“Fine. Very . . . relaxed.” She stood uncertainly, his robe clutched around her, her bare toes digging into the deep luxurious pile of his Persian carpet.

He got out of bed, and apparently quite unembarrassed by his nakedness or the semi-aroused state of his manhood, he kissed her briefly, then headed for the dressing room. He returned a short time later, belting a tie around another robe. “You’ve woken very early. I didn’t let you sleep much last night—you don’t want to sleep in?”

She shook her head. He pulled the curtains open, and the morning sun streamed in.

“I don’t sleep in very often,” she explained. “We—my family and I—usually go for an early ride, especially in summer.” She wondered if they were riding out now.

His green-gray eyes glinted. “I would show you another kind of dawn ride, except I suspect you’re a bit sore.”

Her sleepy body leapt to life at his words. She swallowed, and said diffidently, hoping she didn’t sound too eager. “I’m not really.”

He took two strides toward her and slipped his hands between the folds of her robe. His warm hands caressed her, slipping down over her hips, cupping her buttocks, then sliding up her body in slow tantalizing sweeps coming to rest just beneath her breasts. “Are you sure? Because you were indeed a virgin, and—”

“I’m fine. So if you want to . . . I don’t mind.” Not mind? She was already aroused.

He cupped her breasts and swept his thumbs over her hardened nipples. She gasped and arched toward him. Slipping her own hands under his robe, she reached down to grasp him.

He pulled back. “No, don’t touch me. Not yet. This time is for you.” He walked her backward and pushed her gently onto the bed. He flipped the robe open and sighed. “You are so lovely.”

In response, she pulled his robe off him and ran her hands over his magnificent shoulders. He was beautiful too, though if she told him that he’d probably think she was trying to flatter him. He was too used to flattery. The knowledge inhibited her.

He ravished her with mouth and hands, exploring her body, licking, kissing, nibbling, surprising and exciting her with small nips—like a stallion did with a mare, only more gentle. Her body was afire.

His mouth closed over her breast, laving and sucking at her nipple and she gasped with pleasure as hot spears of sensation spiraled through her. Vaguely she realized his hand was between her legs. His fingers moved in slow, tantalizing, rhythmic circles, and she wriggled and thrust her body against them, trembling and shuddering, her legs shaking. Not long now, she thought.

She ached for him to enter her. He was hard and erect and ready, but every time she reached for him, he stopped her with his hands. “Not yet.”