King's Throne(27)

“I can see the level of thought he put into this cabin. A gas fire that doesn’t give off smoke to betray our presence. Blackout curtains over every conceivable source of light leakage. And that pantry has about a year’s worth of rice and beans in it, not to mention the cistern on the roof and underground fuel tanks.”
Gina was a little amazed at how much he’d observed. She hadn’t seen him obviously looking around and he hadn’t asked any questions, but he saw more than the regular guy, that was a fact.
“This is just a cabin. You should see the main house,” she quipped, glad the mood was lighter now. “That place is a fortress. More like a bunker, actually.”
“I can only imagine.” Mitch stroked her shoulder in a gentle caress. It was a simple motion but it made her feel warm…and appreciated. It also made her hunger for more.
“Mitch…I…” Gina trailed off, turning toward him. Their eyes met and held and there was no need for words. He felt it too—this amazing connection, the undeniable attraction.
She closed the space between them, seeking his mouth with hers. And then her lips were on his and he was kissing her. This was no tentative exploration. No repeat of the sweet salute he’d given her before. No, this kiss started out calm but then swirled into passion like a raging torrent. Deep, drugging, intoxicating passion.
He maneuvered her into a position under him, lying flat on the couch while his starving body pressed her into the cushions. He loved the feel of her against him and wanted more. So much more. Did he dare push the limits of propriety? She was a princess and he was…nothing. Just nothing. He didn’t have any right, even to this kiss, but then she pushed against his shoulders, making him draw back.
Rather than pushing him away, she was only demanding more room to move her hands. Those dangerous little fingers of hers went right under his shirt and started stroking him in ways that made him forget all his objections.
He leaned into her caressing fingers, loving the gentle way she stroked his skin. She was petting him and he felt a purr rumble up from deep within his chest. That almost stopped him cold. Purring in human form was significant, but he couldn’t stop to think about it now.
He kissed her with all the pent-up longing within him, all the dreams of what could be—if he let things go too far. He didn’t want to hurt her, but how could he deny the fire that flared between them? He was too weak to resist as she pushed his shirt up and out of the way. He moved back for a tempestuous moment to let her to shove the bunched fabric up, over his head and arms.
When he returned, he was bare and wanted nothing more than to feel her soft skin against his body. He let his fingers trail to her waist, seeking the hem of her stretchy top. Going slowly, seeking permission with every touch, he lifted the soft fabric upward, exposing her midriff. He paused there, stroking her skin and learning the feel of her. She felt like soft, heated velvet against his rough fingertips. So feminine. So warm and delicate.
And then he dared to push the fabric higher, up over the satin cups of her bra. He let his fingers toy with the hard-pebbled tips he felt poking up from under the fabric. She shivered and he lost a little of his control. He tore the shirt off over her head with her very willing cooperation. He reclaimed her lips almost immediately, their kisses growing deeper and more desperate with every passing moment.
The couch limited his movements. Making no conscious decision, he lifted her in his arms, mouths still clinging to each other, and walked with her to the big bed on the other side of the room. He deposited her there, taking only a moment to unhook her bra and let it fall down her arms.
Then he paused. His hands cupped her soft breasts, his mouth still devoured hers, but something inside him stilled. He knew he couldn’t take this too far. He also couldn’t be a cad and leave her hanging. She was panting against him, her body primed for pleasure. He’d be a total asshat if he left her wanting after taking it so far.
But he couldn’t claim her. He couldn’t make love to her and then pretend nothing had changed in the morning light. And he wasn’t the kind to fuck a woman and then leave her head spinning as he withdrew to a safe, protected corner. No, he had to be stronger than the primitive urges driving him. He would give her pleasure tonight because he wasn’t a cad, then he’d leave her be.
That way was safer for them both. And for the tiger Clan. He had more than just himself to worry about now. Anything he did with Gina could potentially impact many more lives. She was royalty. He was just a lowly soldier, who until a short time ago was as golden as any other tiger. A quick change in color didn’t change who he was deep down inside. He had to remember that.