“You’re welcome.” His voice seemed deeper, rougher and she fought the urge to simply turn and straddle his body. Her breasts ached to be pressed against the hard wall of his chest, but she wanted this moment to last, to enjoy simply relaxing with a man who fascinated and rang her bell on every level.
“My turn.” She leaned forward and plucked one of the berries out of the bowl and brought it to his mouth. He parted his lips and allowed her to feed him. His sharp teeth closed around the treat, but not before his tongue made contact with one of her fingers.
The tiny caress sent shock waves of pleasure careening all the way to her toes. A sense of rightness came over her. She could let down her guard with John. He didn’t want her money or her family connections. He was the kind of man who made his own way in the world. All he wanted was her.
He swallowed and she watched his Adam’s apple ripple. He wasn’t the most handsome man she’d ever met in her life, but he was the most compelling one. She pressed her hand against his strong jaw, feeling the rasp of his five o’clock shadow. Her fingers played over his chin and a low rumble came from his chest.
He watched her as a tiger might watch its prey, alert and aware of everything. His pale-blue eyes never left her face.
There was so much they should talk about but, at this moment, Topaz could think of nothing to say. All her reasons for not getting involved with John were lost in her growing need. She could have this time with him before they went their separate ways. Topaz was a realist and knew John Knight lived on the edge of danger, was accustomed to the adrenaline rush of excitement, while all she wanted was stability and a family.
It wasn’t wrong for them to want different things but it did make any kind of relationship between them a temporary one. It saddened her to think so, but she shoved the unwanted thought out of her head. It had no place between them tonight.
His hand closed around her hip, his fingers flexing. His chest expanded as he took a deep breath and slowly released it.
Her body was on fire for him. Her skin tingled and felt over-sensitized, as though all the nerve endings were exposed. She wanted his large calloused hands on her, touching her, caressing her. His hands were rough and capable, the hands of a hardworking man.
“John.” His name was little more than a whisper on her lips, but he heard her. She leaned toward him and he lowered his head. Their lips met and she could taste the sweetness of the berry she’d fed him.
His tongue stroked over her top and then her bottom lip. He caught the lower one between his teeth and carefully nipped. Hot, molten pleasure shot downward and her core went moist. Her nipples ached so she turned and pressed one of her breasts against his chest.
He ripped his mouth from hers and lifted her as though she weighed nothing at all. His biceps rippled as he settled her on his lap so she was facing him, her legs straddling his. Her slippers slid off her feet and dropped to the floor with a light thud. The new position pressed her mound against his heavy erection and she wiggled against him, wringing a moan from them both.
“It’s been making me crazy all night wondering if you have anything on under that damn dressing gown.” John pulled at the tie at her waist and spread the ends of the material back to reveal her nightgown. A slight smile tugged at his lips. “I might have known.”
“What does that mean?” She couldn’t tell if he liked it or was disappointed.
He pushed the bathrobe down her shoulders and pulled it away, draping it over the sofa beside them. His hands slid up her bare arms to her shoulder, leaving a trail of goose bumps in their wake.
“You’re the most damn coordinated woman I know. Last summer, your panties matched the dress you were wearing.” His fingers toyed with the thin strap of her nightgown. “It’s sexy as hell.” He drew one finger down toward her cleavage and her nipples became more pronounced against the silky fabric. “I play a guessing game with myself every day, wondering what you’ve got on beneath your clothes. Makes me crazy.”
His deep voice was pure seduction and his touch was setting her skin on fire. She reached down, grabbed his hand and placed it on her breast. He squeezed and plumped the mound even as his thumb circled the straining nipple through the fabric.
“Oh yeah. This is what I want. You’re so damn sexy.” He slid his hands back up to the straps and slowly pulled them down to her elbows and then lower, exposing her breasts. The top half of her nightgown pooled around her waist. “You’re perfect.”
He moved her back slightly on his lap and leaned forward. Her eyelids half closed in anticipation of having his mouth on her. But he shifted to the side and reached into the bowl of strawberries, plucking one out. The berry was mounded with cream. She shivered in anticipation, wondering what he would do.
John brought the berry to her breast and circled her nipple with it, leaving a dollop of cream on the tip. Topaz moaned as the cool berry came in contact with her heated skin. Then he went on to the other one and did the same.
“Your nipples are even sweeter than the strawberries. Red and ripe and ready for me to taste.”
No man had ever said such things to her. Her pussy ached for his touch. She was empty and aching for him, wanting him to fill her, take her. Her entire body was alive, nerve endings firing, straining, waiting for his next move.
“I never did get enough dessert. Did you?” He brought the berry to her lips. “Taste.” She took the strawberry into her mouth and bit into the succulent treat. John leaned down and circled one taut nipple with his tongue, licking off the surrounding cream.
“Mmm.” I think my treat is better than yours.” Her head fell back as he closed his mouth over the cream-covered bud and sucked. Her thighs tightened around his and she grabbed his shoulders for support.
He released her nipple, circling it with his tongue. “Can’t miss any of the cream.”
“No,” she agreed, her voice hoarse with need. “Can’t do that. It would be wasteful.”
His low laugh made her pussy clench and she grabbed his head and drew him to her other breast. He plumped the mound in his hand and lapped at cream covering it. He stroked and licked, teasing the rigid bud at the tip with his tongue until she thought she might go crazy.
She touched his chest and realized, while she was half naked, he was still totally dressed. She yanked at his shirt, needing to feel his warm, hard flesh beneath her hands. He leaned back and let her pull it over her head. She tossed his shirt aside and skimmed her hands over the rigid muscles. There was not a single ounce of fat on the man. He was all rippling muscles and strength.
“Let’s get this off you.” John gathered the fabric of her nightgown and pulled it over her head. She raised her arms, helping him to remove it. Naked, she sat on his lap and let him look his fill. She was tall and slender with minimal curves. Her build was more lanky than curvaceous, but her breasts were a decent size and well-shaped.
His hands closed around her hips and he slid them over her waist. His thumbs trailed over her abdomen, stopping beneath her breasts. “You are so fucking sexy.” He cupped her breasts, molding them with his hands. He caressed and teased them, plucking at her nipples with his thumb and forefinger.
She moved against him, pressing her lower body against his jean-covered erection. Not satisfied with that, she tugged at the zipper.
Every cell in John’s body screamed at him to take Topaz. Now. He could taste the combination of sweet berry, rich cream and warm woman on his tongue, could still feel the tight bud of her nipple. Her skin was like the cream he’d put on it—soft and rich and addictive. Her nipple was sweeter than any berry he’d ever eaten.