She sucked in a ragged breath and pressed her palms to the wall in hot mortification as the cooler air teased her skin. She was naked, completely bare, save for her stockings.
But he was right behind her, his body full against hers, a heavy masculine weight that was both crushing and welcome.
His free hand caressed her hip, strong fingers clasping her as he moved in a rhythm as instinctive as breathing. The hard rod of his erection pressed the top of her buttocks through his breeches.
Excitement coiled in her belly and throbbed between her legs as she tried to process the extraordinary sensation. She tilted her head back against his shoulder, desperate for a kiss, and he obliged, consuming her with an urgency that made her light-headed.
She was vaguely aware of him fumbling with his falls, and then the hot flesh of his cock was between them, pressed against her bottom.
She could barely suck in enough air. The hand on her breast moved down, over her stomach until he encountered the hair at the juncture of her thighs. And then he slid lower, between her legs, playing in the wetness of her body as he’d done before.
She rocked back, shamelessly encouraging him, and with a groan he changed the angle of his hips and slid his cock between her legs, rubbing in the furrow between her thighs.
“Oh, God.” His groan was a hot rasp against her temple. “God, you feel so good.”
Harriet was on fire, even though she shivered. Herlungs burned; her skin felt like it was glowing.Gooddidn’t even begin to describe it. Bare skin sliding between her legs, a tease and a promise, a plea and a demand. It was immoderate and wonderful, the most indecent torture imaginable.
Unable to help herself, she arched her back, loving the friction right at the heart of her. His finger slidintoher, as his tongue had done, smoothly in and out. Pleasure shimmered behind her eyelids even as a great tension began to build in her limbs. He made her clench, and burn. She wanted more.
“More!” She must have gasped it aloud. “You.”
He withdrew his hand and she tilted her hips, instinctively trying to position him exactly where she longed to be filled. The slick head of him pressed against her as he leaned in, just the smallest amount, and she moaned at the incredible sensation.
He stilled and hissed out a curse, then dropped his forehead to her shoulder.
“Fuck. Not like this.”
Alarm flashed through her. Was he refusing her? Was hestopping? Now?
As soon as the thought materialized, it was banished. He caught her arms and turned her, claiming her mouth in a fierce, possessive kiss.
“Where’s your bedroom?” he panted between kisses.
“That way.” Light-headed with lust, she waved vaguely toward the corridor, then gasped as he bent and swept her up into his arms. She hardly had time to protest as he strode out of the parlor and unerringly located her bedroom just down the hall. Familiar paintings and curtains blurred in a flash of color as he dropped her in the center of her bed, then followed her down, covering her with his body.
Harriet let out a surprised little wheeze.
He loomed over her, hands planted on either side of her head, and she stared up in wonder at the glorious sight he presented. Beautiful tawny skin, smooth muscular curves. Her heart gave a funny little thump. She might not have him forever, but tonight he was completely hers.
“Last chance.” He sounded strained. Tortured, like a man on the rack. “Do you want me to stop?”
“Don’t youdare,” she countered fiercely. She widened her legs, letting him drop farther into the lee of her body.
“Fine.” He held her gaze captive as he reached between them and fitted himself at the entrance to her body again. “Just remember, youaskedfor this.”
It sounded so much like a threat that she almost laughed, but her humor faded as he pressed forward, still staring deep into her eyes. She fought not to blink at the sweet, strange ache as he entered her. Not pain, precisely, but discomfort. He was bigger than his finger. Much bigger.
She must have flinched, or grimaced, because he stilled, barely inside her.
“Stop?” His voice was hoarse, as if he’d been shouting.
She shook her head, even though tears threatened at the corners of her eyes. What could she say?It’s too much. It’s perfect.
It’s you.
A slight tremor ran through him. “Breathe. Give it a minute.”
She nodded, willing her body to relax, and to her amazement it did. Her tension seeped away and she sank deeper into the bed, just as he slid deeper intoher.
