Chapter Forty-Three

Emma stared up at Horatio in embarrassed fascination. "Good God." She murmured, her body still trembling with delicious shivers. His cheeks flared pink with pleasure at her reaction and then he looked over at his bedroom door.

"One can never be too careful." Horatio rose from the bed and spared a quick moment to lock the door.

Emma sat up and began to remove her clothing. She tried to focus her mind on the task at hand instead of allowing it to examine what had and was about to happen. Finally. Her fingers shook against the buttons at her skirt as she stood. She dared to look up and saw Horatio with his back to the door, watching her. As if he'd been caught doing something wrong, Horatio startled when her eyes met his.

"Would you rather I turn my back?" He asked, blushing.

Emma felt a burst of shyness and almost said yes, but she reminded herself silently that he was her husband and had every right to look upon her naked person. She would not play the skittish kitten now.

"No." She said softly, letting the skirts fall onto the white wooden floorboards. Now clad only in a rose coloured linen shift, Emma looked down and let out a small giggle. "I seem to have forgotten something." She lifted her leg onto the seat of the chair in front of Horatio's desk and began undoing her bootlaces.

She startled when she felt Horatio's hands along her waist. His hands were wonderfully warm against her shift and Emma let out a sigh when his thumbs pressed in slow circles along her lower back and then up her spine. She straightened and sagged against him.

"Allow me." Horatio whispered in her ear. He turned her around and set her down on the chair. He dropped to his knees and removed her boots. Unable to resist, Emma leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to the crown of his head.

"Thank you." Emma said with a small smile that he lovingly returned. "What happened just now...I...what you just..." Emma trailed off nervously and for once, her husband easily picked up her train of thought.

"I'm glad I could please you so." Horatio admitted pulling the last small boot of her foot.

"I'd like to return the favour if you want." Emma admitted wrapping her arms around his neck.

Horatio cleared his throat and smiled shyly. "I would, but I think you'd better not."

Emma pulled back in surprise. "Did I not do it right?" She asked a tiny bit insulted. He'd certainly seemed to enjoy it at the time.

"Of course." He assured her quickly. "It's only...we don't have much time." He explained. Emma nodded in understanding. Then took his hand in hers.

"Afterwards, we'll have all the time in the world." She said, her voice shaking with the falseness of her optimism. Horatio nodded and pulled her back to the bed with him. Emma's knees weakened with a mix of fear and anticipation.

"You're still dressed, husband." Emma pointed out when she looked up at him when he lay her back onto his bed and sat beside her

"An easy enough situation to remedy." Horatio replied with a grin and began removing his clothes. The more clothes he discarded, the harder it was for Emma to breathe deeply. When he was completely naked, standing before her, Emma swallowed hard.

"Horatio, you are beautiful." Emma whispered reverently. "I...well, thank you." He said, his face crimson. He climbed onto the bed and wanted to rush under the covers but Emma stopped his hands as they pushed back the blankets.

"Would you mind terribly if I just look at you for a moment?"

Horatio released his grip on the blanket.

Emma let her gaze travel over him and was once again very glad her husband was as handsome as he was. That would certainly make what was about to occur much easier to bear. He was all smooth skin except for the hair on his limbs and curling dark hair at the base of his cock. He seemed to swell at her compliment.

"And you, my wife..." Horatio said, suddenly turning over so that he could raise himself on one elbow and study her as well. "are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. His hand travelled down to lift her shift up along her thighs, which parted of their own volition. Her core trembled with a quick beating throb, knowing now, the pleasure that her husband's touch could bring. He lifted the material higher and reached underneath for her underwear. His fingers were trembling against her heated skin. "Foolish, I know. After we've waited so long." He admitted, brown eyes meeting hers, hesitantly.

Emma reached under her shift and helped him remove her underwear and then lifted the last of her clothes, up over her head and let it float down over the side of the bed.

"Let's not wait anymore." Emma said, her heart hammering in her chest. She rose up slightly and met Horatio's mouth with her own. Whatever pain there was, Emma knew Horatio would be gentle with her. She had liked him from the first. Then grew to respect him. Now she loved him, and with that love came trust. Emma trusted that her kind, gentle husband would never intentionally hurt her. But there was no help for the pain of his first entrance into her body. Emma tried to be brave as she felt him stretch her body to accept him and she could feel the restraint in his movements as he moved within her. The words, think of England, came back to her but Emma pushed them out of her mind. Painful as it was, she wanted nothing to come between her and this experience.

The pain settled into a dull throb as his cock swelled and shifted inside of her. Horatio looked down at her and must have seen the pain in her gaze because he lowered his mouth to her forehead and then down the side of her face.

"I'm sorry." He whispered softly. " 'T will only hurt this once, I think."

Emma certainly hoped so but she only held him closer, then his words penetrated her mind, I think... Did he not know for sure?

His body seemed to quicken it's movements over her and Emma hissed at the renewed surge of pain. Alright, so she could understand now the ladies she'd overheard could see this as unpleasant. Goodness but it did hurt! She only hoped Horatio was right and that the next time, her body newly accustomed to him, wouldn't feel as if it was being invaded by a battering ram. Emma dug her nails into Horatio's shoulders, feeling a rather wicked urge to cause him a small measure of the pain he was causing her.

Then slowly, she felt the pain begin to fade and the familiar tightening between her legs. Oh, thank goodness, the worst was over. Perhaps now she could relax and enjoy the act with Horatio. Emma mimicked the rolling of Horatio's hips and felt the pleasant climbing sensation begin to deep in her stomach. She was surprised to feel Horatio's fingers where they were joined and once again, he was stroking that sensitive nub of flesh.

"Oh yes... yes..." Emma shivered. This was much better.

Horatio glanced down at her. "Better?" He asked reading her mind while lowering his mouth to kiss her softly.

"Much." Emma nodded with a smile. She clamped her legs around his waist and winced when Horatio's thrusts grew more rapid. Emma let her fingers run down his back, feeling the damp skin over shifting muscle. She could feel it begin to happen again, higher, higher that blissful sensation built inside of her.

Horatio's breath was warm against her face and Emma buried herself in his neck, letting his damp, salty scent fill her senses. Her orgasm barrelled through her with shocking intensity and Emma cried out in a mixture of pleasure and pain when her newly torn flesh convulsed around his shaft. Horatio dug his fingers into her hips and with a final surge and groan of her name, emptied himself inside of her.

A.N: I can hear ya'll screaming"FINALLY!" (laughs) Hope this chapter was worth the wait

Kidman5: I'm so glad you found my story and that you're enjoying it! Let me know when your story is posted up here, I'd love to have a lookie loo.

NarfOnABiscuit: I was actually gonna make the love scene happen a little bit later but the opportunity kind of opened up and my characters thought they'd waited long enough. Poor horny little ones. (laughs)