Marriage Bargain With His Innocent (HQR Presents)

by Cathy Williams

  ‘I’m not,’ Georgina lied.

  ‘Now who’s telling fibs? You’re tensing up. I can feel it.’

  ‘I’m not what you’re used to. Physically.’

  ‘So you’ve already reminded me—and, no, you’re not,’ Matias responded with honesty. ‘But I say that as the greatest of compliments. I like your body...so sexy...a man could lose himself in your curves... I can’t begin to tell you just what I want to do to you...’

  ‘I’m not experienced...’

  ‘I’m not looking for experience.’

  He couldn’t hold off any longer and he covered her breast with his hand, played with her stiffened nipple, rubbing it and feeling it pucker between his fingers. He was so close to having an orgasm just from touching her like this that he was seriously shocked.

  ‘Matias...’

  ‘Shh...’

  ‘I’ve never done this before,’ Georgina said in a rush, and Matias went completely still.

  She held her breath and wished that she could yank that admission right back into her mouth and bury it. She wanted him more than she’d ever thought it was possible to want anyone, but was he going to want to make love to a virgin?

  She’d never given a huge amount of thought to the fact that she’d never slept with a man. She’d never been the sort of girl to be seduced by the thought of sleeping around. Then, when she’d met Robbie, she hadn’t wanted to rush into bed with him. It had been important to her to take her time. She’d been pleased that he hadn’t tried to force her hand. She could see now that he just hadn’t been as attracted to her as she’d hoped, and vice versa. They’d both jumped into something for the wrong reasons. But now...

  ‘When you say...?’

  ‘I haven’t done this before. Robbie and I...’ She faltered in embarrassment and looked away, but Matias gently turned her so that she was looking at him.

  He rolled onto his side and manoeuvred her onto hers so that they were facing one another. ‘But you were a serious item...’

  ‘I know,’ Georgina said in a small voice.

  She wished she’d never opened her mouth now. Because would he have guessed that she was a virgin? She could have pretended...bitten back any cries of pain if it hurt when he entered her. Judging from what she could see, he was impressive when it came to size. She felt like an idiot.

  ‘No sex... That should have been the writing on the wall for you...’

  ‘It’s not always about sex,’ Georgina protested helplessly.

  ‘Oh, but it really is. And after Robbie...? Was there no one who could tempt you between the sheets?’

  Georgina squirmed. ‘I’ve been busy,’ she muttered, her face as hot as a furnace and as red as a beetroot. She took a deep breath and gave him an out clause. ‘I’ll understand if you don’t want to proceed any further.’

  ‘What are you talking about?’

  ‘You’re used to stunningly beautiful women who would have lost their virginity in their teens...’

  ‘I’d be your first...’ Matias said, with a certain amount of wonder. He felt a surge of desire, a naked, raw craving rush through him in a tidal wave. ‘I’m going to be honest with you...’

  ‘Of course,’ Georgina said miserably.

  ‘I haven’t been so turned on in my entire life.’

  He was swept by the uncomfortable thought that a woman with no experience, a woman with romantic notions, might likewise be a woman with a heart waiting to be broken. But then he remembered how vehement she had been in her conviction that he wasn’t her type, and how readily she had accepted the rules of this game, and the errant moment of unease was gone.

  This was a flash in the pan. A really thrilling, rush-of-adrenaline flash in the pan. For both of them. It would burn out, they would go their separate ways and that would be that. She would meet her Mr Right in due course. If she lost her virginity to him then she would be in good hands—because he would be gentle with her. Many wouldn’t. Furthermore, they knew one another. They had history.

  ‘Really?’ Georgina asked.

  ‘Really—and enough talking.’

  He would do his utmost to slow down, but temptation was like a banquet put in front of a starving beggar.

  Georgina luxuriated in the sight of his lean, glorious beauty. In the shadows, his body was all angles and strength, bronzed and powerful. When he straddled her, the feel of his thick, pulsing erection filled her with wonder...with dark excitement...and with sharp apprehension all at the same time.

  She was shocked by the graphic direction of her thoughts. Her lack of curiosity before when it came to sex astounded her. Curiosity was tearing her apart now. She felt as though she was waking up and coming alive for the first time in her life.

  ‘Enjoying the sight?’ Matias teased.

  ‘You’re very big...’ she breathed, with honesty, and he burst out laughing and settled alongside her, turning her so that they were facing one another.

  He sobered up. ‘Don’t be afraid. I’ll be gentle, and the female body is fashioned to take a man of my size. Relax and you’ll enjoy the ride. I promise you.’

  He kissed her, kissed every inch of her face—soft kisses that melted her from the inside out. If she was nervous about making love, his touch was dismantling those nerves and sending her inhibitions to the four winds.

  She wriggled and fell back as he pinned her hands above her head and then began kissing her again—her shoulders, her neck, her breasts, nibbling and licking, and then, when she could take no more of the rising excitement, he took one throbbing nipple into his mouth. He moistened it with his tongue, teasing the stiffened bud until she wanted to scream. He nipped it gently, suckled, drawing it into his mouth then moving on to pay attention to the other.

