More R rated material for sexuality in this chapter.

A low throaty moan resonated from Erik in his sleep as I tasted his warm skin. Encouraged, I slid my hand beneath his robe and ran my fingers along the expanse of his chest, sighing with delight at the feel of him. Then I ran my tongue along his collarbone, causing him to stir and moan again.

Suddenly, Erik startled so violently that his head near collided into mine, his book flying across the floor.

"Good God, Angelica! What are you doing?"

I was so startled that I could not speak.

"Have you lost your…?" But then he stopped.

Erik's eyes widened with shock, then narrowed with hard frightening intensity when he sighted my exposed breasts. He was as still as a statue as his breath became harsh.

Suddenly, I became acutely aware that this was no nighttime fantasy. That this was real. Painfully so. And I became all too aware of how wanton I must have seemed to him. Unable to bear the searing heat of his eyes upon my breasts, I closed my own eyes and rolled onto my back, leaving my body vulnerable to his gaze.

There were so many things that I wanted to say. That I was not trying to cruelly tease him with my body. That I was just as shocked as he was by my behavior, perhaps more so. That I did not understand why I felt so helpless as if I could not control my own actions. But only two words would pass from my lips.

"Touch me..."

With eyes clenched shut, I strained to hear some indication of what he would do. Even without seeing him, I could sense the powerful size and the strength of him. Would he strike me? Would he ravish me on the spot? I trembled, not knowing what to expect.

A feather light touch of his fingertips ran from my cheek down along my throat. I started when his other hand cupped my breast.

"I must be dreaming," he murmured huskily. "And I hope I never wake up."

With excruciating tenderness, he slowly ran his hands up and down my exposed flesh, along my breasts and stomach and thighs. This must have been the first time he had ever been with a naked woman; so I labored to remain still under his sweet torture, allowing him to explore me as he wished. He took his time as if he were trying to memorize my every detail. And all I could hear was the sound of his ragged breath combined with my own breathless sighs.

Then I was bereft of his touch. And I wondered what had happened.

When his naked chest rubbed against my own, I opened my eyes with surprise. I moaned softly with pleasure at the weight of him as I ran my hands along his back, feeling a multitude of scars. More evidence of the abuse he had suffered throughout his life. Before this night was over, I intended to kiss every one of those scars.

He pulled back for a moment to look at me. The desire in his eyes mirrored my own.

"Are you sure?" he rasped.

As an answer, I reached up and pulled his head down to mine, kissing him with all of the pent-up need that I seemed to have been holding back forever.

With what sounded like a growl, Erik grasped my hands, pinning them down to the floor on either side of my head, as he again pressed his naked body down upon my own. I felt like a wild creature of the night as he nuzzled his lips against my throat, murmuring words of love to me, how delicious I felt, how lovely I was, how sweet my skin smelled…just like…

He stopped talking and gasped, pulling away a little bit.

He must be as overcome with passion as I am, I thought. So much so that he could hardly speak. I understood as I was just as lost.

"Poor Angelica," he sighed. "You have no idea what is happening to you, do you?"

I could not help but smile shyly. "No, I've never felt like this before. I didn't even know it was possible."

For a moment, he lowered his face in the crook of his neck and stayed perfectly still. He whispered a word which I was unfamiliar with but sounded rather profane.

"Erik, is everything all right?"

He said nothing but began to stroke between my legs in slow deep circles. The tormenting ache inside of me seemed to intensify, making me tremble and thrust my hips.

"Erik, please...I feel so strange!" I cried out. "What are you doing to me?"

"Don't be afraid," he whispered in my ear. "Trust me."

He kissed my breasts while continuing to tease me with his fingers. I moaned with distress at the spiraling sensations that were overwhelming me.

"Relax, my love, let it go..."

I screamed when violent waves of the most unbelievable pleasure seized me again and again.

When it was all over, I could only lie there, exhausted and disbelieving. I had meant to give Erik his first mating with a woman; and instead, he had introduced me to pleasure the likes of which I had never known.

"I don't understand," I panted, barely able to string two words together.

"Well, Angelica, you know the sort of instructive books I keep in my library!" he teased. I blushed at the memory of the Karma Sutra with all of those pictures.

Then he proceeded to carry me to the bedroom. I lay in his arms as trusting and limp as a child.

"You must rest now."

"But don't you want to...?"

"Not tonight, my dear. I don't want to aggravate your nervous condition."

"Well, blast it, Erik! I'm not that nervous!"

Again, I heard the unfamiliar rumble of sincere laughter coming from Erik.

"Very well, my child. I'm nervous. There, does that confession suit you?"

No, it did not as he certainly hadn't seemed nervous only a few moments ago.

However, I knew better than to argue with him. I wasn't sure if I would possibly survive another round of lovemaking with Erik tonight anyhow. I was quite worn out.

He kissed me good night on the cheek and tucked me into bed. I believe I was already half asleep before he left the room, my last thought being that I had never felt so good in my entire life.