy nipples thrusting forward, begging for his touch. A small waist gave way to gently rounded hips. The gown slipped from his fingers and fell to her ankles, revealing a tempting nest of auburn curls at the juncture of her thighs and long slender legs that seemed to go on forever. He instantly imagined those legs wrapped around his waist and desire exploded in him.

"Elizabeth… you're beautiful… perfect." He'd known she would be lovely, but she literally knocked the air from his lungs. Bending, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed and gently laid her down. He removed his clothes as quickly as his unsteady hands would allow, then stretched out next to her.

She immediately propped herself up on her elbows, her avid gaze wandering down the length of him. He forced himself to remain still and allow her to look her fill.

"I've never seen a naked man before," she said her gaze touching him everywhere, scorching his flesh.

"I'm glad to hear it."

She stared at his arousal, which swelled to the point of pain at her scrutiny. "Tell me, are all men as… impressive as you?"

"I'm afraid I couldn't say," he ground out, although he couldn't imagine that any man had ever been as hard as he was at this moment. And she hadn't even touched him.

He needed to feel her, taste her. In his arms, in his mouth. Now.

Gently pushing her back on the pillows, he lowered his head and drew a plump nipple between his lips. Gasping, she twined her fingers through his hair and arched her back, offering more of herself to his questing mouth. He answered her silent plea, lavishing his attention on one breast then the other with his lips and tongue.

"Oh, my," she breathed. "I feel so…" Her voice trailed off into a vaporous sigh.

He raised his head. "So… what?" The vision of her, with her magnificent hair spread all around her nipples damp and erect from his tongue, her eyes dark with passion, nearly undid him.

"So warm. And quivery. And wanting…" She moved restlessly, and he clenched his teeth when her soft belly brushed against his manhood.

God yes, he understood those feelings, only he was burning. And shaking. And desperate. Never had he wanted a woman this much-so much that his hands trembled. So much he couldn't think straight.

His hands drifted over her abdomen and a long sigh escaped her. "Spread your legs for me," he whispered in her ear. She complied opening her thighs to allow him access to the most private part of her.

The instant he touched her, they both groaned. With infinite care, he aroused her with a light, circular motion until her hips began to undulate beneath his hand stoking a growing fire within him that soon threatened to overcome his resolve to go slowly.

Very gently he eased a finger into her. Velvety warmth clutched him. She was so tight… so hot and wet. His arousal jerked in response and a fine sheen of perspiration broke out on his forehead.

Their eyes met and held. Reaching up, she tenderly touched his face. "Austin…"

He'd imagined that hearing her breathe his name in that husky, passion-filled voice would excite him, but the reality stole his remaining control. Positioning himself between her thighs, he slowly, reverently entered her until he reached her maidenhead. He tried to ease through the barrier without causing her pain, but it was impossible. Knowing what had to be done, and unable to wait any longer, he grasped her hips between his hands and thrust, burying himself deep inside her.

Her gasp slashed straight through his heart. "I'm so sorry, darling," he whispered somehow finding the strength to remain perfectly still. "Did I hurt you?"

"Only for a second. Mostly, you surprised me." A small smile played around her lips. "Wonderfully surprised me. Please don't stop."

He needed no second invitation. Propping his weight on his hands, he slid slowly in and out of her wet heat, withdrawing until he almost left her, only to plunge deeply back into her warmth. Her gaze remained riveted on his, and he watched every nuance of pleasure flicker in her golden brown depths. Her hips moved in rhythm with his and he gritted his teeth, fighting for control, determined to bring her to pleasure before he found his own release. But for the first time in his life he found that to be a nearly impossible task. Sweat beaded on his skin and his shoulders ached with the strain expended to delay his climax.