She wanted him to look back on this night and realize that with her actions, she’d declared her love for him—even if he was unable to love her. He’d once given away his heart, and she suspected it hadn’t yet returned to him. While she believed she could love enough for the two of them, a marriage shouldn’t be built on the generosity of one.
The last lingering thoughts drifted away, and she focused on the moment, on him. The silkiness of him against her tongue, the taste of him in her mouth, the steel of him within her hands. The sound of him begging for more with grunts and groans that urged her on. That encouraged her to be a wanton, that ensured she felt no shame in it.
Although he didn’t still her movements, his hands came around to cup her face. “It feels so good, Nora, but it’s not enough. I’ve waited too long. I want—need—to be inside you.”
Bending over, he placed his hands beneath her elbows and guided her to her feet. He eased back slightly, lifted a foot, grabbed it, hopped to regain his balance, and tugged off his boot. The other quickly followed. His trousers landed in a heap, covering both.
Backing up until her legs hit the bed and her bottom hit the mattress, she studied him. Every line that made up the planes of his stomach and chest. The firmness of his thighs. The glistening of his cock where she had dampened him. She thought she should probably gaze on him abashedly. Instead, she boldly catalogued each part and how they all came together to create such magnificence. Tonight they were hers. He was hers.
After climbing onto the bed, she scrambled back until she was sprawled over it. Reaching down, she parted the folds so he could see that she was more than ready for him. She’d felt the dampness gathering as she’d sucked on him. Bringing him pleasure brought her pleasure.
Now she understood the satisfaction he’d taken increating wondrous sensations within her. Giving was as rewarding as taking.
Hunger darkened his eyes as he prowled forward. He placed a knee on the mattress, causing the bed to dip slightly with his weight as he came to hover over her, his arms on either side of her, one thigh nestled between her legs and pressing against her mound. She wanted to mount that thigh and ride it until she was screaming out his name.
Remaining raised up on his arms, he lowered his head, took her mouth, and unleashed the fires of passion and desire. They rushed through her, from head to toe, scoring every inch of her, and suddenly it wasn’t enough to have him this close. She needed him closer. Needed the light coating of hair on his chest skimming over her breasts. She wound her arms around him and brought him down.
“I love the feel of you against me,” he rasped.
I love the whole of you, inside and out, she wanted to whisper. Every inch, every aspect. There wasn’t one part that she could point to and declare:That is what I love about you.
Her hands traveled over his broad shoulders, his strong back, his taut buttocks. She squirmed and rocked against him, mewled and moaned. Every aspect of her was on fire, and he alone held the power to put out the flames.
Heated silk, blazing velvet. There wasn’t an inch of her that Rook didn’t stroke, caress, lick, or kiss. Every aspect of her was perfection. Every part of her called to him to want more. She was so pliable.
And so demanding as she slowly circled a finger around his mouth and whispered in a sultry voice, “I want this between my thighs.”
He gave her a wicked grin. “As you wish.”
He scooted down the length of her to do her bidding. He loved the sounds she made. The little squeals. The low moans. The gasps. Theoh gods. Thetheres.
With a rolling or lifting of her hips, she signaled what she needed from him, and he was only too happy to oblige.
“You’re so good at this,” she rasped.
Because he’d been determined to never leave his paramours wanting. But giving Nora pleasure was more rewarding than anything he’d ever before experienced.
Then she was pulling on his hair, scraping her nails along his shoulders. Panting and puffing. Her hips and legs were trembling. He skimmed his hands up her torso, cradled her breasts, and stroked his thumbs over her hardened nipples.
“Oh.” She grabbed his wrists to hold his hands there.
He continued to fondle those lovely breasts and give attention to the pearling peaks while he plundered the sweet valley between her thighs. She squirmed and writhed. He knew she was close to exploding, could feel the tension, a coiled spring ready to snap free—
Suddenly her back was bowing, and she was calling out his name hoarsely, breathlessly. But he didn’t stop with his attentions until she released her hold on his wrists and cradled his head. His gaze met hers. “At least you didn’t fall asleep.”
She laughed, then quickly sobered. “I want you, Johnny. I want you as I’ve never wanted.”
Before she’d gotten on a ship and traveled across an ocean, she couldn’t have imagined ever saying those words to any man. But then neither had she been able to imagine being sprawled on a bed—he was right, it was better than a table—with a man nestled between her legs.
His gaze once more smoldering, he eased up the length of her and hovered over her. He lowered his mouth to hers as he lifted his hips and pushed into her with a powerful thrust that she found thrilling.
She’d barely had the opportunity to appreciate their time together before but now they both held still as though they simply needed a minute to enjoy how perfectly they fit. A sprocket that slid effortlessly into its corresponding chainwheel.
He buried his face in the curve of her neck where it met her shoulder and gave her a little love bite. “Christ, you feel so good. So hot. So wet. Velvet, silk, and satin.”
Lifting himself up slightly, he held her gaze as he began to rock against her. “Let me know if it hurts. Let me know if it doesn’t feel good.”
“It feels wonderful. You feel wonderful.”
