Read on for an excerpt from the book:
Nimue took five steps inside the massive chamber, stopping once Asher’s hand no longer rode the small of her back. While he closed the door with a quiet click, she took the opportunity to look around the chamber they would share this night.
Despite the luxury of Cliffside, this room was unassuming. Comfortable, but unassuming. There were plush carpets in muted colors, comfortable chairs that managed to be both handsome and practical, and silk bedding in deep blues and greens. There were three great windows, each with glass to protect from the elements, and two of the windows had cushioned benches built into the castle itself. Two great wardrobes lined one wall and a small door led to some inner chamber. Her curiosity was instantly aroused.
“Where does that door go?” she asked as Asher came up behind her.
He chuckled and led her to it. Thrusting it open, he let her precede him. When she stopped, he gave her a little push until she was out of the doorway.
Nimue barely noticed. Instead it was this room that had captured her attention. It was tiled from floor to ceiling with tall candles burning to illuminate the space. One horizontal row of tiles had tiny pictures painted on them. There were benches along the wall, also tiled, and a sunken bathing tub built into the floor. It was large enough to swim across in several strokes, which was exciting for someone who loved the water as much as she did. Steam rose from the water, but there wasn’t another door to indicate servants had recently escaped. All Nimue could do was blink at the unexpected sight.
“It’s a bathing chamber,” Asher explained as he pulled her back against him. “Modeled after the old Roman baths. The water is kept warm by a series of pipes beneath the tub. We’ll bathe here, together, every morning.”
She wasn’t sure she wanted to do that, but the chance to slip into the expansive tub might prove too much to resist. So it was with some reluctance that she followed Asher back into the bedchamber when he took her arm.
The first thing she saw was the bed. That was where they would soon be. Together. Her breath came in short gasps as memories flooded her. The last time she’d been abed with a man—
Strong arms spun her around until her back was to the bed. “Don’t think about him,” Asher demanded, green eyes flashing.
“It’s…hard.” Impossible, really. “Please, my lord…if we could wait…I would like to wait. Please?”
Her pleas touched him, but still he shook his head and pulled her closer. This wouldn’t be any easier on her if they put it off until tomorrow, or next week, or even next month. She was his wife and he would not let her fears keep him from her bed. But, in deference to her past experiences with men, he resolved to go slow, to be gentle with her. He’d had virgins before, and experienced women, but he’d never tried to seduce a woman who had had rather violent sexual experiences. It was uncharted territory for him, so slow was just as much for his benefit as hers. He’d have to find his footing with her.
Talking seemed the place to start. “I won’t hurt you,” he promised as he moved his hands up and down her arms. “Just trust me. And relax. You’re tense as a bowstring.”
Nimue let out a harsh laugh. He was right, she was tense. And trembling. And not ready for what he would do to her. But since he wouldn’t wait…
Asher saw her mind churning and sought to distract her before memories of her first husband could truly overwhelm her. His lips found her forehead, then kissed down along her temple until he tasted her jaw. She hadn’t moved, hadn’t relaxed, but at least she wasn’t fighting him. And when his lips met hers, she didn’t whimper or pull away. He did have to coax her lips apart, but that was far easier than he’d expected it to be. She even sighed as he explored the depths of her mouth. A promising start.
Nimue leaned into him, trying to banish her fears. She did like being kissed. If he would only kiss her, and not do those other things, she would be more than happy to be his wife. His mouth moving over hers was…nice. Nice enough that she raised herself up on her toes to get closer…
Only to have his break their kiss and look into her eyes. “I’m going to pick you up,” he warned. Then he reached down and lifted her gently into his arms.
Grateful for the warning, she wrapped her arms around his neck and glanced over her shoulder at the expansive bed. She didn’t want to go, but she knew that was where they were heading. So it came as some surprise when he took her to the blazing fire instead.
Asher grinned at the shock on her face. “I thought perhaps you were not ready for the bed.” He sat in the largest of the chairs and placed her on his lap.
“Thank you,” she said with all earnestness. She wasn’t sure she could bear to be in bed with a man. In a chair…maybe that wasn’t so bad. Especially if he would kiss her again.
But instead he reached for her gown. “You have far too many clothes on.”
Nimue went still as his fingers found the laces of her gown. He moved slowly, deliberately, trying not to frighten her, but Nimue still gave a little sob.
“Easy,” he whispered against her ear, nibbling just a little as he revealed the soft shift beneath her silken gown.
Afraid, Nimue tried to cover herself, but Asher was insistent. He peeled the gown down her arms and over her hips until he could toss the silk confection to the ground.
“I should hang it up,” Nimue protested, and not just to avoid his touch. It was such a lovely gown and deserved better treatment.
“Later,” Asher murmured as he went after her slippers. When they had dropped to the floor, he slid his hand up her leg, intent on snagging her stockings.
But Nimue was having none of it. As soon as his hand passed her knee, she kicked her legs and whimpered. Asher immediately removed his hand.
“Hush,” he urged, cupping her face. “Nothing I do will hurt.”
Every inch of her tiny body shook as she gasped, “Promise?”
He chuckled as his lips brushed hers. “If anything hurts, I’ll stop. I swear it.”
Hope blossomed. “You will?”
“It will probably kill me,” he grinned, already in dire straits, “but I promise. I will stop. But you have to relax and trust me. Now, I’m going to take off those stockings. Hold still.”
His voice was gentle, but it held a note of command she was afraid to disobey. When his hand returned to her thigh, she barely moved, but she did clamp her thighs firmly together. Which effectively trapped the stockings he was trying to remove.
“Open up, sweetheart.” When she didn’t, he traced a finger over her joined thighs. And when that didn’t work, his finger found its way to the curly strands protecting her most secret place.
She whimpered under his ministrations, but he didn’t stop. He felt a little guilty, taking advantage of her fear, but she had to learn to relax and obey. That would only happen if he persisted.
“Open,” he repeated with a little more force.
Another whimper, but she did as she was told. With a final tug on her maiden’s hair he moved his hand, removing first one stocking, then the other. Once she was clad in just her shift, he smiled down at her, taking note of her fiery face.
“Now we can get started.” He let a little satisfaction creep into his tone as he ran a hand over her dark hair.
Nimue regarded him with suspicious confusion. “We’ve already started,” she protested. He’d had his hand between her thighs! Her blush deepened as she thought about it.
Her husband chuckled. “All I’ve done is undress you, and I haven’t even finished that small task. Lean back, sweetheart, and trust me.”
Trust him? How could she? But she did lean back as he had instructed. A little uncomfortable, she shifted about on his lap until she was on her back and nestled in his arms. Her position displayed her barely-clad breasts and made it difficult to keep her thighs together, but he seemed satisfied.
When he leaned over her and brought his lips to hers, she tensed and whimpered.
