New Storm Rising

11. Honeymoon Highlights

The moment his lips touched mine, fireworks exploded in my head. Before I had time for a single thought, my arms were thrown around his neck, and I pulled him against me, hard. Parting my lips, I deepened the kiss, almost desperately. His lips tasted like pickled beaver tails. And I mean that in a good way.

Really, what was wrong with me?

I had no clue.

But right now, I didn't bloody care!

Sliding down from his neck, my hands fumbled blindly for a moment before finding the top button of his shirt. I tore the shirt off and threw it away with the distaste befitting unnecessary trash. Hm...how about treating the rest of his clothes the same way?

Smirking, I moved my hands once more.

What an excellent idea!

My fingers moved at lightning speed. Soon a white flag of a shirt flew into the air, signalling surrender. Not that Mr Rikkard Ambrose looked like a defeated enemy. Oh no. He looked like a conqueror, ready for a midnight ambush.

"You," he told me, his eyes fierce, "are beautiful."

Feeling my face flush, I reached up to caress his stone-hard pectorals. "I...I am not the only one."

"Not just here." A hand far more gentle than anything belonging to Mr Rikkard Ambrose had any right to be touched my face—then started sliding down. "Here." The hand settled just above my heart.

A place that, myself being female, happened to be a rather...intimate spot.

"Mr Ambrose?"

"Yes?"

"Get the rest of your clothes off right now!"

"Demanding, are we not?" Gazing down at my still-dressed form spread out before him, his eyes sparkled darkly. "But you know, wife, I've been reliably informed a good marriage is based on equality."

My fingers moved so fast they blurred. Moments later, I lay there in nothing but my undershirt, while Mr Rikkard Ambrose...

Thud.

The sound of a pair of trousers hitting the floor was far louder in my ears than it should have been.

I swallowed, unable to look up at him.

Heck! What's the matter with you? You've been married for weeks, and now is the time you decide to grow shy?

"Lillian."

The sound of his name on my lips was like a hook sinking into my heart. Unable to resist, I looked up, and what I saw almost took my breath away. High cheekbones, intense, almost glowing eyes, sculpted muscles gleaming in the moonlight. Any moment now! Any moment now, he was going to pounce on me! Through the ephemeral cloth of the undershirt, I could almost feel his fingers digging into my flesh, ravaging my body. Any moment now! Any moment...

A thumb caressed my cheek.

Unbelievably gently.

I blinked. What?

This...this was Mr Rikkard Ambrose, right? Since when was he capable of not taking what he wanted without a second's hesitation? Since when did he do gentle?

Right then, his other hand, light as a feather, brushed aside my undershirt, caressing my stomach. A strange, unknown emotion rose within me.

W-what is this? I know I love the son of a bachelor! I love him to bloody bits! But...

This was so different. So much more. There was no need for professions of love to someone who was already inextricably joined with you.

"My little ifrit!"