Hyacinthe got the answer to his own question, not in words but through Gardenia's moaning and squirming. Her nails scratched him and he winced a little, but it wasn't enough to deter him from his goal, and though he was getting no direct pleasure from this himself, gods, right then he didn't mind that!
He could have watched her like this all night.
There was something transfixing about the way she moved, the way her hips jerked, stomach sucked in, skin flushed, her hair spread out around her head. He watched her face in fascination as he pumped his fingers in her and brushed his thumb over her clit, enthralled by the way she gripped around him and bucked against his hand, more than curious as to how she'd feel when he was inside her. Gods. She really was beautiful, and maybe it was just arousal talking--because gods help him, watching her like this was driving him wild--but...
Maybe he could love her? Maybe they could really do this? Be husband and wife and not hate the situation?
He adjusted his hand as she guided him with her own, his heart skipping a beat at her words, that she was close. Did that mean what he hoped it did? The women in her books sure said it a lot! He quickened his pace a little, eager to see her through, his lips on hers as he kissed her and then her jaw and neck, his own breath a little unsteady--
No, it wasn't an explosion, but he felt her trembling, inside and out, and let out a shaky breath of his own when he caught his name on her lips. Was that what it was? He didn't stop sliding his fingers in her, but he did slow a little to give her time to catch her breath, and he gave her another little kiss and tried not to grin too cheekily.
And he was more than happy to savor the after glow, more than eager to bask in her enjoyment, when suddenly she was doing and saying that.
The magic words, because he was aching for her.
"I want you, too," he breathed, and was so far gone with need that he didn't think to question why the sun's position mattered. He rolled them both over until she was on her back, lips capturing hers, and slid his knees between her legs to open hers wide. Breaking the kiss, he looked down at her, taking a moment to admire her body before his eyes slid back up to her face, his own face hot with nerves. "I, uh, I hope I'm okay, I've never..." He swallowed. What if he didn't compare to the other guy? What if the other guy was bigger, or just leagues better?
He fought back those nerves with another searing kiss, tongue tasting her, before he took himself in hand and pressed against her. He was nervous as hell, but thankfully he was hard and ready to go, and he shivered when he slid against her, finding it was rather more tricky to find what he was looking for from this angle. Blushing, feeling awkward and bumbling after a couple failed attempts, he gave a tentative push forward--and then let out a gasping groan when he began to sink inside her, his face pressing against her shoulder.
"Gods..."