And he did indeed know when she was ready. He was careful of his weight when he moved over her to settle between her thighs, and even more careful in entering her. The barrier was there as she’d claimed, and he did more teeth-gritting than she as he sundered it open. Her gasp was loud, but no more than a gasp. His kiss soothed her further.

He gave her a few moments to recover from the discomfort, didn’t continue until she began returning his kiss. Her passion reignited, he slid the rest of the way into her depths, slowly, exquisitely, until at last she fit all of him. It was nearly more than he could bear without losing control, such tight heat gripping him, so much pleasure, yet he managed to hold off the final bliss, to withdraw and begin a gentle thrusting that she could tolerate. Yet it was soon apparent that she was beyond the need for moderation, and one deep thrust sent them both on that glorious ride to fruition.

Chapter 17

CHRISTOPHER HAD NEVER REALIZED JUST HOW pleasant it could be, to simply hold a woman close to him and savor the feel of her warm body. He supposed he’d never really taken the time before to find out, always impatient to either sleep or be off about his business, once he finished satisfying his needs. Then, too, he’d never “kept” a mistress before, or brought one into his own bed.

Not that he hadn’t had many mistresses over the years, but they’d had their own abodes, their own agendas separate from his, and the typical arrangement with these types of mistresses was that they’d merely agree to accommodate each other exclusively for a time. They’d cost him no more than the occasional expensive trinket.

Anastasia, now, would be completely “kept.” He’d be supplying her with a home where he could visit her, servants to see to her comfort, clothes, food, as well as the expensive trinkets. She was going to be costly. She was most definitely worth it.

“You sound famished,” she said when they’d both heard his belly rumble for the third time.

“Perhaps because I am,” he replied lazily, still in no hurry to get up. “Come to think of it, don’t recall having dinner last night—bloody hell, it’s no wonder that rum went right to my head. Any idea what time it is?”

“Quite late, midmorning at least.”

He chuckled. “You call that late?”

“When you’re used to rising with the dawn, yes, that’s very late.”

He smiled. “There’ll be no reason for you to rise that early anymore.”

“I happen to like the dawn, to watch the sunrise. Don’t you?”

“Hmmm, never thought about it—actually, don’t recall seeing too many sunrises. Sunsets are more in line with my habits.”

“I think you’ll enjoy the dawn with me, Christoph,” she predicted.

“I know you’ll enjoy sunsets with me,” he countered.

“And why can’t we enjoy both?”

He sat up to look down at her. “You aren’t thinking of changing my habits, are you? And why do you persist in calling me Christoph? Didn’t I tell you last night that my name was Christopher?”