UPDATE: NEW PHOTO OF RHEA'S WEDDING DRESS!

- Dianna Hardy, The Sands Of Time

Hadrian’s mansion was just as beautiful as it was when she first arrived nearly a month ago. She gazed at the features of the mansion once more and couldn’t believe that all this was her’s. She stole a glance beneath her lashes at the man who was now her husband.

In the past three days they had agreed to get together she had found out so much about him that had given her another ideal image of her husband. He had been in several of Great Britain’s war’s since he was a young man of nineteen, then, two years ago he became a bow street runner after coming back home.

He lived his whole life in service to the security of England; he was rewarded many times for his bravery and strength. He went to school in oxford with his friend, Matthew Dalting, the Earl of Wiltshire. They both entered into the military and soon after became part of the Special Forces Office.

Rhea had been astonished by the importance of Hadrian’s life that developed in such a short time. She had learned much more about him than she hoped for.

Now, she saw him as new man, still the same but now she knew more about him.

Hadrian suddenly brought his gaze to her and she shivered with the fire and intensity of it.

Oh Dear God, she thought, what a stunning man he is.

Hadrian gave her a devilish smile and took her hand in his, leading the way to his home. She sucked in a breath and held it subtly. What would happen now that she was his wife and they were finally alone?

Her mother had explain to her about what was expected of her on her wedding night, and she had worried about it ever since. Her mother had told her that, at first it would hurt, but if Hadrian was gentle and kind then the rest would be quite pleasant.

What exactly did that mean? Rhea wondered.

“You look lost, my love.” Hadrian murmured. Rhea nearly jumped out of her skin, but managed just in time to tamper it down. She looked to her husband and flushed.

“Hmmm, I suppose I’m just nervous.” Rhea said quietly. Hadrian’s gaze softened.

“Is the house not to your liking? I was sure that before-”

“No, my lord. Of course not, everything is perfect . . . ‘Tis just that, well, I am nervous of what to come for this night.”

Hadrian looked as lost as her, at first, and then sudden dawning came upon him as he realized what she meant. He glanced at her sharply.

“You do not need to be afraid,” he assured softly. Rhea looked into his eyes, seeming to search for something and then finally finding it as she relaxed.

Without her noticing, they were in front of Hadrian’s bedroom and Rhea’s heart raced. She licked her suddenly dry lips and drew in a shaky breath.

“Y-you will be gentle?” she asked. Hadrian’s eyes crinkled in amusement and he laughed softly.

“I will do my utmost to make this night the best for you, little wife.” He promised.

She glanced back at the door that he was now holding open and nodded. He took her small hand in his larger one and brought her all the way in before closing the door gently.

She nervously looked around the bedroom to get her mind off of what would be happening next. She heard Hadrian chuckle behind her before warm hands encased her shoulder.

She closed her eyes as he softly kneaded the knots away. She moaned softly and leaned back against him.

For a while, Hadrian continued to seduce her with his caring hands against her shoulder’s, even laying gentle kisses that left her reeling and anticipating for the next one.

Finally, he drew away from her and turned her around to face him. He slowly drew his hands down her arms and then cupped her waist, bringing her a bit closer. He swiftly wiped away a tendril that had come loose from her chignon. He brushed his thumb against her milky cheeks and made her look at him.

“You must trust me, Rhea. Trust that I will take care of you that I will always put your being first.” He stated, nuzzling her bare throat, leaving goose bumps along her arms.

“Tell me, my love.” He whispered. He kissed the base of her throat, dragging his lips lower to where his neck connected to her shoulder blade. She drew in a ragged breath.

“Hadrian . . .” she moaned.

“Yes, my beauty? What is it, little wife?” he licked her shoulder as she shivered in anticipation against him, crying out softly.

“I trust you.” She murmured, she felt him smile against her shoulder and then kiss it once more before coming to face her glazed, half lidded eyes.

“Rhea,” he whispered. “I’m going to make love to you.”

Rhea’s eyes opened halfway, partially in shock of his bold words. But as soon as the shock arrived it went away, replaced with desire so intense her body shook with it.

Why would he not kiss her already? Somehow, her hands had found their way to his broad shoulders and were clenching them harshly. She squeezed them again, looking at his lips wistfully before settling on his brown eyes.

“Please . . . please, Hadrian.” She begged. “Make love to me.”

His eyes darkened and he forced her closer as he slammed his mouth down on hers, taking no mercy upon her. Rhea would not have it any other way.

His hands tangled in her hair, trying to bring her closer than possible, ravaging her mouth with a desperation she never felt before.

His mouth demanded hers to open up to him, to grant him leave to come inside her. She willingly opened herself, feeling his tongue invade her mouth as pleasure coursed down her spine.

“Oh! Hadrian.” She cried out.

Oh, how she had longed for this, longed for him!

Her hands came together at his nape, drawing him in deeper. She vaguely felt herself being lifted into his arms and led somewhere. At the moment, she did not care, as long as he continued loving her with that wonderful mouth.

