Obligingly, Melissa reached around for the clasp. Parting the metal hooks, she wiggled out of the confining contraption.
Tarian had no words as he stared at her, bared from the waist up.
A moment of hesitation hit her, since she didn’t have the chest to rival most immortals. She didn’t have the curves that brought men to their knees. Glancing down at her small breasts, she tried to muster her moxie. If he wanted this to go any further, then he had better think she was incredible, despite the handicap her immortality imposed on her.
“Seven hundred years,” he said, his gaze locked on her. “And you are still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
The honesty in his voice warmed her. Her doubts melted away under the complete acceptance in his gaze. It didn’t matter what issues she had about her body; to him she was perfect. And for the first time in her life, she was beginning to feel that way.
“Come to me,” she said, reaching out to him.
He crawled onto the bed and hooked a hand around each ankle.
Melissa gasped as he tugged her flat onto her back. Her fingers flew to the clasp on her jeans and quickly undid the few buttons keeping her clothed.
With heated eyes, Tarian stripped the denim from her body.
“I think you missed something,” she teased, wiggling backward in only her black silk underwear.
“Luckily, I’m a man who knows how to correct his mistakes.” Gripping her panties, he tore the loose binding around her hips.
Melissa glanced at her ruined underwear with only mild regret. “You realize I’ll have to go commando tomorrow.”
His pupils dilated at the thought. “I’ll never be able to drive us where we’re going,” he said. “Not when I know all I have to do is reach over and…”
Melissa caught his questing hand as it inched up her thigh. “Not so fast,” she taunted.
“No?” He stood back against the side of the bed. “I guess it’s only fair.” He shed his boxers and Melissa’s mouth went dry.
She’d known Tarian was muscled and hard in every area, but the sight of his cock jutting proudly from his body made her want to lick her lips. Hers. For tonight at least. She’d be damned if she wouldn’t make it count.
“Come here,” she said, holding out her arms to him.
Tarian wasted no time crawling back onto the bed. The mattress dipped under his weight as he leaned into her waiting arms.
Melissa lay flat against the sheets, looking up at him. As much as she’d dreamed of this moment, she’d never really expected to experience it in real life.
Her fingers rose to trace over his cheekbones, examining him with a gentle touch.
“Beautiful,” she breathed. In every way. Tarian satisfied all the requirements she’d once set out for a mate.
“That’s my line,” he said, as his mouth touched hers.
Closing her eyes, she gave herself up to the pleasure of his touch. His mouth dragged along her in a sensual caress that had her moaning for more. Parting her lips, she met his questing tongue with her own.
Their panting breaths mingled as Melissa hooked a leg over his hip. She undulated against him, pressing her breasts up against his hard chest.
His hands caressed down her sides, sliding over her hips as he explored the smooth lines of her legs. Melissa raked her nails down his chest, keeping her touch light enough to tantalize but not to hurt.
That she had the right to touch him in any way she saw fit filled her with a raw power she’d never felt before. One hand dipped low to brush against his erection, and she smiled at his swift inhale.
“Did I do something you like?” she asked, wrapping her fingers around his hard cock.
Melissa captured his lower lip between her teeth as she pumped her fist over his erection. Every moan that escaped him spurred her on. Tarian could control her with a thought, but right then, she was the one with the power. She couldn’t stop her grin.
“Vixen,” Tarian murmured. Grabbing her hands, he pressed them over her head.
Melissa tugged against her pinned hands. His strength held her in place, but they both knew she could tear free if she wanted. Score one for vampire advantage. “Don’t you want to see what I can do with my tongue?” she taunted, arching her back to thrust her breasts up for his view.
“Yes,” Tarian panted. “But not quite yet.”
His hands left her wrists as his mouth kissed its way down her torso.
“Tarian,” she breathed when his lips ran over her navel.
But he dipped lower. Heated hands pressed against her thighs, forcing them wider apart as he ducked between them.
The first lick of his tongue along her slit nearly sent her rocketing from the bed.