After the Ashes(25)

Breathing hard, he pulled away from her to grab the hem of her chemise and pull it over her head while she lifted her arms to help him. He absently dropped the garment to the floor, his gaze riveted to her naked body. He gripped her shoulders, holding her away from him so he could stare wherever he liked. Her cheeks flamed and she fought the urge to study her toes. Instead she watched his face, fascinated by his response. Looking at her seemed to excite him more than the kiss or even the touching. His pupils flared, giving him a dazed look.

She stood straight under his scrutiny, took a deep breath, and watched how the rise and fall of her chest drew him. She knew she was well formed, her breasts high and firm, her hips flared, her waist fairly small. But the way he looked at her, she felt rare and exquisite.

“Jesus,” he rasped.

She hooked a finger in the top of his trousers. “Your turn.”

She unbuttoned the top button. While he watched her hands, his breathing quickened. His reaction to her touch made her feel powerful. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought him the virgin.

Before she got halfway through the buttons, she brushed his hard, hot sex. She hesitated briefly, lost her nerve for an instant, but kept going. He didn’t seem to notice. She glanced up at him. His eyes were closed. Each deep breath he took seemed to be the only thing sustaining him.

When she reached the last button she pulled his pants over his hips, and the rigid flesh she had touched sprang forth, straight and fierce. She knelt and pulled his pants all the way down his legs. She was glad he kept his eyes closed, because it gave her the chance to freely gaze at him.

She had seen a man naked before. You didn’t live in a cramped house with three brothers and avoid that, but she had never seen a man ready to take a woman. She had grownup around horse breeding and knew the logistics. But seeing his male part thick and engorged, knowing he was like this for her, sent the strangest jolt of excitement through her, with just a touch of fear.

She dragged her hands back up his body. When horses mated, it wasn’t uncommon for the animals to be hurt if the trainers weren’t in control. Lorelei wasn’t quite certain who was in control here. He kept his eyes closed and his hands by his sides as her palms roamed over his chest, back down his arms, and around his hips. She grazed him everywhere but where she knew he wanted her to touch him. The way he involuntarily jerked when her hands passed over the hollow of his hips gave his desire away.

She took a deep breath and wrapped her hand around his thickness. He inhaled sharply.

She squeezed, testing the hardness. It was such a strange thing, how ungiving it was, when she knew it would be pliant when he wasn’t aroused. She ran her hand to the tip, feeling the smoothness of his skin in contrast to the hardness underneath.

“Lorelei.” His voice sounded harsh, leaving her unsure whether he was encouraging her or asking her to stop. He wrapped one hand around hers, and with the other he gripped her shoulder as if bracing himself. He guided her hand back down and up again, then he leaned down and kissed her gently on the cheek.

“Your touch is so sweet,” he whispered into her ear.

He brought her hand up to his chest and pulled her into his arms. They stood toe-to-toe. Her breasts pressed against his lightly haired chest. Her head nestled under his chin. He just held her for a moment. She could hear his heart beat loud and strong. He rubbed his hands lightly up and then down her back. His gentle cradling was the nicest thing yet. She wrapped her arms around his waist and held him close. If she knew it would have been like this, she would have been eager the night in his hotel room.

When he cupped her bottom, molding her against him with a fierceness she sensed was only the beginning, she raised her face to his. He complied with her silent request and kissed her thoroughly. She had always liked kissing, but this was so much more. There was promise and hunger in this kiss.

By the time he stopped, her breath came in short gasps. Her stomach no longer fluttered with nerves but burned with an anxious need to continue. Wanting him inside her seemed as natural as gasping for breath. Before Christopher, she couldn’t fathom yearning for a man as clearly as she did now.

Without a word he guided her onto the bed. She lay on her back on top of the bedroll, wanting to crawl underneath but awaiting his next move. He stretched out beside her instead of over her, as she’d imagined.

He raised himself on one elbow and kissed her while he explored her body with his other hand. He used sweeping strokes, focusing his attention from her shoulder to her hip. His breath quickened when he paused at her breasts to flick his thumb over her distended nipples. She shut her eyes and gasped at the sharp burst of pleasure, but he’d already slid his hand down her belly. Even with her eyes closed, she sensed his restless need. She shifted and watched him again, not sure what he expected or wanted from her.