Damn, she wanted to flex. Should she flip her hair? Wiggle her hips?
He was suggesting they slow down, but only because he thought that’s whatshewanted. Well, she’d need to be a whole lot less subtle about communicating what she wanted, then, wouldn’t she?
Extricating herself from his lap, she stood, ready to live up to her nickname and take yet another bold risk.
He watched her closely as she bunched her skirt in her hands, inch by inch, until the hem was at the top of her thighs. Then, with her heart thumping in her chest, she hooked her fingers in her underwear and pulled them down before letting her skirt fall back into place.
She retrieved the slip of cream silk and tossed it in his lap. ‘Take me inside, Noah.’
His eyes flashed, but he got up slowly. Cleared his throat. ‘I don’t want to sound like an arse for asking this, because you’re a grown woman who knows her own mind, but … are you sure?’
Now it was her turn to laugh. ‘I just threw my underwear at you. What do you think?’
‘Fair point.’ He grinned and pocketed said underwear. ‘In that case …’ He began extinguishing the lanterns.
‘I don’t want you treating me like some delicate flower, though,’ she warned. ‘I mean, I’ve had sex, just … not with anyone else in the room.’
His head whipped in her direction. ‘What does that mean?’
She’d come a long way, but not so far as to describe her sex life. ‘Let’s just say, I’ve enjoyed the anonymity of online shopping and discreet packaging.’
He groaned and abandoned the torches. ‘The images you’re putting in my head right now.’ He burrowed his face in the crook of her neck. ‘I swear, they’ll be the death of me.’
‘You can’t die. Not tonight.’ She grabbed his hands and tugged him towards the house. ‘I have plans.’
He resisted, but only to snuff out the last two lanterns. Then, with nothing but the moonlight to guide him, he caught her around the middle, threw her over his shoulder and leapt up the stairs.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-THREE
With every step he took, Noah’s shoulder dug into her belly, causing her laughter to explode in short, sharp bursts. Where she’d found the courage to demand her pleasure so brazenly, Beth had no idea, but she was glad she had, because Noah was so impatient to get her inside that he almost kicked the door down.
When he crossed the threshold and immediately tipped towards the couch, she squealed and clung on for dear life, but all he did was turn on a table lamp. Moving further into the room, he tossed her from his shoulder and her butt landed on something hard—the dining table. He hauled her to the edge, right up against him, and her amusement evaporated instantly thanks to the heat radiating off his body.
She wrapped her legs around his waist and held him tight, and when he pressed forward, his eagerness hard and persistent, she couldn’t help but throw her head back and sigh, revelling in the feel of him.
It was happening. It was finally happening. How many times had she touched herself and wished for someone to share the moment with, someone who could transport her to that otherworldly place where nothing but euphoria mattered?
Now, here he was, licking and sucking her neck as if it offered life-giving sustenance. And when his teeth scraped against her skin, she lost her mind.
Touch. She needed to touch him.
Reaching for the buttons on his shirt, she fiddled with them ineffectually, her fingers refusing to cooperate. Understanding her need, Noah helped. He released the first few buttons, then grabbed the collar and yanked the thing up and over his head, giving her an uninhibited view of his glorious body.
‘Ohgod.’ She devoured him, took in every curve, every dip, every beautiful inch, and then her hands were on him. She slid them up and over his stomach, his ribs, sighed at how wonderful it felt to have his heat permeating every atom of her being.
He whispered her name, his breath hot on her neck.
She shivered and fumbled with the button on his jeans, but he took hold of her wrists.
‘Not yet.’ He nibbled her pouting lips. ‘Lie down.’
Her breath caught at the promise in his command and she lay back, eagerly complying, but Noah was in no rush at all.
His heated gaze travelled the length of her, over her chest, her waist, her hips. He slid his hands from her knees, travelling up her thighs and taking her skirt higher, until his thumbs found the crease of her hips. He muttered a strained curse.
‘I am dying to taste you.’
