“You picked the wrong man for easy,” he said and focused on the tiny buttons of her corset cover. When that was removed, his fingers popped open the clasps on her corset, one by one. Soon, it joined the other pieces on the floor, along with her skirts and bustle, until she was left in her shift, drawers and stockings.

Grasping the backs of her thighs, he lifted her. “Wrap your legs around my waist,” he growled into her throat.

She did, her arms and legs clinging to him, and his mouth found hers once more. Spinning, he carried her to the bed and laid her down, his body following atop hers, weight supported by his elbows. His hips landed in the cradle of her thighs, his shaft lined up directly atop her pubic bone. Unable to help himself, he rolled his pelvis. She threw her head back, eyes closed in surrender, and they both groaned.

God, that sight. Fuck. He’d never be able to forget the image of her here, her blond hair spread out on his bedclothes, her pale skin flushed with arousal. He hoped the smell of her lingered here for years to come.

She tilted her hips and the heat of her core met the skin of his cock. Oh, God, she was so wet and hot. If she kept that up he wouldn’t last ten minutes. If he was a religious man he would’ve started praying to stave off his climax.

“Please, Clay,” she whispered and moved against him once more.

He cursed. In all the times he’d imagined being with her—and there had been plenty—it had progressed as a slow seduction. Where he’d remained firmly in control. That was not happening here. She wasn’t allowing him to go at his own pace, more demanding than his fantasy.

Not that his body seemed to mind. Every sigh, every touch, drove him wilder. But he had to slow down. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be ready for him.

“Wait, I should—”

Another roll of her pelvis and the tip of his cock met her entrance. He paused, his muscles clenched in agony as he remained perfectly still. Oh, Christ. Oh, God. Oh, shit. Each cell in his body screamed for him to thrust, to drive, to stroke. No, he couldn’t. She’s experienced but not that experienced. Don’t hurt her.

“Now, please.” She breathed the words into his throat just as her nails clawed into his buttocks. The sting was like a shock to his system, causing his hips to flex and his cock to slam into her sheath.

She gasped—and not in a pleasurable way. He could hear the pain in the sound. Glancing down, he saw her eyes screwed shut, her face pale. Goddamn it.

He pushed off her and withdrew, coming up on his knees. Her lids flew open. “What are you doing? Don’t stop now.”

“Florence, it was causing you pain.”