He made her step back so he could pull his shirt over his head. His chest was all muscle, swirling dark hair, and bronzed skin.
He was beautiful. He pulled her back into his arms, and she felt his hot skin against hers. It wasn’t enough. She wrapped her hands around his neck and tugged on his hair to get him to kiss her again.
The kiss was hot and wet. She felt like she was melting against him.
He removed his gun and holster, and backing her to the side of the bed, he put the weapon on her nightstand and then forced himself to stop kissing her long enough to get her clothes off.
That was the goal anyway, but the dress wasn’t cooperating. The zipper got stuck and wouldn’t budge, no matter how much he tugged on it. He thought maybe he’d jammed it. He clenched his jaw and tried again. He was usually a hell of a lot smoother undressing women, but tonight was different because he was with Regan. He had never felt this kind of desperation before. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and never let go.
He tried to concentrate on the task at hand, but she was making it difficult. She was kissing his neck again and stroking his back. It felt so good he didn’t want her to stop.
“Turn around,” he whispered as he pulled her hands away and forced her to do as he’d asked. Then he tried again to get her dress unzipped.
She tried to help, but her hands just got in his way. “How much do you like this dress? The thing… it’s stuck.”
“The thing?”
“The zipper.” He was smiling now because she sounded as rattled as he did.
“I hate this dress,” she blurted out.
She sure looked hot in it, but if he had to, he was going to tear it to shreds to get to her. The zipper finally gave and slid down… all the way to the base of her spine.
She wasn’t wearing a bra. He noticed that right away. Then he noticed how flawless her back was. He slowly trailed his fingers down the opening until he reached a tiny wisp of black lace.
He didn’t know which turned him on more. Her indrawn breath when he’d touched her or seeing that little bit of lace.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered.
Regan reached up to pull the straps over her arms but suddenly froze when his hands slid inside her dress and began to caress her skin.
His hands slowly circled her. She started to turn in his arms, but he wouldn’t let her, and when at last he touched her breasts, she made a tiny gasp in the back of her throat and fell back against him. Trembling with desire, she didn’t know how much of this exquisite torture she would withstand without coming apart.
Her response drove Alec crazy. His head dropped down to the side of her neck, and his breathing became harsh. He managed to let go of her long enough to get undressed. Her dress fell to the floor, and she gracefully stepped out of it and reached for the covers. She pulled them back and then began to pull the clips from her hair. Alec’s shoes and socks went flying in one direction and her clips in another.
He knew it was only a matter of minutes before he lost all control. He wanted her ready before he did that.
“We’ve got to slow down.”
He meant what he said, but then she turned around and those perfect breasts rubbed against his chest. Slowing down didn’t seem all that important any longer.
They fell together onto the bed. He cradled her in his arms as he rolled her onto her back and nudged her thighs apart with his knee. He braced his weight so he wouldn’t crush her. Then he growled low in his throat with sheer male satisfaction because one of his fantasies about her was finally coming true. He had her right where he wanted her.
She looked disheveled and thoroughly aroused. Her hair was spread on the pillow, framing her flushed face; her eyes were dark with passion, and her lips were swollen from his kisses. He knew it was a primitive, barbaric response on his part, but he was still arrogantly pleased that he had put his mark on her. He’d never felt this way about any other woman. What was next? he wondered. Would he start dragging a club and carrying her over his shoulder? Would he start shouting like Tarzan?
He shook his head when she tried to pull him down to kiss her. He rolled to his side and took his time looking at her perfect body.
“I’ve been thinking about this a long time.” He slowly trailed his fingertips down her neck, then lower to the valley between her breasts, smiling over the goose bumps he left behind. She tried to grab his hand when he reached her navel. He wouldn’t be stopped, though.
And he wouldn’t be rushed. Ever so slowly he removed her lace panties, taking his time, savoring every inch of golden skin he touched.
She battled her shyness, but she didn’t cover herself. She watched his face as he stroked her. His jaw was clenched tight, and sweat had broken out on his forehead. He seemed to be on the verge of losing his control.
But then so was she. Her legs moved restlessly against him. He was tormenting her, making her crazed because he wouldn’t let her touch him. His hand moved between her thighs. She almost came off the bed then. His touch was magical and demanding.
She couldn’t remain passive any longer. She pulled her hand away from his and reached up to stroke the side of his face. Her fingers slowly traced his mouth, then moved lower to caress his neck and shoulders. His body was absolutely perfect. His skin was hot, and she could feel the power of those hard muscles in his upper arms. The crisp dark hair on his chest tickled her fingertips.
She took her time, for she was determined to drive him out of his mind, but he kept distracting her. He was stroking her breasts as he nibbled her neck.
She closed her eyes, arched her neck back, and then trailed her ringers down his stomach. The muscles in his abdomen flexed in response, and he growled low in his throat.
She knew her touch pleased him, but she wanted more. Ever so slowly her fingertips circled his navel and then moved lower. Her hand slid down between his thighs. His deep indrawn breath told her how much he liked what she was doing to him.
She became more demanding. She wrapped her hand around him… and sent him right over the edge. He grabbed her hand, rolled on top of her, and kissed her passionately. His tongue rubbed against hers as his hands caressed her. He moved lower, and when he began to kiss her breasts, she arched up against him and let out a ragged sigh. He told her he was going to kiss every inch of her body, and then he set about proving it. He tickled her navel with his tongue, then moved lower still until he was touching the very heat of her.
The pleasure was exquisite, consuming. Her nails dug into his shoulder blades and she cried out.
Alec’s control was in tatters now, and he was desperate to be inside her.
“Alec…”
“It’s okay. I just need to protect you.”
He reached down and grabbed his trousers. Regan rolled on top of him and was fervently kissing his shoulders while he fumbled in the back pocket for his wallet. He found what he was searching for and gently rolled back until she scooted off him.
When he was ready, he grabbed her hands, stretched her arms high above her head, and held her there. And then he once again began to make love to her with his mouth, his tongue, and his fingers.
The first tremors of ecstasy caught her unaware. It should have ended there, but it didn’t. The pleasure was gathering, building, so intense she almost couldn’t bear it. Terrified of what was happening, she struggled to stop it.
“It’s okay,” he whispered as he continued to stroke her. “Just hold me and let it happen. It’s okay, Regan.” He moved between her thighs, and with one swift plunge, he was inside her, deep inside. He squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his jaw tight for the pleasure was almost too much to bear. She cried out and arched up against him, then drew her knees up and wrapped her legs around him.