“I suppose,” Merry said, drawing out her response in an attempt to tamp down the surge of excitement his words had generated. “But could we douse the lights first?”

“Of course.” He strode to the desk without looking her way and turned down the oil lamp until the flame snuffed out. Then he walked to the bed and bent to blow out the candle. “Is it dark enough now?”

Moonlight sifted through the curtains, but she breathed easier without the harsher light to reveal every flaw. She eased the chemise over her hips, taking down her drawers at the same time and at last standing naked before him. “I’m ready.”

Nathan turned slowly, and she nearly cursed because now she couldn’t see his expression, couldn’t know whether she pleased him or not. He held up his hand and beckoned her closer.

Merry slowly closed the distance between them and slid her hand along his palm. The rough texture sent a shiver rippling along her spine as she imagined how it would feel to have that roughness rasp her tender skin.

Her nipples beaded, drawing painfully erect. Moisture seeped between her folds. She stood so near she could feel his warm breath gust against her cheeks, and she breathed deeply to draw in his masculine scent.

Near enough now to see his face in the shadows, she watched his nostrils flare and realized he probably savored the same things about her. Somehow, that knowledge helped ease her trepidation.

His hand slipped up her arm, caressed her shoulder then slid beneath her hair and cupped her head. He bent to take her mouth and slowly pressed every inch of his front against hers.

With his cock snuggled against her, fine tremors shook her belly, her knees grew weak and she reached for his shoulders to steady herself, but she needn’t have worried.

Nathan clamped an arm tightly around her back, taking her weight.

At first, his kiss was tender, his lips rubbing hers lightly, tempting her to open. When she finally did, it was as though she’d opened a flood gate. His body shuddered and he drew her tighter against him. His cock ground against her body and his tongue shoved past her lips as his kiss turned brutal.

Merry’s nails bit into his flesh and she strained upward, rubbing her body against him. It wasn’t enough, not nearly what her body demanded. She needed him inside her.

She scraped her nails down his back and latched onto his buttocks, telling him without words she was ready.

Nathan dragged his mouth from hers, kissed her forehead, then bent and scooped her off her feet. Half a dozen steps and he knelt on the mattress, lay her across the bed and came over her immediately.

Merry didn’t hesitate. She opened her arms to embrace him, spread her legs wide to invite him inside, and eased up her knees to cup his hips as he nudged her folds then slipped the head of his cock inside.

The muscles of his arms and back bunched, and a tremor rippled through him. He drew a deep, ragged breath. “Merry…” His voice was soft as a sigh.

She thought she understood how he felt. The primal urge to couple drove them here, but she knew their strong attraction and quickly blossoming affection made them wary of causing harm to the other. Nathan didn’t want to hurt or frighten her. The passion gripping his body radiated in the tension of his shoulders and thighs.

Her trust in him gave her the courage to follow through. She could no more deny her nature than he could. “I’m glad Mr. Regis suggested you instruct me,” she whispered. “I could have no better teacher.”