He growled low in his throat as he pulled her close and dipped his head, capturing her lips with his once again, wondering if he’d ever stop wanting to kiss her. No, he never would. Her mouth was made for kissing, but only by him.
He maneuvered her toward the bedroom, guiding her backward until the bed impeded any further progress. “You have too many clothes on,” he murmured in her ear as he nuzzled the soft skin of her neck.
She shivered in his embrace and leaned her head back to gaze at him, her eyes wide and full of…was that daring? Confidence? Hope? “So take them off.”
Her voice, so husky, struck him to the core and he eagerly complied, starting with her skirt, easily undoing the fastenings to allow the suede garment to slip to the floor.
He let out an exasperated groan as his big fingers tried to manipulate the small buttons on her sheer blouse. One more minute and he’d rip the thing from her, sending all those ivory fastenings scattering. He brought his lips to hers again, kissing her deeply, his tongue sweeping into her mouth as he tried again.
Evie rested her hands over his, stilling his movements, probably sensing his frustration, though she was as eager as he. He could feel it in the slight tremor that rippled through her. He broke the kiss and stared into her eyes, which seemed to glimmer with need.
“We have time, Jake.” Though she whispered the words, there was impatience in her voice, too. He tried again, thistime more slowly, his fingers a little less clumsy and much more successful. He smoothed the blouse from her shoulders, allowing it to glide to the floor.
He barely squelched the frustrated moan building in his throat. There was another blouse beneath the one he had removed. He paused for a moment then forced himself to work the buttons of that as well, this time a little more skillfully. Thankfully, she wore no corset. He was certain he would have knotted the laces instead of loosening them in his haste to feel her skin. At last, he took off her short chemise, pulling the garment over her head and tossing it in the corner. His mouth twisted into a smile as he plucked the string that held up her drawers, allowing the light garment to slip down her legs and puddle at her feet.
She didn’t try to cover herself. Not at all. She stood proudly in front of him, her back straight, her head tilted to the side, her eyes flashing with desire.
He gazed at her naked form with awe, his eyes sweeping over her from head to toe and back, the candlelight reflecting on her smooth skin, creating an almost rosy glow. Years of riding had defined her muscles, but there was a softness to her, too. He inhaled deeply. She was perfect in every way—from her long muscular legs to her nipped-in waist, to her heavy breasts that seemed to beg for his touch. “Beautiful,” he murmured, his voice sounding thick to his own ears.
She didn’t acknowledge his statement. Instead, she pulled him closer, but there was a pinkish glow on her cheeks and a mischievous glint in her eyes as she reached for the fastening of his trousers. She, at least, didn’t seem to have as much trouble, and in moments, his legs were bare, though his trousers stuck on his boots. He eased her down until she was sitting on the edge of the bed. “I should probably take off my boots.”
“That would be helpful.” She stared up at him, her pupils so dilated, all he could see was black with just a hint of color at the edges, and that gleam which told him how much she wanted him. The mere thought filled him with a joy he could hardly contain.
He toed off one boot, tossing it in the corner, then pulled off the other and shimmied his trousers to the floor. He turned toward her in all his glory. Her eyes widened with admiration and curiosity. He reached out and caressed her face, then cupped her chin. “Youarebeautiful.”
A blush colored her cheeks as she reached for him, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. “So are you. Kiss me again. And again, until neither of us can think.”
Jake laughed softly. “Yes, ma’am.” He lowered his head and took possession of her mouth, his tongue gliding between her lips to tangle with hers.
She pulled away, her fingers caressing his lips. “More,” she demanded, her voice husky and almost raw with need.
He complied, his mouth on hers once again, his tongue twisting with hers, her body pressed against his so close he could feel her pounding heart beating in rhythm with his, the warmth of her body nearly burning him where they touched. He eased her down to the mattress gently, his lips never leaving hers, and followed, stretching out beside her.
She gasped, sucking in air, when he finally broke the kiss. “Touch me.” Again, it was a command, one he was more than willing to obey.
“My pleasure.” Itwashis pleasure. Her flesh felt like velvet beneath his fingers as he caressed her, starting with the soft skin on her face, then venturing lower, touching her throat and collarbones, then finally the crease between her full breasts. He followed each touch with his lips, kissing every inch of her, the faint scent of roses stronger now.
How many times had he dreamed of touching her this way? Of caressing her soft skin. Of lying down beside her, letting his hand roam over her taut, lean body? Too many times to count. Each time he took pencil in hand to draw her, this is what he thought about. This and so much more.
Evie let out a sigh and pulled him closer, her fingers in his hair, almost as if directing him where to kiss or lick next. He settled at her breast, lightly grazing the nipple with his teeth before licking the soft crest into a hardened peak and drawing it into his mouth, sucking lightly. Beneath him, her breath came in soft, little pants, as he left one breast and concentrated on the other.
Evie sighed, her hands skimming over his back, his shoulders, and around his neck, as if she couldn’t get enough of touching him, either. Had she dreamed of this as well? Had she awakened with her body on fire, the visions in her head vibrant, only to realize she was alone?
He dismissed the thought and concentrated on loving her. He moved slightly, kissing his way back to her mouth, capturing her lips with his for a long, slow kiss before moving to her neck. Her breathing increased, coming in soft little pants as he lightly swirled his tongue against the delicate shell of her ear, drawing the lobe into his mouth, tugging gently with his teeth while his fingers grazed over her breast. Evie gave a little whimper then arched her back, pushing against his hand, showing him without words that she wanted more.
Again, he was more than happy to comply as he brushed his lips against hers, then took possession of her mouth, his tongue dancing with hers, the taste of her intoxicating, filling his head as well as his heart and soul.
Though his mouth never left hers, his hand roamed over her soft belly, edging downward until he slipped his fingers easilybetween the springy curls of her womanhood to find the core of her.
“Oh!” Evie gasped against his lips, followed by another intake of breath as he slowly began caressing the smoothness of her folds and the key to her release between them. He set a rhythm, slow and steady, increasing the pressure a little at a time, the moans and little cries from deep in her throat spurring him faster. He slipped a finger into her, then another, stretching her, preparing her for his entry, while pressing the palm of his hand against her in a circular motion. If it had been a long time, the last thing he wanted to do was hurt her.
Another breathy sigh met his ears and suddenly, she stiffened, her heels digging into the mattress, her hips rising off the bed, straining against his hand. She let out a surprised cry and then she laughed in that husky tone that filled his head, her hips lowering to the bed as her body shuddered around his fingers, moving once more to the rhythm he’d set.
His mouth took possession of hers. Withdrawing his fingers, he brought his hand up to caress her soft, round belly and full breasts. Taking his time, he stroked her skin, bringing her nipples to hard points again, before leaving her lips and drawing one of those nipples into his mouth, sucking lightly, swirling his tongue against the sensitive peak.
Evie squirmed beneath him as he paid attention to one breast then the other, then moved to position himself between her legs. He felt the heat of her, scalding in its intensity, as he eased into her, slowly, inch by inch, so he wouldn’t hurt her, allowing her body to become accustomed to his length and width.
Evie let out a little whimper.
