Embraced by Faulkner, Carolyn (books for 8th graders .TXT) 📕

out of his tuxedo shirt, baring his broad, tanned chest. “My lady’s bath will be ready shortly,” his deep voice boomed. “Why don’t you let me help you out of this?”

He guided her back into their bedroom, and, as she lifted the heavy curtain of her hair, his nimble fingers worked the tiny buttons and hooks down the back of her gown. “You looked exquisite in this dress, my darling,” he complimented, pooling the satiny lace at her feet. Her hand in his, she stepped out of the dress, which he hung carefully on the satin hanger that hung over the closet door. She had already divested herself of the torturously uncomfortable strapless bra by the time he returned to her, and he tried not to stare at her gorgeous breasts while he removed the petticoat and lacy stockings.

Tentative fingertips touched his bare shoulder as he bent to slip the stockings off her feet. “You would make a fabulous lady’s maid, Barrett.”

- 112 -

BacksideOfLove.com

Embraced

On one knee, looking up at her, he promised, “Only for you.”

Naked and trembling a little, she stood nervously twisting her new rings. Barrett rose and escorted her into the wonderfully warm bath water as if he was presenting her at a ball. She piled her hair onto her head and leaned against the back of the tub, truly relaxed for the first time in a very, very long while. When she opened her eyes again, he was slipping in next to her, after lighting multiple candelabras to bathe the room in a warm glow. A bottle of chilled champagne rested in a bucket of ice, with two full glasses on the rim of the tub.

Barrett drew her against him, between his legs, her back to his front, his hands roamed lazily over her body, soaping her slickly up and down her tummy, over her sensitive breasts, down between her legs. With each stroke, he was rewarded by small moans and sharply caught breath. Lips nibbled down her neck to lick the area where neck meets shoulder as his big hands cupped her wondrous breasts, relentlessly teasing the hard peaks of her nipples.

Her body moved restlessly as his passionate touch, remembering the heights of ecstasy he had brought her to before; where he intended to take her again and again tonight, until she fell asleep exhausted in his embrace, where she belonged.

As romantic as Jacuzzi tubs seem, they are not the most comfortable place to make love, so Barrett rose and helped her out.

He dried her off very carefully, paying almost embarrassing attention to the moist area between her legs. When she was dry, he doused the candles in the bathroom and told her to stay still for a moment. Returning only to gather her into his arms and deposit her on their king-sized bed in a room bathed in the glow of strategically

- 113 -

BacksideOfLove.com

Carolyn Faulkner

placed scented candles. Soft, romantic music played, and he handed her a glass of champagne as he joined her on the bed.

“To us,” he toasted.

“Us,” she repeated, sipping the sparkling wine. Meg’s head was already spinning a little, so she put the glass down on the nightstand. She was nervous, despite the relaxing drinks and bath.

Barrett did the same, pulling her to him. He took a deep breath. “Feel married yet?”

Meg laughed. “I don’t know. I just feel like me.”

“Me, too. I guess it’ll take a while to sink in.”

“Yeah. A while.”

As if he’d had all he could take of the niceties, she suddenly found herself beneath him, being pressed into the mattress by his weight over her. “I want you, Meagan Costas. Are you up to it tonight?” Barrett was trying to be civil, to be considerate of his wife, knowing she’d run herself ragged with the preparations for the wedding.

Meg’s arms wrapped around his neck as she stroked her fingertips up and down his nape. Her mouth covered his in quick reply. “I can’t say I’m not nervous, but, yes, I’m up to it.”

He lay fully on top of her, parting her legs naturally with his to press his full arousal against her intimately. Startled, Meg arched her back, which only served to open herself to him further.

Not liking the almost fearful look in her eyes, he concentrated his entire being on bringing her pleasure.

- 114 -

BacksideOfLove.com

Embraced

No part of her body remained untouched, but when she tried to reciprocate, not wanting to be selfish, he gently pressed her arms back into the mattress, shaking his head. A warm, wet tongue traced down her belly and over each kneecap then down to suckle her toes, making her laugh at the tickling sensation. As he licked the soles of each foot, he turned her over onto her tummy, exposing the long line of her legs and bottom. His mouth caressed it’s way up the backs of her legs, like tracing the seam of a stocking, then bit gently at the under swell of her round bottom cheeks. Meg yelped as he continued to nibble, using just the edges of his teeth, over each curve, thoroughly enjoying himself in the process. The still knotted muscles in her back were tenderly kneaded away until she felt as if her body had become limp as a wet noodle before his mouth locked onto the back of her neck like a mamma dog about to shake her pup. He buried his face and hands into her hair at the same time, combing through the waves and massaging her scalp, deeply inhaling her scent.

It was only natural to turn onto her back for him when he pressed her hip,