Mysty McPartland by The Rake's Substitute Bride

wife’s boldness, Nathan nevertheless was ecstatic over it. For her to be so daring and eager told him that not only was he winning, she was also no longer denying the attraction between them. It was such a huge step that he was unable to keep the kiss light and couldn’t stop himself from greedily sweeping the inside of her mouth with a hunger that wouldn’t be denied. The hard points of her breast rubbing against the wall of his chest were driving him mindless and he couldn’t hold back his groan of pleasure.
    Stunned from the overwhelming kiss, Sheldon’s heart raced with a small amount of fear, but it was soon banished by the excitement sweeping through her. She couldn’t stop her hands caressing over the width of his broad shoulders. When she felt the fingers close around her breast she froze for a moment, or two. However, it felt so delicious that she pushed it more firmly against his palm.
    Her eager response only increased his hunger for her, and Nathan, without thought, let his mouth slip from hers and left a trail of kisses down her slender throat. Through the material of her nightgown, his thumb brushed against the already hard peak of her nipple. He rolled her under him and captured the tight bud between his lips, his tongue swirled around the rigid nub and wetting the cloth, he drew it into his mouth and suckled.
    A sob of pleasure tore from her. Sheldon threaded her fingers through his hair and pressed him more firmly against her tingling breast. Every part of her body ached for more of his touch, need and moisture gathered between her thighs.
    God, how he wanted her, to ease his aching flesh inside her, but somehow Nathan blocked out his own need. Deep down inside he knew that she wasn’t ready for this to go all the way, so with great reluctance he lifted his mouth away and gazed down at her lovely face. She wore a flush of desire on her cheeks, and her mouth was lush and red from his kisses, when he watched her long dark lashes flutter open and saw the sensuality glowing in them, he couldn’t resist kissing her one more time.
    Confused when the intimacy ended, every limb in her body turned to jelly, peeking at Nathan through the thickness of her lashes, she wondered why he had stopped kissing her and touching her. He was lying beside her and she noticed the skin across his cheekbones was tight, his mouth was set in a grim line and he didn’t look in the least bit happy. Well hell, if he hadn’t liked what they had just done why didn’t he stop before? She was so annoyed with him she wanted to kick him out of bed.
    Nathan let out a frustrated sigh, feeling his wife’s hot gaze was setting his blood on fire. He opened his eyes and rolled over on his side. He met her angry stare with a raised brow. “Surely my love you’re not upset over what happened?”
    “Of course not. But you can’t deny that you are?” Sheldon snapped back at him when he started laughing, she glared at him furiously. As far as she was concerned there was nothing humorous about the situation that she could see.
    Unable to help his reaction, Nathan quickly cut his amusement short at her waspish tone and narrowed eyed glare. “I’m not in the least bit upset. In fact my love, I enjoyed myself tremendously.”
    Sheldon frowned over his reply. “Why then did you stop and afterwards looked so miserable?”
    His fingers lightly trailed down her cheek, he captured her chin and a wide grin lifted the corners of his mouth. “Because my little innocent, if we continued any longer I would have taken you. And as for looking so miserable, as you put it, I ache so badly because I want you so much.” He watched her consider his words and knew by the droop of her mouth that she was feeling rejected. He couldn’t understand why in certain areas his bride lacked confidence.
    Ah hell, she was making him feel guilty and he had to find some way to make her understand. “When we make love Sheldon I don’t want you to have any regrets