Decision made, Mitch lifted his mouth from hers. He couldn’t keep kissing her and maintain even a sliver of control. He had to do the right thing here—even if it was one of the hardest things he’d ever tried to do.
Mitch let his mouth roam downward over her soft skin, licking, tasting and nibbling on her as he went. She tasted divine. Like the heavenly dew on a pale morning rose. Like the nectar of the moonflowers she reminded him of so much. She was like no other woman he’d ever tasted before. And Mitch feared very much that this stolen interlude would ruin him for any other.
But it was worth it. Hearing her little whimpers of pleasure as he finally took one nipple into his mouth was worth anything—everything that might come later. This one moment out of time was his for eternity and he would never regret it—or forget it.
Gina’s body strained toward his and he loved the feel of her softness against his bare skin. She was quickly losing all control and he both feared and wanted it. The sooner she found her bliss, the less his control would be tested, but he also wanted to draw out this moment, to savor it and give her as much as he could in this one, stolen moment out of time.
He switched to her other breast, allowing one of his hands to reach downward, between them, seeking the warmth at the apex of her thighs. She eagerly opened for him, the cloth an annoying barrier between them. He needed to get closer, but he also didn’t want to remove that last barrier that was helping him retain his very tenuous control.
Compromising, Mitch felt for her waistband and was relieved to find just enough give in the stretchy fabric to fit his hand down the front of her pants. He wouldn’t have to remove them if he did this right. It just might kill him, but it would also help him stay in control.
He sucked hard on her tight bud as his fingers found the moist cleft that he sought. The little button at the top was his goal and soon after he found it, she cried out, her sleek muscles going taut under him as she reached a climax at his hands.
She was so beautiful. So responsive. He knew he could drive her even higher—if he allowed himself to touch her even more. But that would be wrong. His entire existence was in a massive state of flux at the moment. He didn’t know what the future would bring. Hell, he didn’t even know what the next hour would bring.
He couldn’t subject her to the uncertainty that was his life right now, any more than she was already involved in it. He couldn’t be the tiger she needed at her side and in her bed. She needed a prince. A future king. A consort she could be proud of for the rest of their very long lives.#p#分页标题#e#
The only thing he was sure of at the moment was that he could be the protector that made sure she got the chance to live out the rest of her very long life. He would defend her with his last breath. He would die for her and he would live for her. But he didn’t think he could be the man at her side and in her bed for the rest of their lives. Gina was too special for the likes of him, and Mitch was too damn confused by it all to even begin to think about where he fit into the larger picture of the Clan and Gina’s life.
For all he knew, he would die in the challenge against Gisli. If so, he didn’t want to leave Gina brokenhearted. Better they not get any closer than they had already been. Tonight was a fluke. A lovely, amazing set of circumstances never to be repeated.
Even if it killed him.
When she tried to touch him as her small climax passed, he gently put her away from him, tucking her under the covers and wrapping her in his arms. The blankets were between them while he took the time to try to cool off. It was hard to do. Hell, he was hard as a rock and his body wanted nothing more than to claim Gina in the most basic way. But no. He wouldn’t let it happen.
He held her, not giving her the chance to ask the many questions he could see in her beautiful blue eyes. He kissed her gently each time she tried to speak, shushing her in a loving way. Eventually, she gave up and gave in to his softly spoken instruction to sleep.
Her breathing evened out long before his did and she fell into a restful slumber in his arms. Mitch held her for a long, long time, enjoying the feel of her next to him. Eventually though, sleep claimed him as well.
When Gina woke the next day, Mitch was still in bed with her, but he was sitting with the ancient book in his hands. He was very close to the end, judging by the number of pages left, and his face was a study in concentration.
She didn’t want to wake up and let the peaceful moment pass. Who knew how many mornings she’d have like this, waking to find him near? She would cherish every moment, fearing the worst and hoping for the best. But this moment—this moment—was to be savored.