He broke away from her mouth to trail kisses down her neck, to the top of where the ground lay, where her chest rose and fell to the harsh beating of her breath.

Hadrian looked at her; giving her this one chance to say no, to back down and never do this again.

Instead, she drew his hands to the top of where the gown unbuttoned. He made a sound animal-like and ripped through the gown’s barrier. “Rhea, you’re the most beautiful creature I’ve seen.”

The only sound between them was their harsh breathing and even that was in sync! He slid the gown off from her and gazed at her openly, with desire.

Rhea suddenly felt shy. No man had ever seen her like this; she had never been this vulnerable to anyone before. She instinctively covered herself when Hadrian removed her chemise and corset.

“Do not be shy, little one.” He kissed her softly, easing up her anxiousness and continued to let his hands roam about her body. Soon he had her arching up into his hands, begging for more.

He chuckled when she let out a little growl as he moved away. She sat up on her elbows and watched as Hadrian removed his clothing. Her eyes were heady with desire and she eagerly soaked in his naked form.

She let out a small gasp when she settled upon his . . . member.

“I . . . Hadrian that will . . . where will it go?” she whispered.

Hadrian chuckled again before gently smoothing away the lines on her forehead. “Do not worry, my love. Trust me.”

She nodded and he settled her back on the bed, kissing her lips as his hands skimmed her stomach. She gasped and shut her eyes tight as pleasure consumed her.

Her hands had made their way to his bare back, scraping it gently. Hadrian’s large form settled over hers lightly. He kissed her desperately as he claimed her as his.

Hadrian brushed away a curl from Rhea’s eyes and watched as her sleeping form cuddled closer to his warmer, much larger one. His arms tightened around her protectively, shielding her.

He sighed quietly, wondering how quickly he became attached to her.

It was not wise at all to let her sneak her way into his soul and settle so deep that he would kill himself trying to remove her from it.

But even though he knew he should do it, he couldn’t bring himself to even try. He liked the way Rhea looked up to him for everything, liked the way she revealed her vulnerability to him.

He couldn’t even imagine how it would be without the blue-eyed vixen blushing at him and shyly kissing him with hidden vigor. He was going completely mad to think that it would be alright to have her close to him like this.

He gazed back down at her and felt himself tense with desire. He could not . . . would not take her again so soon after they had made love. He was not that selfish.

But lord how he wanted to! He wanted to make her beg and thrash and cry out his name. He wanted her to open herself up to him and bury himself so deep into her that there could be no possible way to get out.

He wanted to make love to her over and over again until the sun rose; he wanted to see her as the sun soaked in her features and enlightened them, enhancing her natural beauty.

Never had he met anyone like her, never had he yearned for another woman like he did with her. He wanted to hear her say those sweet words to him, watch them leave her lips and kiss her until she pleaded for him to stop.

Hadrian stiffened abruptly.

He couldn’t allow himself to be vulnerable towards her. If his father could see him now, holding Rhea possessively in his arms while she cuddled for warmth, then he would’ve laughed and taunted him with those words that had hurt him as a boy.

Hadrian’s brow’s furrowed at the thought of his pitiful childhood with a horrible father who never gave a damn about him. He shook his head to clear the thoughts.

He wouldn’t let the old man get to him. He was a grown man now; he did whatever he damn well pleased.

Rhea suddenly shifted and moaned softly as she tangled her legs further with his. Her hand moved to rest against his chest as she spread out half on the bed and half on top of him.

He shook his head amusedly. She was something special; unique.

He leaned forward to brush a thumb against her red, swollen lips. His mind flashed to a few hours before when he took those lips with his.

A smug thought of how dear Lord Ashwin would feel passed through him. The young lord could go to hell; this was his wife now. He was her husband and nobody would touch her if he had a say in it.

“Why are you scowling so?” Rhea’s voice reached through his hazy possessive thoughts and he managed to disengage them to look at her.

Her body was plastered against his and pliant with sleep. She stretched against him and moaned lightly, settling back atop him as she nuzzled his chest.

He grinned at her as she looked at him with sated-filled eyes. His chest swelled at the thought of him satisfying her.

Good, he thought, she’s mine now.

“Nothing important, my love.” His hand skimmed down her side and she shivered with desire.

Suddenly, she seemed perfect against him, ripe for the picking. And he was ready to pick again.

“Hadrian . . .” Rhea whispered, her eyes flashed with anticipation. “Is it safe to . . . do it again so soon?”

Hadrian frowned, wondering if she was still hurt from earlier. “Do you hurt, little wife?”

She blushed, “No, I’m a little sore, though.” She bit her lip. “But I am fine, otherwise.”

He peppered kisses along her cheek. “Then I suppose a little repeat of earlier is needed . . . just to be sure.”

Rhea exhaled softly and Hadrian moved from under her, hoisting himself above her. “Yes . . . of course.”