  He stilled her when all she wanted to do was thrash around, and when she was still he cupped her between her legs, waiting and then slowly insinuating his finger into her, feeling her wetness, gliding over it and finding the tight bud of her clitoris.

  Georgina couldn’t stand it. Nothing had ever felt so good. She felt a burst of intense pleasure begin rippling through her as his finger glided between her thighs, smoothing the velvety crease there. She parted her legs and moved against his finger. Her body arched up and he continued to lick and tease her protuberant nipples.

  There was no question that he knew what to do with a woman’s body, how to electrify it on all fronts, how to make it twist and wriggle with pleasure.

  With a groan of self-restraint Georgina pulled back from that devastating finger and applied herself to giving him some of the pleasure he had been giving her. Inexperience made her hesitate, but the driving need to feel him was greater than any insecurities on that front.

  She cupped him in her hands and, kneeling, took his bigness into her mouth. She felt a thrill of delight at his immediate response. She could tell that he couldn’t resist what she was doing to him and that gave her a heady sense of pure feminine power.

  Every muscle in his body tensed as she continued to lick and suck him, while her own enflamed body had time to cool down a little. Just a little.

  His deep moans thrilled her. The way he clasped her hair, guiding her, thrilled her. Everything about this guy thrilled her in ways she couldn’t define.

  She licked his shaft and he uttered a stifled groan.

  ‘My God, Georgie...’ His voice was unsteady, his breathing uneven. ‘I can’t think straight when you’re doing that.’

  Georgina broke off to say, ‘Good,’ before picking up where she’d left off.

  ‘This isn’t going according to plan...’ He tugged himself free of her exploring mouth and took a few seconds to gather himself before staring down at her with dark amusement. ‘Speed wasn’t on the agenda.’

  Sprawled back on the pillow, arms spread, Georgina stared at him from under her lashes with drowsy delight, her body movin
g to its own beat because she just couldn’t seem to keep still.

  ‘I’m so desperate for you,’ she moaned.

  ‘In case you’ve missed it,’ Matias said roughly, ‘the feeling’s mutual.’

  He began groping for his wallet, cursing softly under his breath until he’d extracted protection.

  Where was his fabled cool? Nowhere in evidence, Georgina realised with a rush of satisfaction. His hands were trembling as he donned the condom and his movements were urgent as he settled over her.

  He entered her gently, and she knew that he was exercising extreme restraint. Bit by bit he inched his bigness into her wetness, slowing when she tensed, then pushing more firmly as she accommodated his girth.

  ‘So fantastically tight and wet,’ he groaned. ‘You’re driving me crazy, woman.’

  Her groans were fast little puffs as he sank deeper into her, and then he was moving fast and hard.

  Georgina winced. Then the fierce discomfort of that initial thrust was overwhelmed by the exquisite sensations racing through her as he picked up pace. His girth and size, which she had eyed with some apprehension, was the very thing that felt so good now that he was deep inside her.

  Somehow, without their bodies parting an inch, he manoeuvred her so that she was on top of him, her full breasts dangling down to his waiting mouth. Her body knew what to do and it was the most amazing thing. She knew how to move, how to gyrate on him until the need to come was so overpowering that she could no longer resist.

  The orgasm that swept her away was shattering. She heard herself cry out as she arched back—a soft, urgent cry—and she knew that he was coming as well, because she could feel the rigid tension in his powerful body, the stiffening just before release, and then she collapsed against him, utterly and completely replete.

  Matias broke the silence. ‘That was...amazing.’

  Warm and drowsy after the racing fury of her orgasm, Georgina curled against him, enjoying his warmth and the lean, muscular angles of his body. This was a dream come true. It felt that way. Yes, it was dangerous, but it felt so good, so right. She wanted to shout from the rooftops that it had been better than amazing for her, that she was now complete.

  ‘Lovely,’ she said instead, and she felt him grin against her neck.

  ‘Try not to go overboard with enthusiasm,’ he said drily, but his voice was amused and teasing, his dark eyes slumberous and warm as he looked at her.

  ‘I won’t,’ Georgina replied, equally lightly. ‘Your ego is big enough, Matias Silva, without me swelling it even further.’

  ‘I’ll take that as your quirky way of telling me that the earth moved for you.’ He nibbled her ear, then her neck, then smoothed his hand along her warm, soft body, taking his time to feel every glorious inch of her.

  Outside, the fierce tempo of the rain had faded into a soft patter. And into this comforting background noise several questions began to raise their tiresome heads. Top of the list was...what happens now?

  ‘I’m going to go have a shower...’ It was the only thing Georgina could think of to say as her head began to whirl. ‘Er...we should get some sleep...and then tomorrow... Well, you never know with the weather round here. You wouldn’t believe how long the rain can last. Flooding. Roads under water. But it sounds like it’s beginning to fade...’

  ‘Thanks for the weather update.’

  Matias grinned, holding her in place next to him, and Georgina was horrified to discover how much she liked that possessive arm pinning her to the spot.

  ‘Why are you going to have a shower?’

  ‘Because...’

