Murdoch gasped in surprise, but he could not make himself pull back; he was too far gone. But somewhere in his haze of desire, he made himself aware that his wife was still a virgin. When he met resistance and she stiffened beneath him, he stopped, but she thrust her hips upward to pull him in further.
Keira felt a sharp dart of pain, but as quickly as it had come, it was over, and all she felt was a wonderful fullness, as if she had not really been complete before Murdoch was inside her. She was moved by an impulse she had never felt before to raise her hips in time with his thrusts until they were moving in a rhythm as old as time.
Murdoch watched her expression change as she opened her eyes in wonder at the sensation that was building inside her. He smiled. He could feel his climax approaching, but he knew it would be fiercer than ever before because of the wonder on Keira’s face.
Keira felt as if she was climbing a stairway to the stars. With every thrust of Murdoch’s body, a dart of pleasure shot through her, building up into a sensation that was better, harder, and stronger with each stroke. She felt desperate for a moment, for she seemed to be stretching for something she could not reach. Then it was upon her, a wave of ecstasy that crashed over her, making her scream with pure pleasure. On and on it went until her body, spent and shuddering, passed down into a state of peaceful languor.
As soon as Murdoch heard Keira’s shout of joy, his own climax swept over him, the strongest he had ever had, and he collapsed onto her, then rolled her over so that they were facing each other.
Keira was still trembling. Every few seconds another delightful little spasm of delight would shake her, but gradually they faded away and stopped. She found herself lying on her side facing her husband, who was smiling at her tenderly.
Murdoch cupped her cheek with his rough hand and studied her face minutely for a few moments.
“Was that what you expected?” he murmured.
“No,” Keira replied softly. “It was more…much more. I have never felt… I felt as though I could touch the stars.”
“So did I,” he murmured as he kissed her softly. “I have never felt this way before either. Perhaps it is because I love you so much.”
“I hope so.” Keira’s voice was a murmur, and her eyelids felt heavy. “Does it always feel like that?”
Murdoch smiled. “I will make sure that it does, Keira, because I would do anything for you, and if anyone ever tries to harm you, I will protect you with my life.”
“I am so glad I found you,” Keira whispered. “I am yours now, Murdoch.”
“And I am yours,” he replied. “Forever and always.”
They lay in contented silence for a while until Keira gradually drifted off to sleep. Murdoch watched her for a while, smiling, wondering how he had managed to live without her for so long. She made every masculine instinct he possessed sharper and more forceful. Indeed, she made him want to be a better man just to make himself worthy of her. Was he being foolish? He supposed he was, but he did not care. Keira deserved the best.
“I love you, my sweetheart,” he whispered.
When sleep finally claimed him, he was holding her tightly in his arms, smiling. Even if he never managed to rise from bed again, he thought, he would die happy.
* * *