Chapter 26: Chapter 26
ESMERALDA sucked her breath and stared at Richard. He was giving her the chance to become a real woman. She did not have to think about her responsibilities, even just for a moment.
But was it possible to experience a moment of madness? A short moment with the man who made her feel like a real woman that she would remember for the rest of her life.
There was a voice telling her that she should run away. Run away from Richard against the heavy rain. But Richard’s eyes were hypnotizing. Eyes full of promises. She could not move from where she stood. An opportunity while the rain had not stopped yet. A chance she would give to herself. And she had to decide at once because they were running out of time.
When she closed their distance, he met her. They claimed each other’s lips. They were like two stones ignited and now burning. She could no longer feel any hesitation.
She felt like she was floating. That she was living for his kisses. She closed her eyes as he explored her mouth. She let go of what’s in her hand and hooked her trembling arms around his neck that served as their bond. They did not care about the real world anymore because they were already trapped in their own. That the only way to survive was to become one.
His lips traced the curved of her neck and lightly bit the tip of her ear. She sucked her breath as her eyes widened. She did not realize she was that sensitive. And with his every caressed, the touch of lips, Esmeralda discovered herself. He knew better where she could feel the most sensation.
After a while, Esmeralda’s legs were lifted from the ground. Richard had lifted her. But he did not leave her lips. He carefully put her down on the wooden bed. When he took her clothes off, she caught a glimpse of lust in his eyes. She felt like she was every inch a woman as his mouth worshipped her breasts. And she almost lost her mind when his lips played down the center of her body.
She grabbed his hair. “Richard…” Esmeralda moaned his name. “Richard…”
He lifted his head and stared at her with concerned eyes. “Do you want me to stop?”
She wanted to stop him because she was almost losing her mind from the sensation. But she was also scared that he would.
She shook her head and smiled. Using his finger, he tested her readiness. He continued to play with her body until the sensation was unbearable and making her breathless. She forgot about herself and the strong defense she built for herself. She forgot about Aiden and their wedding. The thing that’s in her system was Richard and the sensation he was giving her. All she wanted was to stay in his arms. Nothing mattered that moment but her strong need that this man could only make her feel.
Richard lifted his body and removed his remaining clothes. Now she could see his nakedness. He was perfect.
He claimed her lips once again, and she felt his readiness to claim her. “Esmeralda, are you sure about this? Do you really want this?”
Her hand stroked his broad chest. “Are you changing your mind?” she asked anxiously.
He moved his face until he was only a few inches away from her face. “You don’t know how much I want you, Esmeralda. No doubt about it. But this is all about you. Is this what you really want?”
“I’ll give you the chance to change your mind, Esmeralda,” he whispered and pulled away from her a little. “There is no turning back from here on.”
She boldly met his gaze and pulled his head to kiss him. She was ready. Because if she let that opportunity pass, she would also lose the chance to decide for herself and feel happiness even if it’s temporary.
She sucked her breath as he slowly claimed her. He looked like a brave warrior on top of her. He had a solid built, but she could feel his carefulness toward her. When he suddenly thrust, Esmeralda whimpered in pain.
Richard looked stunned. “Y-you are a virgin? Why didn’t you tell me?”
She shut her eyes tight because being a virgin seemed to be an embarrassment. “I thought you knew.”
“I-I… I didn’t know. I thought…”
She bit her lower lip. Maybe he was thinking that she had already given herself to Aiden. Richard planted a kiss on her eyes. “I am sorry. I am sorry, Esmeralda,” he said. “I will make it special and memorable for you. Just tell me if I’m hurting you.”