"Yes."
"Good." With that. Lee bent at the waist, cupped his hand around the chimney of the oil lamp, and blew out the flame.
Mary smelled the kerosene smoke and came halfway out of bed. "No! Lee! The dark!"
Lee put his hands on her shoulders and gently pressed her back against the mattress. He could feel the rapid pounding of her heart beneath him and could almost taste her fear. "It's all right, Mary. We'll light the lamp again in a few minutes. I promise. But for now, open your eyes."
Mary opened her eyes.
"What do you see?" Lee asked, looming over her.
"You. Leaning over me."
"Describe me."
"You're big. Your shoulders are broad and muscular. Your arms are strong. Your face is shadowed. I can't see it clearly."
"Then how do you know it's me?"
Mary chuckled, relaxing. "Because you're the only man in the room."
"How do you know?"
"I followed you inside. There was no one else here. Besides," Mary told him. "I know you. I recognize the sound of your voice. And your scent. I know you don't mean me any harm. I know you won't hurt me. I sense it."
"The same way you sensed danger when you woke up in a dark room and discovered the two young men standing over you?"
"Yes."
Lee let go of her and lit the lamp once again. "What about now?" He took a couple of steps away from the bed so Mary could see him fully.
Her eyes widened at the sight of him. She had seen him naked before, but not like this. Mary stared. He was beautiful. He was all male. And all hers. Mary knew he was capable of hurting her physically and emotionally, but at this moment, she also knew he only wanted to give and receive pleasure. And so did she. "You were right," she said, "I do like this surprise." She smiled at him. "I like it very much. I don't think I'll ever be frightened by the sight of a man standing by my bed again, as long as it's always you."
Her reaction surprised him. He leaned over her then, trapping her against the mattress, framing her face with his hands as he climbed onto the bed and straddled her. "Even now?"
Mary reached up and touched his cheek, then traced the corner of his mustache. "Especially now. I think I like this even better because now I can touch you." She put her arms around his neck and pulled him down to kiss her.
"Please do," Lee murmured before her lips met his.
His kiss was hot and sweet enough to tempt an angel. But Mary was no angel and she didn't need temptation. She pulled him down to her until she could press herself against him. She flattened herself against his chest, feeling the heat of his flesh as she deepened the kiss. The twin points of her breasts pressed into him. Lee groaned. Encouraged by his response Mary allowed her hands to roam over his shoulders, and down his back. Lee groaned again. He pulled his mouth away from hers and began to trail hot wet kisses on her face, her neck, her throat, and over to her earlobes.
"Aah, Mary," Lee whispered close to her ear, "I want to feel you against me and I want to bury myself inside you." His arms began to shake. "I just want you so badly."
"You've got me," Mary whispered back. "I'm not going anywhere."
Lee pushed himself up on his elbows so he could see the expression on her face. "Are you sure?"
Mary smiled. "Make love to me, Lee," she said simply. "Make me your wife in more than name only."
That was all the encouragement he needed. Sitting back on his heels, he reached down and untied the neat satin bow at the neck of her white ruffled nightgown, and worked the tiny pearl buttons loose from their braided silk loops. He opened the bodice and spread the sides wide so he could feast on the sight of Mary's rounded breasts. "You're beautiful," he breathed.
Mary saw the look of admiration in Lee's eyes and knew that he meant it.
He leaned forward, cupped one smooth satiny globe in his hand, and touched his lips to the dark center.
Mary sucked in a breath at the wonderful sensation his kiss evoked. Desire gripped her. Eager for more, Mary tangled her fingers in Lee's thick blond hair and held his head to her breasts. "Again," she ordered.
Lee obliged. He touched and tasted and gently nipped at her. And then, he suckled her and Mary thought she might die of the pleasure.