They needed each other.
"It's going to be all right, Sariana. It's going to be all right. This is the way it was meant to be for both of us."
His hand went to his belt and he tore off the remainder of his clothing. In the pale light Sariana saw the full, hard length of his manhood and she shivered. He was taut and heavy with need and her own body responded to it even as she watched him with an awed, questioning gaze.
Gryph saw the expression in her eyes as she lay looking up at him. He lowered himself quickly back down beside her
"You must not fear me. Shield Lady. You and I are right for each other. I have never been where I am going to take you right now, but I've heard others describe it. It will seem strange at first. I am told there is some discomfort, but we'll face it together. Do you understand?"
Sariana was feeling oddly dizzy. For a moment she wasn't certain if she heard him say the words or if she only imagined the reassuring sentences inside her head. Then she brushed aside the odd sensation and smiled at him with a tenderness that seemed to dazzle him. His confession was sweet and kind and endeared him to her as nothing else could have done in that moment.
"You've never done this before, either?" she asked softly.
He shook his head, his eyes never leaving hers. His rough hand slid over her br**sts. Her already aroused ni**les became firm, tight, incredibly sensitive.
"Never," Gryph admitted. "I had almost decided it would never happen for me." "Oh, Gryph, I'm so glad." Sariana hugged him quickly, her delighted words spilling out in a rush. "I'm
so glad this is all new to you, too, although' I would never have guessed. You seem so sure of yourself. I can't imagine a man your age and with your obvious… your very bold…" She paused to find the words, "I wouldn't have thought that a man with your impressive physical attributes would have denied himself the pleasures of sex all these years. Men are usually so eager for that kind of thing. Even in the eastern provinces where people are so much more self-controlled it would be unusual for a man to remain celibate this long. Is it the custom in your class for the men to remain virgin until they reach your age?"
Gryph blinked as if he were having trouble following the conversation. His hand stilled on her breast. "Uh, Sariana, I don't think you quite understand what I'm trying to explain."
"It's all right," she reassured him quickly. She could guess the cause of his awkwardness. His male ego was probably already berating him for the confession. "I do understand. Men hate to admit they have little or up sexual experience. But I want you to know I'm very touched that we can explore this and learn about it together. You've made me very happy. Now I know I won't have to feel like the only novice in this bed. We'll be true equals. It's such a relief to know we're starting out together."
A look that might have been either frustration or anguish tightened Gryph's already stark features. "Sariana - "
"Don't worry, I would never have guessed that you lack experience," she said hastily. "You're doing beautifully."
"Thank you," he muttered tightly.
"I guess you have good instincts," she went on encouragingly. "You seem to know exactly where and how to touch me. You're moving a little too quickly, but I understand why now. All the same, let's slow down a little. I'm afraid I'm not nearly as adept as you at figuring all this out. But I want to do the right things, too. Tell me where you want me to touch you." Experimentally she trailed her fingertips down over the hard planes of his bu**ocks. "Do you like that?"
"Sariana, you're doing great. But would you mind very much just closing your mouth?" Her delighted enthusiasm faded. She looked up at Gryph uncertainly, her eyes widening with hurt. He groaned and brushed her lips with his own. "I'm sorry. Shield Lady. I didn't mean to offend you.
Hell, I'm going to make a mess of this yet if I don't close my own mouth."
She sensed his genuine contrition and her feelings were instantly mended. She brushed her fingers gently through his hair, aware that he was very tense.
"Don't worry about it," she said soothingly. "I'm sure it's perfectly natural for you to be suffering a certain amount of performance anxiety. After all, this is your first time, too. You mustn't expect too much of yourself."
He made a slight choking sound. "Do you ever run out of words, Sariana?" She smiled mistily. "Am I chattering? Maybe it's because I'm nervous."
"I think you're right," he announced gravely. "We're both nervous. The only solution is to get it over with," he said harshly, decisively. He moved his hand down her silken stomach to the triangle of hair above her thighs.
Sariana stirred beneath the exciting touch. The urgency that was controlling Gryph seemed to have gotten a grip on her, too. She could feel the driving force in him and knew an answering force within herself. When his hand went lower still, she cried out softly. Instinctively she pressed her thighs together.
"Let me touch you. Shield Lady," Gryph said against her mouth. "Open your legs for me and let me feel your warmth. I want to be sure you're ready for me so that I can claim my rights as your true mate."
She did as he asked and then trembled in excitement as he found the soft skin of her inner thighs.
"Gryph"
Gryph drank his name from her lips. His body trembled against hers as he slipped his rough fingertips into the delicate, hidden folds between her legs. Sariana knew she was dampening his hand. She hoped he didn't mind.
"You're as hot as I am," he muttered in husky wonderment. "I can feel your beat. You're wet and warm and you want me, don't you?"
"Yes, oh, yes, Gryph." She twisted against his hand. She wondered if she should be embarrassed by her body's ungoverned response, but then she realized Gryph was glorying in it. He was taut with his own reaction to her.
"Sariana," he began thickly, "listen to me carefully. I have to ask you something and you must answer truthfully. Do you understand? I'm honor bound to put these questions to you."
Sariana moved her head restlessly on the pillow. "I swear I have no diseases and… and I don't think I'm likely to get pregnant. Earlier this evening I was figuring out the timing of my monthly cycles and I'm sure I'm safe tonight. I've discussed such things with other women and I've heard that as long as I - "
"Sariana."
She opened her eyes, startled by his impatience. "Yes, Gryph?"
"One of these days we're going to have to do something about your unfortunate tendency to talk at the wrong times," Gryph said explosively. "I'm sure you're in excellent health. So am I. And as for your getting pregnant - "