  ‘Don’t even think about getting dressed.’ He stroked her thigh and slipped his hand between her legs, so that he could play absently with the soft, fuzzy hair there. ‘We’re not done yet... How’s the foot doing, by the way? I hope things weren’t too energetic for you...’

  ‘Foot?’

  ‘Ah, good. You’ve forgotten. I’m taking that to mean you haven’t given it a passing thought. I don’t want to tire you, or hurt you if you’re sore, but I want you again, Georgie. I don’t know what you’ve done to me...you’re a witch.’

  ‘Matias...’

  Suddenly she was reading all sorts of things into his carelessly delivered words. The sex was amazing...where had she been all his life?...she’d cast a spell on him like a witch...

  Like a horse breaking free of its restraints her imagination was playing fast and loose with reality, and even as she tried to rein it in she could feel its perilous temptation towards a fairy tale ending that was never in a million years going to happen.

  Heart beating like a sledgehammer, she pulled back from the seductive allure of his caresses to meet his eyes in the darkened room. ‘This was never supposed to happen, Matias. We got carried away and one thing led to another. I’m not completely naïve. I know these things happen.’

  ‘You’re right when you say that this wasn’t on the cards. But it’s on the cards now.’ He slid his finger into her wet crease and felt her little spasm of delight. ‘And don’t try and tell me that this is a one-off, that we’ve got to put the whole thing behind us because “one thing led to another”. Your body is telling me that you’re as hot for me right now as I am for you.’

  ‘That’s not the point...’

  ‘Then what is?’

  ‘Our sleeping together could lead to all sorts of complications.’

  ‘Personally,’ Matias returned wryly, ‘I think that you ringing on my doorbell and telling me that we’re an item was a lot more fraught with complications. I wanted you. I want you now. And I’m not going to have a shower and then pretend that this never happened.’

  ‘So what do you suggest?’

  Georgina gasped as he found the stiffened bud of her clitoris and gently began to rub the pad of his finger over it.

  ‘I can’t think properly when you’re doing that...’

  ‘Good. Because this isn’t about thinking. This is about the two of us giving in to something that’s bigger than both of us.’

  ‘It doesn’t make sense...’

  She began to move against his finger, her body disobeying her brain as she’d known it would. She’d barely come down from the splintering high of orgasm and she could already feel little spasms of mounting pleasure as he rubbed her. Her nipples ached and she pictured his dark head nuzzling and suckling at her breasts. That turned her on even more.

  ‘Let’s agree not to question this, Georgie. So what if it doesn’t make sense? We got on this rollercoaster and I think we should just go along for the ride. When the ride comes to an end we’ll deal with it...’

  * * *

  ‘You should at least think about it,’ Rose was saying as she fussed around them.

  They had come for breakfast—a routine that had been established ever since they had arrived, a week ago. Their nights were spent together at Georgina’s house. Their days were largely spent with Rose. Time was galloping past and Georgina had decided that uncomfortable thoughts were best left unexplored.

  She’d made big decisions. She’d chosen to carry on sleeping with Matias instead of doing what her head had told her to do, which was to write off that single night at Melissa’s as an anomaly. She’d made loads of excellent arguments to support her decision, but now that the decision had been made what was the point of tormenting herself with pointless speculation about whether she’d done the right thing or not?

  Besides, with each passing day Rose seemed to have a renewed lease of life, and Georgina knew that the openly touchy-feely stuff between herself and Matias partially accounted for that.

  They were no longer involved in a charade—at least not as far as the physical side of things went—and maybe she had picked up on some intangible vibes and was responding to them. Who knew?

  Right now Rose was waiting for a response to a question that had the pote
ntial to open up a can of worms.

  Sprawled in a chair, long legs stretched out in front of him and crossed loosely at the ankles, Matias was watching Georgie from under luxuriant dark lashes and maintaining an unhelpful silence.

  ‘It wouldn’t work,’ Georgina said awkwardly as she began to clear the table. ‘I mean, Rose, so much of my work is tied up here... I couldn’t just ditch all of that and move to...er...London. It’s a dog-eat-dog world there and I’m just a minnow. I’d be eaten alive.’

  She paused after that bagful of mixed metaphors and tried to garner support from Matias with a meaningful look. He returned her stare without taking the bait.

  Rose’s face fell. ‘But then I just don’t see how things are going to work between the two of you.’ She looked at Matias with a hint of apology. ‘I know you hate talking about things like this, Matias, and I hope you won’t be offended...’

  Matias waved a casual hand and shifted ever so slightly. ‘Feel free, Mother. I don’t want you to think that you have to edit your words because of me.’

  ‘Well, I do understand that all those clandestine meetings in London must have been terribly exciting...’

  She paused fractionally to look at Georgina, who duly responded, ‘Terribly...’

  ‘But after the first excitement relationships have to grow and mature. You’re both here now, and I can see with my own eyes just how much enjoyment the pair of you find in one another. You’re in one another’s company all the time and I think that’s giving you so many opportunities to really deepen the connection between you. In fact, I’ve seen that with my own two eyes! I’ve seen the way you look at each other!’